Bright Lights and Bad Decisions

Elona stood at the floor-to-ceiling window wall of her hotel room, looking out toward the bright lights of Sin City. If there were any place on Earth she should find herself, it would be here, the city known for inhibition and impulsiveness. Was this trip really that impulsive, though?

She’d planned for weeks, bought the plane ticket, and set up her intricate story for those back home so everyone thought she was attending a conference. Well, technically she did. A few hours at the Las Vegas Convention Center allowed her a Facebook check-in and a few photos to share. She’d also have a few branded freebies to bring home.

She refocused her gaze to her reflection in the glass. She hardly recognized herself. A few months of late nights on the computer had taken their toll, but she’d been happy. He’d given her a new zest for life, an excitement she hadn’t felt in years, zapped by the monotony of work stress, kids’ school schedules and extracurriculars, plus her husband’s frequent late nights at the office.

Owen was to meet her a little after midnight, as his flight arrived much later than hers. Elona took the time to ready herself. After the long flight from New York, she desperately needed a hot shower. She did her hair and makeup perfectly, slipped into the matching lace undergarments she purchased just for this occasion, and made sure her little black dress looked perfect for his arrival.

Her thoughts at the time were preoccupied with the tasks at hand. Now, however, as the sun had set and the lights glowed brilliantly beyond the windowpanes that separated her from the rest of the world, they began to shift to other things.

What am I doing here? She thought to herself. There was still time to leave the room. Perhaps she could go downstairs and request a room change. Owen wouldn’t know where she was. Then she’d have time to purchase another flight home. Ghosting him was one option. Simply explaining to him that this was a mistake and they should never speak again was another, but she was never good with confrontation and her stomach swam at the thought of how he might react.

Still, there was a reason she’d decided to come here. Should she see it through and meet Owen, their actions would have lasting effects on their relationship. There would be no turning back… no erasing what they’d done. There could—and quite possibly would—be devasting consequences. Would Dave ever forgive her? Did she want him to? How would her kids feel?

Her head began to pound and she walked to her purse sitting on the desk to find some Advil. The truth was that she knew this was wrong. Things were hard at home, sure. But was it worth risking the life she’d created with someone to meet another for one passionate night?

Looking at the clock, she realized that she had an hour before Owen’s flight would arrive so she had to hurry if she were to leave. She didn’t bother changing out of her dressy attire and packed her carry-on as fast as she could, trying not to leave anything behind that would prove she’d already been there.

As she reached for the door handle, her carry-on ready and slung over her shoulder, there were three loud knocks on the door. Please be room service, she thought with her eyes squeezed firmly shut.

She opened the door, the man she’d been typing to every night made flesh and standing before her.

“I caught an earlier flight.” He looked down at her bag, confused. “Are you leaving?”

Elona shifted the weight of the duffel, mostly out of anxiety. “Yeah. Uhm. About that… I think we need to talk.”

The bright lights of Las Vegas shimmered in the background as Elona anxiously paced in front of them. Her voice cracked as she tried to explain why she couldn't. Not here. Not ever. She picked up her bag and left Owen sitting in the room alone, sure she'd never see or speak to him again.

A line of taxis waited in front of the hotel. "The airport please. I need to go home."