He leans into me and all but whispers, “Look, this isn’t the place to talk about all of this. Come back to my cabin so we can discuss it.”
I laugh and I know it’s brittle from all the stress, but I don’t care. “Yeah, right. Think I’ll pass on that.”
I move past him and this time I don’t ignore the front door. I’m out so fast I almost trip. Becca’s yelling at me to stop but I ignore her. I get in my room and lock the door and no amount of Kat’s pounding on it will make me open it. I start to pack my bag and then I totally lose it. Crumpling onto my disheveled bed I give in and cry.
At some point Kat must have left and then before I know it there’s a soft knocking sound on my door.
“Alyssa, its Sandy. Let me in.”
Groaning, I get up because not letting in Mrs. McCaid isn’t an option. She’s the one with the master key as she likes to point out.
With clear reluctance I open the door and in comes Sandy. The last thing I expect is for her to draw me in for a motherly hug. Without her even asking I find myself spilling my guts. I tell her all about my father, what he wanted me to do and why I ran away. I even tell her all about what I think Blake’s up to. She’s running her hand down my back in a way I envision most mothers do and damn if it doesn’t ease some of the tension from me.
“Oh we know all about Blake’s so-called scheme. He told my hubby this morning over breakfast and honestly I think he was dying to tell us from the get go. That boy’s a good kid.”
“What are you saying?” I mumble as I blow my nose into some tissue.
“I’m saying that things are not always black and white. Honey, why didn’t you tell us you were on the run from your Dad?”
I start to cry again and damn if Sandy doesn’t pull me in for another long, soothing hug. Only when I’m done do I dare start to tell her what happened. I expect her to be outraged at my father and at me for ruining the party but she doesn’t say anything for a long time and when she does speak I’m a little thrown.
“Do you think maybe you should have told your father how you felt before you ran away?”
“It wouldn’t have mattered.”
“Are you so sure?”
I am right, aren’t I? I think of our last heated conversation, but the years have twisted my memory. He was mad. I was angry and we both said a lot of hurtful things to each other we probably shouldn’t have.
“You know when I left I saw your father looking at your photos. He seemed really pleased with your work. In fact, he was showing them to that woman…I think her name is Carol…and saying how much the work reminded him of his wife’s.”
I sit up straighter. “What?”
“Well, that’s what I think he said. Did you mother take pictures?”
“I…I don’t know. Dad never talked about her. He said it was too painful.”
“Well that may be the case, but I’m telling you that man was right proud of your work. Maybe this is the opening you need to talk like two adults now and settle things.”
I shake my head. I’m not getting sucked into that or his life again. “Maybe, but not right now.”
Sandy stands up from the bed and runs her hand through her long hair. “Well, dear, I should leave you, but don’t you go running off from us. We’ll support you no matter what you decide. We’ve got your back.”
I give a sad smile and feel my heart burst because I know she means it. Like I said to Blake this place, this resort, is a community in itself and at the heart are the McCaids.
“And Alyssa, Blake looked totally heart stricken when you left. Don’t leave without working things out with him.”
I’m floored. I had no idea she knew we were an item, but then again maybe I shouldn’t be surprised. The McCaids might seem a little oblivious to things going on, but the truth of the matter is they’re not. But what Blake and I had…I’m thinking that wasn’t real. What we had was based on a lot of lies and that hurts even though I know I’m also at fault.
Sandy leaves and I promise to pop by the office tomorrow which instantly makes her relieved. Guess she thought I’d pack my bag and head out into the Alberta wilderness in the middle of the night. I might want to run, but I’m not stupid and honestly I’m mulling over what she said.
I walk to the washroom and freshen up and change into my jeans and black shirt. The party’s over but I wait until everyone’s gone from the main area before venturing out. My feet move automatically towards Blake’s cabin. He’s there, sitting on the porch, and the minute he spies me he jumps up and starts to fidget.