Monday Apr 20 2019

Bobbie looked out her window and saw that Trixie was there so she grabbed her notes and computer and went over to the reception building. It was interview week. The front desk looked good. The warm wooden top was gleaming and the front was clad with a plain white quartz. Both the reception desk and the Art Gallery desk and had partial walls with big smart screens behind them. Bobbie set them up so that reception could show images from the motel or weather or airport flight schedules and the art gallery could show schedules and collection information or just pictures. Bobbie ran up the stairs and put her stuff into the boardroom. They had a smart-screen and there too and were going to load it with the motel website and anything else they needed. Bobbie knew most of the new recruits but was still a little excited.

She talked Trixie into going with her to get coffee and a biscuit from the new continental breakfast set up in the restaurant. Then they went back to the boardroom, where they set up Trixie’s first presentation.

Effie stuck her head in. “We’re here!” She led Roger in and sat him down. He was wearing a yellow shirt that was buttoned all the way up to his neck, a blue necktie and jeans that were rolled up at the bottom and brand new sneakers.

Trixie looked up from her computer. “Hi Guys and welcome Roger I hear you want to come work with us. I’ve been looking at how to hire you and what you need is a registered disability pension (RDSP).” She brought the website up on the big screen.

Roger was sitting near the back, wagging his foot and looking a little scared.

Effie was sitting behind him and patted his shoulder. “Roger is a bit fidgety when he is nervous.”

Bobbie nodded and Trixie asked Effie to call her aunt (Roger’s mother) and see if she has a RDSP set up for him. Effie nodded and called her aunt, she looked up from the phone. “She doesn’t know what that is.”

Trixie wanted to talk and after greeting her, asked. “Hello Ms. Proust. Did you ever get a disability tax credit while Roger was growing up? When he worked with his Dad, did he pay taxes? Trixie finished. “Don’t worry we’ll take care of things.” And hung up. “Well Roger, you paid your taxes when you worked with your dad. You are a good worker but you don’t have an RDSP set up yet. The RDSP lets you get government grants while you deposit retirement savings. I can even get you a little more grant money because you worked so hard with your dad. The rules say that you have a limit of 200K and can’t have other RRSP’s or other registered investment outside of that. And you can’t invest past the age of 59.

Roger looked worried. “I’m sorry Miss Trixie, I don’t know anything about this stuff.”

“It’s a lot to take in Roger. I have a movie I’d like to show you.” She started the video from the government website.

When it was over Roger looked up and said. “The girl is like me. Except I don’t have a lisp. She did a good job.”

Trixie smiled. “You are going to do a good job too. We will pay you a salary and you’ll get 300 dollars every week. We will also add to your RDSP, to save for when you get old and the government will help you save too.

Effie said. “Wow 300 dollars a week Roger, that’s a lot, you’ll have to open a bank account.”

Roger smiled. “I have a good job and a good plan and now I know what an RDSP is.”

Tuesday Apr 21 2019 Lorne asked for a morning meeting so Bobbie was at a table enjoying her continental breakfast when Lorne bustled in. “They’re here. The waiters I talked to from from ‘Dolce’ in Cit City are here and they want to see our restaurant.

“Why do they wanted to leave such a fancy place to work for me?

“I have no idea but I hope we can all meet and find out.”

Bobbie nodded and then agreed to go with Lorne to a house where his waiters planned to live. They pulled up to the house and got out. Two people came out and waved.

They all met in the yard and Lorne said. “This is Bobbie, My cousin and the most organized, resilient, creative, motel and restaurant owner you’ll ever meet and Bobbie, this Chase Jackson and Mink. They are both award winning servers and Mink is an influencer.”

Bobbie smiled and shook their hands. Chase was a tall handsome black man and Mink was pale, extraordinarily attractive and perfectly androgynous. They had high cheekbones, large, widely spaced, beautiful green eyes and a slight frame.

“I’m so pleased to meet you. Welcome to Crow Harbour”

“Thanks Bobbie, I’m sure you’re wondering why we left the city to come here and why we are interested in your project. To start with, Crow Harbour is my family home. I’ve asked Lorne here because I want him to help me make my family home into the perfect home for two best friends.” Said Chase.

“We don’t plan to retire. We still have more to do. We reached the pinnacle of our profession and it was not right. We want to find a small perfect jewel of a place and make it more perfect; much like the gem in your broach.” Said Mink

“Bobbie has loads of old jewellery.” Said Lorne dismissively. “let’s see this house.”

Bobbie followed, wondering if Mink was including Chase or was using the royal ‘We’ when they spoke. She looked around and saw threadbare dark furniture, a big TV and threadbare furniture and a very clean but outdated kitchen. It was a two bedroom house and both were small and unremarkable and the bathroom was spotless and green.

Mink leaned over. “Chase, show them the plan.”

This is more like it thought Bobbie and they unfurled architect drawings. It was not the same layout at all. They were adding an addition and raising the roof. Bobbie went back to the front door and noted that many homes in the neighbourhood were larger and more up to date than this one. “Your home will be the nicest on the block”

“I hope so.” said Lorne

“Right now it’s the worst; my father never sold out, or renovated”

Mink nodded. “Enough of this, let’s go to the motel.” Mink sat in the back seat with Bobbie and asked quietly if they could rent a room while their house was getting renovated. Bobbie assured them that could be arranged and hoped they liked the rooms. Mink patted her knee. “So about the jewels.”

Bobbie explained it was Russian; an Alexandrite. It was very rare and she inherited it from her mother in law.

“I know your husband recently passed. Did you love your husband?”

Bobbie felt she could be truthful and turned to look into their eyes and said. “I loved him dearly and will never stop missing him.”

Mink nodded. “Profound loss is transformative; I lost my partner too. Now I want to live in a nice neighbourhood and not in a Citadel City loft that’s full of sycophants.”

Bobbie patted Mink’s knee. Wondering how Chase fit into the picture.

Chase got out and looked around.“The setting is beautiful you have foothills and mountains, an ocean view and are on a river. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Bobbie said “My family landed here in 1774 and built a water wheel and sawmill on the river. They had wharves at the junction of the river and ocean and shipped the logs everywhere.” Pointing to the shoreline on the other side of the road. “I’m not sure how it was all lost but the motel was built in the sixties by a different owner and My husband looked into buying it back for us a couple years ago.”

“Legit.” Said Chance

“Destiny.” Whispered Mink.

Lorne said. “It was a Hodgepodge of 1960’s, 70’s and 90’s design and architecture and we brought it into this century and hopefully beyond.”

Bobbie was pleased that both buildings together looked cohesive and the rooms behind the restaurant looked like they belonged now that the building materials were almost cleared away.

“I have more ideas about landscaping.” She said as they moved into the restaurant through the West entrance. She Texted Trixie and said. “Meet us in the restaurant; gussy up!”