Page 57 of Off the Trail

I was already afraid it wasn’t going to last. But now I’m worried it’s not even real.

“And a throuple is coming Monday for a week. Cabin two. We’ll need to stock everything for three people,” Marika says. All the key staff are gathered in her office for the rescheduled meeting—Davy, Nolan, Nita, Roger, and me. Work is a good distraction from the fact that I haven’t seen Shawn since yesterday morning when we showered together and kissed each other goodbye like we were on our honeymoon or something. “They’re interested in seeing the fall colors before they’re totally gone.”

I grunt and mutter, “Cutting it close.” We’re into October and the peak has passed, though there’s still plenty of color around the edges of the lake.

“I’m forwarding their dietary preferences to you, Nolan. I think there’s a seafood allergy in there,” she says.

He wrinkles his nose but says nothing. I’m pretty sure Nolan thinks food allergies are a sign of personal weakness, but he’s good about following the notes he’s been given.

“It’s May’s birthday this Saturday,” Nolan says. “So I’m doing a chocolate mousse cake for Sunday supper this week.”

I let out an involuntary noise of appreciation. Nolan glances at me shrewdly. “How did you like your chocolate mousse, Blaze?”

I freeze. I forgot he all but knows I stayed over at Shawn’s the other night. There are so many ways I could respond to the question, but my problematic brain comes up with: “I didn’t have a chance to try it.”

He balks. “Are you serious? I had to make the sugar syrup twice because the first one seized and you were too busy knocking boots with the guy in cabin three to eat my mousse?”

I’m about to take issue with half the things he just said, but Marika gets there first. “That’s enough, Nolan. Let’s keep personal stuff out of today’s meeting.”

He opens his mouth as if to rebut but closes it when he sees Marika’s stern look. She’s probably the only person on the planet who can get him to be quiet.

I check my watch. If this meeting goes a little faster, I might get to the site before they break for the day.

“Where are we with the end of season inventory?” Marika asks me.

To that, at least, I have a ready answer. “Almost done. I’m putting together the list of replacement items we’ll want to get before spring.”

“Send it over with cost estimates when you’re finished,” she says. “Davy, how close are we to hiring another aesthetician?”

I tune out Davy’s answer and worry the problem of Shawn over in my mind again. It feels like our expiration date is rapidly approaching, but the thought of him leaving and me never seeing him again leaves me with a panicky feeling in my gut.

“And last thing before I let you all go—our fall bonfire night at the end of the month. I want to make sure we have plenty of fuel—Blaze, you’re our chief bonfire constructor. What do you need from us?”

“Roger’s been setting aside brush and wood, so we’re good on fuel. If any of you have stuff from home you want to contribute, make sure it stays dry.”

Every year Marika hosts a community bonfire on the beach for guests, employees, and Laketon residents to get together, drink hot chocolate, and throw burnable refuse onto the pyre. It’s a fun tradition, though I usually have to work the fire, making sure it stays safe, with backup from the Laketon volunteer firefighters.

Marika dismisses us but adds, “Blaze, can you wait a second?”

Nolan snickers at me as he leaves the office, the shit. I turn back to Marika after everyone else has gone. “What’s up?” I ask, going for casual.

“I hear Shawn’s joined the construction crew working on your house.”

“Where on earth—never mind.” The woods have ears, and Marika hears everything. “Yes, Luis recruited him, and for some reason he wants to work.”

“Interesting,” she says, checking something on her laptop. “Well, I only have him booked through Saturday, so I need to hear from him if he’s going to extend his stay.”

The thought does not cheer me up. I’m aware of what Marika charges folks like Shawn, and even though we’ve had guests stay longer, it still represents a small fortune. He’s not going to live at the retreat forever.

“Apparently, you stayed over at his cabin Monday night.”

There’s no point in denying it. “Yep.”

She looks at me steadily. “And how is that going?”

“Good?” I make it sound like a question, and she frowns.

“Blaze, honey, I’ve known you since you were fourteen. You’re obviously an adult, but I have to ask and make sure you’re okay.” She pauses, then puts her hand on my shoulder. “Your mom would want me to check and make sure you’re okay.”