The Family Weight
Amber Ann was in the kitchens of Chez Serene, the restaurant she owned at the Blue Serene Resort. She had just overseen their daily delivery of breads and desserts.
"I really think we need to increase the croissant, bagel, and focaccia orders. We constantly run out pretty early in the day."
Amber nodded as she listened to the kitchen manager; she made notes as they spoke and began thinking about logistics. "Do you have specific flavors that you feel you need more of, or do you just want an increase across the board?"
They continued their conversation quickly—both women very busy. Amber was looking at her notes and thinking about what she had planned for the day when her phone buzzed. She looked at the screen and froze—her mother-in-law.
Amber answered the phone on reflex. "Hello, ma'am. How are you?"
Tiffany Trace sucked her teeth in disapproval. "Amber, call me 'Mom' or by my first name. How can my daughter-in-law call me 'ma'am' like I am some stranger on the street?" She paused for a long moment, and Amber found herself holding her breath.
Tiffany and Jacob were not the type of parents who were always trying to understand what their children were doing. They lived their lives and allowed their children to live theirs without much disturbance. For them to call meant something had caused them concern or there was some issue they wanted addressed.
"Amber Ann, what is going on with you and Dan? We have called the house a few times and have not been able to speak to you. Now we hear that Trace Progressive is having issues." She paused again. "Please tell me the truth."
Amber Ann sighed audibly and told her mother-in-law everything. Tiffany Trace had listened in rapt silence, humming disapprovingly when she heard about Jessica, and when she heard Amber say she had given her keys back. Other than this, she listened without outward reaction. Amber now sat behind her desk in her small office in BonBons Sereins, and she waited. She waited for an explosion that never happened.
"Are you and Dan okay now?"
"No. But we have a chance."
"Good. How do I book a stay at this resort of yours? I can't believe you did not tell me about this. I had heard about the new lake resort, but I thought it was just some middle-class hype. If you're involved, I want to experience it."
Amber smiled. "The spa is already booked up for the next year. When Dan did his 'Live' about our minerals and mud, we got bookings from around the world. But we do have openings at the hotel, and there are premium packages that include the spa and meals at both of our restaurants."
"Good. Do you have two rooms for the weekend?"
"We do. Do you want them adjoining?"
"It is not necessary, but I do want to see you. I will bring Jacob and we will be investing. I love you, dear. See you soon."
The call disconnected and Amber sat at her desk a bit bewildered. She had expected more of a lecture. She bit her lip and speed-dialed Dan—no answer—so she texted him.
Amber: "Your mom just called. I told her everything."
Dan: "Okay, love. You don't have to keep secrets or hold back when it comes to us."
Amber froze in mid-text and read his reply several times. Her heart melted, warmed, and shifted. Dan was truly still hers. She deleted what she had been typing and started again.
Amber: "She said she will get Jacob to invest in Blue Serene. Let them, Dan. It will take some pressure off of you."
Dan: "Pressure I caused. I will think about it because you asked. I need to make this all right."
Amber: "Don't dwell on that. We are starting over. The past is forgiven so that we can truly move forward. I promise."
It was Dan's turn to stare at the reply. A slow smile spread across his face. When Amber had first messaged, he was mad at himself for putting his parents off, but now he saw that it had been the best move.
Dan: "Thank you for saying that, Love. I will see you tonight at the flower garden."
Amber: "See you tonight. I love you."
Dan: "I love you too, Am, with all my heart. XXOO."
Dan looked up to David. "What can we do to recoup losses and get back on track? I think we should do some videos and maybe a few Lives."
"We are solvent. It will be tough, but we won't hurt too bad. The video idea is good, but you have to do some of your resort review videos soon."
The men looked at each other and spoke as one. "Review Blue Serene!"
They smiled and David emailed their scriptwriters, and Dan went to the studio to make videos to announce the idea.
That night, Amber and Dan began laying the paths as the pond filled. It needed to be oxygenated for twenty-four hours before they added the plants. Once the plants were in for about a day, they would add the fish and snails. They were using a fine recycled material that felt good on the feet and was not abrasive when a person fell on it.
They finished half of it before they had to stop. They stood looking at the water after they turned on the two waterfalls and filtration system. It was beautiful—something they built together—the waterfalls falling into the crystal-clear water, their reflections staring out into nothing. It made Amber feel like the world was sweeter than it actually was, like miracles were possible.
She leaned her head on his shoulder and they stood together in a comfortable silence that had both their hearts stirring and blood pumping. That quiet night, Amber realized why she had always loved him, and Dan truly realized what he had almost lost.