Page 3 of Sea Breezes at The Beach House Hotel

“Sounds terrific. I haven’t found a new movie role that interests me. Besides, at my age, it’s hard to find appropriate ones,” Tina said.

“Your age? You’re not even forty,” I said.

“Pretty close. That’s what I mean,” Tina said. “Gotta go. See you in a few weeks.”

I ended the call and turned to Vaughn. “Tina says she’s having difficulty finding movie roles because of her age. It’s very unfair, Men supposedly age gracefully, but women have to look as if they’re in their twenties or early thirties to find work.”

“That’s true enough to be a problem,” admitted Vaughn. “Hopefully, that will change. Tina is a very talented actress.”

“Her mother got her started in movies when she was a young teen and put her in situations where she was taken advantage of and sexually abused to get parts in films for her.”

“It’s a creepy business for both men and women,” said Vaughn, pulling me onto his lap. “I’d always give you a part in any film I was making.”

I melted into his kiss and then pulled away. “It would have to be a juicy role, or I’d turn it down.”

Vaughn and I laughed together.

###

The next day, I told Rhonda about my call with Tina. “I’ve been thinking we ought to take advantage of having Tina stay with us. Perhaps we could ask her to participate in our annual cancer fund-raising luncheon. Or something like that.”

“It sounds like Tina needs to do something rewarding. It’s hard for some mothers when all their children leave the toddler age and start elementary school. Maybe that’s what’s bothering Nell.”

“Could be. We’ll find out,” I said, looking up as Bernie knocked on the door and entered.

Bernhard Bruner was our general manager, and we loved him. In the years since he’d been with us, he’d changed from a very regimented man to a more open person used to us and our routines.

“Hi, Bernie,” said Rhonda. “What’s up?”

“I just wanted your agreement on a matter. Brock Goodwin tried to sell me fireworks, and I turned him down. I figured after the last debacle with him, you’d want nothing to do with it.”

“Absolutely correct,” I said. “He approached us on the beach, and we told him no.”

“Bernie, what will it take for us to get rid of him?” Rhonda asked.

He shrugged. “I can think of ways to do it. None of them legal.”

I burst into unexpected laughter. Bernie really was loosening up.

After he left, Rhonda and I shared another laugh about Bernie, and then I answered my cell. Nell’s husband, Clint.

“Hi, Clint. How are you? We’re thrilled Nell and the kids are coming early for Thanksgiving. I hope you’ll be able to join them before the big day and stay a while.”

“Hi, Ann. Thanks, I’d love to, but I can’t do it. Unfortunately, I’m working on a big business deal. I hope I can persuade you to talk with Nell. She told me she’s considering taking the kids out of school and staying in Florida throughout the holidays,” said Clint. “That’s not what we discussed. I hope you’ll make her understand I have no choice but to try and close the deal.”

I drew a deep breath to stop from saying something I might regret. “I’ll do you the favor of listening to both of you. There are two sides to any story.”

“Fair enough,” said Clint. “I need to do this. It’s part of my new job.”

“Oh,” I said, remembering how Clint and Nell had argued about the opportunity Clint was offered. Nell hadn’t wanted him to take it.

“I’ve got to go. “ I’m due to participate in an important meeting,” Clint said. “Thank you, Ann. I appreciate your help.”

He ended the call before I could clarify once again that I was willing to listen to each of them. That’s all.

Rhonda looked at me. “Let me guess. Clint wants your help with Nell.”

“He doesn’t understand that I’m not going to solve any problems for him. That has to come from Nell and him.”