Bubbles – 2

00Welcome back at the Bluewater Inn!

The first weekend is coming to an end. What will our guests take away from their stay?

You know… I want to share with you that this is my 60th story. :WUB: In marital years that would be diamond! I also want to and have to say thank you to so many people! Maris for creating Bubbles, Nora, Wesley and Barry. You did a wonderful job! April… My English teacher 😀 Thanks! And of course all of you GREAT CC creators out there. I would not be playing this game if it weren’t for you!

*****

01It had been a restless night. The sun was just up when some of the guests went to get some sleep.

02Jozef crashed on his bed and was in dreamland in a second… and a half. That half second he thought of Nora Winters.

03Barry woke up with a sore back. He was still wearing his shades… He must have been really tired after spending half the night in the hot tub. He had been thinking about Wesley Damen. That guy was certainly not his type, but… he was just a sweet man with a good heart. Barry had a plan. He had to check something first though… Time to hit the shower and get to work!

04No one was up yet. Barry heard some noises coming from their private bathroom. Bubbles was up and would be making a start at breakfast soon. He found Wesley at the pond.
“You are up early…”
“ Yeah! Have to catch them when they’re fresh! Before 6 am is the best time I reckon… Read that somewhere…”
“We’ll cook our catch tonight… whaddaya think?”

05“I think I could eat fish every moment of the day. But hey… sounds good. We grill them?”
“You sure love to fish don’tcha?”
Yeah… I think it’s my Life Time Wish… to catch all them perfect fishies… Too bad I stay in the city though… I should be making new plans about my next trip…”
“OK… Let’s go in… I’m hungry.”

06“I gutted and cleaned all fish already Bubbles… It was perfect to sleep in the tent. I could hear them fish wake up!…. AH! Good morning Jozef!”

07“Good morning! Did you have a good time chatting with Nora last night at the campfire Jozef? I saw you two getting along pretty well!”

08Nora stiffened…
“Oh yes, Miss Bubbles … ahem… had a lot to talk about .”

09“Morning all you lovely people… Oh… I slept great!” lied Nora.
“Morning Jozef, I hope I didn’t keep you up too long last night?”

10Barry thought it was wise not to mention he had seen them two hugging the night before. It seemed they wanted not to share with the group. Hmm… oh well. It was not any of his concern either.

11“It’s nice Nora… I see you are wearing some color! Love that scarf you are wearing…”
“Thank you Bubbles… I think it’s the Tropical atmosphere of my room I am exposed to.”
Wesley felt he needed to join the chit chatty conversation, but couldn’t think of anything to say…
My… everyone was so friendly and polite!

12“What are your plans for today Nora? Maybe you care to join me shopping? I do have an extra bike…”
“Oh… erh… I think I was going to do some reading up. Tomorrow afternoon I should be on my way. I have an important meeting coming up on Monday. I hope you don’t mind…?”

13“OK… Wesley… Say it? You’ve been chewing on it… I have seen it. It was not just that grilled cheese sandwich… you were chewing on something else too. Now… Tell Nora… be a dear… what’s on your mind?”

14“I think you look lovely this morning Nora. You must have had a wonderful nights rest.”

15Barry knew where Bubbles kept Dr. Enqvist’s phone number… now might be a good time to tell her where it was.
“Jozef! Please pick up that fork! “
Oh dear… Yes… he was going to take Wesley out today. He had to show him something.

16“You know Nora, I know it’s not any of my business, but you seem a little edgy around our other guests. Is there something that’s bothering you? …Oh Hi Jozef!”
“Well… Nora began to say… You are right… It’s none of your business really…”
Bubbles tip toed out of the kitchen… Geez… Now, she should not worry about that. They were just ships passing in the night… her guests… Maybe she should really give Evan a call. She needed to arm herself against this kind of behavior and not let it get to her.

17“Sooooo….. Nora….”
“What!?… Are you going to hear me out again?”
“It seems to me you have a hard time listening. You hear us speak, but you are not listening at all.”

18“Wow…. The way you just insulted that lovely Bubbles… I am really sorry you have no one at home whom you can talk to. No one who ever puts an arm around you. I know why you are like this… It’s to shield yourself. You don’t want to get hurt, and therefore you will hurt others. Ever thought about therapy?”

19“Hey… I am a grown man. Been there, seen it all… So hit me OK? Leave other people alone! I really think you should apologize to Bubbles.”

20…. Nora was dumbfounded. Jozef just gave her an icy stare.
She went to her Tropical room and took a nap. She packed the clothes she had been wearing and wouldn’t need anymore.
She sat down and thought long and hard…

21“… I must say I was kind of shocked when you lashed out at me. But I figure now that you apologized I will forget all about that. You only have one more day Nora, I really hope you are enjoying your stay. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.”
“…No Bubbles. There’s nothing you can do more than you already have. I was wrong, I am really sorry.”

22“…. So….. What do you think Wes?”
“Wow…. Lots of water Barry… Lots of it. I can see fish jump out of it. Let me get my rod…”

23“Have you looked around Wesley?”
“Huh?…No! I am focused on the fish!”
“What if I told you this place here is for sale? It might be a great start for you. Setting up a Fresh Fish Distributor Center for all restaurants and Hotels and Inns here in the neighborhood… What do you think?”
“I can’t afford that Barry… Simple as that.”

24“But see… here’s the plan. I could afford it. Me and Bubbles could. If you would pay us rent until you are ready and earn enough with your business you could buy it from us.
We would get fresh fish for the Bluewater Inn for free from you. You pay us Monthly rent, as you are doing now too. And make a future for yourself… How about that?”

25“I could live here… That’s for sure. I think that’s a very good plan… Is it for sale? Really?
Oh… yes… I could go fishing every single day! I …I…! YES!!! Would you??? Would you do that for me?”

26Barry glanced over the ocean. He could hear Wesley think.
“Sure Wesley. Let’s sit around the table and talk business tonight. I talked to Bubbles about it this morning. I also know the owner is selling cheap. The cabin needs a lot of work, but you are a handy man… It has everything you need, we have some furniture if you like. You can use that. How about it?”

27Yes… Wesley was ready to make a commitment. He would commit to a regular life and a job. He would fish, make money with that and have his own place… well… first he would pay rent… But eventually, it would be his.

28They talked business… They signed papers. Wesley paid them 4 months in advance.

29Here’s to your future Mr. Damen! That all your fish may be fresh and good! I will need some Lobster next week. How about it?

30“STOP! …. That’s close enough! Any closer and you’ll see my wrinkles!
JOZEF!!! How about a goodbye hug my friend! I feel like the rainbow touched my soul!”

31Jozef was sad. How he despised that Winters woman at first, but then how she crept under his skin. Yes… they kissed. It happened just like that. It was like a magnetic field you couldn’t escape. He felt less bitter after that. As a matter of fact, he called his old buddy Jeff Haily about putting together a band, maybe with that awesome drummer Tadd Pole. They had been playing together before. There was talk about forming a band before. It was time… the band would be a fact. They would perform at every club, every lounge and every bar. That was his destiny, not writing some dull autobiography. That could wait until he was older and grayer. If he had only learned one thing this weekend, it was that life was too short not to follow dreams. And he intended to do so…

32“Hey Blue Girl… what’s with all that luggage!?”
“Oh… Jozef… let me get that!” Wesley added. Nothing ever could get him out of his euphoric mood.
“I’ll be on my way too. Just let me say good bye to you now!”

33They said their goodbyes, and Jozef found himself alone with Nora then.

34“You take good care of yourself, colorful girl!”
“Oh… Jozef! Yes… Yes I will. Be sure to send me an invitation to your first gig. I am definitely going to be your groupie!”
With those last heartfelt words, Nora left.

35 “Are you OK Jozef?”
“Oh yes… I sure am Bubbles”
“OK… let’s say goodbye to our fisher man then!”

36Wesley had mixed feelings… He felt like he had kin now. This was his family. But then again, he was very, very anxious to start his new life! And… He could come back and visit his family any time he wanted. It wasn’t tears in his eyes, it was the bugs …and the sunlight… oh, and the wind…

37“OK Bubbles… Now let me ask you how to get to your Bluewater Inn…”
Kenny heard the man say “Bluewater Inn”, He saw the taxi leave. It probably dropped that man off here. He was apparently calling someone to ask for directions.

38“… Bubbles… there’s a new booking… He’s a 3 nighter… GREAT! Name is Kenneth Steel. Oops… That email is from some days ago. He will be here tonight! We need someone to check bookings regularly! We didn’t even confirm! “
Panic… At least they had rooms available.
Car pulling up on the driveway… That’s him already?

39It was after midnight, when two new guests arrived at the Bluewater Inn.
No time to sit back and relax for Bubbles and Barry. Their B&B was becoming a hot spot!

To be continued…

 

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Bubbles – 1

00So glad you are back to read about my dream! My own Bed and Breakfast! The day is here… the day that my first guests arrive!

Thank you: April, Jack, Maris and Margo! A big Hug for Zusje!

*****

01It was still very early in the morning… The morning the first guests would arrive.

02Bubbles was very excited. She woke up, but hadn’t slept very well… did she have everything? Did she have everything for Miss Winters’s diet? She received an email shortly after the booking that Nora Winters was a vegetarian. Bubbles prayed that Miss Winters would be less formal in real life than the way she wrote her emails…

03Oh well… too late to turn back the clock now. She made her bed and while she did so, she made a mental note to get a new housekeeper. Anita Klenehaus was not what her name promised all of them when she had hired her…
Bubbles was ready! She went to take a shower and get ready for this big day.

04Bubbles heard a car pull up the driveway… and the sound of a big motor cycle… yes.. many CC motor bike… *squeal* They were here at last!!!

05“Hey, Mister! Yes…you… please take my bags inside.”

06“You must be one of the guests too! Hi! I am Wesley Damen. I won this weekend! I hear they grow their own vegetables too! Isn’t that cool???!!!”

07Nora never met a more inappropriate person in her life. What had she gotten herself into?
Now they were waiting in this odd reception room. All the bright colors…

08“My dear guests! I am really happy you are here. And… my brother Barry and I will see to it that you will have everything you need. Oh… Mr. Damen! I will get you your key to your room, would you need some assistance with your luggage?”

09“Is it Mr. Damen and me for the whole weekend?”
“No, actually Mr. Jozef Tremont will join us too. And I will show you to your room too. Welcome party will be at 5.”

10“Oh… Mr. Tremont??? You startled me for a minute… Welcome! I really didn’t hear you come in! I will get you your keys now. I have the small room for you Mr. Tremont. It is the quietest room and it has a desk, just as you requested.”

11“Mr. Tremont, are you joining us for the welcome cocktail on the back terrace?”
“Huh?”
“I mean… Will you join us for drinks?”
“I heard you… maybe…”

12Nora was shocked to find out she was staying in the colorful Tropical room.

13Jozef sat down while Bubbles was still preparing for happy hour.
“Am I the first? I really like the place Bubbles. And… please call me Jozef. Mr. Tremont would be my dad.”
“You seem worried about something… ” Bubbles asked while taking the quiet and serious mood of Jozef in… “Are you alright?”
“Oh…. Yes… I am OK… I have to get used to the silence… and the sound of nature… that’s all…”

14Wesley was very excited about this weekend. He hoped that the third guest would be someone he could relate to more than that other creature… that Miss Nora Winters… she was definitely not his cup of tea… He dressed up for the welcome drink. He was going to enjoy every minute of his stay…

15Bubbles had the welcome cocktails all figured out. She was a bit intimidated by Nora Winters, who insisted to do the BBQ tonight… She was thinking hard about her sessions with Dr. Evan Enqvist, the psychiatrist … who forgot the part about assertiveness… Maybe she should give him a call…

16Oh… there they are now…
“Nora!, Wesley! Please sit! I made the Bubbly Bluewater for you to welcome you here and to drink to a wonderful experience!”

17Nora asked if she could prepare the barbecue. She didn’t trust anyone that first night. It had to be one hundred percent vegetarian food… The veggie dogs she brought from back home… she was sure she would eat tonight. Too bad if the others didn’t like them…

18“Sit Wesley… Doesn’t matter where. Tonight our lovely miss Nora prepared her special dish for us. Let’s eat… Where’s Barry???
BARRY!!! Come and eat!!!”

19… yea yea.. I’ll be right there…
Barry was intimidated too. Nora Winters insisted on using her own stuff… the only thing she trusted were his tomatoes and lettuce. He hoped the weekend would be a success.

20“… well… and then I said to that man, Sir… you should just spit it out… I mean, the man was chewing on some beef jerky! Can you BELIEVE IT???”
Wesley was now almost at the point of saying something. The dogs were not at all bad, but the woman got on his nerves. It was Jozef who spoke first.
“Well, Nora. If you would just shut up for a minute, I can eat my hot dog which you so lovingly prepared. I came here to get some peace and quiet. Maybe you can respect some of my space?”
Everyone was silent after that.

21Wesley had seconds… he ate… Barry was watching in anticipation what would happen next. Bubbles was quiet, thinking where she had Dr. Enqvist’s phone number.
Nora looked at Jozef… tapping her feet. Jozef just stared back.

22“What’s for dessert?” Jozef said…
Nora lost.
1-0 Jozef.

23“Thanks for preparing dinner Nora”, Bubbles dared to say.
“Yeah… bring out the rest… I hope you baked some cookies woman. The dogs were FAB though. 10 points from me.”
Nora, for the first time in her life, had no reply… she felt a tingle of excitement.

24It was bed time… she thought… getting ready to sleep. But the bright colors in her room made her jumpy and she felt so much excitement. No… She would go out and try to relax before going to bed. Some herbal tea would do the trick. She was sure!

25After dinner, Wesley sat down next to the tent that was out there. The campfire was lit, and he soaked it all in. This was beautiful. He wondered what that City Witch was doing here… Oh well… He saw some cool fishing spots. He would have a good time anyway.

26Nora put on some clothes (and mind you… not just SOME of her clothes… she had a list of what to wear on what day and on what time of that day. For any occasion she brought an outfit) and went outside.

27“So Mr. Damen… is it OK I call you Wesley? What brought YOU out here? Hey… didn’t you have enough to eat tonight? You know that marshmallows are bad for you, don’t you?”

28“WHAT? Now listen miss know it all… I’ve had it. I came here to enjoy myself. Not to have my mother with me telling me what to wear and what and what not to eat! How about yourself? I can understand you are still hungry after that mouse bite you had to eat tonight.
… Oh … and I told you why I am here. If you’ll excuse me.”

29“…I’m sorry Wesley… You won a prize. Yes, you told me. Where do you live?”
“Uh… OH… I have no address… I have my bike. I need to see the country… and beyond…”
“Hmmm…. What is it you are running away from?”
“… I am not running from anything… Am I??? Noooo… well… am I???”
“I don’t know Wesley… Are you?”

30“I am going to sleep in the tent tonight. My room is great, but maybe a little bit too nice for a simple guy like me. Here I can hear the fish jump out of the lake. I will get up before 6 and catch some nice ones for breakfast… or lunch…. Hey…Can you eat fish???”
“… Goodnight Wesley… ”
Nora sighed. These people were a little too simple for her. No match. No match at all.

31“So… is it you? Or do I smell an apple pie in the oven?”
Nora froze… Oh God. What an obnoxious man. Too late. Too late to run.

32“… Brrr… I am cold. Probably just sleepy… I need to go to bed. Goodnight Mr. Tremont, ehh.. Jozef”
“SHHHH…Woman… Can you hear that????”
“What??”
“Listen!”
Nora stood and listened… What? Creepy sounds? Burglar? WHAT???

33“… The sound of Silence Miss Winters….”
Listen… and Enjoy!”

34Bubbles was in the kitchen looking out. Her guests were back there. Was it all good? Did they enjoy their stay so far? Jozef and Nora had been out there for more than 2 hours already. They were engaged in a deep conversation for a long time now. Yes, that would be good. She should go to bed. She had everything set out for a good and hearty breakfast. Tomorrow she would see how the cards were dealt.

35

Barry couldn’t sleep either and he saw something no one else saw.

36It was Jozef and Nora hugging….

To be continued…

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