Page 38 of Stuck With My Christmas Crush

I take a deep breath. “You know the plan for the mansion was always to sell up as fast as possible?”

“Yes.”

“Well. I’ve had an idea. It might sound crazy, and I know we agreed that it’s a money pit and we should just get rid.”

“I’m listening.”

“But what if we didn’t sell? What if we did something cool with it?”

Meredith laughs. “Like what?”

I’m out of my comfort zone but I push through and say, “Like a hotel. But more of a venue. For weddings and stuff.”

“Stop right there. Who are you and what have you done with my brother?” Meredith laughs some more. “Jason,since when were you interested in doing up an old house? And since when were you ever interested in weddings?”

“Since I learned to juggle.”

“Excuse me?”

“Look it’s hard to explain. I’ve just had a blinding, what-do-you-call-it? When your life and everything you thought was real just isn’t?”

“An epiphany.”

“Alright. Yes. That’s it.”

“Are you going to shave your head and start wearing orange? You’d look good by the way.”

“No. Nothing like that. But I do feel as if I’ve seen the light. Sort of.”

“Good gracious. Jason. Are you in love?”

“I don’t know. I need to figure things out. But, maybe…”

“It’s the fairy, isn’t it? The one you got stuck with in the blizzard. Charlie.” There’s a pause as I think about what to say. “Ha. Your silence says it all. When can we meet her?”

“I don’t know,” I say stroking Rocko’s ears and thinking about Charlie. I don’t know what to tell my sister.

“Are you still there? Jason?”

“Yes.” I sigh. “Meredith. I don’t want to sell the mansion. But I know you were counting on the money, so we need to talk about what that means for all of us.”

“Okay. Jason. Let’s start with you, then. What would it mean for you, if you didn’t sell? Could you put your career on hold? Would it mean that you’re going to stop being an engineer and stay in one place? Can you do that? Do you think?”

“I can try.” Rocko jumps down and lies on the floor in front of the stove. “We have an opportunity to do something cool with this place that could generate cash. There is so much to tell you, but...”

“Yes. I want to hear all about it. Wow, this is a complete turnaround, Jason. But I trust you. I’m overwhelmed. Gosh. What happens now?”

“Well. I’ll contact the real estate agent and stop that process from going any further. Meredith. I’d like to see if what I imagine is possible. And if it is, and we can make a successful business, then wouldn’t that be exciting?”

“So exciting!”

“We’ll give it a go and if it doesn’t work out, we can still sell up, but only after we’ve given our best shot.” The phone line is quiet.

Strangely, voicing my idea to Meredith makes my mad dream seem plausible. I have this notion of something I know absolutely nothing about. I’m excited. I’m terrified.

“So why the change of heart? Is this Charlie’s idea?”

“No. She doesn’t know yet. I called but she hasn’t called me back.” I sigh but then I go on hoping to redirect Meredith away from Charlie. “Listen. I’ve been finding out about the hotel and the people who lived here, and I just don’t feel as if I can let it be bulldozed. It doesn’t seem right to destroy a legacy. I feel a responsibility to keep their story alive. Out of respect, but also…”

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