Lost in Las Vegas (18 page)

“Sounds good to me.”

As it turned out, they spent most of the day at the pool. And to DJ’s relief, Taylor didn’t stock the mini fridge with booze this time. And there was no real partying going on in cabana 14. The girls had a late lunch at a poolside café and mostly snoozed and swam and read. In fact, DJ thought maybe things were taking a turn for the better.

“My mom left a message,” Taylor informed DJ after she closed her cell phone. “She invited you and me to come to her concert tonight.”

“That sounds great.”

“Really? This will be, like, your third time. Not to mention two nights in a row?”

“So . . . I like her. She’s good.”

“Okay . . .”

And so they dressed up again — not as fancy as on previous nights — and they went to hear Eva’s Christmas concert, which was a completely different show thanks to the Christmas numbers. And it was wonderful — even better than the other concert. Then, to DJ’s relief, she somehow enticed Taylor to return to the suite. How she would keep her there remained to be seen. “I’m tired.” DJ feigned a yawn as they rode the elevator up.

“But it’s so early,” protested Taylor.

“It’s also Christmas Eve,” DJ told her. “Wouldn’t it be nice to spend it in the suite?”

“I don’t know why.”

“Maybe your mom will want some company.”

“My mom will be exhausted. She has to go to a late dinner, and by the time she gets back, she’ll probably go straight to bed.”

When they entered the suite, DJ kicked off her shoes and turned on the flat-screen TV. “Maybe we can find an old movie,” she said hopefully. She knew that Taylor loved some of the classics.

“I’m hungry,” said Taylor. “Why don’t we go get something to eat?”

“How about room service?”

“That will take forever.”

“How do you know?”

“Trust me, I know.”

“Oh . . .” DJ looked around the spacious suite and wondered how she could possibly entice Taylor not to go out. She picked up a pack of cards and held them up. “Maybe we could play cards.”

Taylor made a face. But then she seemed to get interested. “Okay, how about some gin rummy?”

DJ brightened. “Yeah, we never did finish our last game.”

“Cool.” Taylor kicked off her shoes now. “But let’s change into comfortable clothes first.”

Now DJ was feeling really hopeful and started to go for her sweats, but Taylor shook her head. “No, I mean like jeans.”

“What’s the difference?”

“For gin rummy.”

DJ frowned. “Who cares?”

“To go downstairs.”

“Huh?” Now DJ was confused.

“For gin rummy. We can play it downstairs.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s fun.”

DJ was feeling suspicious now. “You mean gambling?”

“No. I don’t mean gambling. I know that’s risky. I just mean plain old gin rummy. Are you interested or not?”

DJ gave in. She put on her jeans, and the next thing she knew they were walking through the casino again. Finally, Taylor stopped in front of what appeared to be a club. A club DJ hadn’t seen. A club called Gin Rummy.

“See,” said Taylor. “Gin Rummy.”

DJ wanted to smack her.

“Come on,” urged Taylor. “They have cards in there.”

“But it’s a — ”

“And, oh yeah, I have something for you.”

“What?”

“Merry Christmas!” Taylor grinned and slipped DJ what looked like a driver’s license. Fake ID!

“Taylor!” exclaimed DJ. “Where did you — ”

“Don’t ask . . . don’t tell.” Taylor grabbed DJ’s arm and pulled her up to the security guard who, seeing the card in DJ’s hand and one in Taylor’s, barely looked and then nodded them both through.

“See,” said Taylor. “No big deal.”

DJ wanted to scream as Taylor pulled her toward a table. The room was smoky, and the music was loud, and DJ had no idea what she should do. It was one thing to turn in Taylor last night, but how could DJ turn her in now? They had both broken the law. What if they got arrested?

“Come on, DJ,” urged Taylor. “Pretend this is a Christmas present to me. Let’s just hang and have fun, okay? No big deal. And I promise I won’t get drunk. Okay?”

“One hour,” seethed DJ. “And then we’re going back to the suite.”

Taylor nodded. “You got it.”

But before that hour was even up, Taylor had consumed several rum drinks and was now clearly feeling no pain as she danced the salsa with yet another guy. At the rate she was going, DJ figured it would take the law, her mother, or an act of God to get that girl out of here in one piece. Gin rummy — you bet!

17

AS IT TURNED OUT,
maybe it was an act of God. But when the fire alarm in the club went off, it was all DJ could do not to stand up and cheer. Whether there was a fire or not — and she didn’t care — the security guards quickly began escorting patrons out of the club. DJ ran over and grabbed Taylor by the hand and pulled her out.

“Where’s the fire?” asked Taylor with a slurred voice.

“In the back, I think,” said DJ. Okay, not exactly true, but maybe.

“Where we going?” asked Taylor as DJ continued to tug her along.

“To the suite.”

“Uh-uh,” protested Taylor.

DJ stopped and turned to look at Taylor, her face just inches away. “Look, either you come up to the suite, or I’m calling your mom and telling her that you’re wasted.”

Taylor frowned then swore. “You’re such a buzz-kill.”

“Same back at you,” said DJ as she grabbed Taylor by the elbow and continued to make her way toward the lobby. The Christmas music was still playing, and the gaudy decorations looked even worse now, but DJ just kept moving. Her only goal was to get Taylor safely upstairs and to bed. “Merry Christmas, bah humbug!” muttered DJ as she punched the elevator button.

“Huh?” Taylor looked at her with blurry eyes.

“Never mind!”

As they got out of the elevator, Taylor began to sing in a loud slurred voice. “We wiss you a merry Chrish-mush. We wiss you a merry Chrish-mush and a hap — ”

“Shh!” DJ put her forefinger over her lips. “People might be sleeping.”

“Nobody sleeps in Vegas.”

“Your mother might be sleeping,” said DJ as she slipped the key card into the door. That seemed to work, because Taylor tiptoed quietly, yet dramatically, into the suite. She headed straight for their room and collapsed on DJ’s bed with her clothes on. DJ just shook her head. For this she should get combat pay.

DJ got up around nine the next morning. Taylor was still asleep, snoring loudly, and fully dressed on top of what had been DJ’s bed.

“Merry Christmas,” said DJ as she tossed her still-warm comforter over Taylor. DJ peeked out to see that the suite was quiet, and she guessed that Eva was sleeping in also. All those performances and rehearsals and late dinner parties had to be exhausting. DJ stretched and looked out the window to the pools below. Another sunny day in “paradise.”

She decided to make the most of it by swimming laps. Swim team season was over, but she wanted to stay in shape for spring soccer. So she slipped into her team suit (no bikinis this morning) and went down for a hearty workout. There were a few people lounging around the pool, but for the most part it was pretty quiet. And why not? How many people spent Christmas morning out by a Vegas pool? Crazy.

As she swam, a calmness washed over her. She felt the assurance that, despite the craziness of being in Vegas for Christmas, she was in the right place at the right time. And she had the sense that somehow God was at work. Finally, satisfied with her efforts, she climbed out, wrapped the pool towel around her, and sat down to soak up some morning sun.

“Nice swimming,” said a male voice from behind her.

She turned to see an attractive African American guy smiling her way. “Thanks,” she told him. “It felt good.”

“You must be an athlete.”

She nodded. “I’d like to think that I am, but I’m getting over an injury that’s slowed me down a little.”

“Didn’t seem to slow down your swimming.” Now he closed the book he’d been reading and set it beside him. She couldn’t help but stare at the cover. “Is that a Bible?” she asked.

He grinned. “Yeah. That probably seems weird, huh?”

“No . . . just kind of unexpected. I mean, to be reading a Bible in Vegas . . . well, it’s just not the norm.”

“No, I guess not.”

“So, are you a Christian?”

His smile grew bigger. “Yeah, I am.”

“Cool!”

“How about you?”

“I am too. I just never expected to see another Christian here.”

“So, what are you doing here?”

“Trying to help a friend . . .” She shook her head. “A friend who doesn’t really want my help. How about you?”

“I’m here with my dad. It’s his fiftieth birthday this week, and this is where he wanted to spend it.” He sighed like he didn’t get it. “But then my dad’s not a Christian. My parents divorced a few years ago, and I’ve been trying to get through to my dad. I thought agreeing to do this with him might help.”

“Is it?”

He shrugged. “Hard to tell. Maybe . . . maybe in time.”

“Yeah, maybe with my friend too.”

Now he stood up and extended his hand. “Excuse my manners. My name is Terrence Stevenson.”

“I’m DJ Lane.” She shook his hand. “Nice to meet you. I don’t feel quite so alone now.”

“For a crowded place, Vegas can feel lonely.”

“You got that right.”

“What’s your friend’s name?” he asked. “Maybe I can pray for her.”

“Taylor.”

He nodded as if making a mental note.

“How about your dad?”

“Reggie.”

DJ peered up at the sky. “I wonder what time it is.”

“A little past eleven.”

“Thanks. I should probably get back. They were asleep when I left, but they could be up by now.”

“How long are you here for?”

“Until the 28th . . . unless I can get an earlier flight.”

“Well, maybe I’ll see you around then.”

DJ stood. “Hey, maybe we can plan to meet up. I mean, my friend Taylor, well, she’s pretty into guys . . . not like I’m trying to set anything up. But it would be interesting to have her meet, well, a Christian guy. It might give her something to think about.”

“Sure. That’d be cool.”

So they exchanged cell phone numbers, and he told her to call anytime.

“Merry Christmas,” she said.

“You too. And remember God really can work in some mysterious ways. Even in Vegas.”

“Thanks . . . I’ll keep that in mind.”

Eva was sitting in the living room when DJ walked in. “Oh, you’re up already? I thought both you girls were sleeping in.”

“I went down for a swim, but Taylor’s probably still sleeping.”

She nodded toward the cheerful arrangement of roses and ivy on the coffee table. “Thank you for the flowers, DJ. They’re beautiful. And it seems more Christmassy in here.”

“You’re welcome.” Then DJ remembered her gift. “I have something else too.” So she hurried and got the package and handed it to Eva. “It’s not much.”

“Oh, you shouldn’t have. I didn’t get anything for you.”

“Just having me as your guest . . . and hearing your concerts . . . that’s a huge gift.”

Eva took her time unwrapping the box and peeling the layers of tissue away from the bowl. “Oh, DJ, it’s beautiful. The colors are lovely. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” DJ grinned happily.

“Your mother must be so proud of you.”

DJ’s grin evaporated.

Now Eva got a thoughtful frown. “I just remembered something . . . your mother . . . she’s passed on, right?”

DJ nodded.

“Just the same, she must feel proud in heaven, DJ, to know she raised such a fine daughter.”

“Thanks . . .” DJ looked down at her soggy towel. “I think I’ll go catch a shower before Taylor gets up.”

“Yes, you do that. I think I’ll order up a big Christmas breakfast for all of us. Do you have any special requests?”

“Anything edible,” said DJ. “I’m starving.”

Eva laughed. “It will be here shortly.”

DJ was surprised to see that Taylor had gotten up. But when she found Taylor wrapped around the toilet, she knew what had gotten her up. “Worshiping the porcelain throne again?”

“Go away.”

“Sorry,” said DJ as she leaned against the vanity and looked at Taylor’s hunched form. She had stripped down to her underwear, some very expensive lacy pieces that didn’t look too warm. “Anything I can get for you?”

“No. Just leave me alone.”

“Mind if I hop in the shower?”

Taylor didn’t answer, just groaned. So DJ took this as permission. First she draped one of the thick white bathrobes over Taylor’s shoulders. Then she took a quick shower, and got out in time to hear Taylor heaving again. DJ dried quickly and pulled on the other thick bathrobe and then headed to the kitchen to see if she could find something to soothe Taylor’s hangover.