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“Thanks, Brody.”
“You can leave your suitcases and backpack here.” He jerked his head to a small corner behind the front desk as he started towards me, and I handed him my stuff.
“Thanks.”
He inclined his head to me. I walked to my left and headed towards a door. Another employee swiped his card and let me inside.
***
Uncle Anton stood in the middle of the narrow hallway with a wide grin, changing his entire countenance. The meeting had obviously been stressful…and long, according to what Brody and an employee had said. Uncle Anton was still fit for his age. His dark blond hair was combed back, making his features look rough. He wore a polo shirt and cargo shorts with sandals. A look I remembered very well.
“Bethany.” He addressed me with affection and softly sighed. “It’s been way too long. Hmm?” He wrapped his arms around me and kissed me at the crown of my head like he had when I was younger. Only when he released me did I realize how much I missed him.
“It’s been…a few years. How’re you? How’s everyone?” I followed him past the glass-encased conference rooms into his office. His grand office.
He gestured me to take a seat in front of his dark wooden desk, and I did. “We’re doing well. Deborah and the kids can’t wait to see you.”
“I look forward to seeing them too.”
“How are you doing?”
“I am doing well.”
He slid me a disbelieving look. Ignoring it, I obtained my folder from my satchel in order to show him my most recent résumé and letters of reference.
“There’s no need for all that.” He stalled my movement and waved at my folder. “I know that you need a place to stay. For various reasons. I was going to call you directly, but my schedule was packed. Mrs. Adler had the impression that you wanted to interview for a position with me.”
“Well…ah…” I tried again. “Yes, Uncle Anton.”
Linking his hands together, he studied me. “I am sure Mrs. Adler explained to you—on my behalf—that you’re welcome to stay for the whole summer without working for me or anyone else.”
I nodded. “She was very clear—”
“Well, good then.”
“I’d like to earn my stay. Usually I have a job lined up, but I made a mistake and I’ll need to save what I have and make some money to get me by until I return to school and resume the job I have during the school year.”
He creased his brows. “You shouldn’t have to pay for those mistakes. Or for Cindy’s unwise decisions. I can provide you with money to enjoy yourself around here. Our house manager, Nancy, or Deborah, can get you whatever you need.”
“Letting me stay in your home is quite generous. I am grateful. Your hotel is really beautiful. I’ve got housekeeping experience and I’ve worked at Luigi’s for three years—”
“I know.” He motioned his head. “I also know that your major is Human Resource Management. 3.7 GPA. Hundsworth fellow.” I could hear what sounded like pride in his voice.
I nervously laughed and jerked my gaze to the wall, where he had many accolades for his entrepreneurship. Of course he had looked into my background. I was going to stay at his house with his family. It didn’t matter that I was his niece. I understood, and in his place, I would’ve made the same move.
With school work and my cleaning job, I hadn’t had much time for myself. If my GPA went below a 3.5, I would automatically lose my scholarship. I didn’t have time to have a social life when many other students were just waiting to take my place. Also, I didn’t naturally have an easy and fast grasp of material. I had to study diligently. I had gained a few study buddies, who hadn’t been keen on talking about anything other than the course material. Which ended up only helping me to comprehend information faster.
“You don’t need to prove yourself to me, Bethany. I really want you to be with us. To be family again.”
“I want that too.” I hated how much I sounded like a little girl.
I missed the times when Uncle Anton had chased me around the house and had flung me in the air in his version of the tornado ride. I had fond childhood memories playing with Pierce in the dirt of my backyard and spraying him with the hose when he got out of hand. The neighbors’ kids had done whatever Cassidy had ordered them to do because they’d been so smitten with her. If she was as beautiful now as she had been when I’d been little, then there was no doubt in my mind that guys were crawling at her feet. I had thought about Uncle Anton and his family on occasion. Jake and Mariska filled the void that I had when I no longer had Pierce in my life.
“When you were seventeen, I came to see you. Twice,” Uncle Anton said, and pushed his chair back in a more relaxed position.
“She didn’t tell me.”
“I didn’t think she’d tell you.” He scowled. “At any rate, both times Cindy wouldn’t let me see you.” He threw his hands in the air. “She and I had a falling-out, a grown-folk matter. If it’s been on your mind, I wanted to make it clear that I didn’t stop seeing you or bringing Pierce and Cassidy to see you because of anything to do with you.”
