Chapter 20
Jason
“So what’s on the menu at this hoity-toity spa?” I ask.
Eight of us are squeezed into a rental van heading to the Mother Earth Wellness Spa in New Paltz, New York. Google Maps tells me it’ll take us a little over an hour to get there.
My question is met with silence. The organizers, Lisa and Denise, are glaring at each other. “Oh, damn. What happened?”
Cami, who’s sitting in the front row with Bryan, turns around. “They couldn’t play nice long enough to arrange anything, so I took matters into my own hands.”
Everyone groans.
“It’s going to be great. This spa isn’t into doing the same ol’ thing, so I’m really excited about the day they’ve planned.”
“Care to clue us in?” Bryan’s brother, Sam, asks.
He seems fine. His girlfriend, Willow, however, can’t be bothered to show even a little bit of interest in getting to know us.
“Nope,” Cami says. “I’d like to keep it a surprise.”
Because I don’t like surprises, I pull up the spa’s website and click through its pages.
The philosophy is simple: Back to basics.
Using the earth’s resources to create a holistic spiritual and physical life.
Yawn. I click on a few photos. One catches my interest immediately: a couple receiving massages as they enjoy an incredible mountain view. Now this I can get with.
Next to me, Vanessa looks as if she’s fighting the urge to fall asleep, her head tilted at an angle and her eyes blinking nonstop.
“Rough night?” I ask her.
“Yeah. Did a favor for someone that kept me up later than usual.”
“This is perfect, then. There must be massages in our future.”
“I’ll probably fall asleep on the table.”
Yeah, my brain goes there, picturing Vanessa on a table, her body naked underneath a bright white sheet. No, Jason. A naked Vanessa is not in your future.
A young white woman wearing a gray spa uniform greets us as soon as we get out of the van. “Welcome to Mother Earth everyone. This is the Torres and Atkins party, correct?”
“Correct,” Cami says excitedly.
“Wonderful. I’m Summer.”
“Of course she is,” Denise mutters beside me.
I bump my sister on the shoulder. “Shh. Remember what I said: You better act right this weekend.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know,” she grumbles. “I’m on your shit list. Got it.”
Exactly. After the stuff she pulled at Cami’s going-away dinner the other day, she should be happy we’re on speaking terms. Sure, Denise was frustrated because she knows what Lisa and Vanessa are up to and Lisa’s gesture set her off, but that doesn’t excuse her tirade.
Honestly, though, she’s my sister, and I can’t stay mad at her for long.
Doesn’t mean I won’t use her guilt to my advantage, especially because I need her to remain calm this weekend.
“I’ll be your concierge during your stay,” Summer continues. “We’ve arranged your accommodations according to Ms. Torres’s requests. If you’ll follow me, I’ll escort you to your rooms.”
We take our overnight bags from the van and follow Summer down a long outdoor path. The grounds aren’t immaculately groomed. Instead, a variety of bushes and plants grow wildly, some even obstructing parts of the walking trail.
“Watch your step,” Summer warns. “A few of these plants think they rule the place.” The path eventually leads to a suite of bungalow-style cottages.
At the first one, which appears larger than the rest, she pulls out a card and reads it.
“Your group is scheduled for activities at our Oasis spa behind the main building at ten-thirty a.m. You’ll find maps and your attire inside your rooms. Please meet out there at your appointed time, dressed and ready to begin your experience.
If you need anything, the phone inside your rooms will connect directly to me.
Now, for the room assignments. Cottage 1 is for Camila and Bryan. ”
“Yay,” Camila says, taking two key cards from Summer. “Bye, guys. See you soon!”
She trots off to her cottage, Bryan carrying their bags behind her.
“Cottage 2 is for Sam and Willow.”
“Cool,” Sam says.
Willow finally looks up from her phone. “Is there a bathroom in there? Because I don’t camp. I just glamp.”
Beside me, Vanessa snorts.
“No need to worry,” Summer says. “All the cottages are equipped with first-class amenities, including fully functioning bathrooms.”
Sam and Willow break off from the rest of the group, and Summer grimaces as she watches them go.
“Moving on,” she says. “Cottage 3 is for Lisa and Vanessa.”
“That works,” Vanessa says, eyeing me with a grin. “I thought they were going to pair me with you. Was wondering if this was the start of an oh-no-there’s-only-one-bed situation.”
I have no idea what that means, but whatever. It’s cool if she doesn’t want to share a room with me. Not like we’re dating or anything.
“Which leaves Jason and Denise in Cottage 4.”
“Nice,” I say. “Ours has a porch swing.”
Denise disagrees. “Lovely. Sharing a room with my older brother. Ah, I’m living the dream.” She shakes her head. “Tell me there are two beds.”
“Two queens, yes,” Summer says, nodding patiently.
“Fine,” Denise says. Turning to me, she adds, “But the minute you start crop dusting, I’m kicking you out.”
Summer clucks her tongue. “Oh, just to be clear, we only allow the legally prescribed amount of marijuana in the designated outdoor areas of the spa.”
“What?” Denise says. “Crop dusting isn’t…never mind.”
Lisa clears her throat, and we all turn in her direction. “Um, listen, uh, Jason and Vanessa, I know you guys are kind of…talking or dating or whatever. So I’m happy to room with Denise if you two would prefer to be in the same room.”
Vanessa’s eyes go wide, and she tilts her head at Lisa as if she’s truly confused by her suggestion. Ah, this must not be a part of the plan. The younger sister’s going rogue.
“Absolutely not,” Denise says. “I will not stay in the same room with her.”
“What the hell is your problem?” Lisa asks.
“You. You are my problem. You’re the fakest person I know, and I do not want to be around you any more than I have to.”
“Jesus, fine,” Lisa says, walking away from our group. “I was just trying to give Jason and Vanessa some alone time.”
“I’m sure,” Denise mutters under her breath.
Lisa freezes, her head snapping up, then she spins around, pointing an accusatory finger at Denise.
“You know what I think is the problem? You’re jealous.
You haven’t liked me since day one. You can’t stand that Cami confides in me.
You can’t stand that Cami prefers to hang out with me.
Maybe if you got your own damn friends, you wouldn’t be so concerned about hers. ”
“This has nothing to do with Cami. I don’t give two shits about your relationship with her. This is about—”
“Denise, stop,” I say, interrupting before it’s too late. “This isn’t the time or the place. It’s Cami and Bryan’s time, not yours, not mine, not anyone else’s. Let’s just chill this weekend and remember why we’re here. Got it?”
Her expression dulls as she digs her sneaker into the dirt to stomp out her frustration. “Got it.”
“Okay,” Summer says, her expression blank. “The room assignments are staying as is, yes?”
“Yes” we all say in unison.
She hands us our key cards. “Then enjoy, everyone.” Summer practically flees after that, likely wondering what the hell is wrong with our group.
With her arms folded across her middle, Vanessa glances at me and mouths Sorry.
Not your fault, I mouth back.
Whatever’s going on between our sisters has been brewing for years, and the little scheme Vanessa and Lisa cooked up is only worsening the situation. Let’s hope a decent massage will mellow everyone out.