CHAPTER FOUR
The next morning, I hurried to the hotel for our regular Monday morning meeting. Bernie insisted he start the meeting whether Rhonda and I were there or not. And I needed to talk to Rhonda about my plan for Nell.
When I walked into the office, Rhonda was already there.
“ ’Morning,” I said. “I’m thankful you’re here. I want to share the plan I have for the hospitality division.”
She and I discussed the pros and cons of having Nell work for us and I was relieved when Rhonda agreed it was smart to have her try it out. Then she’d be ready for it if she decided to stay in Sabal and work full-time.
“Thanks,” I said to Rhonda. “Nell is bored staying at home, and with both kids in school all day, she wants to do something meaningful with her freedom.”
“I suppose she’s like a lot of mothers who are suddenly given a day of their own. Those that don’t have to work, that is,” said Rhonda. “Gawd! I remember those days when Angie was headed off to college in Boston, and I was facing all those days alone.”
“It was a bad time for me, and I was grateful for your offer to help me,” I said. “For Nell, this is a moment in her life when she must make some life choices. I’m anxious to see what Clint has to say for himself.”
“But you just said you’re not going to interfere,” said Rhonda.
“I’ve promised to be a good listener, “I said. “I owe it to both of them not to try and tell them what to do.”
“Reggie is going to be taking on some of his father’s financial services clients,” Rhonda said. “I hope it doesn’t mean more work for Will. He was thinking of semi-retiring. Now I don’t think he can. I’m trying not to say too much, but I’m worried.”
“Guess we both have to take things one day at a time.” I checked my watch. “We’d better run or we’re going to be late.”
We entered Bernie’s conference room just as he was saying, “Let’s get started.”
When he was about to discuss the hospitality department, Bernie cleared his throat.
“I have been in contact with Lorraine, and we’ve decided between the two of us that we won’t count on her returning to her job for several weeks.
We can move some employees around to accommodate her absence.
If anyone has a better suggestion, let’s hear it. ”
I raised my hand. “My daughter, Nell, is available to work this week starting tomorrow. She may be available after our Thanksgiving weekend. I’d appreciate it if you, Lauren and Annette, would be amenable to it. As you know, she’s easily trainable.”
“That would be marvelous,” said Annette. “Is she willing to work any hours we assign her?”
“Yes,” I said, understanding how important that flexibility was to that role.
“That’s a temporary solution then,” said Bernie. “We’ll see how it goes.”
“And Rhonda and I are willing to help,” I said. “We’re very aware of these busy times and will be available where needed.”
“That brings me to another matter,” said Rhonda. “We would like to remind the dining staff that, following the end of Thanksgiving dinner service, their party will begin.”
“I agree,” said Bernie. “It’s a way to thank them and to make sure all the food is eaten. Those delicious buffet items will never be better.”
As the meeting continued, I looked around the room, realizing most of these department heads had been with us from the beginning. That made me as proud of that as some of our other achievements.
When the meeting was over, I spoke with the others in the room and then walked Rhonda back to our office.
“Okay, I’m off to be a mother to Nell. I’ll make up for lost hours tomorrow,” I said to Rhonda.
“No worries. Go and have a fun time,” Rhonda said. “Tell Nell I said hello and welcome aboard. I’ll see her tomorrow.”
I left the hotel and drove home, where Nell was waiting for me. She’d already been to Hair Design for her appointment.
###
I entered my house, curious to see what Nell had done with her hair. Usually, she wore it shoulder-length and with a few blond highlights.
I followed Cindy into the kitchen.
Looking at Nell, I let out a sigh of admiration. “My! I love the new shorter style and the fresh blond highlights in your hair. It’s perfect for your face.”
Nell blushed and beamed at me. “Thank you. Melinda did such a great job. Now, I’m ready to spruce up my wardrobe. Dad gave me some money.”
“That was generous of him,” I said. “First, we’ll have lunch and then we’ll go to Styles and some other shops to look for new clothes for you.”
“I’m already feeling better,” said Nell. “Dad is taking the kids to lunch and the zoo. He was such a great father, and now he’s a wonderful grandfather.”
“A great man, period,” I said, wrapping an arm around Nell’s shoulder. “C’mon. Let’s go.”
Instead of sitting for a while at André’s, Nell opted to go to Ken’s Bar and Grill downtown for a hamburger.
“A hamburger there is a lot better than the kids’ favorite place,” she said, sitting in the passenger seat of my car.
“Perfect. Ken’s has delicious salads, too,” I said. “Tasty everything.”
###
Sitting in a booth at Ken’s, I could watch people come and go. Locals loved Ken’s, and though it was busy, not many tourists were present, which made it a special gathering place.
Facing Nell, I said, “Good news. The hotel employees are delighted to have you. Rhonda says, ‘Welcome Aboard’. They’re ready for you to begin tomorrow. The job will entail flexible time slots, so be prepared.”
Nell reached across the table and gave my hand a squeeze. “Thank you. This is going to be fabulous for me.”
“I think so, too,” I said. “If you decide to stay, a job at the hotel can be yours. But if you stay, what about the kids’ schooling?”
“Because Bailey is in private school, I don’t think it’ll be an issue for her to switch to a public school. Ned is still young enough that a change shouldn’t be difficult.”
“Both will go to public school here?” I asked.
“Yes, it’ll be much cheaper, and I know Angela’s children go there,” Nell said.
“Sally Kate has dyslexia and will be going to a private school, but Evan is thriving at his public school.”
“That’s even better, knowing there are other options,” said Nell. “The important thing for Bailey and Ned is to be near family. After Clint’s father died and his mother remarried, she has very little interest in our family.”
“It’s wise to talk about this,” I said, “but we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. You and Clint need to discuss it and have some privacy together.”
“I know. But for once I’m beginning to think of me and what I want,” said Nell.
We finished our lunch and went to Main Street to Styles, the clothing shop where I bought most of my clothing.
###
Christine greeted us at the door and gave us each a hug. “It’s nice to see you back in town,” she told Nell. “And, Ann, I have some new items I think you should look at.”
“Thanks. I’ll look,” I said, “but we’re here for Nell. She needs a couple of work outfits and other items to spruce up her wardrobe.”
“It’s time,” said Nell. “I haven’t been shopping in a while and will need clothes for working at the hotel. Simple, classic dresses, skirts, and pants. Then I want a few others just for fun.”
“Are you staying in town?” Christine asked Nell.
“Maybe,” Nell said. “I’m working at the hotel this week. We’ll see where it goes from there.”
“Okay, I think I have exactly what you need. Come with me. I’m going to pull some clothes from the back.”
After she showed us several items, Nell chose a number of them to try on. Nell might’ve complained about letting herself go, but she had the ability to make any item she wore look fantastic on her.
After a couple of hours, Nell was ready to leave with several outfits for both work and play.
Wanting to keep my focus on Nell, I asked Christine to set aside a couple of dresses for me to try on at a later time.
Bubbling with excitement, Nell left the store with me, and we headed home.
“I can’t wait to show Dad what I bought,” said Nell smiling at me.
“You got some bargains and a chance to shop Christine’s latest arrivals. He’ll be pleased for you,” I said. Vaughn didn’t go overboard with gifts but loved to be able to do something nice for the kids.
###
At home, Vaughn and Liana were watching Bailey and Ned swim in the pool.
Vaughn left them to greet us, and I watched his face as Nell held out what she’d bought to show him. Her excitement was matched by Vaughn’s pleasure at seeing her happy.
Nell took her bags to her room, giving Vaughn and me a chance to talk privately before I went to my room to change into my bathing suit.
I was grabbing a beach towel from the linen closet when Nell approached me in tears.
“What’s wrong?” I asked her.
“Clint called me and practically ordered me to fly back to D.C. with him the day after Thanksgiving. I told him no, and now he’s furious with me. He told me I should’ve asked him about working at the hotel before agreeing to do it.”
“It doesn’t sound like the Clint I know and love,” I said, becoming more than a little worried about the situation. “What’s really going on with him? Is he under too much pressure?”
Nell shook her head. “I don’t know. But now, more than ever, I’m determined to stay in Sabal.”
“Understandably so,” I said. “Let’s try to relax and have a pleasant time. When Clint arrives on Thanksgiving, you’ll have a chance to talk to him.”
While Nell went to change, I joined Vaughn, Liana, and the kids at the pool.
“How is it going?” I asked Liana, who’d become like a member of our family.
“I’m doing well in school and have pretty much decided that I want to go into nursing. Vaughn has offered to help me if I don’t get the scholarships I’ve applied for.”
“Heaven knows we need more nurses,” I said.
“I couldn’t have even dreamed of earning my undergraduate degree without your generosity,” Liana said. “I understand I’ll be working here for the next week.”
“Yes. We’ll discuss a schedule. Nell is going to help at the hotel.”
“What am I doing?” asked Nell, approaching us. “I heard you talking about me.”
“I was just telling Liana that you’ll be working this week,” I said, as Liana and Nell gave each other a brief hug.
“Good for you, Nell,” said Liana.
While the two women chatted, I slipped into the pool to play games with Bailey and Ned.