Johnny removed the handle from the wooden hotel room door, taking it apart to try and determine the problem. Martha watched him intently, off to the side, obviously fascinated with what he was doing. He had agreed to let her watch, with the understanding that she hold things and pass tools whenever required. As he pulled the pieces apart, he felt rather than saw the little girl move in closer to get a look. He silently handed her some parts, thinking that maybe it just needed to be taken apart and put back together to start to work right. As he began to put it back together, the little girl crowded in even closer, obviously fascinated with the process. When he finished, he picked up the tools and followed the little girl back down the stairs and into the kitchen.
Realizing they were in the middle of the lunch rush, he joined Martha sitting at the table, smiling when Polly put a thick roast beef sandwich in front of him and a smaller one in front of the girl, returning with a plate with doughnuts and cookies which she placed in the centre of the table. She then came back with two apples, which she placed by their sandwiches. Bringing the coffee pot and a cup for Johnny, she placed a glass of milk in front of Martha. Watching the girl pick at her sandwich he thought for a minute and said "if you finish your lunch, querida, I'll play checkers with you". "Really?", the girl said brightly. "Yes", he replied, and putting a bit of steel into his voice he added, "but you have to eat all that your mama wants you to." "Okay" she said turning back to her sandwich and taking a big bite. Polly looked over at them and smiled, and Johnny smiled back and started to eat his lunch.
When they were finished eating, Martha went to the store room, carefully trying to avoid the people scurrying around in the lunch rush. They then set up the game and proceeded to play, Polly smiling at the two of them when she came to refill his coffee cup. He smiled back as he looked up into her eyes. She patted his shoulder, and he put his hand on hers enjoying the momentary warmth.
***** L ****** L *****
Dinner was a quiet affair that night, everyone seemingly tired of the rain and wanting to move around more. Again, Sue offered to take Martha up for bed and Polly smiled at Johnny while heading for the coffee pot. As she refilled his cup, he thanked her, and tried to think of something to say. All he could think about was the way it had felt when Polly had touched his shoulder earlier. Even though it had been a small thing, for some reason it had made his temperature rise and he had not wanted even that simple motion to stop.
Johnny watched Polly as she sat beside him at the table and stared down into her coffee cup. He reached out and placed his thumb under her chin, gently lifting it up. When her eyes met his, he used his thumb too slowly and gently stroke the line of her chin and then moved in and kissed her. He felt her surprise and then her mouth softened and she slightly opened her lips. He moved to put his arms around her when he heard Sue call from upstairs "Polly, we cain't find Martha's nightgown." Polly broke off from the kiss, giving Johnny a soft look and then moved to the stairs yelling "comin''. Johnny turned to watch her head up the stairs and then cursing softly to himself headed out of the kitchen, and the front door of the hotel, into the rainy night.