“Didi, the bathroom isn’t as clean as it should be. I?—”
Ali stopped mid-sentence when she saw the normally constant motion Didi sitting on the bedside. She had her hands on her knees, and her head was down.
“Didi!” Ali rushed to her side and kneeled. She put a hand on Didi’s.
“I’m sorry, just got a little overheated. I should have checked this room earlier. Jorge told me it was on his to-do list. And now the guests will be here in a little while.”
Ali didn’t like Didi’s color. Her face was red, but her hand was cold.
“Didi, do we need to call 911?”
“No, no, just need a moment.”
Ali walked into the kitchen and found a glass from the cabinet next to the sink. She ran the cold water, and a strange coughing sound spirited from the tap.Ah, no, not great.
“Didi, I’m walking you to the office. You’re sitting there with a cold glass of water.”
“The guests!”
“I’ll handle that. And if your color doesn’t improve, you’ll have zero choice, I’m calling 911.”
Didi didn’t argue. Ali and Didi walked back toward the office. Didi held Ali’s elbow, and they took baby steps. Ali deposited Didi with Jorge, who took over.
“You did too much. Come on now, honey. Sit down and sip that water Ali got for you.” His voice was tender, and the concern in his eyes for his wife at once broke Ali’s heart and gave her hope.
She’d told Didi she’d handle things, so handle them, she would!
“If you need anything, just holler,” Didi said, and Jorge nodded in agreement.
She waved them off. Ali usually hosted one hundred vendors descending on Frogtown with their displays, staff, products, and special requests. They all usually ignored sign-in times and showed up at the same time. Two small families would be no big deal.
A quick look around the office and Ali had her bearings. She found a list of what guest amenities the Sea Turtle offered. She made a quick decision. The Mango was in no way ready, and she couldn’t get it ready. But there were six cottages. At least two had to be decent enough, and the best should be for the guests.
In less than twenty minutes, she’d moved herself out of the Key Lime and deposited her stuff in the office. She’d sort out her own living situation later. She only needed one more night anyway.
Ali knew the Key Lime was in much better condition than the Mango. Guests deserved the best Sea Turtle Resort had to offer. Even though what it had to offer wasn’t at its best.
And she’d explain to the guests that repairs meant they couldn’t stay in the Mango.
In Ali’s run-through of options, the Blueberry had looked and smelled the best. If the décor was tired, well, that’s just the way it was. Ali assumed that the families who rented here had to have some idea what they were getting. Plus, the Key Lime sat slightly in front of the Blueberry. Jorge told her it usually earned slightly less rent since it was a few more steps to the beach.
She checked on Jorge and Didi, who were both under an umbrella by the green-looking swimming pool. Ali hoped that wasn’t the big draw because it was clearly un-swimmable. She made a note to investigate who to call on that. Clearly, selling this place with a viable swimming pool would add value. For now, the priority was checking in the guests and making sure Jorge and Didi made it to retirement.
“Both of you, drink that water and stay out of the sun.”
“You’re going to have to give them keys. The phone number sheet, the schedule, and the maps are all in the cottages. And just tell them the pool is under construction,” Jorge advised. He was calm. His trust in her was helpful. Didi, however, was agitated.
“What about the Grand Finale? I need to run to the store to get?—”
“Didi, you need to not have heat stroke,” Ali said. “I’ll handle the Grand Finale. You handle yourself. Well, Jorge, handle your woman!” She winked at Jorge and they exchanged a look. He would handle his wife and be sure she was okay. She sensed he was grateful for her help. That made her happy and put her in a wonderful frame of mind for the guests’ arrival.
It was five to four, showtime!
Twenty-Three
Ali
The Hafner family and the Noble family rolled into the parking lot at 4 pm sharp.
