Part VIII: Room 801 (Gold)
Fifty years later, Joseph and Grace returned to the Grande Hotel once more. They were some twelve hours later than they had planned...but they were returned just the same and that was the most important thing.
Grace shook her head...her soft, silver hair tight in a sturdy, unpretentious bun underneath her delicate black hat...saddened, yet again, at the way the neighborhood had continue to deteriorate. They came every ten years and every ten years it seemed the streets had aged twenty.
But Grace smiled, the steely twinkle in her azure eyes blazing with love and affectionate nostalgia, when Joseph turned the car into the driveway of the Grande. It was, as ever, a beacon and a haven...a place where they and their love will ever be welcome.
Some things are eternal. Like love. Like gold.
The children had wanted them to fly if they had to do it all. Long trip...you'll be all alone...you're not kids any more...the city's gone to hell...we worry about you...why don't you let us give you a party instead...
Joseph and Grace had listened patiently, loving their children and their heartfelt concern, and then they made the trip as always. Tradition is tradition...and as long as they both had breath in their bodies, this cherished journey would be made every ten years...
Joseph hoped out loud that they hadn't lost their reservations...but it was just idle talk, he knew without a doubt that the Grande would never turn them away.
They hadn't expected to find anyone working outside at that hour but a young blond bellboy, who had been idly smoking a cigarette near the front entrance, came over and took their bags.
"Welcome to the Central City Grande Hotel, folks" the boy said brightly, his steps slowed just enough to allow the couple to follow along. "My name is Jerry and I hope you have a nice stay with us."
Joseph and Grace smiled at each other. "We always do, son," Joseph said. He reached out with his dark, callused hand, his skin was turning deep enough to be almost the "coal black" that he had always half-jokingly claimed it to be, and opened the door. "We always do."
Grace went in followed by Jerry with the bags and they moved towards the desk. Red O'Malley, the Grande's seemingly ageless night manager, looked up from the magazine he was reading and smiled brightly. "Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes," he said warmly. "We were beginning to worry. There are several messages from your children."
Joseph shook his head. "Darn old car started acting up," he said ruefully, "we ended up having to call the auto club. Sorry we didn't call you."
Red shook off the apology. "No problem, sir," he said. "Your room's waiting for you." He turned to Jerry. "Room 801."
Jerry nodded and started towards the elevators. Joseph paused. "You're Mr. O'Malley's boy, aren't you?"
Red nodded. "Yes, sir, I am. He had to go home but he told me to give you both his best." And then he gave a start and reached into the pocket of his starched white shirt and pulled out a small envelope. "I almost forgot...he also told me to give you this...wouldn't tell me what it was..."
Joseph took the envelope and smiled wistfully. "I know exactly what it is, son," he said. "Thank you."
"My father says that you are his favorite guests," Red said with a distinct measure of admiration; his father was not a man who was easily impressed by anyone.
Joseph and Grace shared a wistful smile. "He's a good man," Grace said. They both nodded with solemn affection and nothing more need be said.
Joseph and Grace held hands...ebony and ivory digits intertwined idly and indelibly...during the duration of the elevator ride.
Their mothers' voices...long passed on but admonishing, colored by fear and ignorance...echoed...warning...pleading... begging...you don't really want to...you can't... marry...that colored boy...that white girl...nothing good can come of it...
Fifty years later. Some things are eternal. Like love. Like the Grande. Like gold.
They sat in the room...their room...completely different and just the same as always. They called to reassure the children that all was well and then, hand in hand, they looked out at the night.
Grace smiled and held out her hand. Together they made their way up to the roof access door. From the little envelope, Joseph drew out a key. He placed it into the lock and the door opened for them.
And they stepped into the night...into the shadows behind the Grande's stately sign...basking in the golden moonlight. The same moonlight they had stolen away into fifty years earlier...on top of the world...safe from the world. Holding hands and kissing for the first and for the one millionth time. Finding the music...the never-ending love songs borne on the wind that only they could hear...and waltzing high above the city...late in the night...fifty years...happy anniversary.
50 years ago...sure they were going to be turned away yet again...and indeed, the elder O'Malley had raised a wary, questioning eyebrow...I think you folks are nuts, but some things can't be denied... certainly not by me...but then he let them register. Room 801.
The room had been humid and their hearts were too keyed up to sleep even after they had lain together as husband and wife for the first glorious time. They dressed and made their way to the roof access door...someone had forgotten to lock it...they stole up to the roof behind the Grande's towering sign...on top of the world...safe, for a few eternal moments, from the unforgiving world.
They had danced...a graceful waltz...while the elder O'Malley, investigating the open access door, watched briefly then stole away smiling to allow them their peace.
Some things are eternal. Like love. Like the Grande. Like moonlight. Like waltzing in the night with the only one you've ever loved. Like gold.
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