by Dana Mason
“Don’t be lazy. We’re almost done anyway.”
An hour later, the painting is finished, and we’re cleaning up. I look over the schematic of the open gym layout and then up at the corner we have planned for the kids. We’re going to build a half wall with plexiglass sides so the kids can watch their parents while they work out. I’ll provide a small picnic table and some toys, but I think that’s all they’ll need since they all have devices to keep them busy. The opposite corner will be the lifting corner. We’ll hang climbing ropes down the center beam. Picturing it in my head makes me eager for opening day.
The next morning, Gavin and I get an early start. We’ve got less than three weeks before the grand opening, and there’s so much to do. We’re planning an all-day open house where people can stop by and check the place out. It’ll be like an all-day party. That means I have a ton of shit to do before then.
Our programmer is here working on the database, which is so far over my head. Thank God we found him in Oakland. He keeps our memberships and class schedules in great working order. We can display the class workouts on the two screens we have installed in the gym, and we also have a computer set up for people to sign in as they arrive. The damn thing syncs with our accounting system too, which is terrific. I’m so excited about this place, I can’t wait to start training new clients.
As Gavin and I are working on installing the rigging, I look down from my ladder to see a friendly face. “Hey, Kelley. What are you doing here?”
“I came by to check the place out. What a huge floor plan! Are you getting nervous about your opening?”
I step down and give her a big hug, lifting her off her feet. “Not really nervous, just glad to get the place finally open. Are you and Mac planning to be here for the opening?”
“Yeah, Mac didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
“He’s coming down here with a broadcasting crew to promote it on the radio.”
“Shut the hell up! You’re kidding!” That’ll give us a huge boost. People in this town love Mac.
“No, not kidding. He’s already worked it out with his boss. I can’t believe he didn’t mention it to you.”
“That’s so awesome!” I see movement in my peripheral and look over to see Raegan riding up. She stops hesitantly and parks her bike. “I need to come up with a way to thank him for that.”
“He’s happy to do it. He’s also looking forward to being a member. He doesn’t like the standard gyms in the area, so he’s glad you’re here. I’m thrilled to have you close by too.”
“Aw.” I give her another hug. “I’m so glad to be here.”
When I release Kelley, I glance over at Raegan again and say, “Want to meet my first Sacramento client?”
She draws her brows together and glances over at Raegan too.
“Kelley, this is one of our neighbors, Raegan. She helped Gavin and me paint yesterday.”
“Oh, that’s cool. Hi, Raegan.”
Raegan nods at her with a wary eye. “Raegan, this is one of my oldest friends, Kelley Thomas. She owns a dance studio in town… just in case you’re interested in learning how to dance.”
Raegan waves and I can tell she feels a little awkward. “I don’t think dancing is for me. A little too girly, you know?”
Kelley and I both laugh at that. “Dancing is a sport, like football and basketball,” Kelley says. She gives Raegan a thoughtful look and says, “Have we met before? You look so familiar to me.”
“No, never,” Raegan blurts, and her eyes cut to me as if for confirmation.
“Oh, okay.” Kelley takes another long look around, then says, “I have to get going, but I’ll see you at the Grand Opening, right, Mike?”
“Yeah. Hey, before you leave, I wanted to give you a heads-up.” I lift my hand to scratch the back of my head, not sure how to approach the subject. “My parents… they’re trying to… they’ve been—” I roll my eyes, irritated with myself. “What I’m trying to say is, they may be contacting you to apologize.”
Kelley stares at me for a long time, and I can tell she’s looking for the right words without hurting my feelings. She lets out a long breath and says, “You know, I don’t really need an apology from them, Mike. I’ve moved on, and I don’t want to live in the past like that. I’m no longer killing myself to gain their approval. I don’t need it, and I don’t want it.”
“I totally understand that, but I need the closure. I don’t know if I can get close to them again without it. Do you know what I mean?”
She gives me a soft smile. “Thank you, but you shouldn’t let what happened with me get between you and your family.”
“First of all, you’re my family too. Second, it’s too late for that, and you know it.”
She nods in understanding. “I’ll tell you what, if they feel like they want to apologize to me, ask them to send me a letter. A handwritten note or card would be great.”
“That’s a really good idea. I’ll work on it.”
She lifts to her tiptoes and gives me a big hug, then drops back on her heels and turns to go. As she leaves, she glances over and says, “It was nice meeting you, Raegan.”
Raegan simply nods to her and as soon as Kelley is gone, she says, “Is that your girlfriend?”
My brows lift at the intensity of her tone. “Um, no. Kelley is an old friend. Why do you ask?”
Her shoulders lower a little but then lift in a shrug. “Just curious. She doesn’t seem like your type.”
My mouth quirks into a grin. “Really? And what is my type, do you think?”
Her eyes lift to the sky for a moment, then she says, “Someone a little older than her and not so skinny. Maybe someone who likes to wear business clothes instead of what she was wearing.”
I laugh at this and wonder if she has someone specific in mind. “Kelley was wearing a dance leotard because she’s a dancer. If she worked in an office, she’d wear business clothes.”
“I guess so. What are you working on today?”
I gesture toward Gavin on the ladder. “We’re installing the rigging. What are you up to?”
“I gotta go play golf with my uncle, but I thought I’d stop by and say hi. Is it okay if I get the consent form to join the gym?” She looks over her shoulder and says, “I think I can get my mom to sign it.”
“Sure, step into my office.”
She follows me into the office and stares hard at our programmer, Aaron, who’s working away on our new system. “Is that JavaScript?”
My head pops up. “How do you even know what that means?”
“I know computers! Jeez, do I look like an idiot?”
Now I feel stupid. “Do I look like an idiot?”
“No,” she mutters.
“Well, I don’t know crap about computers, but it doesn’t mean I’m stupid, does it?”
She watches me as if she wants to argue my point, but she doesn’t.
Aaron grins over at her and says, “Yeah, it’s written with JavaScript. Do you know it?”
“Yeah, a little, I’m still learning though.” She looks at me and says, “You should learn more about computers. Everyone should know a little.”
“I know a few things, but none of that shi—stuff.” I correct myself. “I don’t need to know more, no thanks. Spending too much time on a computer will only widen your butt. I’ll stick to the gym, thank you.”
This makes her giggle, and it’s nice to see her smile. It makes me wonder what her home life is like since she always seems like she’s brooding. I reach into the desk drawer and take out two forms. “Here.” I hand her the first one and say, “This is the membership questionnaire and this—” I hand her the second form, “This is the consent form that needs your parent or guardian’s signature.”
“Awesome! I’ll bring them back after my mom signs them.” She rushes off, and before I can say anything else, she’s riding away on her bike.
Seven
Rachel
I told
Raegan I’d try and find her dad, but I still wish she’d never brought it up. Now I can’t get Michael Murphy out of my head. I can’t resist the urge to drive by the CrossFit gym, and by the time I get to work, I have the shakes. I didn’t see him, but the sneakiness of driving by makes me anxious. I can’t believe we’re in the same town. How did that happen? I groan as I get out of my car and head into the hotel.
The Sutter House was opened in 1972. It’s a converted Victorian mansion built by a prominent Sacramento family, the Rowlands, in 1892. After sitting empty for decades, the family sold the property to the current owners in the hope that it would be restored. Eight years ago, the Ander-Radcliffe Hotel Group hired me as their assistant wedding planner. It was my first real job, and I hadn’t even graduated from college yet. I remember feeling so privileged to get the opportunity to work for such an elite wedding venue.
A year after I was hired, the wedding planner retired, and I was promoted from assistant to full-time planner. I’d recently finished school and was thrilled to jump right into my new role. I loved that job, and I’d still be doing it if they hadn’t offered me the hotel manager position five years ago. I quickly hired my own replacement, and now Isla Young handles the weddings with a little help from me. She has her own team, but I love event planning so much she allows me to help out with big events. Isla also happens to be one of my best friends.
Isla is the polar opposite of me. Where my hair is black and my eyes blue, her hair is strawberry blonde with that hint of red throughout. Her eyes are brown, like dark chocolate. She’s also super petite and barely weighs a hundred pounds. Me, ha! Well, my hips are substantial. I hate it, but pregnancy wasn’t kind to me, and there’s no possible way of getting back narrow hips once they’ve widened—trust me, I’ve tried. I’m also several inches taller than Isla. She’s full of spark, and I guess that’s why I like her so much. Nothing dampens her mood. Nothing rattles her, which is why she’s so good at her job. Nervous brides and anxious grooms always fall under her spell.
When I step inside the hotel, Howard, our oldest, most reliable desk clerk is there to greet me. “Morning, Ma’am.” He nods and says, “Coffee’s ready.”
“Good morning, Howard, and thank you. It’s good to see you this morning, how’s Maya?”
“She’s happy school’s almost out. Thank you for asking.”
“Yeah, only a couple more days. Raegan’s pretty happy about it too.”
Howard’s granddaughter is a year older than Raegan, and they attend the same school. Once in a while, they hang out, but Raegan’s too much of a tomboy for Maya. Maya’s into makeup and boys, but Raegan isn’t there yet. Thank God! I head toward the back of the building and into the administrative offices and run directly into Isla’s smiling face. “Morning, Boss! Coffee’s hot. Howard is so wonderful, isn’t he? If I were thirty years older, I’d be all over that man.”
“I know, he’s such a dreamboat, and he makes great coffee.” I get my office door open and turn the light on before setting my bags down. Then I immediately head to the coffee pot.
As I’m pouring, Isla sidles up to me and stares me down. “So, what’s up?”
I glance over at her. “What do you mean?”
“Why the mood? You’ve been like this all week, it’s not like you.”
“Ha.” I sneer. “It’s exactly like me. Where have you been for the last five years?”
“No.” She points, and her finger gestures up and down my body. “This isn’t. This is different.”
I carry my fresh cup of coffee into my office and say, “You’re barking up the wrong tree. There’s nothing wrong.”
“Are you fighting with Raegan?”
I purse my lips, irritated that she knows me so well. I shake my head. “It’s nothing.” I close my eyes, feeling a little guilty about how easily that lie comes out. I wish I didn’t have to deal with this, but she’s given me no choice. Life is so much easier when I can poke my head in the sand and pretend this thing with Raegan isn’t a thing at all, but this isn’t the first time she’s asked about her father.
“So, you gonna talk to me?” Isla asks.
My eyes drift open and I lean sideways to peek around Isla to make sure nobody else is in earshot of our conversation. “Raegan is asking about her father.”
Isla gives me a confused look. “Wait, her father? I thought he wasn’t in the picture.”
“He isn’t… which is why this is a problem.”
“Where is he?” She sits down and sets her coffee on my desk. “Do you know? I mean, I know you had Raegan at seventeen, but did you stay in contact with him at all?”
“No. Not at all. I didn’t even tell him I was pregnant.” I lean forward and rest my face in my hands and remember the photos of Mike from Facebook. “I did an internet search for him and found out he recently moved to Sacramento. I had no idea.”
“Oh… shit, Rachel.” We sit in silence for a moment, and then she says, “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know, Isla. I’m so afraid to face him… I had plans. I was going to contact him years ago, but…” I pause when my voice wavers. “Things got so weird when my dad got sick… then I just dropped it.”
Isla tilts her head and gives me a strange look. “Rachel, it sounds like you got lucky he moved to town. Having him nearby is a gift, if it’s anything. You can give her something she’s never had.” She lifts a hand to keep me from interrupting. “I mean, I get this is going to be difficult, but it’s difficult for everyone. Especially Raegan. Imagine what it’s like for her now?”
“I know. We had a long talk about it, and I get it. You’re right, she’s right. I’m the one who needs to get over it and go see him… but it’s so hard to face him after all this time. It just got away from me… time and Jesus, life got away from me.”
“Forgive me for saying this, but you need to put your big girl panties on and get on with it. You made some bad choices when you got pregnant, but you’re a grown woman now. You need to do the right thing.”
Feeling heat in my face and the vehement need to defend myself, I say, “Don’t misunderstand, Isla. I didn’t get to make any choices when I got pregnant. My mom forced me to keep Raegan a secret from him. She packed me up and shipped me down here without even allowing me to call Mike and tell him I was leaving. It’s not like I chose to leave—I didn’t choose to keep Raegan a secret.”
“Honey, I’m sorry your mom was so brutal, but that was a long time ago. Raegan’s asking, and he’s here.”
I laugh sardonically. “Heh, yeah, I’ll just show up and say, hey, Mike, it’s good to see you after all these years! By the way, you have a thirteen-year-old daughter. She looks just like you, and she’s been dying to meet you.”
“Well, yes, something like that. You’re not going to be able to keep Rae from him forever. Eventually, she’ll take the choice out of your hands.”
“I know. I had the same thought, that’s why I agreed to look him up. That was last week. I’ve been putting it off and I’m sure she knows that, but she doesn’t know I already know where to find him.”
Isla’s face breaks into a surprised smile. “Oh, that’s great! She’s going to be so happy.”
“Yes, but remember, I left town without a word. He might not even see me. Not to mention, what if he rejects her? What if he breaks her heart?”
“Is he that type of guy?” She leans back in her chair and crosses her legs in front of her. “What was he like when he was young? Was he a bad guy?”
He was incredible. “No, he wasn’t. He was good to me. I was… in love with him. We were really good together—but we were kids then.”
“Oh, I see. So that’s what you meant. You’re avoiding him because of your feelings for him, not because of Raegan.”
I shake my head vehemently. “No, that’s not true. If it were only my heart at risk, I’d take the chance, but I can’t risk Raegan.”
She stares at me for a long moment and then quietly says, “If you
say so.”
Changing the subject, I say, “Let’s get back to work. What’s on the agenda for today?”
“I have a meeting with Toshi Meyer about her July wedding. We’re deciding on linens and tableware. I have three showings this afternoon but guess what! On Monday, I’m meeting with a new bride I recently signed. Guess who the groom is?”
“No idea. Someone we know?”
“It’s that hot KQCC DJ Mac Thomas—from the morning show. They’ve decided on us, but the bride wants to go over a few things. I’m sure she’s worried about security. They really want to have a local wedding, but they’re concerned about their privacy.”
“I can’t say I blame them. When is the wedding?”
“They’ve picked November ninth. It’s Veterans Day weekend. They’re planning a whole weekend of events so we’ll be doing the rehearsal dinner here and brunch the morning after the wedding.” She sucks air through her teeth and says, “I was hoping maybe you could step in during our meeting and give a little added reassurance while they’re here.”
“Wait… I thought Mac Thomas was already married.”
“They are.” Isla snickers and says, “Over a year ago they had a drunken wedding in Reno, but now they’re planning an actual ceremony so they can invite their families.”
“Oh, right… I remember hearing about that.” I nod in agreement. “I can stop in, just add it to my calendar.” I boot up my computer as she finishes her list and say, “Is that all?”
“Yeah, that’s all I have this morning. How about you?”
“I have a group coming in from Canada. They’re in the boardroom tomorrow. Will you check with their Canadian handler to make sure we’re all set on that? I have the meals arranged with Gerard already. They’re also having happy hour on the roof deck. They’re a small group, and it’s supposed to be warm tonight, so I thought that would be best.”
“Sounds good. I’ll give them a call. Anything else?”
I glance at my calendar and shake my head. “No, that’s all I have for now.”
