Finding the Holidays

Five

This is a picture of Lesedi.

"Kids, Lesedi, kids!" I exclaimed over FaceTime to my friend.  "That family who arrived must have had twenty of them, I've never seen so many kids!"

Lesedi arched her styled black eyebrows in confusion.  "So you're saying that two parents had like twenty kids together?" She asked, "Isn't that a little Pioneer style?"

I face palmed.  "There were other parents and grandparents, but still the kid population was overwhelming."  Two days since I arrived at Spruce Peak Lodge Resort.  Michael Fisher has been laying low, so I haven't had the chance to arrange another meeting with him.  Delaney and I still haven't been talking, and I hope that changes soon.  I admit, I miss my little sister.  But boy, have they ever been keeping me busy!  Mrs. Meade wants all the help she can get cooking and cleaning.  I loathe cleaning so cooking has been my more favourable option.  

Two days ago, when they said that they had 'guests', they weren't kidding.  The largest family I've ever seen entered that room, I totally wasn't prepared for it.  They're the ones who are actually staying in the private building.  "Anyways," I said to Lesedi, "the most annoying kid ever is six year old Zoe Colton.  She's like the definition of mischief.  She got baking flour all over me."

"Doing what?" Lesedi asked.

"Rolling out cookie dough." I grumped.  Lesedi started laughing.  Real hard.  That annoyed me slightly, not because I was mad at my friend, but because I was confused.  My goals of having power cannot happen if I am confused at any point in time.  "Why are you laughing?" I asked bluntly.

Lesedi wheezed between laughter, "That Zoe kid isn't mischevious, she was just doing the exact same thing you're doing- cooking and baking it seems.  If you're going to be so uptight about staying at a resort and letting loose a little from work, I know what you need."

"What is it?  Do enlighten me." I questioned.  

Lesedi grinned.  "Me.  You need me." She said proudly.

An hour later I was at the lobby, waiting for Lesedi to show up in her taxi.  I sighed, checking my watch.  I was glad she was coming, but honestly she is cutting me back from some goof work time.  I glanced up from my watch, and saw Little Miss Devil running towards me.  Her curly dark brown hair bounced wildly against her back, untamed and messy.  She had icing all over her face. Great, I thought, just great.  "Lena!  Lena!" Zoe called, running up to hug me.

"Oh, don't hug me, sweetie!  I'm wearing my nice dress." I said, blocking her from me, maybe a bit too forcefully.  But I didn't want my cherry red dress to get covered in sticky frosting.  Zoe's smile faltered, but she didn't burst out crying or anything.  "We're eating cookies." Zoe told me, and withdrew a crumpled napkin, "I brought you one.  Lissa frosted it for me."  Zoe calls Elissa 'Lissa' for some reason, but Elissa doesn't seem to mind.  I unfolded the napkin to see a gingerbread lady with a smudged frosted 'L' on its chest.  I took a bite.  Mmm, it was heavenly!

I'll give this place one thing- they do make good cookies!

"Delicious!  Thank you, Zoe." I said to Zoe, sincerely.  Her eyes glowed and she skipped away.  I sighed, and I felt a smile on my face.  She's the enemy, I thought, remember what you're here for.

But the smile never faded.

"She's a lovely girl, isn't she?"  I looked up to see Michael Fisher.  "Michael." I stated plainly.  

"Wow, a 'hello' can't even meet your lips." Michael teased.

"Maybe I'll be more chatty and polite if we can actually have another meeting!" I snapped, wiping cookie crumbs from my hands.

"I already told you that you're not buying out the lodge.  It isn't going to be that simple." Michael told me firmly.

"And I told you that it would be better for the economy and the greater good!" I pressed, "Look, a colleague of mine who handles the financials is arriving soon, and she can give you a nice asking price-"

"I'll have a meeting." 

My eyes popped.  "Seriously?" I asked.

Michael shook his head, "You didn't let me finish." He said.  "I'll have the meeting if you do somethings in return."

"What?" 

"Attend every event the resort has to offer." Michael said with a smirk.  

"W-what?  I can't do that!  I have work!" I protested.

"Did somebody say 'work'?"  I turned to see Lesedi walking into the building, lugging all her suitcases behind her.  Lesedi's dark brown curls bounced against her shoulders, and her meadow green eyes sparkled as she gave a big grin.  "Lesedi!" I gasped, and rushed to help her with suitcases.  

"Thanks, Lena." Lesedi replied, before meeting face to face with Michael.  She waved.  "Hi, I'm Lesedi!" Lesedi greeted, offering a fist, "Fist bump?"  Michael fist bumped her, making her smile. For such a shy mouse at work, Lesedi has a way with people anywhere but the floor Mr. Kingsley's on.  "So, is this your financial person?" Michael asked me.

"Yep, very responsible and-"

"You didn't tell me that this Mrs. Meade person makes red velvet cookies!  They are so good!" Lesedi said, mouth full of cookie.  

"...Right." Michael nodded hesitantly.  Way to go, Lesedi.  I fidgeted with a piece of my hair and decided to try again with the meeting thing.  "So, can we maybe have a meeting tomorrow?" I reasoned, pretending that he didn't make his stupid deal. 

"My offer still stands." Michael told me, "Do all the activities, your friend too.  Then, we can talk." Michael passed me a brochure.  "Good day, Madame Grinch." Michael said with a wave before leaving.  I opened the brochure and gasped.  Tomorrow is sledding/tobogganing day?  Then ice skating?  Gingerbread house competition?  Secret Santa?  Maple candy?  High ropes/zip-lining?  Cross country skiing?  Skiing and snowboarding?  And more? 

I groaned.  What did I get myself into?