1
LENA
As soon as the elevator doors opened, I dashed behind one of the stone columns that supported the grand multi-story ceiling of the main lobby.Peeking around the edge, I made sure my father wasn’t lurking before I made my way across the room, rushing past the fountain near the hotel entry toward the restaurant on the other side.
I gave the hostess a quick wave as I slipped past her toward the kitchens.
“Hey Ratty!”I greeted my favorite line cook as he lifted a basket of fresh fries from the fryer.My mouth watered.Oil dripped from the crispy bits of golden potato goodness.
“Right on time, Lena.”Ratty winked and dumped the fries into a giant metal bowl, tossing them with salt and herbs.He grabbed a plate, scooped up a generous heap, and topped it with an avalanche of cheese.A quick wipe of the plate’s edge, and he slid it across the stainless steel prep bench toward me.
I popped a steaming hot fry into my mouth and groaned, my eyes rolling back.Ratty did it again.His name was actually Patrick, but the kitchen staff called him Ratty because he resembled the rat fromRatatouille.He took it as a compliment.
“Two lobster bisques, three everything burgers, one medium rare, one well-done with extra fries!”called out one of the waitresses.
Ratty wiped his hands on the white apron tied around his waist.“Run along now.Your father will have my head if he sees that plate.”
I gave him two thumbs up and let him get back to work with a wave of thanks.Holding my plate of delicious treasure close, I tried not to draw attention to myself as I made my way back to the elevators.
After his last doctor’s visit put the fear of mortality into my father, he’d gone on a health kick and forbidden anything fried or containing cholesterol from our apartment kitchen.One week into his new diet, I was already sick of flavorless everything-free health food.I was ready to rob the nearest pizza joint and dive face-first into a greasy pepperoni pizza.
The elevator doors opened with a ding just as I approached.I slipped inside.The elevator man pressed the button for the second floor, and the doors closed in front of us.He gave my plate a knowing look, the corner of his lip twitching, but I knew he wouldn’t give away my secret.
The elevator doors opened on the second floor.I poked my head out and peered down both sides of the hallway.To the left was my father’s office.To the right, the spa where Sophie worked.The hallway was empty.I scurried to the spa and flipped the door sign to CLOSED behind me.
Mission accomplished.Home free with my smuggled goods.
I held up my plate as an offering as I entered.
“Ooh, that smells divine.Hand it over.”Sophie made grabbing motions toward my fries before I’d even sat down.
“That’s it?Not even a hello?”
Sophie raised an eyebrow and waved a fry at me in mock salute.She’d worked at the hotel spa as a masseuse for nearly two decades, since before my mother died.In that time, she’d become something like a surrogate older sister, guiding me through my awkward teenage years in ways my father couldn’t.
The spa was one of the quieter areas of the hotel where we could chat without being disturbed.Everything was by appointment and restricted to guests only, from massages and facials to soaks in the hot spring pools.
Sophie headed to the drinks cart and started the tea kettle.“Chamomile or mint today?”
“Chamomile.I need some calming vibes.”
“Coming right up.”She plopped a tea bag into each cup and topped them off with boiling water.
“Thanks.”I took the cup of fragrant tea gratefully and sipped.
“Have you and Joe decided what you’re going to do once you leave for Huntington Harbor?”
I shoved another fry in my mouth and sighed.This was going to be my last year at home before college in the fall.I’d taken two gap years after high school, telling myself I needed time to figure out what I wanted to do with my life.The truth was, I still didn’t know.But Papa had finally put his foot down about me “drifting,” so Huntington Harbor it was.He had a private jet, so I could fly home to Paradise Peaks on holidays and breaks, but my relationship with Joe was a whole other matter.
“I don’t know.”I dragged a fry along the plate, mopping up the seasoning.“I’m not opposed to a long distance relationship, but Joe’s getting anxious.He wants more.I can feel it.”
Joe’s family ran an investment firm in Paradise Peaks, and he was being trained to take over from his father.Trips to visit me at school would be impossible.As it was, he was already pressuring me to sleep with him as a test of my commitment.
Sophie set down her tea and fixed me with a look.“Define ‘more.’”
I stared at my fries.“He says if I really loved him, I’d want to.That I’m being a tease by making him wait.”The words tasted sour coming out.“He brought up prom again.How I wouldn’t go back to his place after.Like I owe him something.”
“You don’t owe him a damn thing.”Sophie’s voice sharpened.“Your body, your choice.Full stop.”
