By ten o’clock they were done. Jimmy G and Bill could have started the cleanup then, but they didn’t. The room didn’t close until midnight although Caesar had mentioned maybe closing early. No one had confirmation of an early close as of yet.
Jimmy G had been sitting out by his aunt for most of the night. Now, with nothing at all going on, Bill joined them. He ate a pastry, drank an espresso. He sat smoking a cigarette when he saw Rosie come out through the double doors and head on down the ramp. Part way down the ramp she turned back to him. She gave him a quick nod with her head, the one indicating that he should come along. Then she went on all the way down the ramp.
Bill waited a moment before he got up. He walked over to the bus box and put out his cigarette in one of the dirty ash trays nearby. Then he told Kalista and his partner he’d be back in a bit.
Rosie was waiting out of sight from the ramp and they walked together to the distant employee restrooms.
“It’s Christmas tomorrow,” Rosie said.
“Yup,” said Bill. “Just another day for me cause we’ll be here working. I’m good with that.”
“So am I,” said Rosie. “Not much going on in my life. Being here is okay.”
“I always like making the money. I was broke not too long ago, broke and down and out. Never want to be that way again.”
“I’m okay with money. I like the work. Eddie and me hang out a lot, but that’s about it. I’m not dating anyone, don’t want to. I like it alone and Eddie and me can satisfy each other for now when we need to.”
Rosie looked at Bill and smiled. She didn’t blush and wasn’t shy about what she said. It was all matter-of-fact as it were. She was looking at Bill, he thought, to see if he had any reaction.
“Having enough money is good,” he said.
“I had a husband once. I worked. He spent my money. Never again.” She bumped Bill’s hip with her own. “I hope you stick around a while,” she said.
No one was around. Bill had never seen it this quiet, a time when no matter where you turned or went you didn’t run into at least someone. Everyone was home, or wherever they were, for the holiday, or as many people as could be. Even the banquet chef had told Bill he was running home for an hour or two.
They went into the ladies room together, sure no one had seen them. Rosie flipped the lock shut and there they were. For a moment neither of them knew just what to do do. They stood looking at each other, maybe each waiting for the other to make the first move.
“Have to pee?” Rosie asked.
“Not really. You?”
“Not really, but I will.”
She went to that stall they always used and squatted down to pee. Bill watched but from a distance and with not too much interest. He’d seen her pee before and he’d seen all of her before too.
Then she was put back together and standing before him, her back to the open door of the stall.
“So?” she said.
“So?” he said.
“What’s your Christmas wish?”
“I don’t have any wishes. You?”
“I’d like it sweet,” Rosie said. “I wish we had a bed, but it is what it is. I want it slow and soft and sweet and creamy. Can you do that?”
“I don’t see why not. I’m sure we’ll figure a way.”
“Good.” Rosie took a step toward Bill and then found herself in his arms. They hugged and kissed and hugged and kissed some more.
Because it was slow and nothing was going on out in the dining room, and because his partner had not worked much during the dinner, Bill had time and they didn’t feel rushed. Slow, easy and sweet was definitely doable.
