Room 9 by Clifford Beck - HTML preview

Chapter 5

The drive to Hampton seemed to take forever as the teens continued their drifting journey, gently cradled by the arms of Morpheus, their eyes darting from side-to-side while their minds reflected on the anticipation of what lay ahead. The driver wasn't much on conversation, but this left Elaine with the opportunity to see what she could of Virginia, mostly highways, overpasses, and office towers. This she found somewhat disappointing, as she expected to see rolling hills and dense forests, all the things typical of that part of the country. However, feeling a bit of tension from the absence of conversation, she tried to break the ice with a little small talk with the driver.

“So,” she began. “How long have you been working for NASA?” Elaine was a single mother and having just met such a well-built man who, surprisingly, also had a job, sent her into a hormonal spiral as she began to flush. But it was his voice that truly tested her impulses. “Ma’am,” he replied. “I’ve been with NASA for over ten years.”

Elaine had not been involved with anyone for several years, ignoring her need for the company of a man while undertaking the raising of her daughter. Now, she felt that need spring to life with a vengeance and, feeling the fiery flush of arousal, opened the passenger window, allowing the breeze to cool her skin as well as the fire sweeping through her soul. But in spite of this, she continued the conversation. She simply could not get enough of what his voice did to her.

“So,” she said. “Have you always done this for NASA? The driving, I mean?”

He made no eye contact and responded with a stiff, professional voice.

“Ma’am, I work in security. I just do what they tell me.”

Elaine couldn’t help feeling put off by his impersonal approach, but it also occurred to her that, given the nature of his job, maintaining an emotional distance was likely necessary. Yet, Elaine couldn’t help trying one more time and left him with an open invitation.

“Well,” she began. “If you’re ever up in Maine, you’ll have to stop by.” His professional demeanor was momentarily broken by a slight grin as he briefly responded to her advance.

“I’ll be sure to remember, ma’am.”

Leaving the highway, a Holiday Inn came into view and as Elaine’s unusual hot flash broke, she, again, turned to the driver. “Is this where we’re staying?” she asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” he replied. “You’re only a few miles from the research center.”

As he pulled into the hotel parking lot, the driver, led by curiosity, inquired about their visit. “So,” he began. “If you don’t mind me asking, what is it that brings you down here?”

Elaine turned back, informing the teens that they had arrived at their hotel.

“Well,” she began. “The kids here won a lottery to spend a week touring the center. They’re part of the school’s gifted and talented program.”

The driver nodded.

“A week, huh?” he asked. “I don’t know, there’s a lot to see here. A week won’t be enough time, but they’ll probably get to see only certain things. Most of the projects are classified. The government does have to keep its secrets, ya know.”

“Oh,” Elaine replied. “Well, even if they can’t see everything, I’m sure they’ll have a good time anyway.” Suddenly feeling the importance of where they were going, she refrained from asking any more questions. Pulling into a parking space, the driver got out and began unloading the group’s luggage as the teens roused from their short sleep. Approaching Elaine, he began one more brief conversation. “Ma’am, you’ll be getting a wake-up call at seven in the morning. I’ll pick you up at eight.”

Elaine was pleasantly surprised and asked him if he would be driving them back and forth during the entire week. His answer was yes and as he drove away, she couldn’t help thinking that maybe she had a chance for, at least, a brief reprieve from the years of loneliness she had experienced. But she knew there would be no time for such an indulgence, and he likely wouldn’t be interested anyway.