Dinner at the Beach House Hotel

by Judith Keim

  In the baggage claim area of the airport, Rhonda called to us, waved, and moved awkwardly toward us in an orange caftan. In just a matter of days, her baby bump had grown bigger and lower, and I realized her baby might not wait too much longer to see the world.

  “Annie! I’m so glad you’re here. There’s lots going on at the hotel.” She gave me one of her bosomy hugs and turned to Liz, who was holding Robbie.

  “And who do we have here?” Rhonda tweaked Robbie’s cheek, and he surprised us all with a wide smile. Her expression grew somber. She gave Liz the best hug she could under the circumstances. “I’m really sorry about what happened to your dad and Kandie. How are you holding up, honey?”

  Tears moistened Liz’s eyes. “Okay, I guess. Mom’s been great. I’m flying back to Boston the day after tomorrow to finish school before the break.”

  We gathered our bags, picked up the stroller for Robbie, and headed outside. The warm air wrapped around me like a heartfelt welcome; I sighed with pleasure.

  As we walked to her car, Rhonda pulled me aside. “I talked to Consuela about finding someone to help with Robbie. One of her neighbors is willing to be a part-time nanny.”

  “Great. Robbie’s a handful. But Liz will have to approve of her, and we both need to spend a lot of time with him until he gets used to everything. Poor little guy is confused.”

  We caught up to Liz and went to find Rhonda’s car.

  As I sat in the backseat of Rhonda’s convertible with Robbie, I felt the wind finger my hair. I turned to him and couldn’t help smiling at the look of enjoyment on his face. His hair was being tossed about in the wind. We’d taken off his jacket so he could enjoy the warmth of the sun. Impulsively, I smiled at him and gave his hand a squeeze. He responded with a little giggle that touched me.

  On the way to my house, we passed The Beach House Hotel. I craned my neck. It still felt strange not to pull into the hotel complex to the little house I owned there. Now, I rented the house to the hotel as living quarters for Bernie.

  Rhonda drove into my neighborhood and then into the front circle of the house I shared with Vaughn. The imposing white stucco house with a tiled roof was one I’d always admired. It still surprised me sometimes that it was now where I lived and, more than that, it was the house Vaughn had bought so we could spend more time together away from the constant demands of the hotel.

  We got out of the car, and I paused a moment to study the house. With five bedrooms and four and a half baths, it was elegant but not ostentatious. It extended across the lawn like a graceful bird whose wings were spread in flight. The large kitchen and huge lanai were the two features of the house I liked best. Vaughn, typical guy, loved the three-car garage and the pool and spa.

  I unlocked the massive, wooden front door, and we stepped inside. Light-colored tile on the entrance floor led to the living room beyond, whose décor was brightened by a large Oriental rug in shades of light blue, cream, and gold. A large, white, U-shaped couch sat on the rug, waiting for the rest of the living room furniture we’d ordered to arrive.

  Sliding glass doors filled most of the far wall of the living room and led to a screened lanai with a salt-water pool and spa. I suddenly realized how much work we would need to do to make the house toddler-proof. I quickly decided one of the first things I’d do would be to get either water wings or a small life jacket and then arrange for Robbie to get swimming lessons.

  When Liz set Robbie down, he took off running.

  “Hey, wait, Robbie!” Liz cried, but, laughing gleefully, he continued to run toward the kitchen.

  She caught his arm, and he began to scream at the top of his lungs, “No! No!”

  Rhonda and I looked at each other and shook our heads.

  “She’s got her hands full,” I said, unable to hide the worry in my voice.

  “It brings back so many memories,” said Rhonda. “I guess I’d better get used to it.”

  “Who knew Liz would end up being a mother at her age?” I said.

  “Or Angela?” said Rhonda. She elbowed me playfully. “So now we’re both grandmothers. Not just me, huh?”

  I laughed. I couldn’t think of myself that way. Not yet. But the reality of what I was facing was unmistakable when Robbie ran toward me calling, “Gammy! Up!”

  So conflicted I wanted to cry, I swung him up in my arms. Vaughn had bought this house just for us. And now the ‘just for us’ would include a little boy for the foreseeable future. At least until Liz was through this school year.

  ###

  While Liz fed Robbie his lunch, I went into my office to make a few phone calls. I’d go into the hotel tomorrow. Today, I had to take care of things at home. We needed to have a safety fence put up around the pool. After making those arrangements, I called Troy Taylor, the young man who was in charge of the hotel’s spa. He was an excellent swimmer who sometimes taught private swimming lessons. Even though it was our busy season at the hotel, I hoped he’d be able to help me out.

  I quickly explained the circumstances to him and told him of my urgency. He responded with a promise to come by between spa appointments to get acquainted with Robbie.

  “It’ll be sometime this afternoon for sure,” he said.

  As I hung up, I was grateful for his enthusiasm, but I thought it might have something to do with Liz. He and Liz had had a thing going on between them at Christmastime.

  “Robbie’s down for a nap. Who was that on the phone?” Liz asked, coming into the room.

  “Troy has agreed to give Robbie swim lessons. He’ll stop by this afternoon.”

  Liz sank down into the chair in my office and gave me a glum look. “What am I going to do, Mom? How can I date? How can I have a real life when I have to take care of my little brother?” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “It isn’t fair that I have to give up my life for him. I didn’t know what I was doing when I signed that agreement.”

  My heart went out to her. She was so full of life, so eager to make something of herself. Now, she was beginning to realize, some of her dreams were in jeopardy. I couldn’t let her life be totally ruined by the dilemma she faced. I rose and went over to Liz to give her a hug.

  “I’m sorry all of this has happened,” I said. “We’ll have to make the best of it. Robbie needs us. Things will get easier as we all adjust to a new routine. We need to make sure you have enough help so you can continue your schooling. Rhonda has found a woman to act as a day-time nanny for you.”

  “I love Robbie. I really do,” said Liz, sniffling. “I just didn’t want kids so soon; you know?”

  I thought back to my own history. I’d been forced to leave college when I’d discovered I was pregnant with Liz. I’d married Robert and turned over my dreams for a business to him. He’d taken all the credit for the business I’d formed on paper. I let it happen, thinking we’d work together and be married for the rest of our lives. What a mistake that had been! I didn’t want anything like that to happen to Liz. She was a young woman with a bright future—a hard worker who deserved a chance to fly.

  “We’ll help you,” I said quietly. “But you’re going to have to be a big part of it. You’re legally bound to him as well as by blood. We can turn this into something wonderful for him.”

  Liz nodded, but the sadness on her face spoke of many things.

  ###

  I called Vaughn and caught him at a good time. After spilling my concerns over all that had happened so far, I told him what I wanted to do to the house. He quickly agreed to my plans to make it toddler-proof.

  “Go ahead and do what you need to, Ann. The house is yours as much as mine. None of us wanted this to happen, and we’re going to have to deal with it the best we can.”

  My heart squeezed with love for this kind, sweet man. “I love you more than I can tell you.”

  “When I get home, we can do a whole lot of...talking.”

  I laughed at the suggestive tone of his voice. I loved the way we flirted with each other.

  We talked a
bout his schedule, and I hung up with a promise from him to come to Florida as soon as he could.

  Troy appeared as I was completing a list of furniture and other items we needed to convert a guest room into a little boy’s room. Liz had left the house to buy groceries, diapers, and other supplies for Robbie.

  “Hi, Ann,” said Troy. “I’m here to check out the pool and to meet Robbie.”

  “Thanks for coming right away. I’m nervous about Robbie falling into the pool or off the dock and not being able to swim.”

  “Don’t worry,” said Troy. “I can teach him the skills and techniques to save himself. I’m certified to teach infants and toddlers how to survive in water.”

  “Wonderful.” It was exactly what I needed to hear. All of us would try to keep an eye on him, but Robbie was an active little boy who didn’t yet listen to warnings.

  Troy shuffled his feet. “Uh...is Liz around?”

  “She’s gone to the grocery store, but should be back any minute.” I checked my watch. “And Robbie is due to get up soon. Do you have time to wait?”

  “I have no more appointments this afternoon. Mark is holding down the fort, and Tammi is booked doing nails.”

  “Sounds good.” We’d brought in Mark Spenser to assist Troy. Tammi had been doing nails for our customers from the very beginning.

  I heard the sound of the garage door opening. “Here’s Liz now.”

  “I’ll help carry in groceries,” Troy said.

  He followed me into the kitchen.

  Liz came through the kitchen door with a bag of groceries. At the sight of Troy, she dropped the bag on the floor and, sobbing, hurried into his arms.

  I turned and left the room, giving them the privacy they needed.

  As I entered the north wing of the house to check on Robbie, I thought of all the difficulties that lay ahead. It would take time to sort things out.

  I tiptoed to the door of Robbie’s room and peeked inside. He was sprawled across the double bed clutching the long-eared, stuffed rabbit he loved. His cheeks were flushed with sleep, giving him the appearance of a rosy-cheeked cherub.

  He sensed my presence and opened his eyes. His brow furrowed at the sight of me. I waited for the crying to begin and was surprised by the curve of his lips. “Gammy?”

  I sat on the bed beside him and brushed his hair away from his face. “I’m here, Robbie. I’m here.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  I watched as Troy and Liz worked together in the swimming pool to get Robbie accustomed to the water. He kicked freely and squealed joyfully when water splashed onto his face. When Liz let go of one of his hands, his head went under the water. She pulled him up into her arms and soothed his tears.

  “Good boy, Robbie. You’re doing well.”

  “Here, let me,” said Troy. He took Robbie from her. “As soon as he’ll let me work with him on some of the techniques, I will. In the meantime, we’ll just play.”

  Observing the three of them together, I liked what I saw. Robbie was a brave little boy who loved attention. Liz and Troy worked well together, easy in each other’s company, attentive to Robbie.

  I called to her, “Liz, I’m leaving now. Paul is going to meet me at the store in the hotel van. He’ll help me pick up the furniture you and I ordered for Robbie’s room, along with a number of things to go with it. Troy, your father is bringing a safety fence to install around the pool. Is everybody going to be all right while I’m gone?”

  Liz waved. “See you later.”

  Robbie was too busy playing in the water to notice.

  Later, after Troy had helped put together the crib, I asked him to stay for dinner.

  “Sorry. I have a date.” He gave an apologetic look to Liz. “I didn’t think you’d be in town.”

  “I didn’t think I would be either.” I knew her well enough to know Liz was struggling to hide her disappointment.

  “Izzie, me up,” said Robbie. He held his arms up to her.

  Sighing, Liz did as he asked and faced Troy. “Thanks for the help with the swim lessons.”

  “Yeah, well, see you around,” Troy said.

  Watching him go, Liz’s eyes filled. “Guess this is going to be the story of my life,” she said sadly.

  I swung an arm across her shoulder. “Aw, honey. Give it time. Your situation is a surprise for everyone.”

  After an early dinner, Liz, Robbie, and I headed to the mall. Robbie needed a hat, sunglasses, and another bathing suit. In fact, Robbie needed a lot of even the basic things. As I’d tucked a few of Robbie’s items into his new bureau drawers, I realized once more how Robert’s financial situation had changed. The child didn’t have adequate clothing. I’d do what I could to help out, but it seemed so unfair for Robert to have placed Liz in such an uncertain, financial predicament. But like we’d all learned, life wasn’t fair.

  As I pushed Robbie in his stroller through the mall, I filled with pride at the smiles directed his way. With Robert’s blue eyes and Kandie’s dark hair, he was a handsome little boy.

  His gaze flitted from one colorful object to another in various storefront windows.

  “He loves this,” I commented to Liz.

  “Yeah, I don’t think he got out very much. Just to day care and back,” Liz said. “Kandie said it was too much of a hassle to take him anywhere.”

  No wonder he’s enthralled with everything, I thought.

  Liz’s brow was creased with worry when she turned to me. “Mom? I don’t want everyone to think Robbie is my baby.” She glanced around. “I didn’t even have a steady boyfriend when he was born.”

  “When you explain it, your friends will understand. Other people don’t matter.”

  Liz frowned. “And who is going to want to date me? I’m a mother to a kid that isn’t really mine.”

  I placed a hand on her shoulder. “We’ll all feel better about everything as we get used to it. Robbie is a darling little boy.”

  No sooner had those words come out of my mouth than Robbie shrieked and fought to get out of his stroller.

  “Hey, what’s going on?” I asked, trying to settle him in the stroller.

  He pointed to a large Panda bear sitting in the window of a shoe store. “Mine!”

  “No, Robbie, it’s just a display. Let’s go. We’re going to get you some new jammies.”

  “Nooo!” screamed Robbie, fighting me. “Nooo!”

  Liz took hold of the stroller’s handle and quickly moved away, forcing Robbie to stay in his seat.

  I followed her and Robbie’s screams. Catching up to them, I said, “So that’s what usually goes on?”

  “Let’s hurry up, get our things, and get out of here. Everyone’s looking at us.”

  The clerk who waited on us was apparently used to screaming kids. I was not. No matter how much I tried to soothe him, Robbie continued fighting the stroller straps and screaming. I realized then that all the changes in his life had finally caught up to him.

  Liz wheeled him away while I finished up with the sales clerk. When the bill was rung up, I gasped at the total. And this, I suspected, was only the beginning of many more expenses.

  On the way home, Robbie fell asleep in his car seat. In the quiet that followed, Liz turned to me. “Thanks for everything, Mom. If there’s anything left of the estate, I’ll pay you back.”

  “Okay. We’ll see.” I doubted there would be enough to pay for even the clothes Robert’s son needed.

  ###

  At the sound of someone in the kitchen, I sat up with a start. Then I heard Robbie’s cry and it all came back—the accident, Liz, and Robbie. Leaning back against my pillow, I realized how much my life had changed...again. I closed my eyes. While my personal life might change drastically, my professional life had to remain steady, especially with Rhonda’s new baby on the way. I got out of bed and hurried into the shower to get ready for the day.

  When I entered the kitchen, Robbie was sitting in his new highchair, pounding on the plastic tray with a metal spoon.
Her hair tousled, Liz was sitting at the kitchen table, holding her head in her hands.

  “Where do you keep the little coffee containers for your coffee machine? I’m desperate for a good strong cup of coffee.”

  At the sight of my usually peppy daughter drooping like a wilted hibiscus blossom, my heart went out to her. I quickly found the little cups, put one into the machine, and pressed the button.

  A few moments later, I handed her a cup of coffee. “Consuela is bringing Elena Ramos, a friend of hers, here for you to interview for a part-time nanny. Elena’s sister Rita is going to be Rhonda’s nanny. I understand these young women are very nice and are also accustomed to handling kids. Let me know what you think. I’ll have a chance to talk to her later in the day if you like her.”

  “If she can walk and talk, I’ll like her,” teased Liz. “Seriously, though, Robbie has to like her too or it won’t work.”

  “Good luck with her. Now, I’ve got to run. You can always reach me at the hotel.” I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and then went over to Robbie. “See you later, little guy.”

  “Gammy,” he said, giving me a serious look.

  My heart melted. I gave him a kiss and waved goodbye.

  “Talk to you later,” said Liz.

  ###

  As I walked into the lobby of the hotel and toward my office, it felt like coming home. A sense of satisfaction wrapped around me as I took in the attractive décor of the living room and heard the buzz of conversation from the dining room.

  As I stood there, a little black and tan dog rushed toward me, wagging her tail. “Hi, Trudy!” I bent to pat her and was rewarded with a quick kiss that made me laugh.

  “Ahhh, Ann. She likes you. Always a good sign,” said a deep voice, and Bernhard strode toward me. “Welcome back.”

  I stood and smiled at him. “How are things here?”

  “Improving,” he said.

  I blinked in surprise, uncertain as to how to take that. I hadn’t thought things were bad.

  “How’s the house? And are you settled in your new office?” A storeroom along the first-floor hallway had been converted to an attractive office for him.