1982

Bobbie graduated high school early. During her grade nine year she missed the last semester due to unforeseen circumstances and during the hiatus and over the summer Bobbie easily completed work for grade nine. Then she worked hard to advance to grade 12 in 1980 so she graduated in 1981. Her Mother and Father supported this.

In grade 12 her father, who worked at the university, was on a committee that was exploring a community outreach where advanced high school students could take first year university courses though the local community college. Bobbie was in advanced math (calculus) and qualified for the program so that in her freshmen year at university, she had the prerequisites for second term math and Bobbie enrolled in Advanced Calculus.

The teacher had a reputation for being tough and when she entered the room Bobbie was nervous but thought the prof was pretty cute; for an old guy. He had sandy hair and light brown eyes and a generous mouth and was tall and pretty fit.

His eyes travelled around the room and fell on her, he looked to his papers. “Miss McNally I assume?” He asked.

Bobbie nodded.

“This is an advanced Calculus young lady are you sure you are in the right class.”

Bobbie fumed, he new she had the prerequisites but she smiled. “I’m pretty good at math so…”

“Well miss, you will need to be more than pretty good. See me after class and I will set you up with an entrance exam.”

Bobbie aced the entrance exam and the term continued. Bobbie was at the top of the class but Dawson was hard on her anyway. After one particularly brutal criticism of one of her derivations Bobbie stood up teary eyed and left the room. She was so mad that she ran to the ladies room and cried a few minutes; and felt stupid for crying. When she finally exited, Dawson was waiting outside the door and he looked concerned. He apologized and tried to put his arm around her. Bobbie was surprised and confused but waved him off saying it was OK. The rest of the semester was fine and he mostly left her alone. After exams, Dawson sat on his desk and invited everyone to a barbecue at his house. Bobbie made note of the address and left.

The party was to start around two the next Saturday and Dawson would provide food and you were to BYOB. Bobbie was too young to drink alcohol but she put a bit of vodka in a juice bottle and brought it along just in case. At the party she slipped out the bottle once in a while and spiked her punch.

Dawson mentioned he had a pool and it was an unusually warm Spring day so Bobbie was feeling pretty relaxed when she went in and changed into her swimsuit to take a swim. She didn’t feel self conscious, until she got to the pool and saw her male classmates were gawking at her, like they’d just realized she was a girl. She swam quickly and went back to change hastily. She didn’t notice Dawson’s son Rick watching her through a crack in the door. He got an eyeful and was a bit weak in the knees for the rest of the afternoon.

As the evening wound down, they went to the back of the yard to a campfire area and Dawson brought out his guitar. He played a few tunes and noodled around a bit and Bobbie was enjoying herself. She finished her stash of vodka and was a little tipsy. Dawson said he’d heard she played a bit and she took the guitar and sang a couple sing along songs. Then she played a sad song. People were drifting away and Bobbie realized only Dawson and her remained.

Dawson said. “You know McNally I always liked you, I mean, I think I really like you and since you are not my student any more maybe we could get to know each other a little better.”

Bobbie stared at him for a moment and then had a strong desire to get away. She stood, handed him the guitar. “Sorry, it’s late and I need to get home. I’ll see you next September.” She looked back and he was staring at his feet. She found her bicycle and wobbled with her head in the clouds all the way home. When she got home her parents asked her if she’d had fun. She smiled and said that Mr Dawson had a nice family and went upstairs to bed.

Upstairs she thought about his nice family and how crappy it would be for them and for her parents really, if she was ever to take him up on his offer. What kind of grown man hit on a 17 year old girl no matter how mature she looked anyway.

Back at Dawson’s house a young Rick stared at the Polaroid picture of a naked Bobbie stepping of of her bathing suit. He kept that picture a long time.

Tuesday June 4 2019

Bobbie always tried to start her day with the Yoga sun salutation and this morning she woke up early and took her yoga mat down to the pool deck. It was an unusually warm morning and the sun was actually rising over the mountain. Bobbie was feeling pretty good. A white van with the logo Technical Installation Services pulled up and brought her back to reality.

A middle aged man got out and walked through to the pool. He introduced himself as Rick Dawson. “Good morning Mam. I was wondering if you might know if the motel is open and accepting guests.”

Bobbie started to answer but looked at him again. “Dawson, is your father a math teacher at the university?

He looked closely at her and said. “Yes my father died recently, he was only 75.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“Thanks. I think I remember you from a barbecue Dad had for his students years ago.”

“Gee, that was along time ago Rick, I was only 17 and you were probably 13.”

Rick blushed. “I thought you were pretty.”

Bobbie blushed too thinking that Rick looked an awful lot like his father and remembering that barbecue. “I’m Bobbie, the new owner and the motel is just finished a big renovation and it is officially open.”

Rick smiled. “I guess I’m in luck then Bobbie, I just need to do a little survey work up on the mountain and want a place to lay my head tonight. I can’t stay at my Dad’s just yet, he has some renters that are still there. I’ll leave first thing in the morning.”

“What are you surveying?” Thinking that it was odd that she hadn’t been contacted. She didn’t know how much of the mountain on her land but she knew she owned the access road making it a private road.

Rick looked up to the mountain.“This is a good spot to install a cell tower and maybe a Global Positioning Satellite receiver (GPS) tower.”

“In that case, I give you my permission to use my road to get up there and that’s a good idea, a cell tower would improve phone reception in the area. Please wait a moment, we’ll get you registered.”

Rick was silent.

Bobbie ran upstairs to change from her yoga clothes. She was actually trying to compose herself. She had a little crush on Mr. Dawson when she was his student and now was suddenly drawn to his son Rick. Eventually she went back down.

The walked together to the reception building and Bobbie unlocked the door. Bobbie felt how tall he was beside her and noticed his broad chest. Quinn was on maternity leave and Joe wasn’t in yet. Bobbie went to the reservations computer. “I’ll get you registered and take to over to the restaurant. The continental breakfast is starting and I can get a boxed lunch packed for your trip up the mountain.”

Bobbie finished Rick’s arrangements and got started with the rest of her day. Mark was too busy to do all the shopping so Bobbie helped him order and arranged for Drey to pick it up.

Mink and Chase were happy running the restaurant tea service and lunch service in SPOKES now that they had the 2 Jessicas. Bobbie didn’t have anything to do there anymore. She went up to her apartment and worked on some checklists and menus.

She called Effie to make sure she received notification of the new guest on her new iPad.

“I got the notification Bobbie. I didn’t like my iPad at first but now I’m trained to hear it ping. You don’t have to call to remind me.”

“I know Effie, I’m just a little bored and wanted to say hi.”

“That’s what I figured. Come help me fold some towels if you are bored.”

“Bye for now. Effie.”