normal these days.
“I didn't do anything after the cabin burned down,” I say out loud, just in case someone can hear me. “I just walked away.”
Another creak in the darkness.
This time, I don't touch the lamp. Instead, I lean over to my desk and grab my laptop. I have to watch a little more of that goddamn video, just to put my mind at rest. Opening the lid, I bring up the video player and grab my headphones. This is my final act of closure. Once I've seen the video all the way from the first frame to the last, I won't have to think about it again.
Once I've started the playback from the beginning, I force myself to keep my eyes fixed on the screen as I watch myself being picked up at the airport. I still feel as if I was horribly naive back then, but I'm feeling less and less angry. There's no way I could have expected what was going to happen at the cabin. Really, watching the video again is a cathartic act, something that'll really be good for my mental health.
Just this one time, and then it's over forever.
Seven
“There's really not much more to it,” Mr. Rice explains as he leads me along the wood-paneled corridor that connects the hotel's dining room to the reception area. “A lot of your job will be common sense, really. I always say that in any walk of life, if you have common sense, you'll get along just fine.”
“I want to thank you again for the opportunity,” I tell him. “I know I don't have much experience, but -”
“We're a family-owned business,” he replies, putting a friendly hand on my shoulder. “Karen gave you a glowing recommendation, and you strike me as someone with the potential to really grow within our company. We prioritize promotions from within, so if you work hard and show some initiative, there's really no limit to what you might achieve. I have a sixth sense when it comes to new hires, Anna, and I can tell that you're going to be an excellent addition to our team.”
Spotting Karen at the reception desk, I can't help but smile. This whole situation feels so normal and ordinary, I'm almost ready to burst into tears.
“And now,” Mr. Rice adds, checking his watch, “if you'll excuse me, I must dash off to a meeting. Karen will show you the ropes, and I look forward to seeing you around the place.” Shaking my hand, he smiles. “Welcome onboard, Miss Marshall. Glad to have you with us!”
“Glad to be here,” I reply, but he's already turned and started hurrying back along the corridor. Feeling a little out-of-place, I head over to the reception desk, where Karen is tapping away at her phone. Ever since I arrived a little over an hour ago, I've barely had time to take a breath.
“Don't worry about Mr. Rice,” she mutters, with her eyes glued to the screen. “This place is pretty laid-back. As you can see, it's not exactly bustling. Some days we don't have any guests at all. Like, none ! God knows how the place keeps going, but I think it's some kind of family honor thing.”
“Thank you again for swinging me this job,” I reply. “This last week has been pretty intense. I swear, another day sitting around my mother's house, trying to come up with ways to fill my time... I think I'd have gone stir-crazy.”
“I wasn't just being a good friend,” she continues. “It's also useful to have someone onboard who can cover my back a little. You know, if I have to step out some time for a few minutes.” She taps at her phone again, before biting her bottom lip as she smiles.
“A guy?” I ask.
“Maybe.”
“Something serious, or just a bit of fun?”
“A serious bit of fun,” she admits, blushing slightly. “You know how it is, right? He's so -”
“Hey!”
Turning, I'm shocked to see Matt making his way through, wearing one of the hotel's yellow-embroidered waistcoats.
“How's your first day going?” he asks, smiling at me as he checks the register on the counter.
“Um...” I stare at him for a moment. “You work here
“I didn't do anything after the cabin burned down,” I say out loud, just in case someone can hear me. “I just walked away.”
Another creak in the darkness.
This time, I don't touch the lamp. Instead, I lean over to my desk and grab my laptop. I have to watch a little more of that goddamn video, just to put my mind at rest. Opening the lid, I bring up the video player and grab my headphones. This is my final act of closure. Once I've seen the video all the way from the first frame to the last, I won't have to think about it again.
Once I've started the playback from the beginning, I force myself to keep my eyes fixed on the screen as I watch myself being picked up at the airport. I still feel as if I was horribly naive back then, but I'm feeling less and less angry. There's no way I could have expected what was going to happen at the cabin. Really, watching the video again is a cathartic act, something that'll really be good for my mental health.
Just this one time, and then it's over forever.
Seven
“There's really not much more to it,” Mr. Rice explains as he leads me along the wood-paneled corridor that connects the hotel's dining room to the reception area. “A lot of your job will be common sense, really. I always say that in any walk of life, if you have common sense, you'll get along just fine.”
“I want to thank you again for the opportunity,” I tell him. “I know I don't have much experience, but -”
“We're a family-owned business,” he replies, putting a friendly hand on my shoulder. “Karen gave you a glowing recommendation, and you strike me as someone with the potential to really grow within our company. We prioritize promotions from within, so if you work hard and show some initiative, there's really no limit to what you might achieve. I have a sixth sense when it comes to new hires, Anna, and I can tell that you're going to be an excellent addition to our team.”
Spotting Karen at the reception desk, I can't help but smile. This whole situation feels so normal and ordinary, I'm almost ready to burst into tears.
“And now,” Mr. Rice adds, checking his watch, “if you'll excuse me, I must dash off to a meeting. Karen will show you the ropes, and I look forward to seeing you around the place.” Shaking my hand, he smiles. “Welcome onboard, Miss Marshall. Glad to have you with us!”
“Glad to be here,” I reply, but he's already turned and started hurrying back along the corridor. Feeling a little out-of-place, I head over to the reception desk, where Karen is tapping away at her phone. Ever since I arrived a little over an hour ago, I've barely had time to take a breath.
“Don't worry about Mr. Rice,” she mutters, with her eyes glued to the screen. “This place is pretty laid-back. As you can see, it's not exactly bustling. Some days we don't have any guests at all. Like, none ! God knows how the place keeps going, but I think it's some kind of family honor thing.”
“Thank you again for swinging me this job,” I reply. “This last week has been pretty intense. I swear, another day sitting around my mother's house, trying to come up with ways to fill my time... I think I'd have gone stir-crazy.”
“I wasn't just being a good friend,” she continues. “It's also useful to have someone onboard who can cover my back a little. You know, if I have to step out some time for a few minutes.” She taps at her phone again, before biting her bottom lip as she smiles.
“A guy?” I ask.
“Maybe.”
“Something serious, or just a bit of fun?”
“A serious bit of fun,” she admits, blushing slightly. “You know how it is, right? He's so -”
“Hey!”
Turning, I'm shocked to see Matt making his way through, wearing one of the hotel's yellow-embroidered waistcoats.
“How's your first day going?” he asks, smiling at me as he checks the register on the counter.
“Um...” I stare at him for a moment. “You work here
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