“I’d like that,” she stated as he finished opening her door for her and she climbed in.
With a final message to her to not worry about them, Jewel rolled up her window and pulled out. But even through the glass, he could hear her yelling at her brothers. “If either of you so much as opens your mouth before we get home, I’m extending the punishment until graduation. If you think you’re going to . . .” Her voice trailed off and was drowned out by the sounds of traffic pulling into and out of the casino.
It wasn’t exactly how he had hoped his evening would end, but in retrospect, it had tested his fears and he had not jumped to any conclusions. He smiled to himself as he turned back towards Mystic Nights, knowing that he had overcome a big hurdle. One that had been holding him back for a long time. He was learning to have faith again. And it was because of Jewel.
*
Joseph was going to take the elevator back up to his suite, when a flash of dirty blond hair tinged with grey caught his eyes. It was Senator Silver. Across the lobby, the man recognized him and waved. He switched directions and began to cross towards Joseph and met him half way.
“Senator, you’re still here,” he greeted the older man surprised to see him up so late as well.
The older man looked tired. But his eyes were bright. He seemed in good spirits. “Yes, a couple of the delegates decided to stay a few more days, and so since it’s my shindig, I stayed too. You never can tell what kind of support you will need down the road, and this is a big part of politics, networking.”
Joseph understood that since he had begun to campaign for the tribal seat. The elections was just a week away. “Well, I hope you’re getting to enjoy yourself while you’re here.”
Senator Silver smiled. “Oh, yes, yes. I always do when I come to Mystic Nights. Your mom has done a remarkable job with this place. As have all of you.” Joseph noticed the man quickly glance at his watch while he was speaking. He had been about to ask him if he wanted to have a drink.
But instead, he nodded towards him. “If I’m keeping you from something . . .”
“No. No, not at all.” The senator now gave him his full attention looking startled that Joseph had noticed his wayward glance. “Um, would you like to have a drink?” he asked.
He was surprised by the invitation since it seemed like the man had been heading somewhere, but he was glad for it. He always enjoyed his conversations with the Senator. “Sure,” Joseph answered enthusiastically. “The Rainmaker?” He suggested. “Eve is there and I’m sure she would love to say hello.”
The Senator’s smile was genuine. “Yes, of course. Just let me send a quick text to my aide, in case she’s looking for me.”
“Of course.” Joseph waited while the Senator sent a quick message on his iPhone. He saw the Senator smiling down when the phone pinged with a quick response. Joseph new that smile and wondered if the Senator and his pretty aide had more than just a working relationship. But he pushed that aside. Though the man deserved happiness, he knew the man was married though his wife had been in and out of institutions for over thirty years.
After Senator Silver slipped his phone into his pocket he gave Joseph his attention once more. “I’m all yours. Lead the way.”
When they arrived at The Rainmaker, Eve was conversing with the doorman heatedly. Probably giving him a talking to about not checking the IDs of their earlier guests more closely. But when she saw Joseph return with the Senator, she smiled broadly and left the doorman to greet them.
“Oh, Julee,” she crooned at the older man affectionately. It was her pet name for him. He winced when she said it, but accepted it none the less. “So nice to see you.” She pressed a kiss to his cheek.
“You too dear,” he replied affectionately. “You always seem to be out and about when I’m in town.”
Shaking her long dark waves behind her shoulder and laughing, she replied. “All business. I assure you. Having a drink with Joseph?” she asked, her perfectly manicured eyebrows rising slightly. At his nod, she continued. “Well, let me give you a quiet table.” She began to lead them to an area near the bar that was more recessed from view of the entire night club.
The senator slid into his seat, and she slid right in next to him. Joseph took the seat across from them and a bartender appeared immediately. After they gave their drink orders, Eve was the first to speak. “How is your wife?”
News of his wife’s stroke had hit the air waves a couple months ago. Although they had never met the woman, they knew she had been sick for a very long time, and they always asked about her.
“Recovering,” he sighed, “Thankfully. It was a shock. She’s only fifty. But the doctors say she will pull through it.”