Hannah closed her eyes and ran both hands over her hair. “I’ve waited so long that I’ve given up predicting a grand opening. I’ve cried, wrung my hands, and spent so many a sleepless night that St. John refuses to listen to me anymore when I bring it up.”
“You’ve got to stop stressing over something over which you have no control, Hannah. The inn will open when it’s time.”
“Now you sound like St. John.”
“That’s because your husband is right,” Nydia said in a conciliatory tone. “Most construction projects are not completed on time. Whenever I pass a new construction site the signs will usually project the season of a particular year, because engineers try to factor in problems that may arise.”
Hannah lowered her hands. A hint of a smile tilted the corners of her mouth. “Look at you. Hanging around Lamar has rubbed off on you.”
Nydia wanted to tell Hannah she was wrong. With the exception of telling her about his not wanting to bid on a project that would take him away from his daughter for days at a time, she and Lamar did not talk about his work. He’d spoken to Kendra about his inability to share breakfast with her when he had to go out of town on business, and he was mildly surprised when his daughter said she wasn’t a baby and wasn’t going to cry if he left her with Miss Ramona for a few days. He’d thanked her over and over for her advice to approach his daughter, and then said he still had a lot to learn about raising a girl.
“It happens,” she said instead.
“I was sincere when I said I’m glad you found someone who will treat you with the respect you deserve.”
“Thank you, Hannah.”
“There’s no need to thank me, Nydia. You should know better than any of us that we don’t bite our tongues when it comes to issuing advice or telling one another what we probably don’t want to hear. But, in the end, it’s always the truth.”
“Why do you feel the need to get maudlin, Hannah?”
“I know sometimes I can get emotional, but this too will pass as soon as the inn opens.”
“And once it opens you’ll forget about all of the setbacks,” Jasmine said. “Meanwhile you need something to take your mind off the inn.”
Hannah exhaled an audible breath. “You’re probably right. Paige and LeAnn have tried to get me to join them in a bowling league with a group of retirees.”
“Why haven’t you?” Nydia questioned.
“They need one more person to make a foursome for their team.”
“I might join you,” Nydia volunteered.
With wide eyes, Hannah stared at her. “Are you serious?”
Nydia smiled. “I’m very serious. How long, what day, and when does it begin?” she asked Hannah.
“It’s for six weeks, and they meet for the first time next Wednesday night.”
“Hold on, I need to call my father.” She picked up her cell phone to call her father. She didn’t have to wait for him to answer. “Papi, I need you to overnight me my bowling bag.” She paused. “Yes, send it to me at the hotel. Mami has the address. Thanks, Papi.Y te amo.”
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Hannah swore. “You bowl like that?”
Nydia nodded. “When I was in high school I bowled with a league that met at an alley in the Bronx. I must say, we were awesome!”
“What was your highest game?” Jasmine asked.
“I average around two-forty, but I did bowl a perfect game twice.”
Hannah pumped her fist. “Yes!”
Nydia powered down her laptop. Once she’d begun bowling seriously she decided she needed her own ball, because most times she wasn’t able to find one that fit her fingers or one she could lift easily without injuring her wrist. “Don’t forget to text me the address.”
“I’ll pick you up at six-fifteen. We begin bowling at seven.” Hannah shifted her attention to Jasmine. “Do you want to join us?”
“I’m not going to bowl,” Jasmine said, “but I’m willing to keep score. Don’t bother picking Nydia up. We’ll come together.”
Nydia and Jasmine hugged Hannah before taking their leave.
