What if I just kept driving? I could turn off my phone and ignore everyone for the week. I could actually use this time as a vacation.
I sigh wistfully as I make the turn to the hotel. That’s not who I am. I follow through on my commitments.
Right now, I hate that about me.
I pull into the parking lot, skipping over the valet line, and find a parking spot. Taking deep breaths, I grab my bags and walk toward the hotel. I know it’s going to be one headache after another as soon as I step inside, and I drag my feet the closer I get to the front doors.
“Hello, welcome to The Rosewood,” an attendant greets me as he opens the door.
“Thank you.”
“Enjoy your stay.”
I won’t,I think, but I force myself to smile as I head inside.
Where I’m instantly greeted by eight angry family members.
“There you are!” my mother says, looking annoyed. “Did you have a nice break?”
Great to see you too, Mother.
“What? I landed and drove straight here,” I tell her.
She scoffs. “We need help.”
“Okay, I?—”
“Uncle Roger is in a room on the bottom floor. Can you believe that?” she asks as she grabs my elbow and steers me over to the group. “And Aunt Linda says there are no good gluten-free options anywhere. Caroline says the airline lost her bridesmaid dress, your Uncle Josh is already drunk, and we lost your cousin Courtney and her boyfriend.”
I nod, making a mental list as I set my suitcase out of the way. Guess I’ll be checking into my room later.
“I’ll talk to them about moving Uncle Roger,” I say.
He nods, folding his arms over his chest.
“Aunt Linda, the staff knows and has gluten-free options. There’s also a list of restaurants nearby that can accommodate. Here you go,” I say, pulling the list out of my purse.
She turns and leaves without saying a word.
“I’ll call the airline about Caroline’s dress and see if we can’t get another one sent overnight in case it doesn’t arrive in time. And I’ll look for Courtney and her boyfriend,” I promise my mom.
She purses her lips at me until Uncle Tony comes in with his family, and she turns to greet him.
It doesn’t go unnoticed by me that no one welcomed me here. No one said it was great to see me or asked how I was doing. I’m the help to them this week, but they’ve always been like that. I’m the black sheep in my family. I liked school, I liked working and earning my own money. I’ve always been plus-size and kind of shy. Everyone else is skinny, with perfect white smiles and an air about them that screams country club.
I paste a smile on my face as I grab my things and head up to check in. I ask them about Uncle Roger’s room and end up trading with him so he can be on the fifth floor and stop whining.
Taking my key, I escape to my room. I’m not looking for Courtney and her boyfriend. I’m sure they’re at the beach or in their room. Once I’m settled, I’ll deal with the bridesmaid dress.
I unpack my things, hanging up my dress in the closet. The bed looks big and comfy, but I know that if I lie down now, I’ll be out for the rest of the night.
My stomach growls, and I decide to sneak out for some food before I have to come back and put out more fires.
Grabbing my keys and purse, I leave my room, keeping an eye out for any sign of my family. I debate taking the stairs since it’s only one floor, but I’m too tired.
I hit the button for the elevator and send up a silent prayer that my family doesn’t catch me as I step on and ride it down to the lobby.
The doors open, and I rush out, intending to make a hasty exit to my car, and run smack dab into someone.
