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22 pages of pure Hell... I started it in April and finished it last week at the last minute. I don't even like the ending...I call it the Hotel basically because it is based in a hotel. The title I put on it gives too much away. I do love the beginning though. The little old lady is so cool! I wish I had a crazy grandma! Enjoy!!!




The crumbling hotel, with its broken gingerbread trim and sagging porches, was now the home of a few elderly residents who chose to live within the faded rooms of their youth. Their old creaking rocking chairs line the porch and welcome any person who decided to climb the stairs and ask for directions. No visitors ever even entered the lobby anymore much less stay in one of the rooms for a night. Gleaming resorts and beachfront rentals had long since replaced the hotel’s splendors.
If and only if the resorts were filled entirely would a visitor climb the stairs to a room followed by the groans and complaints of their ever-bored children.
The year round residents were the only thing keeping the place running and one by one the residents were gradually diminishing one by one from their old age. An old man sat in a wheel chair in the lobby. He always felt cold even on the hot summer afternoons. He sits watching the staircase longingly waiting for someone to descend that never will.
But it was winter and for once the resorts were filled and the rentals were only good for the summer. A great number were left to fend for themselves to find places to stay. A young businessman suggested this ancient abode saying, “If it was good enough for my late grandfather it should be good enough for you.”
The ice skating tournaments would start later that week and so the visitors were left wondering what to spend their time doing. Several paged through old volumes lining the walls in the sitting room never finding a title they recognized until deciding on an old classic they hadn’t read in their high school English class. Some resolved to sit in their rooms watching old films off of the cheap cable on their antique TV sets. Others yet decided to spend their time in the old restaurant, which was still a local favorite, to hear the news of the town. Many from the town would come, have a beer and chat with old friends. Other than its classic meals, desserts, and teas it was more like a traditional tavern then a restaurant that had fed popular models and business tycoons of its time. They gathered here, because their parents and grandparents had longed to gather here and so they fulfilled their parents’ dreams of the high life by gathering here in the present long after its elegance was lost.
The highlight of every evening was the grand entrance of Audrea Burden who in her mind still believes she is a glamorous actress that all are in awe of. Her husband is long since dead and her children have all moved on to Arizona, Texas, and Florida areas. Her grandchildren only know her name from being on the list their parents send holiday cards to (which she believes is fan mail). They let her do as she wishes and pay for her expenses with ease. She enters in all her elegance wearing pearls, her large old engagement ring, one of her sequined dresses a woman in town had made just for her to keep playing her grand entrance, and her furry bedroom slippers, because her doctor had told her never to wear the “disastrous things” again after her episode of bruising her shins on one of the entrances. The townspeople knew the glamour would disappear entirely at the loss of the memories and stories the residents told and so they patron the standing restaurant/tavern to keep the glamour living on.
A reporter sat stirring her glass of brandy watching the events she had grown bored of after her first day there. She tapped her cigarette in the ashtray. It was already going out. The faster the tournament ended the happier she would be. A bigger story was waiting in Chicago and this was a waste of talent. To her this place was a rut in the road to modernization.
The old man left his post at the fireplace and was being pushed by his hired nurse into the room. “She didn’t come tonight Meredith.” He said sadly. “Maybe the wedding’s set for tomorrow and I just forgot.”
She smiled, but it wasn’t in her eyes. Her shift was over and she wanted to get home. The replacement won’t arrive for another hour. “I’ll be back tomorrow, Charlie.” She assured him as she collected her things from the empty old coatroom.
He had been the heir of a wealthy tycoon. The wealth he had inherited would pay for all his expenses and upon his death would pass on to the many organizations he’d funded over the years including some restoration work in the hotel he now lived at and had always loved, because he had no children or heirs.
Andréa sat down across from the reporter. “Did you write that piece on the movie I was hired for the lead in last week.”
The reporter rolled her eyes, “Of course.”
“Could you send a draft up to my room, please? I would love to read your work.”
“As you wish Mrs. Burden.” The reporter said watching the old woman, sadly hoping that she would not age like them. “What is Charlie’s story, Mrs. Burden? Do you know?”
“Why of course I do! How could anyone not?!” shocked she had even been asked such a question, because she gladly told any old story with great exaggeration at the needed parts.
“It’s a sad story. Do you really want to hear it?” She asked now that she remembered it and sad that she had even been asked.
Several of the townspeople overheard and silenced the rest to hear the story for themselves as the old man began to doze off.
“Alright, Miss, I’ll tell it to you. I’ll bet half the people in this room haven’t heard and if so they heard it all wrong.”
Someone got Charlie another blanket to stop his shivers and moved him closer to the fireplace as someone started to light it. Charlie slept on.
“Poor man, I knew him long ago before the event ever occurred. I met him before he even started courting the girl. Oh, that’s right! I met her on one of my shows up in Buffalo and I hired her to work here!” She hesitated before going on in a whisper, “Her name was Evalyn.”


Eva cut the thread between her teeth after tying it off. The costume was complete and only moments before Audréa’s arrival at the theater. She smoothed the fabric out nervously as she hug it up on the hanger. The deep blue fabric would match her eyes even though they were never seen from off the stage.
“Is the costume finished yet?” the costume director asked looking it over for any mistakes. “It’s good enough. Now make certain that the flowers are brought up to her dressing room. I’ll make sure this gets there.”
Eva ran off quickly. The faster she got away from that woman the better off she was. She had lived in the theater all her life and had no chance at the age of 17 to get any higher position then she already had, as a miscellaneous runner, without a miracle. She was lucky to have the position she had after being a random orphan taken in off the streets of Buffalo. Her pay kept her clothed and fed and the theater gave her a home in its upper rafters as long as she sorted, repaired, and made costumes and props. Her brother William was thirteen and possibly better off living at Father Baker’s Boys’ Home and getting some education at the school there. She wasn’t 18 yet and also had no way to support even one person comfortably much less two.
She slowed before entering the lobby and checked her hair quickly to make sure she didn’t look too out of place in the gilded lobby with portraits of Shakespeare and the founders of the theater dressed fashionably for their time, while she definitely was not.
“Have the flowers for Audréa arrived, James?” she asked politely of the desk clerk.
“Yes, Eva, they have.” He said grandly as he lifted the bouquet from beneath the desk and set it in her arms. “Do be careful, Eva dear, I don’t wish to run out at the last minute and get another again.” He always liked things done in properly and in a practiced manner.
“I’m terribly sorry about the last time. My clumsiness is a horrible excuse. I have made sure that all the props were put away this morning. It should all run smoothly this evening.”
“I do hope you are correct.” He said as she left the lobby.
“As long as Sylvia, our precious costume master doesn’t screw it all up in my name again.” she muttered to herself. She looked around for any onlookers before opening the passageway that led upstairs to the side corridor. She knew all the passageways in the theater and so had no problem avoiding mishaps, but Sylvia obviously had it in for her. To her luck Audréa had arrived and complimented the flowers as she greeted her at the door before Sylvia had any chance to trip her in the dressing room again.
“They were sent from Hinman’s on Fifth Street.”
“Give my compliments, would you, the next time you see them I mean?”
“Of course.”
“Oh! What a beautiful costume!” Audréa exclaimed as she touched the fabric gently. “Who made this?”
“I did of course.” Answered Sylvia grinning wickedly at Eva as she took the flowers from her hands and set them upon the table.
“It has an absolutely wonderful color.” She looked around on the dress table. “Do you have any ribbon for my hair, to match the dress, I mean?” She asked Sylvia.
“I believe that we do and I will see to it personally that some gets to your room.” Sylvia turned quickly on her heel and left the room. Eva turned to leave as well, but the actress stopped her. “You must put up with her crap all the time.” She said as she repositioned the bouquet. “I love the dress you made by the way.”
Shocked Eva stammered, “How… did you know?”
“The dress smells of lavender and you do as well even over that mass of flowers you were carrying.” She laughed. “Do you place lavender with all the costumes you make?”
“Yes, Miss, and also the ones I package away as well. They smell fresher for the actors.”
“Do you make costumes often?”
“Yes, quite a bit actually. I’ve been mending them since I was seven.”
Concerned Audréa asked, “Do you live here, my dear?”
Eva was embarrassed at the question. She dropped her gaze, “Yes, Miss, since I was four, but it’s really not all that bad.” She tried hard to make the conditions sound better, but it only made it more pitiful. “I get off on Tuesdays, I get paid…enough, I do as I wish…mainly, and I get to see my brother at Father Baker’s on the holidays.”
“How old are you? Oh, excuse me; I’m being so impolite! I don’t even know your name, dear!”
“It’s Evalyn, but everyone calls me Eva. I’m seventeen.”
“And so you have lived in the theater all your life?”
“For the most part.”
“And if one were to offer you a better position; would you agree to it?”
“Oh, yes! Of course…but” She realized a small factor, “I could never leave my brother.”
Audréa grinned, “Then it’s settled. I will only ask once. If I could get your brother and you special positions at my home; would the both of you agree to coming and living there as well?”
“He would agree and I as well!”
Audréa clapped her hands happily, “When this show is finished, next week, I will make arrangements for you and your brother to travel with me!”
After that everything seemed to fall into place. The show went well and no matter what Sophia did nothing could spoil her happiness. Eva could hardly wait to tell her brother the news. When Friday came her brother agreed and sadly said farewell to his friends Thomas and John.
The train ride was a whole new adventure in itself, because the two had never before left the city. Andréa felt as though it were her first trip as well with the excitement the two gave off.
Audréa calmed them down a little with a serious explanation, “I have not told the owner of my proposition yet and so you must make no false moves when we arrive at the hotel.”
“You live in a hotel?!” William asked becoming even more enthralled with his newfound guardian as they left the train station.
“Yes and it is far better than any in New York City, Chicago, and Buffalo combined, because everyone who is anyone goes there.” She bragged. “You will see it soon and my husband as well.” She said proudly.
He soon pulled up against the curb in a new black ford. “Wesley, that is an absolutely wonderful car!”
“New recruits?” he asked laughing when he noticed the two children.
“Obviously… I thought they would make perfect employees of our home. As long as I live in Freddy’s hotel; I’ll make sure it is filled with bright, smiling faces!”
“Marie has finally earned enough to go on to college.” He stated agreeing to her point, “She’s leaving tomorrow to enroll at Baltimore University. They sent a telegram a few days ago saying she was accepted.”
“So soon?” Audréa asked sadly beside her excitement for the girl.
“She wants to get a jump on the next semester’s curriculum.”

Marie was a 23-year-old blonde with high political dreams, but right now they saw her sitting in a room off the lobby answering the hotel’s phone service. She smiled as they entered the lobby. Marie held the mouthpiece of the phone and mouthed ‘one moment’. She quickly took note of the reservations on a pad and ended the conversation with a friendly ‘thank you’ and ‘goodbye’.
“I bet Wesley has saved no time in telling the news!” She said after moving a few lines on the switchboard.
“It’s so wonderful! Baltimore is going to be lucky to have you!” Audréa said excitedly.
Marie grinned proudly and handed them their mail. The switchboard buzzed and she jumped, “I should get back to work! I’ll talk to you all at dinner tonight in the restaurant.”
They left Marie to her business and climbed the old wooden staircase. As they reached the top a man stopped in his tracks and glared at Audréa. “What do you think you are doing?!” he checked his watch then shuffled his paperwork into one arm. “Do you know how much it costs to hire these people?!” he pointed ruthlessly at William and Eva. “Buy them clothes, feed them, house them in my hotel, and whatnot! I am not hosting a charity house, Mrs. Burden, and I have put up with this long enough!”
“Freddy, really you must calm down. Do remember your heart.” She looked calmly back at him. “Does that mean you’ll hire them?”
“No!”
“But I heard the kitchen staff needed a new dishwasher last week.” She begged. “Please Freddy.” She pouted.
He glared as he resolved “I’ll take the boy, but you’ll have to find something for the girl.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know hire her yourself!” He said as he turned to go. “From now, until this day forward, you will ask me before you bring any more charity cases into my hotel. Follow me boy!”
William winced and Eva pushed him forward, “Good luck.” She whispered and hoped that she wouldn’t regret ever taking him out of the orphanage.
“Come on I don’t have all day to show you where you will be staying and working!”
Eva bit her lip as she followed in the opposite direction after Andréa and Wesley.
“What am I to hire Eva for?” She asked Wesley.
He shrugged, “You could hire her as your maid.”
“But I’ve never hired a maid before. How much do you pay them?” She climbed the stairs quickly.
Eva was weighed down by her carpetbag, so she had to stumble after. She watched her footing on the stairs and upon entering the corridor nearly screamed with fright when someone accidentally ran into her. The man’s books spread out over the corridor floor. “I’m so sorry!” They both exclaimed as she dropped her bag to the floor and helped him collect his things. He laughed when he noticed her bag had emptied some of its contents in the process and he helped her collect her things as well.
“That’s a rare find!” He exclaimed as he lifted her book. “Where did you get this book of tales?”
She smiled weakly “My mother and father. It was long ago.”
“I see.” He helped her up nearly spilling his books again.
“Really Charlie you need to keep your nose out of your books and be more aware of those around you!” His father stated “Your professor doesn’t need you to read all of those at once does he?”
“He wants me to keep up with my studies while I’m off campus.”
“What’s the use to classical English anyways? You should be taking a course in financing so that you’ll be ready to take over the business. What am I paying that silly collage for?”
Charlie winced at the insult “Please not here, Father.” He begged and tried to ignore it “I’m greatly sorry, Miss. Are you staying here?”
She sighed with relief when Audréa arrived before she had to answer. “Eva! Oh, thank goodness! We thought we had lost you!” She calmed down instantly and smiled broadly when she saw the others in the corridor. “Charlie dear! Are you back so soon from college?”
His father huffed annoyed.
“Actually I’m on break now.” He lied “My father wants me to learn more about the business.”
Audréa rolled her eyes, but said nothing about it. “You must meet us for supper this evening, dear boy. I need to hear all about the campus! Marie is going to your campus to enroll tomorrow. “
“Is she now?” He asked with mild interest.
“Be sure to let her in on any secrets t how the place runs, because I want her to do her best!” She slipped her arm through Eva’s “This is Eva, my newest recruit. Eva, Charlie. You’ll get to know her better over supper this evening.” She said with a mischievous grin before leading her husband and Eva towards their room “Do come along, Roger. We have much to discuss this evening!” She called back addressing Charlie’s father who turned red with anger, but did not say a word.
Eva looked back over her shoulder and blushed when she saw Charlie watching her leave.
“Marvelous girl.” He said then immediately wished he hadn’t out loud.
“She’s a clumsy servant girl, hardly a woman for a man of your standing to show interest in.” His father scolded. “Much less think of marrying. Now hurry and put those books away. We have other matters to discuss.”





Eva nearly spilled her things again when she saw the room the actress and her husband stayed in. There were two bedrooms, a dining area, living room, and a room that consisted of mainly Audréa’s large wardrobe which she exclaimed was only hand tailored pieces, because she was against all forms of child labor in factories.
“You will certainly make friends with the other girls, but since Freddy won’t allow you to stay with them as of yet, You’ll have to stay in our guest room. At least until Freddy cools down a bit.”
Audréa laid down her travel pack and began to unpack. “I suggest we all freshen up before we go down to supper.” Again she flashed her mischievous grin.




She stopped the story to take a sip from an herbal concoction one of the staff handed to her. Her age brought on horrible coughing fits and sore throats and so her evening tea seemed to keep the worst at bay. “An old stage remedy.” She explained.
The lights in the room seemed to brighten when she brought them all back to the present where the smell of her brewed tea and dust was ever-present.
“Realize at the moment, Miss, that this hotel was much larger and more elaborate then this very day. The constant penny pinching and then there was that accident that led to what it is today. To us it was the most modern and wealthy in this part of the country. There was no better place to be found except maybe to Chicago, Pittsburgh, or Buffalo, and even then the accommodations did not appeal to me in the least, because they were small and catered to anyone. While this place was always only for the best!” She stated with a prideful gleam in her eye.
The journalist stopped her recorder. “Larger how?” She pressed another button to start it again and wrote in her notepad.
The old woman grinned broadly, happy at the newfound attention to her stories. “Oh! The South and East wings are long destroyed! Wesley and the rest of you better not tell her why, ‘cause that’s part of the story!” She pointed accusingly at the small crowd that had gathered. “Wesley always ruins my stories!”
“He won’t ruin it, Mrs. Burden.” She answered annoyed at the idea that the late Mr. Burden ever could.
Satisfied, the old woman settled back in her seat wrapping her fancy shawl close around her and taking another sip of tea. “We stayed in this fabulous front wing on the top floor where there was a balcony and a great view!” She grinned until she remembered the event, “It was pure horror! Nothing has ever equaled the event in my life! … Anyways, that evening…”



Audréa dressed beautifully and helped Eva pick out a dress. “Oh, don’t be silly. You may keep it, dear. I have so many I can’t even keep track of what I’ve got and it looks better on you.”
Eva blushed at the mere suggestion that she could look better than this stage goddess. She knew she never would. “Are you sure? I really could wear one of my own.”
Audréa laughed at the idea, “No offence my dear girl, but those dresses are rags. We will go shopping when we get the time. After dinner would be perfect for us to go and certainly we will be taking your brother as well. My advice dear is that the workers here must wear decent clothes. You’re among the best and brightest of society and so you must look great. I don’t want any of our workers to be looked down on in the guests eyes simply because I care and none of the other guests do when it comes to your feelings. I would never look down on you, but they would.” She fooled around with her scarf nervously. “Wesley, are you ready?”
They found him seated at a deck looking over the documents they had just received in the mail. “I think, I will stay behind this time, Audrey. I have some of your documents to go over before your next show.”
Audréa smiled and kissed his cheek, “You are always looking out for me. I don’t know what I would do without you as my manager! Its luck, I’m sure of it that I got booked with you. Be sure to order room service.” She said seriously. “You work so hard and forget to eat…”
“Don’t worry my dear! I won’t forget. These are just simple contracts not the documents I tend to get lost in.” he kissed her forehead. “You go on down and have some fun. Be sure to show Eva around and tell Marie that I will be down in the morning to drop her off at the train.”
“I will.” She said before blowing him a kiss as she shut the door.

They laughed as they entered the restaurant and people turned their heads. They complimented the show Audréa had just completed and asked about her next one. Eva listened and smiled, but her eyes wondered over the fineries of the fantastic dining area. Her old theater was not far from it in grandeur, but this place was filled with great modern things that she had never seen before. The elevators in the lobby were just as much a curiosity as the mirrored glass that covered all the walls of this room.
Marie grinned as she met them at the table. “I was that way when I first came.” she commented to a wealthy businessman seated beside her.
“Where did you come from?” He asked her interested.
“Chicago. I wrapped little gifts at this department store that I worked at since I was ten. Audréa came along and saw me there when I was fifteen and awfully sick. She asked me why I was working when I should be home in bed and I told her the truth. That I had no bed and that I had to keep my job! She then freaked and asked for the manager! She sure blew up on him that day and she turned and asked me to come and work here for Freddy!”
The man shook his head. “Serves him right for treating you that way.”
Audréa sat her down next to Charlie who didn’t even notice that she had arrived because he was deep in discussion with a visiting professor he had just met.
“Dear lady?” the old man asked Eva annoyed with the foolish ideas Charlie was telling him. “Do you believe there could possibly be an abandoned civilization buried in the rainforests of South America?”
Charlie grinned when he noticed her arrival and listened for her answer.
“Well… umm…I read the forests are hardly traversable. It is highly likely that ruins are still hidden in such places, maybe even untouched tribes that still practice the old ways of their ancestors.”
The old man laughed happily, “You must have read the recent article from the National Geographic Organization! I’ve had no time to read it yet so far, but that is a good answer!”
“No sir, I have not read it.” She said sheepishly. “I spoke with a member last week at the theater I worked. I can’t afford the copies, but a lady that works at the library sometimes gives me the old issues.”
“As long as education is passed on to our young people, it is of no matter how it got there to me.” He smiled warmly. “It is for a good cause if you can afford it.”
Charlie’s father glared at him as he began to bring up conversation with the maid, but there was nothing he could do without all eyes turning to him to glare.
“You are very bright. Have you not been to school?” the professor asked. “You seem brighter then some of my students that even had private tutors all their life.”
“No, but I’ve met an awful lot of people in the theater that are quite educated and I spend a lot of time at the library.” She smiled weakly, “You flatter me sir, because I have had no education at all, besides a nice lady at the library teaching me to read and write. I’ve really just read a lot of books. Charlie should get more credit. He has more time to spend on his studies.”
Charlie glanced at his father, “I’m taking this semester off, but I plan to go back for next semester. You really don’t give yourself enough credit, Eva. You have put a lot of effort into what you have learned and you have worked hard besides that.”
“What do you plan to do?” Eva asked.
He bit his lip, asking himself that question. “I will obviously be taking over my father’s business, I suppose.” He said reluctantly as his father nodded in satisfaction.
“Have you not considered journalism as a career, Charlie? You write so well.” Audréa asked sadly. “You could always hire someone to run the business for you.”
Roger glared at the suggestion. “It has been run by the family for three generations now and Charlie doesn’t need you putting thoughts in his head telling him otherwise when his min is made up!”
“It is an awfully large business now, Roger. It has changed dramatically since you started. Much for the good I must say, but really it is much too large now for one man to inherit and expect to know it inside and out like you do.”
“Charlie has learned quickly.”
“Roger, do be reasonable. You have modernized what your father and grandfather had started. You are the only one that knows the business now. What about his cousin George? He could run the business and Charlie wouldn’t get overwhelmed.”
“George is not a descendant from my family. He didn’t grow up in the business Mrs. Burden. Frankly there is no one with it in their blood except Charlie.”
“But George is your nephew, Roger and he is good at financing. He’s already the manager there. He loves the business as if it was his own and I’m sure he would do just as well. Both would be happy doing what they love.”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Burden, but it doesn’t happen that way. This is the real world.” Roger said in a business like manner. “Please excuse me, Charlie. I should possibly go over some paperwork this evening. Good evening to you all.” He stood quickly and left the room.
“Don’t blame your father, Charlie. It’s just his way…” Mrs. Burden said sadly.
“I don’t. He loves his business. There’s not much else I can say.” He wiped his hands on his napkin. “Excuse me, Mrs. Burden, Professor, Eva…” he nodded to each. “I should possibly go and help him.” He looked at Eva, “I had a great time.” And left.
Marie looked sadly at Eva. “It is too bad. No matter which way he chooses someone will lose.”
After the evening’s dinner they still went out for a night on the town, to Eva it was great and yet still made her think of Charlie and if he was alright after the “episode” as Audréa put it. Marie went along and laughed and talked of her old life and how great Eva will have it now that she had better work. “My parents were from France.” She said after awhile. “They were good people, but they did not really care for their children very well. It got so hard trying to make sure that everyone got enough to eat, so hard that when my mother died my father died as well, not really, but in the way he move and spoke he was dead to all around him. The youngest never knew how he really was and when he died, we all went our separate ways. Mainly to different relatives. I did not get it good in that way. To keep it simple I had to run and that’s when I got the job at the department store. Audréa found me later and here I am today!” Marie laughed. “I don’t need pity! I had a rough life, but I know that I can change all that. Who knows?! Maybe I can make it better for other children, so that they don’t have to go through the same as I did. There will always be a silver lining, Eva. Don’t ever forget that.” She picked up a flowered dress that was simple yet pretty. “You would look nice in this, Eva. Go and try it on!”
They went home tired that evening yet happy. Marie now had several new dresses for her collage classes after saying she did not need them. Audréa found a nice hat that she said would look great with one of her other dresses and she bought Eva many dresses for her work at the hotel after Eva begged for things that were cheaper and more plain. Eva’s cheeks were flushed as she ran to keep up with the others when she tripped and fell on the landing.
“Eva?” someone asked.
She looked up and saw Charlie seated on the floor outside his room.
“Charlie? What’s wrong? Is everything alright?”
He smiled weakly. “Of course. Don’t worry. We just had a fight is all. Nothing more.”
She sat down setting the dresses beside him forgetting Audréa was waiting for her. “About what?”
He smiled weakly and blushed. “I don’t really want to talk about it.”
She nodded, “I understand.”
“Life is just so unfair.” He stared down the corridor. “A lot of people have it so much easier.”
“And then so much more don’t.” She said mildly, “A lot more then you realize, Charlie.” She frowned. “Everyone wants something that is out of reach.”
“What do you want?” He looked down embarrassed. “Sorry, shouldn’t have asked something that personnel.”
She smiled. “I wanted a good life from what I had before, but there are many more things out of my reach now.” She looked away blushing.
“That’s it!” He said as she looked at him confused. “You are much smarter. It’s just the things you say that finally helps me to understand.”
She smiled. “You’re smarter then you think, Charlie… Oh, shoot!” She jumped up.
“What?!” He looked around worried.
“I should go, Audréa will worry! I completely forgot she was waiting!” She ran quickly towards the stairs to their floor. She looked over her shoulder. “I’ll see you later Charlie!”
He watched her go as surprised as he was to find her arrive. He smiled to himself. She was a great friend for him and he knew.




The old woman smiled to herself, and then frowned, “Maybe I should have never brought her here, but they were happy for that short time… Tragic romances…I always hated playing roles in those.” She sipped the tea. “I’ll tell you more about Marie, though.”
The reporter nodded rolling her eyes.
She pulled a picture out of her shawl. It was wrinkled and torn in places, but they could still see the face. “Marie was more like a sister to me. The others were children. Marie was different.” She smiled lightly. “She was like the sister I never had. Oh! Was it a risk to bring them out of the gutter! Just being married at the time was a risk to my career, but I would have never survived without Wesley. I wasn’t allowed to have children, because I’d signed all those contracts that limited anything of that sort, so this was my only way around it. It was career suicide to even adopt a child. I illegitimately raised the ‘gutter’ children of the big cities and Marie was the first. Wesley of course knew along with the people around me. They liked what I was doing while the overall public and reporters knew nothing of it and did not care to take notice. It didn’t matter to me when my agents called me scandalous and kept it hidden and wouldn’t hear a word of it.” She shrugged. “Marie was only fifteen when I found her and I was twenty. Wesley had been recently hired as my manager and so I didn’t know him that much at the time. I gave her the choice and she followed me. I had gone in to buy a dress and came out with a girl. Wesley was surprised, but he liked what I had done. We spent the next hour finding a pretty store to find her things to wear and she was just overwhelmed. She didn’t speak very much English at the time and I was like the long lost relative coming to claim her. She thought that I was her aunt or cousin or something of that sort, but after awhile she knew…” She took a sip of her tea. “She spoke French fluently and so I had always thought that she was the child of an immigrant family. She confided in me years later that she had been and had runaway from home, because she was beaten among other reasons that I cannot relate to you, because it is not my story to tell.” She smiled falsely a thin tight smile. “She still sees me off and on and sends me letters. She was always extremely intelligent and spoke fluent English only a few weeks after we had found her and she studied nonstop for years while she worked at the hotel. She said that she was the turning point in the horrible conditions of the cities. She never forgot the others that hadn’t been saved. She was eternally grateful and was going to give back to the world in more ways then one.” The old woman said with a sentimental air. The reporter looked at the fiery-eyed blonde in the photo before handing it back to the old woman. She pushed it back to her. “You can keep it if you write my story.” She explained.


Marie and Audréa whispered periodically before going to bed the night before and in the morning they eyed Eva suspiciously. It got to the point where it was driving Eva crazy. “What?!” She said glaring at them after she couldn’t take it any more.
They laughed innocently. “You’re getting yourself all riled up for nothing.” Marie said as she packed the last of her clothes into her bags. She had spent the night in their apartment before she had to go. “We’re just curious as to what Charlie had to say to you last evening.” She smiled mischievously. “We’ll only drag it out of you before I go anyways.”
Eva rolled her eyes. “He was nice to me.”
“Details! Girl, spit them out!” Audréa said quickly before she stifled herself. Marie laughed and Audréa did as well at this.
Eva shrugged, “He had gotten into a fight with his father and we just talked.” Her cheeks burned.
“You like him!” Marie’s eyes lit up.
Eva busied herself with her cleaning, “He was nice to me is all.”
“You still like him!” Audréa said grinning.
“I’m a servant girl…” She said to them realizing the truth in the situation and growing sad. “He’s the son of a wealthy man. He deserves better.” Eva whispered.
“Don’t say such a thing! He likes you.” Audréa scolded her. “And he needs all the distraction he can get.”
“Surely not from me!” Eva said in disbelief.
Marie laughed at her absurdity. “Of course you! I have never seen him act that way around any other.”
“I’m a servant girl!” She objected.
Audréa rolled her eyes. “Like that matters. These aren’t the old days and his father needs to learn that.”
“Oh! What would his father say?! He could be disowned! I would never place him in that position!”
Marie said, “Then you will hurt him more if you refuse. He likes you, so give him the time to know you better. Other matters mean nothing compared to love and happiness. Just look at Henry! He’s to marry a lawyer’s daughter and leave this hotel behind! It is not as scandalous a situation when people see how happy the both of you have become.” She collected her bags, “I best be off. Wesley is waiting down stairs with the car. I’ll try to get back around holidays and do stop by when ever you like.” She said to Audréa before giving her a hug and kiss to both cheeks. She did the same to Eva and left in a rush.
“You’d better go down and see your brother.” Audréa said lightly before going to her room. “Marie’s going onto do great things.” Audréa whispered to herself as she went.
Eva left quickly so that she wouldn’t have to hear Audréa crying. She’d finished her chores for the afternoon, and so she went down to the kitchens to see her brother.
“Frank said that I’ll have time to study in the evenings.” He said as he scrubbed out a pan with a scowl. “But the guys are great. They hang out with me a bit.”
“Well I’m glad you’re settled.”
“Aren’t you?” He asked worried.
“Frank won’t give me a job yet, so I just do chores for Audréa like make up, mending dresses, and other stuff like that.”
“Sounds like your old job. Shouldn’t be all that bad, beside I get to look in on you more. That’s what makes me happy. I don’t have to worry whether I’ll see you the next holiday or not.”
“I’m just glad you’re not running away anymore.” She said smiling.
He grinned guiltily. “What about that boy I hear about?” Eva frowned as he said this and he shrugged. “Marie told me before she left that you’ve got a crush.” He explained.
She glared at him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She lied.
“The wealthy kid scholar, ring a bell?” He said innocently as he smiled wickedly.
“He’s just a friend, nothing more.”
“Right.” He said sarcastically. “Not yet anyways. He’ll probably ask me if it’s alright to proposed.”
“Why would he even involve you?”
“I’m your only brother, the next best thing to father. Tradition, remember?” He smirked happy that he was now more involved in her daily life and gossip.
She rolled her eyes, “I don’t even know if he likes me that much anyways. We’ve only talked a few times.”
“Please, how could he not? Your gorgeous, smart, funny…” He ticked them off on his fingers. “And you’re not as stiff like those high society girls and I’m not saying this because I’m your brother. I hear how the guys here talk about you.” He rolled his eyes in annoyance at the mere thought of what they have said in his presence. “Listen you think too much. I think he’s much more worth your time then the guys around here, so I’ve decided to be the nice brother for once. No one hears of this…I don’t want my reputation spoiled.”
She glared at him again and shook her head.
“I mean it. Besides I can’t want to meet him.”
She laughed, “If you meet him you had better not embarrass me.”
“Don’t waste your breath, it’s my job. I’m guessing that he’s nice and all, but if you find him the least bit looking down on you, I’m getting rid of him. I really trust your judgment, but you had better trust mine as well.”
“I trust you, William, believe me.”
“Audréa will be looking for you.” He said going back to his work as he saw the chief stalk back into kitchen scowling.
“Yeah, I’ll see you later I guess.” She left after kissing his cheek. It was strange not having Marie around. She had grown to love her in less than a day. In the lobby she met Frank, who was stumbling with a large stack of ledgers in his arms. He nearly toppled them all when he tripped over a lone suitcase, but Eva caught him and steadied his pile. She took half of the stack and followed beside him.
“You really don’t have to,” He said gruffly.
“It’s alright. I’m off duty, because I’d finished Audréa’s chores early.” She smiled kindly and it caught him off guard, because he returned the smile before composing himself.
“Your brother is doing well. The fastest dishwasher I’ve seen yet.”
“He’s a good worker and a fast learner.”
Frank nodded. “Where have you worked?” He asked curiously.
“I’d worked and lived at a theater in Buffalo since I was young. Dress making, Makeup, script printing, you name it I’ve done it.”
He smiled again, but with uncertainty, “It must have been easier living at your place of work. Many of the staff here find it better living here.”
She looked down as they walked. “My brother lived across town, so I rarely ever saw him. I wanted to leave because they would make me work all hours at times, but I couldn’t take care of Will on my own and I had no where to go.”
He coughed, uneasy after hearing the story and unlocked the door to his office. “Well then it’s good that Audréa found you then.” He set the stack down on his desk. “I do apologize for the way I acted the other day. It’s just so hard to pay all these employees and house them in the hotel. I don’t know how I’ll get by the next month she brings another in here.”
“Are there any jobs in town?”
“Not many. In the summer and fall the fields need tending in the countryside, but the townspeople fill all the possible jobs.” He shook his head. “Meadville is just as bad, immigrants take all those positions. The only suggestion that I have is one of the other hotels, but I definitely won’t let young ones who work hard to take those positions.” He smiled. “Henry is planning to go to some business in Meadville. The girl he’s marrying has a father that is a lawyer. He’s always been my best bookkeeper, but he’s going to work at that law office. If you can prove yourself to Henry, you may take his position.”
She grinned stacking the rest on the pile. “Thanks Frank!” and hugged him. He hugged her back awkwardly.
“I don’t want any fooling around, Ms.-“
“Eva.”
“I have enough to deal with…Eva, so I need you to work hard and at all hours if need be.” He huffed as he sat down at the desk exhausted.
“I will Frank, I promise. Really I will! I just… Well who’s Henry?” She asked.
“You rang?” A man said leaning on the doorframe to peer in.
“Henry! I am so glad that you dropped in at this perfect moment!” Frank stood and waved him in to introduce them. “Henry, this is Eva. She will possibly be your replacement if you find her suitable for the position.” Frank whispered, but she could overhear. Henry watched her. “Now you have been with us for years and so I trust your decision completely.”
Henry nodded understanding. He was a little older then Charlie, but just as educated from his own studies. “Well then we should get on it.”
“Now?” She asked shocked.
“Do you have any other plans for the afternoon?” he asked mildly amused.
“No…I don’t.” She answered surprised at the fast decision.
“Then it’s settled. I’ll train you now and for however long it takes for you to learn, except of course it must be finished by the beginning of this summer, because I have my wedding and job change. It should be enough time.”
She followed him out the door looking over her shoulder at Frank who had already gone back to work.
Henry led her back down to the kitchens handing her a pad of paper and a pen. “My job, soon to be yours, is to make certain that the job of everyone else in this ‘massive’ hotel runs smoothly. I take note of changes and supplies needed. I have to make sure that all supplies are correctly recorded with price and amount that are shipped to our hotel. Food, towels, cleaning fluid, everything runs by me, so that we know exactly what our budget should be for the next year. I record bills, telegrams, and entertainment. I even keep all the records of people who have rented each of the rooms.”
“But doesn’t the front desk do that?”
“Yes, but then they’re passed on to me for safe keeping in case someone needs to track down missing persons or curious figures.” He shrugged. “It happens… All you have to do is take note of all the supplies the kitchen staff needs.”
She winced but followed close behind him. The head chef frowned when he saw the new arrangements and she could see Will smirking from his corner. He had stopped working to watch. She stuck her tongue out at him when no one else was looking. They were taken to the storage room.
“We will need onions, tomatoes, potatoes, celery, cucumber, carrots, lettuce, pickles, lemons, apples, oranges, bananas, melons, watermelons, cantaloupes, strawberries, cranberries, raspberries, blueberries, plums, raisins, grapes.” He took a breath. “Star fruits, pears, figs, cherries, grapefruit, gooseberries, kiwi, mangoes, peaches, and pineapples.” He grew annoyed that she was still writing. “Have you got all that or shall I go on?”
“Yes.” She said hastily and Will burst out laughing. She glared at him as Henry stifled his own laugh. “Please go on.”
The chef rolled his eyes. “Basil, Barley, more salt and pepper, garlic, dried onion, Bay leaves, Parsley dry and fresh…” She stopped writing when he stopped talking, which made him smile, “More thyme we definitely need,” She smiled at his pun as she continued to write. “Broccoli, cabbage, Mushrooms, Peas, spinach, radishes, sweet potatoes, peppers of every color and shape, corn, squash, and many types of beans, ice cream, and the usual amount of breads and cakes from the town bakery.” He finished.
“Is that all?” She asked.
“That’ll be all for this week.”
He left them with a smile and Henry led her out of the kitchens looking carefully at her list. “Good penmanship.” He complimented.
“But he didn’t tell me how much of each he needed.” She said.
“It’s always the usual, crates and barrels.”
“Why so much?”
“Well this is a hotel.” He said laughing. “You forgot something.”
“What?!”
“Artichokes. He always forgets.” He smirked at her.
“So what next?” She asked curiously ignoring his last comment.
“We have to relate the information to the new operator and then we must plan the next event.” He led her to the lobby and into a room behind the front desk where Marie used to sit. A girl nervously moved around in her place while gnawing on a pencil with the phone to her ear. She fumbled with one of the connections and accidentally disconnected someone. She quickly put it back in place. She dropped the pencil as they entered. She smiled weakly. “I really am sorry sir, but that week is entirely booked.” They could hear the man yelling on the other end as she winced. “Please sir. I really have no say in the bookings and I know you are quite busy. There is an opening on Friday of that week, but before that is completely full.” The man on the line was angry at the suggestion, but agreed to it, because finally a look of relief spread across her face as she wrote his name down in the log and his number. “I have a great room open for you sir.” After she said this he hung up. She bit her lip uncertainly. “I’m horrible at this job!” She said hopelessly.
“You’ll get better, really you will.” Henry said carefully and quickly changed the subject. “I hear that you need a roommate, Lois, and I’ve found just the one.” He introduced her to Eva and Eva smiled kindly.
“Marie really was good at showing me how to do this, but I am completely hopeless!” She said frantically pulling someone off hold and finding that they had already hung up. “Frank is going to kill me!”
“Marie was just as hopeless as you are now when she had started. You just have to get used to it.” Henry said encouragingly. She smiled weakly as he handed her the list. “Now these are all the things you need to order from town, okay?”
She nodded and then jumped as another call came in. “I better get back to work.” She said grudgingly and they left her to her nerves.
“That’s my roommate?” Eva asked awkwardly.
He laughed. “She’s a bit calmer when she’s not behind a switchboard.” He explained as he led her to the dining area where a man was laying out decorations in a nice suit.
The man greeted them kindly and showed them to his things. He made suggestions that Henry just smiled and nodded his head as if he were in thought. The man left them shortly so that they could make their choice.
“I really like the color of these banners.” She said not taking the suggestion of the man. “Why would he suggest these?”
“Because their more expensive.” He explained glad that she had not followed the man’s choice.
“Frank likes to keep a budget, but he gets really happy if you stay under budget. Of course not so much as to make the parties look too cheap.”
She nodded in understanding. “These flowers match perfectly with these banners.” She said pointing to the flowers that had been ordered already.
“You’re better at this then I ever was. The women at my first party complained about the decorator not having a sense of color.”
“What sort of party is this anyways?”
“It’s an exclusive party for the mayor’s kid. Apparently it’s his birthday or something.”
“It must be really exciting to deal with people of that sort.”
He frowned and shrugged, “Not really. I mean I hear that you had worked at a theater before here. Was it interesting to work with all those actors?”
“No, some were really mean.”
“Same principle.”
The salesman came back into the room and Henry nudged her towards the man. “I like these banners. If that’s alright.” She said nervously.
“Are you sure? Those over there are a much higher quality.”
“I’m sure.” She smiled courteously. “These are better suited to the needs of the party.”
“Yes, they should.” He went to collect the other items he had left out.
“Good choice of words.” Henry said quietly after the man had left.
The rest of the afternoon he had them spend working on ledgers and marking in totals. Later she was excused to go up to see Audréa with the intention that she arrive for work at Henry’s office at around 6’oclock.
“I heard about your job!” Audréa hugged her as she entered the apartment. Dinner was already set out for them. “Frank will meet you in the lobby to show you to the room you’ll share with Lois!”
“How fast does news spread in this hotel anyways?” She asked awkwardly.
“Top speed.” Wesley answered for her. “How was your day?”
“Fine. It’s a bit hard to write that much at a good pace, but Henry showed me how to do it. He said that I’m a natural.”
Audréa smiled “Of course you’ll do alright. You’re a very bright girl. Anyways how’s Will?”
“Alright. He does great and Frank says he’s the best dishwasher he’s seen yet.”
“Have you seen Charlie again?”
Eva stopped, “No. I’ve been all over the hotel today, and I was really surprised that I hadn’t.”
Audréa nodded, “He’s probably studying. He’s going back to school next month.”
“Is that far?”
“Yes. Quite far really.” Wesley said as he moved the food around his plate.
“I’d better go down and see Frank.” Eva said weakly after some silence.
“You should eat dear. Frank could wait.” Audréa added as she followed her to the door.
“I’m not really hungry at the moment.” She picked up her bag and Audréa handed her the new dresses.
“Come and see us tomorrow, alright?”
“I will, I could come on my lunch break if you like.”
“Perfect time.”
The door closed behind her and Audréa glanced at her husband, wondering what had gone wrong.
Frank smiled as she entered the lobby. “Lois is your new room mate and she maybe a bit annoying at times, but you’ll get used to her habits.” He explained. “Marie was her last roommate and so you’ll have to be just as patient with her as she was. Changes make her a bit nervous.”
Eva nodded understanding and faked a smile for his benefit.
The workers’ rooms were less fancy and not quite as clean as Audréa’s apartment, but were better then the space she had at the theater. Will sat at a card table with some of the kitchen staff playing a game. He waved at her, but went on playing. The workers’ rooms made up one hall in the hotel that was cut off from the guests by a door that read staff only. They passed a few doors before Frank knocked on one. Something dropped inside and someone scrambled around before unlocking the door and opening it. Lois smiled awkwardly and helped Eva with her things. “Thanks, Frank.” Eva mumbled before he disappeared down the hall.
“This is really great. I mean Marie was great too, but this will be just as great sharing a room with you.” Lois said nervously as she led her through their small living space. “There’s a bathroom down the hall. We all share it. The showers, we have to take turns. I mean you really don’t want to walk in and find some guy using it!” She showed her the bedroom where two single beds were set close together to fit in the small room and the living space where a small wooden table was set with two chairs and two bureaus take up much of that space. The closet was small as well and held a few pairs of shoes, dresses, and coats. The room was basically small, but livable. “Did Audréa bring you here? She brought me here a few years ago from New York City. I heard you’re from Buffalo. Is it nice there?”
Eva tried to answer the questions out of politeness, but Lois talked too fast. She didn’t seem to care that she was the only one talking.
“We get the meals from the kitchens. All you have to do is ask the staff and they’ll give you anything within reason. The best nights are Thursday when they try out their new recipes before they sell them to customers on Friday. That is of course unless they make something really gross.” After this she realized that Eva wasn’t answering her. “Am I bothering you? A lot of people find me really annoying and say that I talk too much, but really I just get nervous.”
“It’s fine really. Do you know where we get the towels for the bathroom?”
“Down the hall, across from the bathroom is a closet. There are towels and soap and whatever you need in there. There’s a basket in the closet, so that you can toss the dirty towels in there and every morning we take turns to wash the towels. Once a week you’ll be able to wash your own clothes.”
“Thanks. I’ll remember that.” Eva smiled and left their room.
The boys out in the hall laughed at a joke and Will spotted her and caught up with her. “So how’s your room with Lois?”
“She’s nice…” Will raised his eyebrows. “Really she is. It’s better then how it used to be.” She whispered and he nodded.
“What’s with all the secrets?!” one of the boys asked and Will frowned and rolled his eyes. “Are you going to hang out with us, new girl?”
Eva shook her head. “Sorry boys.” She smiled weakly at Will and went onto the closet. The boys went back to their games.

She grabbed a small hand towel from the closet. She just wanted to wash her face. Eva knocked on the door and no one answered, so she went in. As she washed her face someone came out of the showers in a towel making her scream. “I’m so sorry!” She turned away. “I didn’t hear anyone answer.”
“Knock louder next time.” The girl dried her hair with another towel not really minding the intrusion. “Don’t worry it happens all the time. That’s why I bring two towels. At least you weren’t the new boy. He’d probably end up staring for an hour.”
“He’s my brother.”
The girl shrugged. “Then you’re new too. You’re staying in Lois’ room aren’t you?”
Eva nodded.
“Well I’m to the right of yours. You should come over with Lois later. The restaurant’s closed right now, but Mark, one of the waiters, saved us some things.”
“Sure. I’ll go tell Lois.”
“You go do that.”
Eva left the bathroom and several of the boys started cracking up. “She made it out alive! I was sure, Ginger would make you into an omelet by now!” one of the boys said.
“You should have told me someone was in there…” She scolded him and he backed off. Will took her by the shoulders. “How could you guys just stand around and watch me go in there like that?!”
“Because everyone does it sometime. No matter who tells them.” He explained. “It’s better you got Ginger and not Mark, because Ginger would definitely pulverize you then.”
“You still should have told me.” She glared returning to her room and leaving him in the hallway. After telling Lois they both waited until they thought it was time to go over.
“What took you so long?” Ginger asked as she opened the door. “Hey Hannah, we’ve got company!” She called over her shoulder. Ginger was a strong willed redhead from Boston, while her roommate was a quiet spoken, mouse of a girl who smiled weakly as she took a pile of books to their bedroom and shut the door. They both worked as cleaning ladies for the hotel rooms. “Hannah, you can’t hide forever. Some social contact with the outside world must be involved in your life!” She pulled out the small wooden table and four chairs. “She’ll come out when Mark comes with the food.” They started a game of cribbage. Mark came in the middle of it.
“Girls always play cribbage. Can’t anyone learn to play poker these days?” Ginger laughed and kissed his cheek. “I do get my reward for bringing the grub, though. Where’s Hannah?”
“Here.” Hannah had left the safety of the bedroom. No one would have ever guessed that they were siblings. Mark was outspoken and just as determined as Ginger, while Hannah was quiet and would keep to herself if it hadn’t been for Mark and Ginger whom she was loyal to with all her heart.
“She’s the new girl, right?” Mark asked nodding in Eva’s direction.
“They’re both new actually,”
“Yeah, but she’s the one they say has a crush on the rich boy.”
“You mean Charlie?” Ginger asked surprised. “Little bit out of your league isn’t it?” She asked.
Eva looked down.
“Look, you can do whatever you want. I don’t really care. He just seems a little too high a prize for anyone like us.”
Eva didn’t say anything.
“Leave the poor girl alone, Ginger.” Mark said, “If she wants high class, let her.”
Eva left the room.
“Hey! Wait! I didn’t mean it like that!”
“Just let her go, Mark.” Ginger muttered behind her.
The group of boys was still out in the hall and they scattered to allow her to pass. Will noticed her and went after her, while the boys yelled catcalls.
“What’s wrong?”
“Am I really as stupid as everyone thinks?”
“No.”
“Then why does everyone say that I am for being nice to Charlie?”
“Because you are more then nice…you really like him.”
“He’s nice to me.” She said annoyed that he was acting the same way.
“You really disgust me with your stupidity in this subject.” She turned to go the other way after he said this. “Stop, come on Eva!” He caught her arm. “Listen to me, the only reason they say it’s stupid of you is because it is an uneven match. You’re from two different worlds, but listen.” She looked at him. “I don’t care what you do as long as you’re happy. You understand?”
She nodded.
“Good.” He turned and left her as he went back to his friends.
She left the staff hallway and went for a walk. She wasn’t allowed to wander the halls now that she was a staff member, so she decided to take a walk outside.
“It’s strange how we meet so often like this.” Eva said as she walked out on the porch. Many of the wealthy had gone into the park for the evening, while he sat alone and brooding.
Charlie smiled sadly. “Maybe we’re meant to meet like this.”
She went and sat beside him. “Why?”
He shrugged.
“Everyone thinks I’m crazy for liking you.”
“Because we’re from two different worlds?” He asked.
“That’s exactly what my brother said a moment ago.”
He nodded. “It’s exactly what my father said before I left the room.”
“You were fighting because of me?” She asked horrified.
He smiled. “I was defending you. I like you, because you’re nice to me and he doesn’t understand that. He’s against many of my principles and ideas, so what am I to do but defend? I go back to school next month… How do you feel about that?” He looked at Eva curiously after changing the subject.
She thought a moment. “You’ll be far away… It’s strange that I care so much that you’re going, because I have not spoken to you more than three times.” She laughed awkwardly, “But I know you must go back, because you have to finish school.”
“I’ll send you letters.”
She nodded, “It’ll be just as well, maybe your father will calm down.”
“He never will.”
The sun went down and they remained talking. As the wealthy returned exhausted from their enjoyments they said goodbye and went to bed.
They talked every night after in this way and she worked all afternoon with Henry. By the time the month ended she was sad, because both Henry and Charlie were leaving.



###I don't like the rest of the story from this point on, because I was kind of rushed and it completely sucks. It wasn't what I planned really (except for the fire). It skips too much, but I had no time to write this correctly.###



Charlie began to send letters and Henry’s humor was gone making work more tedious. A letter came in the fall from Charlie. He assured her that this would be his last year of college even as she told him not to end his education. She saw him and his father on holidays when the hotel would pack again. Finally when his college ended that summer he came back to the hotel and proposed to Eva against his father’s wishes. Plans were set and even as the father complained at the expenses he grew to enjoy Eva’s company. Charlie had her leave her job and Audréa took her in again. She would move in with Charlie and Roger after the wedding, which would take place in the hotel. Marie returned to be one of the bride’s maids and would return to college the following month.
Unfortunately the plans would be ruined.
“Stand up, Eva, let the woman fit your dress.” Audréa scolded as the dressmaker quickly finished pinning the dress in place. They were in Audréa’s parlor and Audréa smiled more often now that Eva was soon to be married. As soon as she was done Eva sat down at the desk to rest her head.
“Oh look at her! One more day and she is already completely exhausted!” Marie said laughing.
“You had better get to bed, Eva. It’s getting late.” Audréa said as she and Marie left the room. It was already dark outside and Eva was already asleep.
She awoke to the sounds of screams. Marie and Audréa had not returned and neither had Wesley. A little girl stood in the doorway. She was pale and waved for her to follow. “What is wrong? Why are people screaming?” Eva asked hurriedly as she followed. She fell into a thick wave of smoke and she coughed.
“Fire!” Someone screamed in the distance.
“Oh No! Charlie!” She said between coughs. The little girl’s hand was cold, but dragged her on. She tripped over something on the stairs and realized quickly what it was. She picked the man up by the shoulders and found him to be Charlie. “Wake up! Charlie, we must go!”
Charlie woke up somewhat and stumbled beside her. When they reached the porch someone pulled them down and wrapped them in blankets.
Eva looked around frantically. “Where’s the girl?! Surely she came out with us?” She said after realizing the girl’s hand was now gone.
The man that stood beside her shook his head. “There was no girl. Wait!”
She ran back up the steps befor