My Beautiful Surprise

"Oh!" she exclaimed, obviously taken aback by the appearance of someone she'd never met.

"Umm...ah...," he responded with obvious intelligence.

She glanced at the small white envelope that held her plastic key card, verified that her number matched that on his door, and said, "I'm sorry. They told me this was my room. The reservation was made for me over two weeks ago."

Mark retrieved his manners and opened the door.

"I'm Mark Holloway," he introduced himself as he widened the doorway and encouraged her to enter. I know this is rather odd, but it's late, this place is packed, I've been in this mess before, and SO...if you'll give me a few minutes to get dressed I'll see if I can help you straighten out this problem."

"No, thank you. I'm sorry to have disturbed you. I'll just go on down to the desk; they'll have another room."

He was already on the phone. After several minutes of discussion he hung up.

"They're not very helpful. There are no rooms available."

Her tired face fell.

"May I suggest something?" Mark asked quietly, trying to mitigate her uneasiness and disappointment. "It's late for getting a room that isn't there, you have to be exhausted, and this suite has a second bedroom. Will you consider staying in there? There's even a separate door to the hallway if you decide to leave. I'll stay out of your way, and you'll stand a lot better chance of getting real help in the morning."

"Are you sure...?" she trailed off with an understandably suspicious note in her slightly husky and obviously southern-accented voice. He wouldn't have blamed her if she'd said, "Thanks, but no thanks," and walked off.

"I'm Madison Parker," she followed on, "and I am truly sorry to impose on you this way."

She entered with her medium sized wheeled case in tow.

Mark showed her to the adjoining bedroom, gathering a terrycloth robe as they passed the bathroom, and laid it on the bed for her. He noted her staring at his long hair but said nothing. Neither did she.