The Hard Luck Hotel

[DeliciousMaiden]

Tamara Miller

The day was cool, but I sat on the bench content to just relax and breathe in the fresh air. I certainly needed time to relax, to consider my options. Though in truth my choices were made. As soon as I’d sent those emails, posted those…

I sighed.

Again it was something else that had seemed a good idea at the time.
“It was a good idea!” I told myself again.
“In the cold light of day, all things considered, taking into account the circumstances...”
Oh what the hell! The bastard deserved it!
I gave a smirk of satisfaction.

Was I proud of myself?
“No…well.. yes… well… it just had to be done.
End of story.”

I looked up at the sky watching the clouds floating by.
His words once again ran through my head.

”You scheming little…. “

He had been so angry, so abusive;
Maybe that’s when the penny finally dropped?
When I saw that for myself?
My head had set the cogs in motion for self-preservation;
I’d dealt with the practicalities, set about it with cold-blooded detachment,
But …
Until that confrontation, my heart hadn’t quite given up…
And God! That had hurt!

I sighed again, annoyed at myself.
Perhaps I was on the brooding stage?
Hopefully I would avoid the tears and tantrums stage;
Maybe you could avoid that if you fast-forwarded to the “revenge stage”?
That would be handy!

I let my eyes wander appreciatively around the gardens laid out before me.
I had been pleasantly surprised to find the place boasted gardens and a pool!
Perhaps I would stay here for the entire two weeks.
It was as good a place as ever to try to pick myself up emotionally.

 

[Garras Agudas]

Terry

I wasn't much to look at, I knew. Five foot nine, one hundred and sixty five soaking wet, brown hair and eyes. I was in better shape now that I had cut out the self punishing routine of alchohol and drugs each night and faced my past.

These thoughts were in my mind as I swam lazily, enjoying the water as it warmed and the peace inside the room.

Peace. It was a word I had thought wasn't possible. I had survived on the streets and then escaped to the relative comfort of the military, shipped overseas and discovered the wonderful world of war and drugs. Dazed and discharged I stumbled back to the streets, worse off for the habit I was forming and the attitude I had perfected.

And then Joe found me, or rather caught me, I was reduced to stealing, pilfering for a meal, a drink, a fix when I broke into his hotel. Hoping to find anything I could pawn, not thinking the delapidated place was lived in, much less liveable, he introduced me to his shotgun and rules.

"Anything worth having doesn't come easy, son" It was the first lesson he hammered into me "You gotta work for it, bleed for it, hurt about it. Then if it is still there? It's worth it"

I pulled myself out of the water and trotted to the low board, not knowing how to dive but trying, always trying as I "swan/belly" dove off of it and created mini tidal waves.

Joe had made me his project, and for the first year cursed me as I disappointed him and myself almost every day. We argued, we fought, we ignored each other and then we repeated the cycle. Slowly I sobered up and kicked the habit and one day it hit me.

Wiping myself off with a towel I noted the shabbiness of the edges and would have to harangue Joe into buying new ones.

I had blamed others and myself for problems I couldn't repair, drowning my miseries in a sauce of booze and drugs, and then finally knew. It was time to do something with my life, for myself and for the one that had helped me. It had become a three year project and I was on the verge of finishing it, Joe's dream would be complete.

I tossed the towel over a chair and then reclined on another, grinning.

I had no idea what I would do after Joe's hotel was finished, but I was looking forward to the challenge.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Tamara Miller

I shivered suddenly.

I had enjoyed the fresh air, but the cold was beginning to get to me. I stood and found that my head had cleared somewhat and the violent throbbing had been demoted to a mere dull ache.

I moved quickly, retracing my steps and was soon inside the lounge and looking round.
The place seemed deserted, devoid of residents and staff!

I realised suddenly that I could really use a hot coffee, for both warming and soothing purposes.
I had a kettle and instant in my room, but that was hardly the same. I grinned.
By the end of this week I would be totally alcohol or caffeine dependent.
I grimaced as I walked through the hotel into the reception.
After last night, caffeine was the only substance I could see me overdosing on right now.

I hovered in the lobby, picking up a newspaper from the table and discarding it.
The only person I could see was the surly old man ... Joe ...
I didn't much feel like being snubbed yet again!

I flicked through the paper trying to decide.
Instant, or I could go out to see what I could find...?
Decisions, decisions!

 

[Garras Agudas]

Terry

I had enjoyed the last couple of hours. The water and the exercise had felt good, the peace and relaxing by the water had been a pleasant change as well

Looking at the pile of towels I knew I had been stood up and shrugged, she was a guest of Joe's, not mine and I was just an employee as well.

But an employee who had won a bet and been promised days off!

Grinning I headed for the bar, knowing Joe would be there and just love to hear my news.

"Joe, The pool is working again and the water feels great!" I declared exuberantly tossing the towels on his counter and hopping on a stool. "And you owe me two days off and I'm collecting them starting now"

Joe stashed the towels behind the counter and I was willing to bet they would be in the same place when I returned, but grinned at the prospect of simply returning from the outside.

"Enjoy yourself Kid" He told me as way of a goodbye and I waved, heading out of the bar and towards mty room to pack. I had saved all the cash Joe had given me for the odd jobs and the tips, though few, from the cafe and bar and it added up. I was going to enjoy myself and let others clean up after me for a change.