Page 32 of Feels Like Home
"I don't expect to make any major changes operationally," I say to Lola and Manuel in what used to be Grandpa Arnie's office, and I guess is now mine. "The only difference is that I'll be around, and I'd like to dosomething."
"Oh, that's wonderful news." Lola claps her hands excitedly. "I'm so happy to have you back!"
"Like what?" Manuel asks, decidedly less excitedly.
I shrug. "I'm not sure." When I was a teenager, Grandpa Arnie used to put me and Buzz to work around the place, taking calls, greeting guests, pitching in with housekeeping whenever they were short-staffed. "I know this place inside and out. I'm sure I can find some way of contributing."
"Room tree 'as a clogged toilet," Manuel offers.
"Oh, really? See, I was thinking the titleco-executive managerhas a nice ring to it."
He blanches. "I’m sure we can find some tings for you to do."
"That's the spirit, Manuel. Are there any questions?"
They both shake their heads.
"If you'll excuse me," Manuel says, getting up. "I need to go call ze plumber about ze blocked toilet."
"Have you tried using a plunger?" I ask, winking at Lola.
"Excuse me?"
"I mean, there's no point in calling someone out if it's something we can fix ourselves, right? Just roll up the sleeves of that lovely expensive dress shirt and get in there. Some elbow grease might be all it needs."
Lola tries to hold in a giggle, but it slips out anyway. Manuel glares at her then directs his ire at me. I square my shoulders and flash a toothy smile.
"Fine," he huffs before stomping out of the room muttering just loud enough for me to catch what sounds like, "It's going to be two against one for ze next six months."
Once he closes the door behind him, Lola looks at me and cackles. "I say we give it ten minutes then barge in on him."
"Totally agree. We need photographic evidence."
"It'll be my new screensaver on my phone."
"Or we hang it up behind the front desk."
"Perfect!" She bursts out laughing. "Ohhh, it's so good to have you back, Court."
"It's good to be back."
"You really mean that?"
I take a sip of water. "Yeah. I do."
It's been a week since Zane and I exchanged blows. I've stuck to the promise I made to Buzz and have been civil…by which I mean I've managed to avoid running into the guy, mainly by spending my days here at the inn and my nights with Buzz at his place.
"Have you seen your mother yet?"
"I called. She said she's in the final stages of her first draft."
"What does that mean?"
"That now is not a good time for visitors, apparently." Neither is when she's editing or revising or releasing or about to go on a book tour. Makes me wonder whether being an author is either the hardest job in the world or she's simply using it as an excuse not to spend time with her only kid. Lola's expression falls, so I throw in, "It's fine. Really. I'm here for a while. There's no rush. I'm sure we'll see each other soon."
I don't even know why I'm defending her. I guess a part of me wants to believe that maybe we can find a way to reconnect over the next six months, even if the initial signs don't look all that promising.
"And how are things going with Buzz?" Lola asks, moving on.
