nowhere I’d rather be than with you. And don’t worry about the luxuries. I can deal.”
Their first stop was on Research Boulevard to visit the coin dealer. After a quick phone call to follow up on the email, the representative was anxious to meet with them. When Reno spread out a few of the gold pieces, the man practically salivated. After a little dickering, Reno walked out with a little over six thousand dollars in his pocket. “Dinner’s on me,” he whispered in her ear as he stole a kiss.
Their next stop was Barton Creek Mall. Reno was mesmerized by the stores. They stopped at one of the kiosks to buy fudge and he bought Journey an infinity heart necklace from the James Avery jewelry store. When he fastened it around her next, he placed a hand on her cheek and vowed to love her forever. “In your time and in mine. Always.”
They held hands as they explored the myriad of stores and shops. And when he spied the escalator, he gave a war whoop as he rushed to climb aboard. She took a few pictures of him riding up and down. Up and down.
When she could finally tear him away, they grabbed lunch at the mall courtyard. He was entranced by the variety. Mexican. Italian. Thai. Burgers. Hot dogs. Chinese. Fried Chicken. Fish. “Well, what will it be?” she asked.
“I want to try it all.”
And he almost did.
After a couple of enjoyable hours at the mall and a few more rides on the escalator, Journey took him to her apartment in the northwest part of the city. The houses were bigger on the west side, especially near the river. Of course, she lived in an apartment, but it was nice too. “The last time I saw Austin, it was home to about four thousand people. A big city as far as I was concerned. What’s the population now?”
Journey made a humming sound as she unlocked her door. “Oh, last I heard it was 960,000 something and the population for the Metroplex which includes Round Rock and the other suburbs was a little over two million.”
“Damn, that’s a lot of people,” he muttered as he stepped inside Journey’s home. “Good gracious, baby. What have we here?”
If a stranger walked in any other apartment in her complex, then visited her own – they’d swear they couldn’t be located in the same place. She’d taken an ordinary modern apartment and transformed it into a celebration of the past. Journey tried to look at it through Reno’s eyes. “The furniture is all antiques. Most of it from the late 1800’s. I especially enjoyed collecting the glassware.”
He strolled around the room, touching a pillow, trailing a finger across the fabric on a chair. “You have very similar tastes to Fancy.” For Reno’s part, he felt right at home. Everything was comfortable and pleasing to the eye. “So, you like this?”
“I do.” She didn’t state the obvious. Living among these things was just her way of being as close to him as she could.
He gave her a heated look. “I think I’m going to be able to make you happy.”
“Not a doubt in my mind.” She followed him into her kitchen. “I have modern appliances. Of course.”
“Yea, you’d be crazy not to.” Reno opened her refrigerator. “What this?” He took out a round container filled with something red and shiny.
“Jell-O. Get a spoon and try it. That’s cherry with pears, I think.”
“I think I’m too full.”
“Ah, like they say, there’s always room for Jell-O.” He gave her a grin and made himself at home, tearing open the container, and taking a big bite. “Damn, this is good.”
As he ate, they wound their way to her bedroom. He chuckled to find the big wash bowl and pitcher. “You still have a shower and sink, though, right?”
“Yea, I do. I have all the modern conveniences along with touches of the past – to keep you close.”
“I love you.” He said matter-of-factly as he sat down her bed.
“I love you too.” She pointed at a remote control. “When you finish your treat, lay down and press those buttons.”
His eyes lit up. “I love remotes. And buttons.”
Taking her up on his invitation, he had a blast with the Tempurpedic bed, making it go up and down – up and down. “I think we could use this later, if you’re game.” He gave her a wicked little smile.
“Oh, yea. Absolutely.” She pointed at the bottom of the remote. “Now, hit