My Pickup Date 

by Unknown Author

Originally published in Confessions of Love Comics #12 in 1952.

I rapped on the hotel room door marked 67. Maggie had told me the occupant had left an hour ago but I wanted to be sure. When there was no answer, I inserted the passkey and went in. I wanted to finish cleaning early today because Maggie and I planned on seeing a movie. I enjoyed my work as a chambermaid in one of the largest hotels in Millville. It wasn't hard work and was always entertaining. 

Number 67 was one of the larger and more expensive rooms. Maggie said the occupant was a young girl. She had seen her check-in yesterday. I stood with my back to the door and looked around. There was a faint odor of perfume from the red roses on the table. Clothes were scattered over the bed and chairs and the dresser was a mess. This was going to take me longer than I had planned. “Darn!" I said aloud and walked to the dresser. 

A photograph in an expensive silver frame stood near the mirror. I looked at it and felt the blood drain from my face. No, it couldn't be! I picked it up and examined it more closely. But it was. The eyes staring at me were Greg's eyes. 

Feeling faint, I backed to a chair. Greg, the man I love. Greg, the man who walked out of my life as suddenly as he had walked in was a friend of the young beautiful girl in Room 67. I looked at the red roses. He had sent them to her—roses I had once received. 

My memories took me back to the day I had met Greg—four long months ago. It happened in the small town of High Terrace. I was a cashier in a restaurant. Greg, a stranger in town, had come in one sunny day and his blond hair and broad smile matched the golden sunshine. He looked like some tall god out of a picture book. I stared as he sat down at a table and found myself making wrong change and stuttering to the customers. Finally, he finished eating and stood before me. I looked into his eyes and felt my heart beat faster. The bill he gave me fluttered out of my shaking hands. 

He grinned. “What's your name and what time do you knock off?” he asked. 

“Oh, I—I ... it's Flo," I stuttered as I picked up the bill. “And I finish at five o'clock. Why?" 

"We'll take a swim. I'll be back to pick you up. My name's Greg." 

"All right, I'll be waiting." I watched him leave then I glanced around the restaurant Pickups were not allowed. If the manager saw me he'd fire me on the spot. Somehow I didn't care. I had to see Greg. No man had ever affected me in this manner. I was sure this was love at first sight. 

It was a glorious afternoon swimming at a nearby lake. Towards evening the wind shifted and a storm broke. Laughingly, we ran to the car in our swimming suits. The rain pounded against the car and the wind rocked it. We watched people scamper to cars and drive away. 

"Let's get home, Greg," I warned. “This will last all night." 

“No, let's stay and watch it awhile," he answered. “I'll get you home. Don't worry." 

He took me in his arms and kissed me. His nearness made me feel faint. "Greg—Greg," I whispered. 

"You're sweet and I like you a lot. Who knows, this might develop into something—something like..." 

"What, Greg?” I answered happily. Everything was happening so fast, I couldn't think. 

"Something like love and a future together. We won't talk of it now. All I know is that we like one another. I want to see you again soon, Flo." 

“Yes, oh, yes. I do too." We sat close together, talking, laughing, kissing. The hours flew by. It was close to midnight when we spoke of going home. The rain still fell in great torrents. Greg stepped on the starter. Nothing happened. 

"Oh, Greg," I said in a scared voice. I was thinking of my landlady. If I didn't get home tonight she'd throw me out and before long the whole town would know about my pick-up date. 

"Looks like we're flooded," he told me as he got out of the car. "We're buried to the hubs in mud," he called and came back. 

"What what will we do?” Tears filled my eyes. 

"Just wait until the rain stops and the car dries out. Now don't worry. We can explain everything. Everyone knows it was raining." 

"I've got to get back tonight," I said. “I'll lose my job and my room and everything...! The tears coursed down my cheeks. 

"You poor kid. I know what you mean. They'll brand you as a girl who picks up strange men. I'll tell you what we'll do. We'll walk. It's ten miles—are you game?" 

"Yes—yes! I must get back." 

We started out in the rain. Soon our bathing suits were as wet as they were hours ago when we were swimming in the lake. My fears left me as we walked arm in arm towards town. I would be home before morning and sneak up to my room without the landlady seeing me. 

It was dawn when we reached my boarding house. Greg took me in his arms and kissed me. "See you tomorrow, darling," he whispered. 

“Tomorrow," I answered. My happiness was complete. 

The door burst open and my landlady stood before us. We came out of our dream and stared at her. "Well!" she shouted. "What kind of goings-on do you call this?" 

“We can explain," Greg started. 

"Never mind. I've seen enough. Get out of here, and you, young lady, go upstairs and pack. I won't have a pickup girl living in my house. I'm giving you until noon to move." 

It was horrible and I cringed at her words. All the neighbors must have heard her, Greg walked away slowly and I went in the house, feeling like a beaten puppy. 

Greg was waiting for me at noon. He had red roses in his hand. I tried not to cry as we walked towards the railroad station. He bought me a ticket to Millville. 

"It's my hometown," he told me. “I'll write general delivery and we'll be together again soon. I love you, Flo—remember that." 

I did remember but not one letter came from Greg. After four long months, I was now sitting in a chair in Room 67 with his picture in my hand—a picture he had given to someone else. I stood up realizing I had been dreaming for many minutes. The door opened and before I had time to put the picture back on the dresser, a girl was screaming at me. 

"How dare you? Put that picture back before I report you for theft!” 

"I—I'm sorry," I answered. “Do do you know him?" 

“Do I know him? Of course, I do. He and his brother are in the lobby right now waiting for me." 

I didn't wait to hear more. I ran past her and down the stairs to the lobby. I stood transfixed. There was Greg—a few feet away. His smile and eyes welcomed me. We ran towards one another. 

“Flo—Flo, darling," he said as he took me in his arms. 

"Oh, Greg, I've prayed every day for this to happen." 

"I was called to the Coast on business. No time to write. I just returned today." 

The manager came up to us angrily. "What's going on here? Young lady, you're fired! We don't allow our help to pick up men." 

Greg shouted. “This is no pickup, sir. Flo is my fiance." 

I gasped. "But—but—the girl in Room 67—" 

He laughed. "She's my twin brother's fiance. He's around here someplace. They're to be married next week. Flo, do you think we can make it a double wedding?" 

"Yes, oh, yes!" His warm kiss assured me that we would never be parted again. 

END