Page 5 of Canapés at the Beach House Hotel
“Yes, hold on please,” said Olivia, acting as her mother’s self-important helper.
Chuckling, I waited for Liz to get to the phone.
“Hi, Mom.What’s up?”Liz asked.
“I want to run an idea by you,” I said.“But first, I need to compliment Olivia on her phone manners.She did very well.”
“We’ve worked hard on that.I’ll be happy to tell her she did a great job.How are you?”
“Busy as ever at the hotel.Rhonda and I thought you and Angie might like to interview someone for a bartender position at the hotel’s Lobby Bar.She’s young but apparently talented at her job.We’re doing a background check now.We thought she’d be perfect for the campaign you and Angie are putting together to bring in a younger crowd.”
“What’s the timing?”Liz asked.“I can juggle things around a bit.”
“Rhonda and I are meeting with her and her friend, a chef, tomorrow afternoon.Perhaps sometime later or the day after that, if we’re confident they’d be a match for us.”
“Yes, I think I can do that.My babysitter will be here then.So, what’s their story?You mentioned a bartender and a chef.”
I filled Liz in on the details.
When her toddler, Gabe, started crying, Liz said, “Let me know what time Angie has free, and I’ll work something out.Thanks, Mom.I appreciate having the opportunity to do something creative for the hotel.”
“I know, darling,” I said, hearing the weariness in Liz’s voice.“Let’s do lunch soon.”
We ended the call, and I sat back in my chair to listen as Rhonda completed her call with Angela.
“Angie said she’ll work out a time with Liz.She loved the idea of hiring a young person to handle early evening bar service.”Rhonda sighed.“She also told me that Sally Kate has been diagnosed with dyslexia.She’s having trouble reading.”
“I imagine it’s both a worry and a help that she’s been classified as dyslexic,” I said.
“Sally is a sweet child who has been suffering under the impression that she’s stupid,” sighed Rhonda.“Angela is determined to see that Sally Kate understands why she’s been having difficulties, that it has nothing to do with ability.”
“It’s so important,” I said.“Kids today have a hard enough time socially without any additional issues to deal with.”
“Yes, it hurts me to think she’s been teased,” said Rhonda.“Of my three grandchildren, she’s the most sensitive.”
Though Rhonda and I were known for owning and running a successful hotel, we were, and always would be, mothers and grandmothers.
“I’ve got to get home,” said Rhonda.“I’ll make some calls to people I know and see what l can find out about Chet Waring.”
“And I’ll check on Jonny Arno’s background and work history.No matter what happens with Chet and Harper, we’re going to have to deal with him.And with Brock involved, even on the periphery, it’s bound to mean trouble.”
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I left the hotel shortly after Rhonda and headed home.My husband, Vaughn Sanders, was a well-known actor who was away filming a movie.He came home as often as he could, but he still had a few more weeks before the movie would be wrapped.This was a period when I could accomplish a significant amount of work for the hotel.Tonight would be no exception.
When I walked into our house, our Dachshund, Cindy, greeted me with wiggles and a doggy grin.She certainly couldn’t equal a greeting from Vaughn, but with him gone, I’d take it.I lifted her into my arms.She kissed my cheek and nestled against me while I crooned sweet sayings to her.
I set her down on the floor and went to find Robbie.At fourteen, he was growing fast.Most days, he stayed late at school for swim team practice.
I found him sprawled on his bed listening to music on his headphones.He noticed me and sat up.He was the son of my ex and the woman he divorced me for.Robbie had become our child twelve years ago when we adopted him after both his parents were killed in an automobile accident.
Seeing him like this, smiling like my ex, Robert, I was reminded how lucky we were to have him.He was a bright, nice young man who’d been a spoiled two-year-old when he came to live with us.He removed his headphones.“Hi.”
“How do you like high school so far?”I asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.“Are you enjoying the swim team?The classes?”A typical boy, he wasn’t too forthcoming about his activities.I’d learned to ask open-ended questions.
“They’re fine,” he said.“Swim team is about the same.Just tougher competition.”He flexed his muscles.“I think I’m growing stronger.”
I laughed and gave him a quick hug.“Yes, I think you are.”I kept my voice light but inside, I felt a stab of regret that time was going by so quickly.Before we knew it, Robbie would be an adult and away at college.
