was just about to head out, unless you had something else for me.”
“Oh no, you go on home. By the way, I’m thinking about hanging out here until the night crew starts so I can meet them.”
“I’m happy to stay here with you.” Her body straightened into the serious businesswoman mode.
“Bailey?”
“Yes?”
“Go home.” I said with a smile. A slow appreciative ease spread over her features as she nodded.
“My family’s always called me something of a workaholic.”
My smile brightened. “There’s nothing wrong with that, as long as you still remember to take time off for yourself.”
“I’ll work on it.” She answered before heading out.
The night crew typically worked the 11pm to 7am shift and there were only about half a dozen working. A couple of them were night cleaning crew members, while others worked in the kitchen doing prep for the next day. There was also a night manager working the front desk, taking care of guests’ needs, in case there were any. Beginning at 10:30 the night staff started pouring in, heading back to our staff lounge. My first reaction was to pounce and immediately introduce myself; I decided to at least let them clock in before attacking.
At eleven on the dot, our night manager took her place at the front desk. From the little bit of research I’d done prior to her shift starting, I learned her name was Gwendolyn and she’s about the same age as my Grandma. Gwen had been with us since my grandparents opened the place. There was a vague recollection of her in my memory but nothing solid. She adjusted a rising chair behind the desk and upon first site I knew I’d like this woman. Her face was kind and her salt-and-pepper colored hair pulled back into a low bun on the back of her head. Gwen turned to see me and immediately her face lit up.
“Even without an introduction, I know exactly who you are.” I took a spot next to her at the desk. “Seen a lot of pictures of me?” I ask with a laugh.
Gwen shook her head. “You’re a spitting image of your grandma at that age.”
“Really?” Hearing about my family from back in the day was always something that brightened my spirits. My childhood wasn’t one many would have wished to have as their own. So even as a kid I let myself pretend for awhile my family; was the doting family I longed for.
“Oh yes, of course you resemble your mother as well, but you are Violet.”
“I’ll tell her you said so, next time I see her.”
“Very good, now was today your first day?” She asked, flipping through the guest registers.
“Yes it was; I just wanted to stay around and catch up with all of you.”
“Well that was very kind of you, sweetie. Violet told me that you know what you’re doing—worked in New York at some pretty big company, is that right?”
“It is—I loved it there.” Thinking about the magazine I’d worked for only made me miss it more. Drawing in new sponsors and interest was the main purpose of my job and I did it well.
“I’ll bet, I’ve always wanted to visit. Although, I think if I were to go there some day I’d lose my mind with how quick paced that place is. I’ve lived in a small town my entire life and that is the pace I know and love.”
“You’ve been here a while too, haven’t you?”
“Yes dear, I surely have.”
“Well wonderful—at least I don’t need to worry about training you on anything.”
“Oh no, you certainly don’t but I’m happy to be your eyes and ears; if I see someone slacking off or if someone may need some assistance, I will let you know.”
“That would be wonderful, Gwendolyn. Well, I suppose I better go check on the rest of the staff.”
“Alright darling, stop by before you leave to say goodbye!”
“Of course!”
Gwen returned to the duties she knew better than I ever would, as I went in search of the next workers. The night cleaning staff was only scheduled part time hours so I found them first; in case they finished their duties before I met them. There were two cleaners—one was a couple years younger than me, and the other was a woman in her 40s. Both worked five-hour shifts and were able to explain to me their duties and expectations as if reading them right off the list of job descriptions. The one note I did take about their positions was that