The Sincerity of Noble Zachary

By mid-week, I was bored in Vegas. I was eating myself silly. Shopping was dull, I had no one to shop for, and I was not in contact with Lloyd or Ava. So, I couldn't buy them cute little things. I have more clothes than I need. I tried playing the slots, losing $50 was my limit, and I know nothing about Blackjack, Poker or Baccarat. After attending a magic show, a Motown Review and an ice show, I was sick of attending events by myself. Thursday morning I went to breakfast at Tabletop Family Restaurant. I heard that their buffet breakfast was the best breakfast buffet in Vegas. This morning I helped myself to some stuffed pancakes with fried breast of chicken marinated with honey, two scrambled eggs with pimento cheese, onions and green peppers, hash browns and a cup of Orange Pekoe Tea. He came up behind me and placed his hand on my shoulder. I knew the smell; it was faint but noticeable nonetheless. I looked up from my plate. "Noble. How are you? You look great!" Maddox spoke. Glad to see someone I knew. I remembered the treatment he and Lolita gave me over 9 months ago. He wore a wedding band. I shrugged that off in my mind and welcomed his greeting. "Maddox! What a surprise! How are you? Lolita and Bivin? What are you doing here?" I guess by my facial expression he could tell I miss them. He laughed. "So many questions. Lemme see. Lolita and Bivin are doing well. She was promoted on her job. Bivin wants to be a forest ranger. . ." "Wonderful news," I responded. "A forest ranger? Bivin?" Maddox laugh. He was proud of Bivin. "Yes. He's extremely adamant about it." "Why don't you have a seat?" I offered. "I'm sorry I can't. I'm here on business." He turned toward the table where he had come from. I followed his eyes. Three well-dressed gentlemen were in deep conversation across the room. They looked toward us when Maddox turned to face them. They acknowledge him with a nod and went back to their breakfast. Sounding disappointed I said, "I'm sorry I didn't know." Maddox smiled. "No need to be sorry. Where is your family? Who are you here with?" "I'm by myself." "Really?" Maddox tried to sound surprised. "You came to Vegas alone? That's bold!" "I only came because . . . " He interrupted me . . . "No need to be sorry. Tell you what I'm going to do. I'm off the clock after breakfast. Why don't you get dressed when you're done here and we will hang out today? I leave tomorrow morning. At least you can have one good day with an old friend." "Sounds like a good idea," I smiled, happy to have someone to spend the day with. "What time should I meet you and where?" Maddox looked at his watch. "Meet me in the lobby of Envoy around 11:45. Then we can do something fun. This has been a busy week. I'm glad tomorrow is Friday." He smiled at me. We parted ways on that note. I was no longer hungry. Excitement filled my bones again. Later Thursday we took a bus trip to the Hoover Dam which was an all-day event. When we returned, it was nearly dinner time. We dressed and met at the Velvet Rose Seafood and Steak Restaurant. Dinner was wonderful afterwards we went dancing; we laughed and talked for hours. Not once did we mention Philadelphia or our family and friends.