Gloria's Inn

by Robin Alexander

  “Okay see there’s the problem. We own this place, why can’t we simply hire people to do that?”

  “Hayden, it takes money to operate this place. We have to cut corners everywhere we can.” She said with a sigh of exasperation.

  “My aunt was loaded. Why on earth would we need to cut corners?”

  There was that smile again. I could feel the hair rising up on the back of my neck. I most certainly was not going to like what I was about to hear.

  “Your aunt was a very benevolent woman. When she started this Inn, she chose to give back to the local community that had accepted her so lovingly. She donated a lot of her money to the local medical clinic. Also, to the little schools here. The bottom line is, she was not loaded when she died. This Inn is all she owned.”

  Okay that cinched it; my aunt did indeed hate me. I actually started to entertain the idea of going back to New Orleans and let the linebacker beat me to a pulp. With a pirate skulking around, bugs the size of crop dusters, and the realization that I would be a working Innkeeper, an ass whipping didn’t sound half bad.

  Then I really screwed up. I looked into that dazzling set of blue eyes and I thought, what the hell I will give it a try. If things didn’t work out I could look forward to being eaten alive by something on this island, and no I did not mean the gorgeous brunette sitting next to me.

  After Adrienne finished ruining my night with the details on the Inn I decided to retire to my cottage with a bottle of rum. It took me a while but I did finally find my bed under all of the boxes. After confirming that I did in fact have a bed instead of one of those little Gilligan hammocks I tried to relax. I found a place to sit down, opened the rum, which I drank directly from the bottle and lit up a cigarette, and pondered my fate.

  A week from now a new group of guests would be arriving, which I would be expected to help entertain and serve. I hadn’t even seen the place in the daylight, which sent chills up my spine. Last but not least I swear that my business partner could read my mind, which freaked me out, and just plain pissed me off. Did I mention the bugs and that pirate guy?

  I woke up the following morning to birds squawking and pecking at the thatched roof on my cottage. In addition, I had drunk a quarter of the bottle of rum and my lightweight ass passed out on a box instead of the bed. There wasn’t a spot on my body that didn’t ache, including my toenails.

  A soft knock at my door prompted me to try and move my stiff body. I opened the door squinting painfully in the morning light. Adrienne stood there looking radiant and refreshed. “I thought you might need this.” She held up a tray with a pitcher of iced tea, toast, and fruit on it.

  I can be very polite when I want to be, but today I didn’t want to be. “Were you reading my mind again?” I said in a snide tone.

  “Actually no. I saw you swipe the bottle of rum from the bar last night. Your aunt usually passed out after two drinks, and since you’re in her bloodline I figured you would be the same.” She smirked when she glanced passed me to the nearly full bottle of rum sitting on the floor.

  I suddenly noticed that she was still holding the tray. I stepped aside to let her in. She looked around for a moment and selected the box that I had used for a bed to set the tray on. I also noticed that there were two glasses sitting on the tray, so I assumed she intended to visit. I offered her a box, and when she sat I poured her a glass of tea.

  After drinking two glasses of tea my mouth started to feel normal again. My head felt a little better too, so I decided that I should at least try to be polite. Goodness knows what I must have looked like but I simply didn’t have the strength yet to go into the bathroom.

  “I’m sorry about the mind reading remark Adrienne. Not being a morning person or a drinker I guess I woke up on the wrong side of the box

  umm bed.”

  “I won’t take up much of your time.” She said as she sipped her tea. “I just wanted to ask you to not make any rash decisions about this place. It is obviously not what you thought it would be, but given a little time you will come to love it I am sure. You seem to be a lot like your aunt, and she grew to love it very dearly. That’s why she passed it on to you. Just give it a chance Hayden, please.”

  Before I knew what I was doing I was agreeing to give this place a chance. She smiled and stood to leave. “Your aunt told me that you are a very neat and orderly person, so I imagine that you will want to get your things in order here before you do anything else. Would you like me to stay and help?”

  I declined her offer. It would just be easier if I did it myself. I agreed to meet with her later on that afternoon to discuss the preparations for the upcoming group of guests. After she left I went into the bathroom and got cleaned up. I put my hair up in a ponytail, put on a tank top and a pair of my favorite old gym shorts and got to work.

  After about three solid hours of sorting and putting things away my cottage looked entirely different. Our cottages were slightly bigger than the guest cottages, and I was able to neatly put away all of my belongings. I was especially pleased to find that mine had a bookshelf and a desk built into the wall.

  I applauded my decision to get rid of my computer and purchase a laptop; anything bigger would have dominated the entire desk. I filled the bookshelves with my books and DVD collection. Fortunately, my DVD and CD players fit nicely into the armoire that was used to conceal the TV.

  Once I had everything the way I wanted, I took a shower and got dressed. I arrived a little late for lunch so I nibbled on roll and some fruit. At this rate I would be skinny as a rail in no time. I needed some food. Real food not this Conch stuff they kept trying to ram down my throat. That would be my first order of business when I caught up with Adrienne.

  Chapter 2

  I found Adrienne in the open-air bar stretched out on a chaise lounge reading a book. I sat in one of the chairs near her and lit up my after lunch cigarette. She lowered the book revealing only her eyes, but instinctively I knew her face held a grimace. Her eyes darted to the offending smoke held in my hand.

  “Before you start, let me say this. First this is a bar, and it is open and well ventilated. Yes, I know it is a disgusting habit, and I go to great lengths for my clothes and breath not to smell like it. Third and most important, right now this is the only thing keeping me sane so tread lightly.” After my mild tirade I leaned back in my chair and took a deep drag and blew it into the air.

  “Consider the point taken.” Adrienne said as she marked her place in the book and set it down. “Are you ready to be indoctrinated into the Inn business?”

  “As ready as I will ever be.” I said with a sigh. I was not looking forward to this.

  “Good. Wait here and I will be right back. I couldn’t resist the temptation of starring at her backside as she walked away, and silently scolded myself for being such a pig. When she returned she was carrying two huge ledger books. My heart sank. Obviously, they were still in the dark ages and had not upgraded to automated age.

  Even though they had kept the books the old fashioned way, they were remarkably accurate. Adrienne had them balanced to the penny. I was easily able to see how the finances were managed. I attributed this to Adrienne alone. My aunt was never one for keeping records and maintaining a budget.

  After a couple of hours of pouring over the books my eyes began to roll up in my head. I had enjoyed about as much as I could stand. Fortunately, Adrienne received a phone call that was going to take a little while. I left her a note explaining that I was going on a little walk to get acquainted with my new surroundings. I grabbed a banana from the fruit bowl and went on my merry way.

  The bar, I learned was the main receiving area. Guests checked in there and were assigned their rooms. The bar itself was open on three sides, with the kitchen and dinning area attached at the rear of the building. During inclement weather large shades were rolled down the keep the furniture dry.

  I walked through the courtyard to the rear of the bar. A fountain sat in the middle of the courtyard
itself, its trickling water added a soothing effect to the already tranquil atmosphere. I slipped my sandals off so I could feel the cool cobblestone under my feet as I walked around admiring the elegantly landscape yard. Narrow cobblestone paths lead to each one of the guest cottages, which surrounded the courtyard.

  The Inn itself was nestled on a bluff that overlooked the blue Caribbean waters; a tropical forest framed the other three sides. I marveled at the lush plant life that flourished on the island. I recognized many varieties of plants growing in the wild that people paid top dollar for back in the states.

  I wandered down a path that seemingly did not lead to any of the cottages. Lined with banana trees and tropical foliage the cobblestone pathway was completely shaded. When I walked out onto the open bluff my breath was taken away by the beauty that lay before me. I stood in awe of the spectacular unspoiled view of the coastline. The crystal clear waters beckoned me, and I had to fight the urge to strip and run down the staircase that led to the water.

  I have to admit that I was disappointed that the Island was so rural when I got here. I was expecting a resort style atmosphere with calypso music playing, beauty spas, and a wait staff dressed in pristine white uniforms catering to my every whim. This however was the complete opposite, and yet I felt a contentment being here. No doubt, it would take me a while to adjust to the slower pace, and the antiquated way of doing things. There was no one back home for me to miss, just my way of life.

  I took a deep breath and filled my lungs with the air blowing in off the water. I felt refreshed and exhilarated as I started the short hike back to the Inn. I had taken two steps when I saw it. It took my brain a minute to register what I was looking at, and my body less time to react. I let out a high-pitched girl scream so shrill that it hurt my own ears as I jumped into a small tree. It bowed with my weight nearly dropping me onto the snake I was trying to escape from.

  Then I saw her. Adrienne stood at the mouth of the trail doubled over laughing. Not just a belly laugh, the hateful heifer was wheezing and gasping for air she was laughing so hard!

  “You are a Louisiana native, surely you have seen a snake before.” She said as she wiped the tears from her eyes. Her body still shook with laughter.

  The snake however was not amused at my antics and slithered off into the brush, while I struggled to keep my balance in the little tree. After I was certain the snake was gone, I made an attempt to climb out of the tree. The wiry limbs of the small shrub like tree swayed beneath me as I tried to move finally dropping me to the ground, but not before catching the bottom of my shirt and stripping me of it as I fell.

  I sat there under the tree wearing nothing but my bra and shorts trying to figure out what the hell happened. Adrienne sounded like a wild hyena in heat as she fell to her knees and laughed uncontrollably. Stupid tropical island, there is never a coconut around when you need one, so I fanaticized about clocking Adrienne with one instead.

  I wrestled my shirt from the hateful little tree, and quickly pulled what was left of it on. Adrienne now sat on the ground still crying with laughter. I walked passed her and mutterd. “Thanks for all your help.” I could still hear her laughter carried in on that wretched ocean breeze as I walked red faced back to my cottage.

  Minutes later I heard a knock on my door and a few muffled giggles as I pulled on a new shirt. I opened it to find a totally un-repentant brunette with tears of laughter still on her face. I gave her the most intimidating glare I could muster. “Sorry.” She muttered under her breath. “I just wanted to make sure you were alright.” She said as her face contorted trying to keep what little composure she had regained.

  “Nothing wounded but my pride.” I said with a scowl.

  “She stood there quietly for a minute. I could tell she was fighting the urge to laugh again. “So, I take it you have a fear of snakes. No one that works here has ever been bitten, nor have any of the guests. They are often more afraid of you than you are of them.” She paused. “Although in your case maybe not.” Then she began to howl with laughter right there in my face.

  “I’ll see you at dinner.” I spat out. Then slammed the door in her face. I could still hear her laughter fade off into the distance as she walked away.

  There are few things I hate more than a snake. Growing up in Louisiana I did encounter the vile things at least every spring while working outside. However, my reaction was always the same, screaming, loss of bladder control, and running in stark terror. Fortunately, I did manage not to wet my pants, or I would have to leave the island permanently.

  I lit up a cigarette and talked myself into calming down. If I were to face Adrienne anytime soon I needed to let my temper cool. She was a very beautiful woman, but I think beneath the surface was the ability to kick my ass. Not to mention she was a good bit taller than me. At least I could get in a few good shots to her kneecaps.

  I flopped down on the bed and grabbed the remote. I flicked through the channels till I saw something that took my mind off my troubles. I had found something that always helped raise my spirits. Xena! I did my best imitation of my TV heroine’s battle cry, which sounded like a chicken caught in a fan. Watching that long legged beauty kick the crap out of someone always cheered me up. I lay there with a goofy grin on my face till the show ended and I dozed off to sleep.

  I slept a lot longer than I intended and was woken by a gentle knock on my door. Adrienne was again standing there when I opened it. She had a bottle of red wine tucked under her arm. This time she was kind enough not to laugh at my earlier misfortune.

  “I was hoping we would have dinner in my cottage tonight, there are a few things I would like to go over with you. Iris has made spaghetti Conch free, since I know you are not fond of it. She will be brining it out in about twenty minutes. Will you join me?”

  In the interest of behaving like a big girl, I graciously accepted her offer. I excused myself to go get cleaned up. I took a quick shower and changed my clothes, and arrived at her place as Iris brought in the meal. She greeted me warmly. “How was your first day on the island Hayden?” She shot Adrienne a quick grin that did not go unnoticed by me.

  “It was very enlightening Iris.” I responded cheerfully. She smiled and nodded and left us to our dinner. When she closed the door I shot Adrienne a vicious look. “Exactly, how many people on this island know about my little adventure today?” I asked.

  Adrienne pulled my chair out and gestured for me to sit down. “Only Iris. She’s deathly afraid of snakes too you know.”

  I sat down, suddenly not feeling very hungry. Adrienne glanced over at me as she loaded up my salad plate. “I really am sorry if I offended you this afternoon, had you have seen it from my prospective you would have laughed too. When I walked out onto the bluff it was that moment you screamed and jumped straight up into that tree. Then when you fell and your shirt got hung up

  ” She paused fighting the urge to laugh again. “I’m really sorry I am sure it must have scared you half to death. I might have done the same thing had I been in your shoes. Look, I hate the idea of us getting off on the wrong foot on your first day will you forgive me? She looked at me pleadingly with those blue eyes and I had no choice but to let it go.

  “You know, you remind me of someone on TV.” I said trying to make conversation.

  “Oh really, who?”

  “Have you ever watched Xena? You look at lot like Lucy Lawless.” I said as I checked my salad for Conch.

  “A lot of people have told me that, but I don’t see the resemblance.” She said as she cocked her eyebrow up into her bangs.

  “Well you do. I mean it as a compliment. I think she is so sexy. I bet if you put on that leather outfit she wears you would look just like her.” I giggled.

  “Have a thing for women in leather, do ya?” She said with a smirk.

  “Yes.” I purred. “That kiwi accent does it for me too. I could sit and listen to her talk all day. There is something so sexy about the way they say “No” over there, or down t
here rather. The way they drag the word out does something for me. I think that is the only time I wouldn’t mind hearing a woman tell me no.”

  She cocked that brow up again and looked at me like I had escaped from a mental ward. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  I had wondered about Adrienne’s sexuality since I arrived on the island. I knew that my aunt had told her I was gay, but Adrienne made no mention of it. I didn’t want to come right out and ask her if she was, I thought that would have been a little rude. No matter how I tried I could not keep her on the topic long enough to get her to say one-way or the other.

  As we ate she explained that Sunday, which was only a few days away the guests would be arriving. There would be six couples all women who visited each year. The cottages were prepared for their arrival but we would have to order supplies from the mainland prior to their arrival. We agreed to handle that task the following morning. I asked her in what capacity would I be in dealing with the guests.

  She smiled. “Its not nearly bad as you are imagining. The porters and wait staff will be here. You and I will simply entertain them at meals and tend the bar. It is really like getting together with old friends. You will find yourself enjoying this place as much as they do.”

  I was a little skeptical. I was the loner type, and to be honest I was really on the timid side especially in a large group of people. I suppose that is why I did so well in the landscaping business. Often it was only me, and lots of dirt that didn’t talk back.

  “I don’t mind telling you Adrienne, I am a little nervous about all of this entertaining stuff. This may come as a surprise to you, but I am actually a little on the shy side. It is truly an effort on my part to make casual conversation with someone I don’t know.”

  “You will do just fine.” She reassured me. “I will be right by your side.”