Inherit the Wool

by Betty Hechtman

  “Now that you’re all here, let’s get you all checked in,” I said, touching Courtney’s arm to distract her. I took a last look around at the people getting their bags to see if the mystery guest would make their presence known, but nobody else looked my way. I waved for the group to follow as I guided Courtney toward the door to the Lodge.

  “When is Blair supposed to arrive?” Vanessa asked as she grabbed the handle of her expensive bag and followed behind me.

  “Bad news,” I said. “I got a message this morning that she can’t make it. Something about a meeting.” I wanted to give them more details, but the clerk’s message-taking skills had left a lot to be desired.

  “I guess you can’t just leave the town of Hillston when you’re the boss,” Elizabeth said. “It’s pretty impressive that she’s the mayor.” She looked at the others. “Imagine one of our Baller-rinas is in charge of the whole town.”

  Mayor? I felt myself getting smaller right on the spot. If I’d paid more attention to what they were all doing I never would have let Vanessa talk me into this retreat. I also now understood Janet’s garbled message. She’d turned mayor into hair or fair.

  “It’s more like a suburb of Chicago,” Lauren corrected. “And she’s just using it as a stepping-stone. She’s planning to run for Congress. I suppose it shouldn’t be a big surprise. Remember she was the student government treasurer and then the next year she was the president.”

  Vanessa seemed vexed. “I was depending on Blair being here.”

  “Don’t worry, we can still do our ball routine. We’ll just have to make a few changes,” Elizabeth said.

  “Who cares about ball routines now?” Courtney said. “That’s who we were, not who we are.”

  I held the door and they filed inside the Lodge, looking around the open area as they did. “What is this place?” Vanessa asked.

  I groaned to myself as I heard the distaste in her voice. When she’d come up with the idea of me putting on the retreat I had used words like rustic and atmospheric to describe Vista Del Mar. I had given her a link to check it out online, but she’d never voiced any reservations. I realized she probably hadn’t paid any attention to what I said or checked out the link.

  Vanessa could have afforded to go to any college, but her grades had been average at best. She just needed a degree to please her father, and Clayton University was very open about letting in everyone, or as they put it, giving everyone a chance. She was used to the luxury of her parents’ estate so a commuter school suited her perfectly. From the start she’d been the one to take charge of the Baller-rinas. It was like her own little social club.

  Once again it struck me what an unlikely group we were. There was no way we would have gotten to know each other if it hadn’t been for that fateful gym class.

  “It used to be a girls’ camp,” Lauren said, reading the signboard that listed events and the story of Vista Del Mar.

  “Like over a hundred years ago,” Elizabeth said, reading over her shoulder. “How quaint, look at the activities. Nature walks, storytelling in front of the fire, Friday night movie, a talent show, and something called a roast and toast.”

  I started to get defensive. “Some people like to step back in time. I’ve brought a lot of groups here, and by the end of the weekend they’re thanking me for the simple surroundings.”

  “Well, we’re women and we need our spa treatments and plush surroundings,” Vanessa said, glancing around the interior. The space was no longer deserted and there were several people reading in the sitting area. A pair of boisterous teens were playing table tennis and a family was playing Monopoly on one of the tables spread around the lobby-like area. “Board games, really?” she said with distaste. “Where’s the bar?” She looked around the big room. “I need a glass of wine.”

  “Isn’t it a little early for that?” Lauren said.

  “What’s that line—it’s five o’clock somewhere,” Vanessa said with an uneasy smile. “But if it’s going to upset you, I can wait,” she said and then turned to me. “You do have wine here, I hope.”

  “There’s a whole selection of beer and wine,” I said, hoping to get a few points with her. I pointed out the Cora and Madeleine Delacorte Café, which now served wine and beer.

  “Darn, what’s going on? Why won’t my phone work?” Courtney said rather loudly. She was holding her smart phone, frantically scrolling down the screen. More remembrances of her came back and I recalled how she’d always seemed overly aggressive and rather humorless. She’d been the most mortified that we’d had to do our routine in view of the boys and gone on about her image.

  Was it just a lapse in her memory or had she missed what I’d said? I knew that I had made it clear all along that Vista Del Mar was unplugged.

  “There’s nothing wrong with your phone. I’m sure I told you this whole place is unplugged. There’s no cell service, Internet or even TV.” There, I’d said it. I took a breath waiting for their reaction. I heard a collective groan that turned into grumbling, but Courtney’s voice carried above the rest.

  “What?” Courtney shrieked, looking at the others for support. “I thought you meant that there weren’t a lot of outlets to plug in my electronics. You didn’t make it very clear then. I never would have come if I knew we were going back to ancient times. I suppose I’ll have to use the landline in the room.”

  “About that,” I began. “I’m sure I pointed out that the accommodations were camp-like and that there were no phones in the rooms, or TVs.”

  Courtney looked at me in shock and then around at her surroundings. “I can’t stay here. I brought work with me. I have to be in contact with my team.”

  “Take a breath, Courtney,” Vanessa said. “There must be phones somewhere here.” She looked around the large space again. “It’s a problem for all of us.”

  “Of course there are phones,” I said, gritting for their reaction when they saw what I meant. I stepped aside and pointed out the row of phone booths I’d been blocking. Courtney looked skyward and I saw her make a face.

  “Pay phones in an actual booth—who sees those anymore?” Lauren said. Courtney pushed the folding door open and looked inside.

  “What about getting calls?” Courtney practically barked the words and it came back to me that she had always sounded as if whatever she was doing was far more important than anything anyone else was doing. Inwardly, I bristled at how demanding she sounded, but I put on a smile and walked the group over to the message board that stood outside the door to the gift shop.

  Seeing it through their eyes, it did seem a little rinky-dink in the modern world of communication, but it was all that was available, so I tried to make it sound effective. “The registration people take messages and post them here. It’s alphabetical,” I added.

  Courtney rolled her eyes in exasperation and muttered something about an unnecessary challenge.

  Lauren seemed deep in thought. “Is the whole town unplugged or just Vista Del Mar?” she asked.

  “Just Vista Del Mar,” I said hesitantly.

  “So in other words, Courtney could use her phone if she went outside the grounds,” Lauren said. Now I remembered that she’d been the one who always tried to fix everything.

  “In theory it would work, but I don’t think she is going to want to spend the weekend hanging out in the street waiting for a call.”

  Undeterred, Lauren continued. “But don’t you live someplace around here?” I held on to a pleasant expression, but inside I was freaking as I knew exactly where she was headed. No way was that going to happen. Let them come over once and they’d be there all the time wanting to use their phones. I needed them to stay at Vista Del Mar so I could slip away to do my dessert making for the Blue Door and muffin baking for the town’s coffee spots. I wasn’t up for any judgy looks by Vanessa either when she saw my place. I didn’t wait for Lauren to say more and stepped in to take control.

  “I’d love to let you come over,” I began, “but I’m in t
he midst of a remodel and everything is torn up. Besides, it would take away from the whole experience of staying at Vista Del Mar.” I said it in a tone that made it clear it was settled and there would be no negotiating. Then I simply moved on and brought up our mystery retreater. “It was all done anonymously and I don’t even know when they’re supposed to arrive.”

  “Who could it be?” Elizabeth said. “There aren’t any more Baller-rinas.”

  “That’s what I thought,” I said. “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see who shows up.” I gestured toward the registration counter. “And now let’s get you all checked in.”

  A new woman about my age was working registration, but before she had a chance to greet my group, Kevin St. John came from somewhere in the back and took over. The manager looked over the small group and smiled.

  “Welcome, ladies,” he said, focusing on the four women and avoiding me. “Let me know if we can do anything to make your stay more enjoyable.”

  Elizabeth stepped forward and looked at him squarely. “Elizabeth Bronsky,” she said, reaching out her hand. The manager seemed confused by her move and reluctantly reached across the counter and shook with her. He didn’t see himself as a friend to the guests, but rather their host and most of all in charge.

  “One of our group is expecting some important calls this weekend. Is there any way she can get special service for any messages you take for her.” She had leaned forward onto the counter and was tilting her head and fingering a strand of her hair. I almost choked as I realized she was trying to flirt with him. I wasn’t sure if her motive was to try to help Courtney or if she was actually interested in him. I had to keep myself from gagging at the thought.

  There was nothing for me to do but stand back and watch. And try not to gag as Elizabeth continued on. “I know we’d all really appreciate anything you could do to help her. You must be able to pull a few strings.”

  Elizabeth didn’t seem to be good at reading body language or she would have realized her efforts were falling flat as he showed no reaction. He finally made a small concession, but it was more about ending her show than because of it.

  “We can hold her messages up here at the desk,” he said and then abruptly began to check them in. He dispensed the keys, and as I was about to escort them to their rooms, he wished them a nice visit. “I’m sure Ms. Feldstein has your long weekend planned out, but if there are any problems, we’re here to help.” He nodded in my direction with a self-satisfied smirk. I got it, he’d placed himself above me in importance to my friends.

  As we went outside, I heard Courtney fussing with Elizabeth. “I don’t need you to take care of things for me,” Courtney said, sounding irritated.

  “I was just trying to help,” Elizabeth said.

  “It looked to me like you were trying to help yourself with the manager. And now he probably thinks of me as being part of your man hunt.”

  “Tsk, tsk,” Vanessa said, looking over her shoulder at Courtney. “You seem a little edgy, being off all electronics will probably do you good.”

  “You can’t possibly understand. You’ve always had a cushy safety net to catch you. Not me. If I fall, I crash.” There was dead silence after that. This was so different than my usual retreat. Generally the people didn’t know each other when they signed up and it took all weekend for them to figure out how not to get along.

  “Maybe you should tell us how far we have to go,” Vanessa said as I led them up the slope covered in golden grass.

  I pointed at the weathered-looking two-story building just ahead. In the dull light it appeared rather foreboding and I really wished the sun had come out. “The building is called Sand and Sea and your rooms are all in there.” They all seemed a little hesitant as I took them inside.

  “This is your own personal living room,” I said. A fire glowed in the fireplace and there were comfortable chairs spread around the carpeted area. Only Lauren made a comment that it seemed cozy. I dreaded moving on to the rooms. I’d been absolutely honest about Vista Del Mar when I’d described it to them and sent them that link to check it out for themselves. Judging by how surprised they were about everything, I had the feeling nobody had paid attention to what I’d said.

  “This place is kind of spooky,” Elizabeth said as I brought them to the hall. I could see her point. It was the middle of the afternoon and the hall was like a dark tunnel with no light at the end.

  “It’s because the walls and ceiling are all dark wood. It’s part of the Arts and Craft style,” I explained. I rattled off some more facts about the Arts and Crafts style and how Vista Del Mar was a famous example of it, but none of them were listening, They’d pushed ahead and were looking at the room numbers on the doors in the dim natural light that made its way to the hall.

  “That’s me,” Vanessa said when we reached 112. She put her key in the door and opened it, and they all looked inside as she walked in.

  “You’re kidding,” Vanessa said, stopping at the narrow bed. They’d pushed behind her and watched as she pulled back the utilitarian bedspread and inspected the sheets, which were clean but a little rough. I was seeing it through their eyes and it wasn’t looking good. Courtney scoffed at the sink in the room and the tiny bathroom with a stall shower and a toilet that flushed with a lever like you found in public restrooms.

  “It’s like being inside a coffin,” Vanessa said with distaste as she took in the dark wood walls and ceiling. I started to say something but she spoke first. “I know it’s part of the Arts and Crafts style,” she mimicked. She quickly opened the curtains and unlatched the windows.

  “Quit being such a princess,” Lauren said. “There are lots of people in the world who would be thrilled to have this room to stay in.” She turned to me. “It’s not every day you get to stay in such a historic place.”

  Elizabeth had come up next to me and leaned in close. “You aren’t married, right?” she asked in a low voice. It seemed like an absolute non sequitur, but I shook my head in answer and she seemed relieved. “I didn’t want to be the only one. Being thirty-five and unmarried doesn’t mean anything anymore, right?” She’d barely taken a breath before she continued. “What about that manager? Is he single?” Then she looked at me. “I’m not stepping on your toes asking about him, am I? I mean, is there something between you. I saw how he smiled at you at the end.”

  I was stunned. Then she was serious when she’d tried to flirt with him. And she thought there might be something between Kevin St. John and me? Didn’t she see that so-called smile was a smirk? All I could think of was—ewww. He was the absolute opposite of anything remotely sexy. The idea of holding his hand made me cringe, let alone thinking of doing anything else with him. I told her what I knew about him, which was almost nothing, and assured her he was available as far as I knew.

  Courtney’s room was next and they all trooped in to check it out. It was almost identical to Vanessa’s room. I saw Courtney’s shoulders drop as she glanced around. She went to the table next to the bed and picked up the ancient clock radio, so old that installing it meant just plugging it in. “You’re kidding,” she said before replacing it on the table. “Whose idea was this anyway?” she asked, looking around at the group.

  “I think it was mine,” Vanessa said. “I thought it would be nice for us all to reconnect someplace away from it all. I’m afraid that I didn’t realize quite how away from it all this place is. Now it doesn’t seem like such a great idea.”

  “Stop being such a spoilsport,” Lauren said to Vanessa. “It’s too bad Blair didn’t make it. She’d know how to talk some sense into you.”

  “Do you happen to know if she’s married?” Elizabeth asked.

  “What’s the difference?” Vanessa said.

  “Nothing,” Elizabeth said. “I was just curious who’s still single.”

  I handed out the tote bags and they all began checking out the contents.

  “You’ll get yarn and needles at the first workshop,” I said.
r />   “So you really meant it about the whole knitting thing,” Vanessa said, looking at the knitting instructions with disdain.

  I nodded. “I know this is all strange to you, but by the end of our first session this afternoon you’ll know how to knit and understand what the instructions mean. And then by the end of the weekend you’ll have completed a scarf.”

  “I think it is a stellar idea,” Lauren said. “It gives a purpose to our get-together, we’ll learn something useful and have a souvenir of our time together.”

  “Spoken like a true do-gooder,” Vanessa said. “I was thinking like more of a spa weekend. You know, massages, facials, sipping wine in a hot tub. I’d be happy to buy a slew of scarves and hand them out to everyone.”

  Lauren looked around at the surroundings. “Do they have spa services?” she asked and then quickly added she was just asking for Vanessa.

  I shook my head and tried not to appear as annoyed as I felt. Why did I ever agree to put on this retreat?

  Vanessa took out her phone and then realized it was useless. “There are some wonderful places in Pebble Beach. We could move the whole thing there,” she said.

  “No,” Lauren said, surprisingly forcefully. “Casey put this together for us and buying scarves isn’t the same as making them.”

  “Absolutely right,” Vanessa said with a laugh. “With my idea we find us a store somewhere and a few minutes later you’re wearing the scarf, and with the other way we spend all weekend fiddling around with yarn and maybe don’t even end up with anything we’d want to wear.”

  “Hold on a second,” I said, stepping in. “I went to a lot of trouble to bring in someone to teach you how to knit and we found a pattern that was simple and fast enough that you could finish the scarf while you’re here. I’m sure when you see what the scarf looks like you’ll be impressed.”