To Build a Home

13 | Terrible Twos, Part Two

The Windber Hotel was not, in fact, a hotel. It was a large corner building on the busiest town center street that had been converted into a bar/restaurant in the late nineties.

The first floor was open with wood tables for dining and a large square bar in the center with exposed light bulbs and vines hanging from the ceiling like tropical icicles. There was a loft area in the back with potted and draping greenery and a skylight. A spiral iron staircase led to the rooftop deck, which had a panoramic view of the town and the Pennsylvania landscape, which included endless forest and mountains in the distance.

We arrived a little after seven and our table wasn't ready. We walked past those already seated, eating gourmet dinners and appetizers, and each grabbed a drink by the bar. For a second drink, we made our way to the roof. Darren, I knew, hated The Windber Hotel. It was overcrowded and expensive. He didn't like that people got dressed up or the noise of the rooftop when you're passing by on the street. He ignored me the entire ride there and made no effort to look presentable, dressed in a white t-shirt and black jeans.

Anna was wearing a sparkly black dress and flats. Her red hair was curled and her dark-framed glasses were different from the pair she had worn in the morning. Even her nails were sparkly. She seemed older and taller, or maybe that was because I was so used to seeing her crouched over Noah, talking about farm animals or making silly noises. I was glad for the chance to get to know her, so I sat next to her beside an oversized potted palm bush while Charlie and Darren remained at the large chalkboard that listed the specialty cocktails.

"Cheers," I said. I raised my martini and clinked her glass of beer. "So how did you start working for my brother?"

"I met Phil while he was doing work on my parents' house," she said. "He heard them talking about opening up a daycare after I graduate and said he was looking for a nanny."

"I didn't know you want to open a daycare."

"Yeah, I'm studying business at Community. I didn't want to take out loans like my brother, so it's taking a little bit longer, but then I won't have debt when I start my business."

"That's amazing!" I said. "I haven't done anything with my art degree. I work at a gallery."

"It must be so cool to live in New York though."

I looked around at the pink sky and the tall green trees and the gray mountains barely visible behind the clouds in the distance. "It's a different view, that's for sure."

I thought about what Darren had said about going home. He was so sure that I was leaving, although we had never discussed it. We hadn't made any arrangements to pack or sell the house, there was still the reading of the will, and I didn't know if I wanted to go back. Was it fair to Noah to take him away from Theresa's family? The evening was supposed to be fun, but there I was, contemplating the rest of my life. I took a sip of my drink.

Charlie came over and sat on my lap. I could tell he was already feeling his martini. He spilled a little on us as he sat. Darren handed Charlie the napkin from under his iced tea. "Darren has just told me the most interesting thing," he announced to the group.

I panicked. I looked at Darren and he must have seen it on my face because he looked away abruptly.

"He has never played Never-Have-I-Ever. Can you believe it? What a fantastic way to get to know each other. Let's play!"

Anna agreed and looked to Darren, who shrugged.

"Everyone hold up one hand," Charlie said. "Every time someone says something you've done, put one finger down. Last one with a finger up wins and buys the next round. Questions?"