Johnny Castle's Second Chance (COMPLETED)

Chapter 34

The whole month the front desk was busy taking reservations thanks to Char's many calls. All her phone work did indeed draw in some future business. Neil even paid her usual wages since she spent full work days on the phone. In one month's time Char was finally back on her feet. Though she had lost some strength. She did the exercises that the doctors had taught her and worked at getting stronger, but now she had a new concern, she didn't want to be near Frederick. The end of the show was the duet and she didn't like being near him. She had taken to having Marissa come to the cabin to do her make-up and Marissa was just fine with that. Marissa had also avoided Frederick very well. So things were getting back to normal. The shows were re-adjusted to accommodate her again.

Frederick had lost some of the lime light. It bothered him immensely. Since Marissa had been adept at avoiding him he needed a new plan. He knew she partied a lot with the entertainment crew, he'd heard stories and asked around, but made it seem like he had a crush on her so he'd asked people to keep it quiet, so he could surprise her. Of course the girls he'd asked thought he was dreamy so they were willing to do as he asked though they were jealous of Marissa. Frederick was hiding his time. One way or another he would find her and get her...

The summer season looked before Kellerman's and most of the crew moved back out to the bungalows and cabins in the woods reserved for the work crew and the rooms that had previously been occupied by staff started being filled by guests. Many of them being long standing guests of Kellerman's. The next generation started bringing in their families too. finally things started looking up.

Neil did organize a carnival for the first week of July. It would end with a huge fireworks display. He took Johnny's advice and it did pay off. They  were booked solid that whole month thanks to Char's phone calls and Johnny's carnival idea. Profits started to increase for the first time in two years. Neil was pleased to see his family's business thriving once again. The carnival was such a success the vendors got together and asked Neil if they could all come back the next year so he agreed and made several new contacts. He promised they would do the carnival the following year.

Things were just going so well that it was a huge shock when tragedy struck. Marissa was found floating in the lake, lifeless. some fishermen had decided to go on an early morning fishing trip around the lake. They were startled at dawn when the sun started to peak over the trees they saw something in the distance and curiously paddled over to it. Discovering the girl , face down in the water. One man jumped out and swam her to shire. Trying CPR, he was unsuccessful. Then other man went to the Forestry center and got them to call the police. Johnny and Char were on their way to work, they saw the flash in lights on the distance.

" I wonder what's going on? " Char asked.

" I don't know. There must've been an accident or something. I'm sure we'll find out soon enough. Let's get to work. "

An hour into rehearsals Neil's Secretary came barging in on practice. As the doors flew open everything stopped. She made a bee line for Johnny and Ricco.

" I need you both in Mr.Kellerman's office immediately, he sent me to come get you. "

Ricco and Johnny looked at each other then at her. They set down what they were working on. Burying to follow the Secretary back to the office.

" What's going on? " Ricco asked.

" Close the door please." Neil's face was white. He truly didn't look well. He got up and paced.

" Neil, what is it?" Johnny asked.

" Marissa the make-up girl was found in the lake..." Neil wrung his hands. " We've never experienced something like this...never..." He was clearly in shock.