Gloria's Inn

by Robin Alexander

  I learned that Adrienne was a quiet introspective person. She didn’t have a whole lot to say in the way of casual conversation. If I wanted to hear her speak I would have to ask her questions and pull the information out of her.

  “So tell me about the guests that are soon to arrive. I assume you know them pretty well since they come here regularly.” I asked as I kicked rocks up the dirt road.

  “Well, there are six couples. One pair is not an actual couple, they are together as friends, both of whom came last year but they each had mates then. They are all close friends that live in the same city, and once a year they get together and come here for a break. They are a lot of fun; your aunt and I have spent a lot of time with them in the past talking and playing cards together. This place comes alive when they’re here.”

  She suddenly stopped walking and glanced at me for a second. “Calvin is ahead of schedule and will be here in a couple of hours. We should go back to the Inn.” She turned and started walking briskly.

  I ran and half skipped trying to keep up with her long stride. Finally, when I thought I would pass out I grabbed her by the arm. “Can we slow it down a bit before I am face down in the dirt?” I said gasping for breath.

  She looked at me a little surprised, and then I realized I was still holding her arm. “Who is Calvin? I asked in confusion as I let her go.

  “Calvin is the guy that runs the supply boat, he’s ahead of schedule and is coming today instead of tomorrow.” She ran her fingers through her hair nervously, as her eyes darted back and forth. Something made her uncomfortable about this, and then it hit me like a lightening bolt. She must have something going on with Calvin to be acting so strangely.

  I sighed internally; even though I knew it would not be wise to get involved with Adrienne I was a little disappointed that I would never get the chance. Unless, Calvin was a woman Adrienne preferred men. It was so depressing to meet a gorgeous woman and find out she was batting for the other team. Ah well its not like I had a shot anyway.

  I gave her a weak smile and we began to walk again. I had not realized how far we had gone on the way out, because the walk seemed much longer on the way back. I’m sure it had a lot to do with giraffe woman’s stride. It was a struggle to keep up with her.

  I got nosey and decided to get the whole scoop. I tried to be funny, which was my first mistake. “Wow Calvin must be something special to make you scramble like this.”

  She simply smiled, but didn’t offer any info, nor did she slow her pace. “Please remind me why we walked out this far if he was coming so soon to make a delivery?”

  “It wasn’t till we got out here that I knew he was coming this soon.” She said

  I didn’t remember her talking on a cell phone, matter of fact I couldn’t get a signal on mine at all. This had me perplexed. I just had to push the issue.

  “So how did you know he was early?” I asked as I grabbed her arm again pulling her to a stop.

  She gave me a look that gave me the chills. I couldn’t tell what was hiding behind those blue eyes. For a moment it looked like anger, but I couldn’t be sure. I let go of her arm and waited for her answer.

  “I don’t know how to explain this to you Hayden.” She said with a sigh. “Sometimes, I just know things. Does that make sense?”

  We began to walk again, but this time she slowed her pace a bit. “Um no it doesn’t really make sense, what do you mean you know things? Are you a mind reader?”

  She ran her hand through her hair again. It was a nervous habit that I found completely sexy. I made a mental note to make her more nervous in the future.

  “No I cannot read minds. I don’t really know how it happens or where it comes from, I have given up on trying to find out. It comes just like a thought and I simply know.”

  “Have you ever been wrong?” I asked.

  “When I was younger I missed things often, but now I am often right.”

  This sounded like something off the X Files. I was having a hard time believing her, and naturally the ass in me had to come out. “Please tell me you didn’t read my mind last night when I was fantasizing about you covered in whipped cream.” I chuckled. Sometimes I amuse myself. She however, was not amused in the least.

  “Hayden I am not one of those phonies you see on TV, and I do not consider myself a physic. I am not asking you to believe anything. I simply answered your question!” This time there was anger in her eyes, and I am ashamed to say pain.

  “Look I am sorry. I have just never believed in anything like that, and you caught me a little off guard. I’m sorry if I have offended you.” I don’t know why I was apologizing I still thought she was off her rocker.

  “Don’t be sorry. I am used to it.” She said just as we arrived at the Inn. Without another word she walked off toward her cottage. I thought it best not to follow.

  “Hayden?” I turned to see Iris standing at the bar with the phone in her hand. I walked over and took it from her wondering who would be calling me here.

  An unfamiliar male voice spoke when I answered. “Hi Hayden this is Calvin. I have not been able to reach Hank and I have a load of supplies. Would you or Adrienne mind meeting me at the dock?”

  I was a little taken back, but I was still skeptical. I agreed to meet Calvin at the dock within the hour. Iris gave me directions and I took the van, thrilled with the prospect of driving something enclosed this time. My last ride across the island with Hank still gave me the chills.

  I drove down to Warren Harbor, and pulled as close to the dock as I could manage. I hopped out of the van and walked down the dock to a dilapidated boat pulling into the dock. A short stocky man with a baldhead called out to me as I approached.

  “Are you Hayden Tate?” He inquired.

  “That depends on whether or not you have Count Chocula on board.” I said with a grin.

  He laughed. “I sure do. Could you give me a hand and grab the stern line?” He called out as he tossed me a rope. I did my best to tie the line correctly. I didn’t want him drifting off till I got my cereal.

  After the boat was secured to the dock we began the laborious task of loading large boxes of supplies into the van. He explained that normally Hank came out to meet him, and apologized for needing my help. When we finished the load both of us were sweating like mules, and he smelled like one. I accepted his invitation to board the boat and have a soda.

  I waited for him on the stern of the boat cooling in the breeze. He emerged with two Cokes, and pictures of his kids, one of which was a newborn. It was then I noticed the shiny gold band on his finger. Calvin was happily married, and I was thrilled.

  I had a spring in my step as I walked up the dock to the van. Calvin was married, and that hopefully meant that he and Adrienne was not an item. Maybe, just maybe Adrienne was not batting for the other team. Although, now I was convinced that she was insane.

  I backed the van up in the little loading zone behind the Inn. I didn’t think there would ever be a time that I thought I would be happy to see Hank, but today was the exception. He and I unloaded the van, and I helped Iris put up the supplies for the kitchen. She gave me a special spot in the pantry for my cereal.

  Hank had graciously carried the heavier boxes of liquor to the bar, but that’s about as far as he got. Unpacking them must not have been in his contract. When I got back to the bar he was nowhere in site, and frankly I was happy about that.

  I unloaded each bottle and placed them behind the bar. While I did this Iris placed a turkey sandwich on the bar for me. I really really love that woman. I sat behind the bar and ate my sandwich, and was tempted to fix myself a big fat rum and coke but decided to just go with a coke.

  Adrienne walked into the bar and without a word she picked up a book off of one of the chaise lounges. She was about to walk out when she turned suddenly and gave me an icy glare. “You may want to stay right there by the phone, your mother will be calling.” Then she walked out before I could say a word.

  Not two min
utes later the phone rang. It scared me so bad I nearly fell off the bar stool, and I dropped half of my sandwich on the floor. I don’t know why but I was surprised to hear my moms voice on the phone. I reached under the bar quickly deciding to have that rum after all.

  “Hayden your father is furious that you went to the Inn. He will not allow me to mention your name. Now tell me, have you put it on the market yet? How much do you think it will bring?” She rattled of a stream of questions as I sipped my drink and rolled my eyes. I lit a cigarette, and of course she heard the click of the lighter and launched into a whole new tirade.

  When she finally did allow me to speak I took great pleasure in telling her that I had no intention of selling the Inn. Furthermore, I was happy here and had every intention of staying on. This really set her off. I set the phone down on the bar and enjoyed my drink and even though I could still hear her ranting I had no idea what she was saying.

  When mom stopped for a breath I quickly told her that I had some pressing matters to attend and I had to go. I spied a chaise lounge on a shady corner of the bar and decided that I would claim it for my own. I laid back and sipped my drink, and before long I fell asleep. Iris gently shook me and informed me that dinner would be served in the dinning room in ten minutes.

  I went back to my cottage and took a quick shower. I didn’t have enough time to wash my hair so I threw it up in a ponytail. I noticed that Saber had not returned since the bath. I silently scolded myself for pissing everyone off in one day, as I walked back to the dinning room.

  When I arrived there were two place settings but Adrienne was nowhere in sight. I decided to go into the kitchen to see if Iris needed any help. Apparently, while meals were being prepared that area was her domain and she chased me out with a wooden spoon. I went back into the dinning room to find Adrienne just sitting down.

  I decided to try and make amends. I still didn’t know what to think of her ability to know things, but I knew that I should have at least shown more respect. “Adrienne, I was an ass today, would you please forgive me?”

  “Its okay Haden. You don’t need to apologize, its not like I haven’t gotten that kind of response before. I knew you would find out sooner or later, and I guess sooner was better than later.” She said with a touch of sadness in her voice.

  At this point I was really feeling like crap. I knew that I had deeply hurt her feelings. I suppose she had assumed I would have been more understanding and supportive. In addition, I washed a kitten and I thought I might never see him again. I was screwing up everything and was beginning to think I should set up residence somewhere more remote.

  “Adrienne, I am truly sorry. I didn’t understand and to some degree I still don’t understand it, but I certainly cannot look down on you for it. I don’t want this to come between us. I don’t know about you, but I have enjoyed your company and I hope you will just consider slapping the shit out of me and then forgiving me.”

  “There will be no shitting at the dinner table.” Iris barked as she entered the room. She shot me a grin as she placed our food on the table.

  “Iris, you don’t have to wait on me you know. I am perfectly capable of fixing my own plate. Why don’t you let me fix you a plate and then you can join us.” I said as I stood to make good on my offer.

  She laughed at me. “Iris don’t eat her own cooking child.” The heavyset black woman disappeared into the kitchen laughing. This worried me. I looked at Adrienne who was laughing her butt off.

  “Don’t worry there is nothing wrong with her food. She just doesn’t like to eat what she cooks.” Adrienne relieved my fears by taking a big bite of her dinner.

  “So are we ok now?” I asked hoping for the best.

  “I forgive you Hayden, and yes things are fine between us.” She looked me in the eyes and smiled. “So, is Calvin’s new baby cute?”

  I had to laugh. “Yes as a matter of fact he is, but he has a big ole box head like his daddy. I felt sorry for the mom. I assume everyone is made to look at the pictures of his children.”

  Her blue eyes twinkled as she smiled. “Yes he shows them to everyone he comes in contact with. He’s a very proud papa.”

  I saw our conversation as a way to pick the information that I wanted. “So Adrienne do you ever see yourself settling down with someone like Calvin and having kids? You obviously love them, I noticed that yesterday when you took those little boys to the beach.”

  She sipped her wine before answering. “I do love children, and one day I hope to have some of my own, but I have no desire to be married to someone like Calvin. Although, he is a very sweet man and from what I can see a loving husband and father.”

  “Then what’s wrong with a man like him?” In my mind I silently begged for her to tell me what I wanted to hear.

  “There is nothing wrong with Calvin, he is simply not my type.” She responded with a coy expression.

  I took the plunge I had to do it. I simply had to know, it wasn’t good enough to assume. I had to hear the words pass across those lips that I had to fight the urge to kiss. “So what exactly is your type?”

  She laughed and I could feel the blood drain to my feet. “I am more interested in pursuing a relationship with a woman. Men do not interest me in the least.”

  There she had said it, now I knew we were on the same team. My knees started to bang together under the table and my palms got sweaty all at once. I had wanted to hear those words so badly, but now I was nervous. All the while I told myself to get over it, she would probably not be interested in me anyway, besides I knew better than to get involved with someone I worked with.

  I swallowed nervously. “Oh, well I think that’s great. I imagine the dating scene is a little sparse in these parts.” I chuckled nervously. She watched me with a smirk on her face.

  “Is that your way of asking me if I am taken?” She asked me directly.

  How could I come back on this one? I struggled a minute trying to sound casual, but failed miserably. To add to my uncomfortable predicament, the expression on her face confirmed that she knew exactly what she was doing to me. “I was just curious. You know, making conversation.”

  She smiled. “I see. Well I have an advantage over you. Your aunt has told me all about your preference for women as well. She also told me some very enlightening stories about some of your

  She paused for effect. I suppose we will call them antics.”

  “Antics? What on earth did she tell you?” I dreaded to hear the answer, because aunt knew some of my more naughty deeds.

  “Well for starters, she told me that she came to visit for the holidays one year. You were still in high school and gone out with a group of friends. She told your parents that she did not mind waiting up for you if they wanted to go on to bed. They accepted her offer and your aunt waited up till three in the morning for you.

  She said that you were so drunk you barely knew your own name. In addition, you were proudly wearing a pair of panties around your neck, which you claimed belonged to the principles daughter. Oh and the best part was, you had to wear turtle neck sweaters for nearly two weeks to hide all of the love bites on your neck.”

  I blushed at the vague memory of that night. My aunt had ushered me to my room and helped me get into bed. I threw up on her slippers. “I was just a teenager then, you cant hold that against me.” I said smugly.

  The smile on her face said she wasn’t finished. “She also told me that your parents threw you out of the house because they came home unexpectedly and found something resembling and orgy in their living room.”

  “Hey! I can explain that! I was dating a college girl, and she had some sorority sisters that liked to

  Never mind, I really can’t explain away that one.” I sighed. When I was young, sometimes I was just plain naughty.

  I blushed and had to look away from her. “I was young and stupid then.”

  She giggled. “And now?

  “Well now I am older and stupid, but a lot tamer.” I said with
a grin.

  “We should go to bed.” She said.

  My jaw dropped open and nearly bounced off the table. I stared at her in total shock, recounting her words in my mind. She realized her mistake and her face turned blood red.

  “Oh! I mean we will have a busy day tomorrow. The guests will be coming the day after and we need to make some final touches.” Her face remained red even after she explained herself. It was adorable, and I knew from that moment on I would torment her about it till we died.

  We walked together back to our cottages. Both content to keep the conversation casual. I offered to walk her to her door since my cottage was the first on the path. She declined my offer and simply bid me goodnight.

  I was met at the door by a very clean smelling orange tabby. He had forgiven me or at least his stomach had. There was a new gift too, a poor frog with no leg and an eye missing. Before long we were both cuddled up in bed together. The sounds of his contented purr lulled me into sleep.

  The next morning I managed to sleep in till eight am. I was awakened by what sounded like heavy construction. I put on my robe, fed the kitty and went outside to see what all the ruckus was about. There were people all over the place. Adrienne was standing in the middle of the courtyard looking as radiant as ever. She was talking to a man who had been power washing the courtyard, and the accompanying furniture.

  I took my coffee into the bathroom and sipped it after I had showered. After I dressed I went straight to the dinning room where Iris informed me that I had missed breakfast, and offered to cook me something. I settled for a bowl of my favorite cereal instead not wanting to trouble her.

  After breakfast I went into the bar hoping to find Adrienne. Instead I found a young woman mopping the bar. She explained to me that Adrienne was gathering flowers near our cottages. I met Adrienne on the pathway, carrying a huge basket of fresh cut flowers and invited me along to help her put them in vases in each of the guest cottages.