by Regina Doman
She stared around her in bewilderment.
“See? Mom painted the doors on the cabinets!” Sam pointed to the left, where a breakfast area stood beneath an alcove canopied by a sweep of chrome.
The bank of cabinet doors were painted bright green with a tree branch of red and pink cherry blossoms sweeping across it.
“Oh yeah, that makes it better,” Kateri said under her breath.
Mrs. O’Donnell settled herself into the black wheelchair, which stood waiting by the doorway. “I want to cover the seats of the chairs in pink satin, but Alan thinks red would go better,” she said to Kateri. “What do you think?”
Kateri made a disorganized shrug, and allowed herself to be propelled by Alex towards the double doors at the other side of the lobby.
“Here’s the conference room.” Mr. O’Donnell threw open the doors. The room was wallpapered in red, and bamboo scrolls of Japanese calligraphy lined the sides of the room around the massive brown table. “We bought those scrolls off of eBay,” Mr. O’Donnell said. “Doesn’t it look neat?”
Alex pulled Kateri away through a side door before she could comment and continued the tour. “Weight room—in yellow. A little jarring, but Dad likes it.
We’re going to ditch most of the stuff so we can use it as a dojo. Sauna—in wood, of course. Pool!” He threw open a door to reveal a dazzling square of blue sparkling in the sunlight, surrounded by a white patio, backed with a tall black iron fence. Beyond the fence were cedar trees, and the side of the mountain.
“Beautiful trees,” Kateri said, glad to be able to say something.
“Guess what? I can climb that fence, even though it’s eight feet high!” Sam bragged. “Wanna see me?”
“Yes, we all know you barbarians like scaling walls,” Alex said, steering Kateri back inside. “So that’s the pool. What’s left? Guest rooms. Forty of them.”
The hallways were carpeted in the same garish oversized pattern that made Kateri dizzy as she walked over it. Alex led her down the hallway. “It’s pretty much the same wherever you go,” he said. “All we’ve really done is change the pictures.”
Of course, the pictures were Oriental—mostly flowers and landscapes.
“What did they have before?” Kateri had to ask as Mrs. O’Donnell, who had come up the elevator on her wheelchair, rolled over to meet them.
“Pictures of hunting and Civil War scenes,” Mrs. O’Donnell made a face. “I think the Eastern art fits better with the décor, don’t you?”
“As well as anything could,” Kateri managed to say.
They took the elevator up to see the third floor to show Kateri the admittedly impressive mountain view from the top floor windows.
“It’s even better from the roof!” Sam said, pulling her towards the stairwell.
“Come on! We’ve got to show you.”
“We’ll wait down here!” Mrs. O’Donnell called as her sons escorted Kateri away.
What is it with the O’Donnell boys and high places? Kateri shook her head as she followed Alex and his younger brothers up the side stair to a service door.
Alex unlocked it, then pushed the door open.
“This view is for the privileged few,” David intoned, leading her onto the flat gravel-covered rooftop of the hotel.
Kateri shivered at how low the roof ledge was, but Alex pulled her aside.
“Look out this way to the east,” he said softly. “I assure you, it’s nothing like DC.” He turned her around.
She gasped at the magnificent vista of the Blue Ridge Mountains stretching off into the horizon, with clouds drifting softly over their woody peaks.
“And nothing like New Jersey,” she admitted. Alex chuckled, squeezing her shoulders.
“Hey!” Sam said. “Wanna know something else? I bet I could jump right into the diving well of the pool from here! Want to see if I can?”
“Absolutely not,” Alex said. “Are you trying to get our hotel insurance revoked? Don’t let the CFO know you even thought about it. She’d have a heart attack. Now, get downstairs!”
Grumbling, the boys followed Kateri and Alex back down the steps to rejoin the O’Donnell parents, who were discussing whether they could afford to upgrade the lighting fixtures in the hallway.
“Mr. Bhatka said we should expect to upgrade things constantly,” Alex said to Kateri.
They’ve obviously never upgraded the color scheme since they bought the place, Kateri thought.
Alex continued, “Incrementally, so we never have to close down the hotel again for repairs. You know, we’ll just do one floor or one room at a time.”
Kateri shook her head. “Sounds like a lot of money,” she said. “You think you can afford to keep this running, on just the interest of the Mystery Money?”
“Maintenance is in the budget,” Alex said. “We have one year to sink or swim. But the first three months should let us know if we’re going to make it.”
“Plus I got a great deal on the new security locks from a former colleague,”
Mr. O’Donnell said. “They open with keycards—you know, those plastic keys that look like credit cards. I’ve been installing them on all the doors in the hotel.
Hopefully it’ll be the last time we have to close the hotel for repairs.”
Together the family took the elevator back to the lobby, Kateri bracing herself for the shock of the retro color this time. It wasn’t quite so bad. But I hate the idea that I might get used to it.
“And here is where we’ll be living,” Alex said, opening a side door leading off the lobby. He led the way down a hallway to a suite of rooms at the back.
Kateri drew in her breath. It was completely different from the O’Donnell’s old house—as open and organized as the old house had been cramped and cluttered.
It was an open floor plan with kitchen, dining room, and living room all in one area, the long, large kitchen separated from the rest by an island with black metal bar stools. The walls were white and pale blue. There was a TV in one corner, but the main area was done in traditional Japanese style: sisal mats, small tables, large throw cushions in subdued patterns scattered about a low coffee table containing one black shining vase—round as a large marble—with a spray of artificial cherry blossoms in it. A black brocade futon couch sat against one wall, near a low chest where the family statues of Christ and Mary stood, a round grass basket of colored enamel-beaded rosaries between them. The emblematic glass fishing weights and potted plants hung from the ceiling, but the room was distinctively clean, fresh, and uncluttered. Link the Cat lay on a cushion in a sunny spot, looking even more relaxed and contented than usual.
Kateri gradually became aware that all the O’Donnells were watching her amazed expression with wide smiles.
“See, Kateri? We learned from you. I thought we’d use the move to phase out a lot of things,” Mrs. O’Donnell said. “I told the boys that if we got rid of almost everything, I’d treat them to new furniture and a new game system.”
“Of course we did it because of the new gaming system,” David said, running to the corner where a gleaming silver console stood by the TV and stroking it lovingly.
“It’s amazing what you can do when you have more room,” Mr. O’Donnell admitted. “What do you think?”
“She doesn’t know what to say,” Alex said. “We’ve completely shocked her.
I don’t think she thought it was possible.”
Kateri could only stand there and nod.
Just as in their old house, the O’Donnells were making do with two small bedrooms—one for all three boys and one for the married couple. “But we’re used to small bedrooms,” Sam assured her. They had brought their bedroom furniture from the old house. But in one corner of the master bedroom, Mr.
O’Donnell’s laptop computer sat on a new desk of gleaming red lacquer.
The home computer was in its own niche in the kitchen. Kateri noted the kitchen had the same green doors with pink flowers, but they weren’t quite
as jarring here.
“We just can’t figure out where to put our swords and weapons,” Alex said.
“Right now they’re in an umbrella stand in Dad’s room, which isn’t at all dignified. Let me show you your room.”
He was still holding her hand, and now guided her back down the hallway, through the lobby, and over to the first of the guest doors. “We figured this would be the easiest setup,” he said. “But if you don’t like this room, we can always change it for one of the thirty-nine others.”
He took out a key and pushed open the heavy door. Inside was a typical hotel room—queen-sized bed, boxy end tables, round table, thick boxy chairs with wooden arms. “Since you’re a special guest, though, I gave you the upgrade,” Alex said. He pointed to a spray of red roses on the end table, and a pair of chocolates on the pillowcase. “Welcome to the Twilight Hills Hotel, Kateri. I hope your stay will be long and pleasurable.”
She couldn’t help smiling as she pushed back her hair. “Thank you, Alex.”
They stood in the doorway and looked at each other. Alex was more groomed than he had been when she last saw him. He wore a black button-down shirt instead of his typical t-shirt, his beard was trimmed and his hair neatly combed back. Otherwise, he looked just as relaxed and competently muscular as usual.
With a flush of warmth, she realized that she hadn’t had a moment to take in the reality that she was going to be spending a lot of time with Alex O’Donnell. He seemed to realize that as well and cleared his throat.
He waved a hand. “Feel free to do anything you want to the room. We can change out the furniture if you want. But don’t do anything too permanent. If we get overbooked, we might have to kick you out for a night.”
“That only makes sense,” she said. “So—” she was about to ask him what he wanted to tell her, but Sam and David were pushing a brass luggage cart into the lobby, piled with her baggage. She changed the subject. “So when do we open for business, Mr. Day Manager?”
“Two days,” he said. “Want to have a swim to cool off before dinner?”
That actually sounded wonderful. “Sure,” she said gratefully. Despite the air conditioning, she felt hot and sticky.
He bowed. “We’ll leave, and let you get settled.”
After the O’Donnell brothers left, Kateri looked around the room, feeling a bit helpless. At least the carpet wasn’t that horrible yellow-and-red tulip pattern, but the green plaid wasn’t much better. No matter what she did to it, this room was going to feel like a hotel and not a home, but she had agreed to get involved; and to spend the rest of the summer here getting to know Alex and his family. How had this happened?
Resigning herself, she began to unpack, looking for her swimsuit.
She met Alex at the pool a short time later. He had changed into a swimsuit and tee, and was sitting on a lounge chair, checking e-mail on his laptop, while Sam and David cavorted in the water.
“Want to talk now?” she said.
Alex glanced at his brothers. “Nah. It can wait.”
“At least they’re outside more,” she indicated the boys.
“Yes. They’ll have a lot less free time now,” he said wryly. “Good thing it’s summertime. In the fall, when school starts and they have to work the hotel and do school, they’re going to value their recreation time.”
“But things should be slower then,” Kateri pointed out.
He cocked his head. “According to Mr. Bhatka, fall was one of their busiest times. The tourists come to admire the fall foliage and attend festivals. It’s not so hot and muggy then.”
“Well, the winter should be pretty slow.”
“Would you believe there’s skiing, even this far south? It’s amazing what kind of business you can do with a good slope and a snow machine.”
“So when do you slow down?”
“Spring, maybe? Or perhaps this is the slow time. I can’t tell.” He closed his laptop and got up. “Ready for the water?”
“Sure.” She felt a little awkward and self-conscious in her blue swimsuit with the floral swim skirt. Her suit had good coverage, but she felt more on display than usual, and wished she had worn a t-shirt.
She resolutely averted her gaze from Alex’s sleek biceps and chest muscles as he pulled off his shirt, but she gasped as he turned around to dive in.
“What happened to your shoulder?” There was a large black-and-blue bruise running across his back.
He glanced at it and blinked. “Oh. It probably looks worse than it feels.”
“Did you—drop a dresser on it or something?”
For an answer, he dove into the water, and, feeling misgivings, she jumped in after him. It wasn’t like Alex to answer a question with silence.
The shock of the cool water was relaxing, but she didn’t forget her question as she surfaced.
“Alex, what happened?”
He had started to do a lap, and she thought he hadn’t heard her, but reaching the far side of the pool, he paused, and she caught up with him.
“Alex?”
He stared at the opposite end of the pool, water dripping from his face and ponytail. A long loud ringing was echoing over the courtyard.
“What’s that?” Sam said, pausing in his act of holding a spluttering David under water.
“I bet it’s the house phone,” Alex said, and then laughed. “Mr. Bhatka probably set it so loud so that he could hear it ring even when he was out swimming.”
The ring continued, loud and insistent.
“Will someone get that?” Alex bellowed.
No answer except the ringing.
“I’ll get it,” he started to get out of the pool, but Kateri grabbed his arm.
“No escaping,” she warned.
“Sam, David! Race to the phone!” he shouted. “Winner gets to use my computer!”
Sam and David instantly scrambled out of the pool and pelted inside, spraying water everywhere.
“Once we have guests here, I’ll have to yell after them, ‘No running in the pool area!’” Alex said ruefully. “But for now it’s okay.”
“Alex, I want an explanation for why you have a massive bruise you’re reluctant to talk about,” Kateri said.
The ringing stopped, and Alex blew out a sigh and sat on the side of the pool. Kateri grabbed his shoulder to pull herself up beside him and he involuntarily yelped.
“It does hurt you,” she accused.
“I guess it does,” he admitted. “I must be getting out of shape.”
“So what happened?”
“Just had a run-in with Dad’s younger brother. Uncle Cass.”
“A run-in? How?”
“He hit me with a pair of clippers. He’s a jerk. That’s all.”
“He hit you with a—Alex, what were you doing? Was it an accident?”
“Sorry to say, no. Just in line with how he usually treats me.”
“You two usually fight?”
Alex shrugged. “He’s always slapped me around. Bad temper. He’s probably the reason I got into martial arts in the first place, come to think of it. I was so sick and tired of being knocked down and sat on at every family reunion.”
“He would bully you like that?” Kateri exclaimed, sitting up. “Didn’t your parents know?”
Alex shook his head. “I don’t think I told them. Stupid of me. But I was smart enough to make sure he kept away from my kid brothers.”
Kateri was so horrified she almost didn’t know what to say. “What a jerk!
He must have problems.”
“Yeah, I don’t know why a grown man would go out of his way to be so mean to a kid like me. I mean, I was probably annoying, but nothing to justify how he would treat me when no one else was looking.” He spoke nonchalantly.
She was still processing. “I don’t understand people like that. Even after four years of studying mental health, I don’t understand why some adults will beat up kids.”
Alex put his head to one side and scratched his chin. �
��I’ve sort of tried to analyze him, and I think it might have been a holdover from when he was a kid himself. He’s Dad’s younger brother, and they probably fought a lot. I guess when he found himself in the presence of a short fat little kid who looked just like his big brother, it put him in touch with his inner thug.”
Kateri looked at Alex critically. “You were fat?”
He shrugged. “Sure. I was pudgy, just like my brothers are. And not good at sports. But one day when I was ten, I saw an old Jackie Chan movie where Jackie takes out this guy who’s three times bigger than he is, and I thought, ‘Wow, I got to learn how to do that!’ So I pestered my parents until they enrolled me in karate, and the rest, as they say, is history.”
He tugged at his ponytail, wringing it out. “But that wasn’t the end of my battle with Uncle Cass. Soon as he found he couldn’t throw me around the same way—I gave him a nasty surprise at the family reunion when I was fourteen and he tried to knock me into a pond—he started in on the psychological battle.
God, the Church, values, current events—he had to prove I was stupid somehow. So I had to learn to think and argue to defend my beliefs. In some ways, I’ve actually learned a lot because of him.”
Kateri pushed her damp hair behind her ears. “You amaze me. If it were me, I’d be so angry with him, I couldn’t even talk about him. You’re incredibly calm about this. And you’re supposed to be the fighter.”
Alex’s smile was quirky. “Well, I’ve learned how to deal with him now. And I don’t exactly trust him, and we’ll never be buddies. But in a way, he’s made me who I am today. So I guess I have to be grateful, don’t I?”
“He made you what you are today? I can’t believe that.”
He stretched. “Well, I almost had to define myself in opposition to him.
Even in how I cut my hair. We’re just diametrically opposed on everything—
religion, family life, politics—you name it. Even Dad is more middle of the road than I am. Cass is a raving liberal, so of course I got interested in conservative politics.” He shook his head. “And our lifestyles are different too. He’s rich—
