The swish of jingle bells begins, and soon kids are singing at the top of their lungs. I’m tempted to get caught up in their joy, but then my eyes land on Eddie’s empty seat. I tell the boys, “I’ll be right back,” then make a swift exit before I’m whisked away in a current of tray-carrying elves.
Reaching the doors, I look back to see I made it just in time. It’s like watching a Christmas production of “Be Our Guest” fromBeauty and the Beast. Servers dressed as elves flow in harmony, dancing and dolling out drinks and food. Then, fake snow begins falling around the perimeter of the ballroom. More “oohhs” and “ahhs” erupt.
I’m so tempted to stay and enjoy the magic of breakfast with Santa. There’s nothing better than seeing the joy on kids’ faces as they create core memories. That’s what I love about the tourism industry. You’re giving people a chance to connect, to escape their busy schedules and to remember what life is truly about.
As I’m taking in the bliss, I spot Lauren with a radio in hand. She’s scanning the festivities, making sure everything is going according to plan—which means I need to find Eddie fast. This time, I have a much better idea of where to look. Just to cover my bases, I sweep through the lobby on my way to the elevator.
When I reach the fifth floor, I head straight to Eddie’s room. Before knocking, I take a deep breath. I don’t know why I’m nervous, I guess I’m having flashbacks to night one, when Eddie disappeared.
I tap lightly on the door with my knuckles. When I don’t hear anything, I say, “Eddie, it’s Maya.” The sound of footsteps reassures me he’s heading my way. I just don’t know what his mood will be. Is he truly sick, or just sick of Christmas activities? Worse yet, is he sick of me?
The handle turns, and when the door opens, I see Eddie walking away from me. I follow him, assuming that he’s okay with it.
When I reach him, he’s sitting on the couch with his head in his hands. I kneel in front of him. “Eddie, are you okay?”
He shakes his head no.
My heart rate increases. “There’s urgent care nearby. I can take you.”
Again, he shakes his head no, still not looking up.
I put my hand on his knee. “Is there anything I can do?”
At my touch, he meets my eyes, and I see his are rimmed with tears. My stomach drops. “Did something happen?”
This time he nods yes. “The boy, Asher, at breakfast. He looks so much like my younger brother.”
I don’t know how to respond. I simply tilt my head, inviting him to share more.
“I saw him at the Mingle Jingle event the first night. I was rattled, that’s why I left.” He moves his gaze past me to the picture window. “Then today, seeing him again. I couldn’t do it.Sitting across from him was like looking at my younger brother, Joey.” He closes his eyes. “Joey was killed in a car accident when he was nine.”
A lump rises in my throat.
After a brief pause, with a shaky voice Eddie continues, “Mr. Mynt wants to interview me about my life story. He wants me to share about the accident…It was twelve years ago, but I still don’t know if I can do it.” He hangs his head.
Seeing Eddie this upset feels like being stabbed in the chest. The guy who usually shows no emotions is suddenly flooded with them.
To my surprise, he starts talking again. “It was the first week of December. We were coming home from my tennis tournament. We were always traveling to my tournaments. Joey was such a trooper. He was my biggest fan. I was six years older than him. He wanted to be a tennis player, just like me. I should have protected him.” I scoot closer and wrap my arms around him. I feel water, hot and wet on my shoulder.
“We were at a red light. The driver behind us was distracted by her phone. She rear ended us, pushing our car into the intersection. My mom, dad and I all had cuts, bruises, and broken bones, but Joey…”
He finally lifts his head and a tear slides down his cheek. I want so badly to wipe it away for him, to wipe the whole accident away. But, I don’t move. I can’t.
“We were twenty minutes from our house. Twenty minutes…” he trails off.
After a moment, I whisper, “It’s not your fault. You know that, right?”
That’s when he stands. “It was my tennis tournament. We stayed late. I lost in the championship match. I was so mad on the drive home. I was so rude to everyone. The last thing I toldJoey was that I was quitting tennis. He had tears in his eyes. That’s my last memory…Disappointing him.”
Eddie grabs his wallet off the coffee table and walks toward the door. He turns back and I feel like I’m seeing the old Eddie. The Eddie from day one, with furrowed brows and dark clouds in his eyes. “I need some time…alone.”
The door clicks shut.
I’m frozen, sitting on the floor with my back against the couch. I stare out the picture window, trying to wrap my head around what just happened.
Chapter 13
Eddie
