Whiplash Hotel

by Christine Crean

  ‘Jeeze, I thought I was wearing comfortable shoes’

  ‘Never mind your shoes. What about food? Where’s the waitress?’ Liz was getting impatient.

  ‘Keep your knickers on; I’m sure she’ll be here any minute’

  ‘God I hope so. I’m fading away here’

  ‘Drama queen’

  Amy didn’t bother paying any attention to her friend and instead looked at the menu. She loved American food. The portions, the flavors and especially the deserts, she could easily live here. She would have to commit to a lifetime of obesity and diabetes.

  After spending the rest of the day shopping they arrived back to their hotel later on that evening complete with blisters and minus hundreds of dollars’ worth of shoes, bags and clothes. The following days were filled with similar excursions but after three days of exclusively shopping and nothing else, Amy decided they needed to see what else New York had to offer. Bloomingdales and Macy’s were all very good and well but they couldn’t go home without going to a museum, taking a horse drawn carriage ride through central park or seeing what life was like at the top of the empire state building. Liz knew that she wouldn’t lose any sleep if she didn’t see buildings or parks. What would bother her; if she missed out on any one day 50% off sale. That would be a catastrophe. She would suck it up for her friend though; it was the least she deserved.

  On a couple of occasions, they split up to take in a bit of the city by themselves. Liz used the time to shop, while Amy sometimes wandered aimlessly through the streets taking in the atmosphere and listening to her favourite Spotify playlist. She watched the world go by while she thought of her life back home. What would Sean be doing now? Was Adam ok? Would he forgive her for hurting him with everything that had gone on between them? The distance between them had given her a fresh eye on the events that took place in her life the past year. Frank was no longer an issue in her head. The hurt he had created still floated about here and there and she had no doubt that it would take more time to recover. Imagining him, she wondered if he was coping ok. The last time she had seen him, Amy knew it had dawned on him what he had really done. He looked panicked with the realization that for lots of sex and flirting he had thrown away a decade of his life. More than that, he had thrown away his future with Amy, a future that no longer existed now. On hindsight, the fact that she didn’t have children with him was a small blessing she supposed. It would have been much more difficult to part ways had they mutual DNA to take care of. Amy had forgiven him. She knew that holding on to the hurt wouldn’t do her any favours. Now, if she could only figure out the rest.

  Sitting in a coffee shop as it got dark outside, she sat in a corner sipping on a latte and nibbling on a chocolate muffin. She simply loved the food in New York. Her appetite had increased tenfold. With another few days to go, she would no doubt gain ten pounds at least. It was probably the constant trudging about and day long shopping sprees that had her eating before and after her. She knew that she would more than likely regret it but for the moment she shrugged her shoulders and tucked into the food before her.

  On Amy’s return to the hotel, she took her time and tried to figure out where her head was with Sean. Her stomach did a familiar flip at the thought of the night they had spent together a few weeks ago. She hadn’t spoken to him after her dramatic exit from work. Wanting to get her thoughts straight before she said anything, she found herself missing him. Never having dreamed of him like that while she was with Frank, she was without doubt thinking of him now. His face, with his signature cheeky grin and his strong muscular body, she took a deep breath as she remembered again. They were such good friends and he had always been there for her. He took care of her when Frank left.

  Thinking back to his wilder days, she questioned if it would be wise to be with him. Would he get bored of her like Frank did? She had no way of knowing. Adam on the other hand was so stable and strong. True, she didn’t know his history. He could be a walking willy for all she knew. Amy doubted it and kept on walking. Would it do her any harm to be alone for a while? She wasn’t used to being alone but it wasn’t that which frightened her. It was the prospect of one year sliding into two. Two into five and five into ten. It had seemed like yesterday when Frank married her in that little church in rural County Cork. It was the most perfect day, in such a tranquil and magnificent setting. Gougane Barra was where she dreamed of being married.

  As a child, on one of their many family road trips around Ireland while the rest of her friends would be flying to Tenerife or Greece, she enjoyed time spent with her parents. One of the trips, always in her heart was their journey around Cork. Gougane Barra was like something out of a movie. The unspoiled landscape captured the hearts and minds of both young and old. Its serene quietness and beauty left even the hardest heart happy, if only for a few moments. St Finbar’s Oratory, the little chapel, barely able to hold one hundred people for their wedding, stood on a little island close to the monastery nearby. The church was surrounded by a lake and was overshadowed by mountains on either side. The sun shone the entire day and the couple laughed with the promise of a great future ahead. If she had the ability to go into the past and change her life with Frank, she wouldn’t. They had shared so many good times and her years with him had made her into the person she had become. Albeit a little crazy of late, she knew that she was starting a new chapter in her life.

  Weighing up the two men who had the possibility of being in her future, for some reason Sean would not leave her mind. Should she take the biggest risk and choose him? Would he break her heart? The future was impossible to predict. Parking it in the back of her mind for the moment, she made her way into the lobby of the hotel. Reaching the room, she found Liz snoozing on her bed. Tip toeing around the room, she tried not to make noise.

  ‘Christ it would be quieter if an elephant entered the room’

  ‘Mmmm, cranky much?’

  ‘Well I wouldn’t be cranky if you hadn’t rudely awoken me from a to die for dream. I was with George Clooney and you….well I can’t remember where you were but good God….’ Liz grabbed her pillow and shoved her face into it recollecting her time with the movie star.

  ‘Well sorry for interrupting you’ Amy laughed as she went about putting away a few things and tidying her side of the room. ‘Oh yeah, there’s a message for you. It’s in the envelope over there beside the lamp. It must have been shoved under the door when we were out’

  Amy located the envelope beside Liz’s monstrosity of a makeup case next to the lamp. Opening it, she was curious as to who it would be. It was probably something to do with housekeeping.

  ‘Mother Fucker!’

  ‘What!’ Liz bolted upright.

  ‘Sweet jesus!’

  ‘Will you give me the bloody thing and shut up your going on…’ Liz grabbed the letter off her friend and scanned the contents.

  ‘Oh…’ Liz smirked.

  ‘Yeah….oh!’ Amy repeated.

  Amy’s aunt had heard from her brother (Amy’s dad), that they were in New York on holidays. Needless to say, Mary had to see her while she was ‘in the neighborhood’.

  ‘You know, I don’t think Manhattan and Connecticut constitute the same neighborhood!’

  ‘Do we have to?’ Liz whined.

  ‘Yes we have to’ replied Amy who didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Her Aunt Mary had moved to America in the 1960’s with a few dollars and a smile and married rich. Really, really rich. Her husband, a lawyer, is a partner in a law firm on Wall St. They had moved to Connecticut after living in queens for many years and bought a ‘mansion’. Amy had no idea if it was really a mansion but according to her mother, it was ‘like something out of ‘Falcon Crest’. Well, she was about to find out. After a call to her lovely aunt, Amy and Liz would make the trip upstate and stay a night. Mary and Richard would meet them off the train the next day.

  23

  ‘I don’t see why you couldn’t just go by yourself?’ complained Liz as she sat flick
ing a magazine on the empty train.

  ‘Now, why would I want to do that when I can drag you into my misery?’ Amy flicked through another magazine pretending not to care.

  ‘Good point’

  ‘Why don’t you just enjoy it and see it as a little adventure’ Amy was enjoying tormenting her friend.

  ‘I’ll give you an adventure if you’re not careful. Why on earth did your dad tell her we were here in the first place?’

  ‘God only knows. They hardly ever talk to each other. Maybe he just said it because he had nothing else to say?’

  Amy’s dad didn’t really keep in contact with his sister. It wasn’t that they weren’t on good terms but both had just let time slip by with their busy lives, one forgetting to call the other. Mary was Amy’s dads only sister. When she moved to America all those years ago, she was young. They had never been very close in any case but the huge ocean between them didn’t help the ever growing distance. Speaking on occasion, they would each fill the other in on what was happening on their side of the pond. Over the years, the phone calls became less and less. Amy felt sorry for her dad. He didn’t have much family on his side but on the upside it never seemed to bother him. He was always busy with his own.

  True to her word, Mary was waiting for them as they got off the train. She looked like someone who had stepped out of a magazine. Her hair was swept into a bun off her tanned face and a Burberry scarf was wrapped around her neck. The perfectly tailored ankle length black coat showed off her slim figure, the ensemble finished off with black leather gloves and a large black Prada bag. Both girls gasped with envy when they saw her. If either of them could look like her when they reached her age, they would be very happy indeed. Amy hadn’t seen Mary in at least ten years. The last time she was home, they hadn’t met but seeing her now she felt a little pang of guilt and homesickness. It was probably that Mary resembled her dad.

  ‘Well look at you!’ Mary grabbed Amy and hugged her tightly. Taken aback, Amy blushed nervously. She didn’t know Mary very well and the public display of affection made her a tad uncomfortable.

  ‘You must be Liz!’ Mary now made a bolt for Liz and hugged her just as tight.

  ‘So nice to see you again, Aunty Mary’

  ‘Oh puuulease…call me Mary. Enough of the aunty already. People will think I’m old’ she cackled.

  ‘Now, come on. I’ve Richard waiting in the parking lot. He’s keeping the car warm’

  Turning on her heel, she made her way through the platform, followed closely by the two girls, where Richard was indeed waiting. On seeing them exit the station, he exited a black jaguar. Amy’s eyes widened at the striking car. Definitely a newer model, kitted out beyond anything she had ever seen, it was the most beautiful car she had ever had a chance to experience firsthand.

  ‘Hi Richard, nice to see you again’ Amy shook Richards hand, glad she wasn’t expected to hug him too.

  ‘Well sweetheart, I do believe it’s been a very long time!’ He sang in a Southern American drawl. Richard was originally from New Orleans. He had moved to New York upon graduating from College and had never gone back once he met his wife, all those years ago. He was handsome for his age, with his white hair and he oozed wealth. Tanned like Mary, with the most stunning set of white teeth, she guessed they were veneers. He too, was dressed to impress. Even though he was casual, she could tell that he was wearing Ralph Lauren. Ah the life of the rich, she thought.

  ‘Well daug gone it, we better git going or we’ll be late for our own dinner’ declared Richard in his delightful accent.

  ‘Yes, yes, darling. Very right! Girls, I hope you don’t mind but we’ve organized a little get together in honour of your visit’ Mary gushed as she sat gracefully into the front seat of the jaguar.

  Nodding their agreement, Amy thought it didn’t matter what they thought. Mary had it all planned out.

  Driving through lush surrounds of Greenwich, Amy and Liz oohhed and awwwed at the massive houses they passed on their way to the ‘mansion’. Never had they witnessed homes of such size and luxury. Richard and Mary, both completely unaware of the two girls in the back of the car with their mouths open in awe, chatted away aimlessly.

  ‘I thought Adam’s house was fab…’ Amy whispered to Liz under her breathe.

  ‘Dying to see their house’ Liz mouthed back now delighted that she had come with her friend

  ‘Pity we’re not staying more than the one night!’

  ‘Well you’ve changed your tune!’

  ‘Piss off’ Liz hissed back smiling as she watched the houses getting even bigger.

  Driving on a small lane about fifteen minutes north of Greenwich, horses ran in paddocks alongside the road. Covered in warm coats the thoroughbred animals stretched their legs for a while before they would be put back in their stables. Trees littered both sides of the street as the road led to a private entrance. Huge gates opened before them as Richard drove his jaguar towards the house. It really was a mansion. Adams house looked like a council house compared to this.

  ‘Yeah, your aunt and I moved into this just before we visited Ireland ten years ago. Do you know it took four years to build the Gawd Darn thang!’

  ‘I can see why’ Amy answered as she looked in awe at their home ‘It’s stunning’

  ‘It sure is’ Liz repeated.

  ‘Well come on inside’ Mary cried as she put an arm around each of the girls ushering them inside the five foot wide double doors.

  ‘Rose will show you to your rooms. I hope that will be ok? Normally we have people stay in the guest house but it’s more comfortable up here in the main house’

  ‘Mmm hmm’ both of them nodding their agreement, still barely able to breath.

  ‘Now, dinner will be at six so you can have a swim, use the gym, take a bath….whatever you girls want. I’ll have Rose bring you a snack!’

  Amy guessed that Rose was the help. Wow. This was the life. She wondered if she would ever have such a life. She figured anything was possible but the moment she would sit back and enjoy.

  ‘Oh yes and the girls will be over before six. You remember Simone and Sarah don’t you Amy?’

  ‘Yes aunty...I mean Mary. I do of course!’ Amy knew there was going to be a down side to this. While Mary had never been anything but lovely to her, as children, her twin cousins were not. Spoiled from birth they were the snottiest, cheekiest and rudest little girls she had ever met. Hoping that they improved with age, which she highly doubted, the thoughts of meeting her long lost cousins did not really appeal to her. She would have no choice in the matter it seemed. Her poor aunt was making a big deal of the fact that the Irish relatives were visiting and she was going to do her best to keep a civil tongue in her head. Although given her recent outburst, she couldn’t be sure what she would say or do.

  At 5pm, the sound of a car pulling up beside the house could be heard from the bedroom Amy was staying in. She presumed it was Simone or Sarah. Reapplying her makeup at one of the four mirrors on the dressing table, she looked around the elegantly decorated room. A dark mahogany four-poster bed was positioned directly between church style windows. White lace netting draped over the bed and fell to the floor either side of the bed. The thick lush cream carpet felt like fluffy clouds under her feet. A vase filled with fresh flowers sat on a glass table beside the bed. Beside the flowers were a box of Belgian chocolates and two bottles of wine. A hotel would hardly take such care in looking after its guests.

  Lazy, after a swim in their heated indoor pool, Amy had taken Mary’s advice and taken a bath. Jets swirled the water round and round making it near impossible to get out. She could see how growing up in such conditions might lead you to be snotty and cheeky. Hurrying herself, she went next door and knocked lightly on Liz’s door.

  ‘Knock knock…anyone home?’

  ‘Oh Amy, why oh why, didn’t we come here earlier? I would die to stay here a few more days’ Liz whined.

  ‘Ha ha, we don’t have enough clothes and anyw
ay I’m sure Mary and Richard only want us for the night…’

  ‘Piss’ Liz could become accustomed to such a life. Her life growing up in Sligo was a far cry from marble floors and indoor swimming pools.

  ‘Anyway, sure we only have a few more days. You said yourself, you don’t want to miss out on any more sales’

  ‘True’ Liz pouted.

  ‘Come on get your ass in gear and we’ll head downstairs’

  ‘To meet the two beauts?’

  ‘Yeah, to meet the two beauts!’

  Unsurprisingly Simone and Sarah were indeed the highest class of bitch to be found on the face of the planet. Both American girls made it very clear that they had zero interest in the two Irish girls. Sitting at the end of the table for dinner, they chatted amongst themselves about this party and that guy. Mary and Richard took no heed and went about their evening as if their two daughters were not even present. Talking pleasantly about life in Ireland, Amy’s parents and her split from Frank as well as business in the law firm, decorating such a large home and travel plans back to Ireland for the soon to be retired couple, a pleasant evening was had by all. It was only near the end of the evening that Amy felt a sharp pain in her side. She gasped out loud making everyone turn to see if she was ok.

  ‘I’m fine, I’m fine, I promise’ she assured everyone but the words were only out and she bent over in pain once again.

  ‘Well, I never’ she was embarrassed now ‘Honestly, I’ve just eaten too much or done too much today’

  ‘We should call a doctor’ Richard was concerned for her and went to get the phone.

  ‘No, no, please’ Amy pleaded ‘I don’t need a doctor…not yet anyway. I’ll be fine after a good lay down and I promise if I still feel like this tomorrow I will go see a doctor’