Page 94 of On My Side
Justine Frazier
Owner of Prestige Lodging and Hospitality
Hunter squeals and slaps my shoulder with excitement! “Oh my god!”
“It’s probably a scam,” I say, trying not to let myself get excited.
“Giovanna!” Hunter yells too loudly at Jo. “Come here!”
Jo obliges and quickly reads over the email. “Hold on, let me text one of my vendors who owns an inn on the Jersey Shore. I know they’ve won a bunch of awards, so if anyone would know if it were legit, it’s them.”
We sit in silence as Jo texts her acquaintance until Hunter hands me her phone. “I googled it and it seems pretty legit. Pretty prestigious, too.”
Looking at the website she pulled up, I have to agree. It’s professionally designed, with testimonials and pictures from past events. As I continue to scroll, I notice a page titled, ‘This Year’s Prestige Lodging and Hospitality Award nominees,’ and click on it. Emotion fills my chest when I see SandPiper Inn on the list. Hunter squeezes my shoulder and I willnotcry again.
Deep in my chest, there’s a feeling of sadness along with everything. The first person I want to tell has asked for space away from me.
“Sage sent back a bunch of exclamation points, which is a promising response, I think,” Jo says. “Oh, yes. Apparently it’s liketheaward to win, and there’s a $15,000 prize. Only past and present nominees are invited so it’s super exclusive and it’s their life’s dream to go.”
“Wow,” I breathe. “That’s…”
“Incredible!” Hunter squeals, clapping, as she bounces on her toes. “Audrey, this isamazing! We have to celebrate! Can we shout you out at the launch tonight? Can we pregame or get day-drunk?”
I laugh. Jo and Hunter are throwing the launch party for their event planning firm, Lillian Theresa, tonight at the inn.I’ve been invited as a guest, which is cool, but I know I’ll be on boss lady mode to support my staff if needed. “I appreciate the enthusiasm, but I don’t think I can go.”
“Whynot?” Jo asks incredulously.
“Because I don’t have the money. If I did, I’d give raises to my staff, not use it on something silly like this.”
“But this could be an incredible networking opportunity,” Hunter says. “You’ll meet so many people, and will be forever known as a nominee. Hell, I bet just being nominated will increase reservations.”
I chew on my lower lip. “It feels selfish.”
“It’s not,” Jo says. “It’s you investing in a business you revitalized and work hard to maintain andlove. It’s a big chunk of change, but I’m learning you have to spend big on the important things to earn big.”
“Is that why y’all are lowkey squatting at my inn?” I tease.
“It’s important as business owners to knowwhat’s worth investing in.” Hunter sounds like a white dude with a podcast, or maybe herself if she was involved with an MLM.
“It’s too much,” I argue.
Hunter and Jo are both silent for a moment, and I can see them having a conversation with their eyes in the monitor’s reflection.
Finally, Hunter speaks. “Forward me the email, I’m paying for it.”
I whip my head around so fast my neck hurts. Being in your thirties isrough. “The hell you are!”
“Yes, the hell we are. You charge us a way discounted price for rent,” Jo says, shrugging her shoulders. “We’d pay way more than this a month anywhere else in town, and now we’re making money, we can actually afford to. Consider this backpay for the past few months while we got on our feet. It’s our turn to support you. Deal with it.”
“You can’t,” I argue.
“We will,” Hunter counters.
“No,” I say firmly. “No, I can’t take any more handouts. I’ve always done this on my own and that isn’t changing. Sometimes I have to make cuts or choices that suck because I don’t have the funds, and maybe this is one of them. It’s life. It’s…”
“How’s that hyper-independence thing working for you?” Jo asks, tilting her head to the side.
I scowl at her. “Don’t try to psychoanalyze me. I already went to therapy today.”
