The hotel room was filthy.
I didn’t expect much for $30, but I’d never been in one before, so maybe it was normal. My head ached, and after I walked into the hotel lobby, all I could think about was my room back home, and all the books I’d left behind. They’d probably throw them away. Things, just replaceable things, I reminded myself.
I checked in while Vickie stood outside and smoked cigarettes. I thought she could tell I didn’t like it when she smoked, because I would stand a few feet away. I didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable, but all I could think was that anything that smelled that bad couldn’t be good for you.
“I’ve never stayed in a hotel before.” I told Vickie as I tried to use the plastic card to open the door to the room. She smiled down at me and took it out of my ha
