May 26th #2
“Their fathers are in charge,” Damon clarifies. “Or at least that’s what Papa says. And he’s the boss. Especially because he and Grandpa Mac plan to sneak off for a round of golf with me and Chase. Have lunch at the club.”
“Aww, that’ll be fun,” I tell him. “I’ve yet to golf since I got here. And usually, that’s the first thing I do.”
“Well, we definitely need to go out on the course together,” he says with a sly grin.
I slump my shoulders. “Don’t tell me.”
“Apparently, you’ve never had sex on a golf course. And you really want to.”
“I can’t even,” I say with a laugh, waving a hand in defeat.
I’m supposed to meet Jadyn at the resort’s office, which happens to have a prime spot, overlooking the twelfth hole. I close my eyes and try to remember the other night.
My shoes dangling from my fingers as I was running through the grass.
But then he picked me up and carried me.
I kissed his neck.
I close my eyes, remembering the way his neck smelled as he lay on the green next to me.
“Sorry I’m late,” Jadyn says, startling me.
“Oh, you’re good. Was just working out. The facility looks gorgeous. So different.”
“What you’re about to see are the not-so-glamorous parts, and since you have worked here for quite a few summers, I’m assuming you will notice a lot of what has changed.
What I want you to know is why it changed and the reasons for making the changes.
Because that’s what you’ll be doing for the first part of your internship.
You’ll be talking to the staff, getting the vibe of the place, and helping me determine what gives it life—what has kept it open and thriving despite its aging appearance. ”
An hour later, when we meet up with my mom and all the ladies in the spa reception area, I’m practically buzzing.
“You look happy,” Mom says.
“I just did a tour of the inner workings of the resort with Jadyn. I took a few notes, but mostly, I just tried to absorb it all. And it’s what I’m going to be doing for my internship, sort of.”
“I’m not following,” Mom says with a chuckle.
“So, while it’s important that everything a guest sees looks a certain way, it’s not nearly as important as the things they don’t see.
The back end of the hotel. The places the workers work.
How it looks and feels and, most importantly, functions are big parts of a successful hotel.
Which was, like, mind-blowing. I never really thought much about that side of it.
“My role during the first portion of my internship will be to interview the people who work at the hotel in Fort Worth—find out what their wish lists are and how we can make their jobs easier. Faster. Funner. Like, one example from here is that the pool service had its own kitchen. But it didn’t really work because getting the food out there was a hassle.
It was a long haul to bring ice out and disruptive to the guests if they ran out in the middle of the day.
Someone suggested they combine it with the closest restaurant and put in a new door for easy access to the pool, and the employees are so excited about it.
I had filled in a few times when needed on pool duty, and I agree it was kind of a nightmare.
“So, it’s cool to know that I could have a hand in that. And she even asked them about colors they love and finishes. All sorts of stuff.”
“That does sound interesting,” Mom says. “And I bet the staff loves being heard. I’ve given my hospital so many suggestions about ways to make things more efficient, but I’m not sure anyone pays attention to them.”
Damon’s mom, who was talking to my cousin Alexa, suddenly turns toward us and shakes a finger in Mom’s direction.
“Is it my turn?” Mom asks Lori. “I didn’t hear them call my name.”
“No, but we might be calling,” Lori says, winking at Alexa.
“Oh my gosh, you’re right!” Alexa says. “Why didn’t we think of Aunt Nicole before?”
“Think of what before?” I ask, my curiosity getting the best of me.
“I just bought a failing chain of urgent care facilities at auction,” Alexa replies. “The company was going bankrupt.”
“As an investment?” my mom asks.
“They are for Tripp’s foundation. Our goal is to turn those seven facilities into a place for the non- or low-insured to receive care without worrying about the financial burden.
I know you love your job, Aunt Nicole, but would you ever consider, well, possibly running something like that?
Or at the very least consulting with us? ”
Mom looks shocked. “I, uh, have never considered it, but I do agree that it’s needed. ”
Lori lays a perfectly manicured hand on my mom’s shoulder. “Mull it over while you’re here, and once we get back home, if you are interested in chatting, we can do so.”
“We’re also fixing to have a big fundraiser to kick things off.
Once we figure out how much we need to raise.
I already know I’m going to call it Ballgowns, Boots, and BBQ!
Now, that part is something I do know about,” Alexa adds with a laugh just as our spa guide introduces herself and leads us inside.
We get a tour of the space and are all commenting on how beautiful it looks.
“This is so social media worthy,” my cousin Peony says, snapping photos.
“That’s what we were going for,” Jadyn replies.
To which Jennifer laughs.
“No joke,” Jadyn says to her. “We needed it to be spectacular.”
I take in the rustic stone walls and elaborately beamed wood ceilings that were somehow effortlessly combined with glittering gold tiles, making you feel like you walked into a combination of Fort Knox and a billionaire’s secret grotto—but instead of gold in this fortress, there’s a glittering mosaic three-story fountain, surrounded by multiple spas.
From there, we’re led into the relaxation room, which is set up like a drawing room in an old castle—only more modern. There are numerous furniture groupings surrounding multiple gas fireplaces, making whatever area you are sitting in feel intimate .
Mom and I change into our robes, grab a cup of tea from the self-service bar, and then sit down in front of one of the fireplaces.
“I wanted to let you know that your uncle Van went and picked your dad up this morning. Van said they had an amiable chat and that your father agreed to go to rehab again. Tripp sent him on his private plane, and the rehabilitation team will meet him at the airport when he arrives. Van said your dad asked him to tell us that he is sorry about yesterday, about everything, and that his goal is to get better and come back to us.”
“Oh, that’s such a relief,” I say. But then I look at Mom. “How do you feel about what he said? About coming back to us?”
“I love him. I want him to beat his addiction. But for my own well-being, I am not going to continue to be married to him.”
I nod as Jennifer comes to join us.
“Hey, guys,” she says, taking a seat. But upon seeing our tea, she gets back up and goes over to the tea station. She looks like she’s going to get some, but then she turns to us and says, “I can’t decide if I want champagne or tea. Or if I should just drink water.”
“Champagne is always the right answer in the Capitol,” I say, flourishing my hand while quoting one of her Sector movies.
To this, she slaps her thigh with her hand and starts laughing. “Gosh, that seems like so long ago. Of course, it was. Ten years! But, regardless, I think my character, Wren, was right. Champagne it is.”
She sits back down and motions for our guide, orders a few bottles, and then claps her hands. “So, what are you ladies getting done today?”
“We were just getting ready to look at the menu,” I tell her, but notice that she’s not really paying attention.
“Wait, no!” she says, hopping up again and rushing to the corner of the room, where there is a large arrangement of orange flowers.
“Does that have little pumpkins in it?” my mom wonders out loud. “Seems odd for the middle of summer.”
But Jennifer is now lugging the arrangement back over and setting it down on the stone coffee table in front of us. “Ahhhh! This is crazy! Isn’t this crazy?!”
“It doesn’t really seem like it goes with the decor exactly,” I try to say diplomatically so as to not offend anyone—particularly my new boss, who is around here somewhere.
“That’s because it’s for me! From my husband. The H-O-double-T hottie Danny Diamond.”
She plucks the card from the arrangement.
Reads it. Grins big. Then holds the card to her chest.
“I’m not pregnant—right now,” she says.
“Okay,” Mom replies, and I can tell she’s not following this conversation either.
“Our anniversary is June 20th. Since we got married, I’ve either been pregnant or had a newborn on our anniversary.
It’s been four years since we got married.
I found out I was pregnant on my wedding day!
Had morning sickness during the entire honeymoon.
So, we’re going to Halloween Town!” She screeches.
“Ha! I’m just joking. But when we were first kind of dating, it was Halloween, and he gave me this crazy, sparkling arrangement that looked like holiday happiness.
And that’s how I feel every time I’m around him.
Just pure joy. And for our wedding, while we didn’t have a Halloween theme, we did do some floral arrangements with lots of color.
Anywho! Since I’m not pregnant and the girls can stay with his parents, he asked if I would go on a honeymoon redo with him! As soon as we’re done with this trip!”
“That’s exciting,” I say. And even though I have been around her at a few family events and she’s totally down-to-earth and so vivacious, I’m still a little starstruck every time she speaks to me.
I used to have a poster of her—well, as the character from a movie—on my wall.
I would wear my hair in braided pigtails and do the character’s special salute every time I passed it.
“Any idea where you are going?” my mom asks.