I considered shutting down the inn when Michael told me he was coming, but I was rather glad I didn't. He he'd been there for two days and still wasn't exactly good company. Don't get me wrong I love my son and I didn't expect him to be so excited that he'd be asking me "Is it time to open presents yet?" every five minutes like when he was three, but was it really that much to ask to act some way other than distant and tense?
Surely having guests over the holidays wouldn't bother him that much? I wondered to myself as I walked into the living room. He was sitting here in a chair looking at an unknown spot on the fire place. After a couple of minutes standing there without him even showing that he noticed my presence in the room I gave up. Obviously he was not going to be in a talkative mood anytime soon.
My attention was drawn to the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs. Everyone else had gone out earlier that morning so I knew it had to be the woman in room three, Sydney.
"Good morning," I greeted warmly as the came to the bottom of the stairs.
"Good morning," she said back, also seeming shy and tense. I felt rather sorry for her actually. I got the impression she was on her way somewhere when she had the problem with her car. Obviously if she had prior plans, spending Christmas alone would be difficult.
"So what do you have planned for today?" I asked in an attempt to make conversation.
"Nothing," she shrugged.
"Well you know there's lots of things to do downtown. It's Christmas Eve so there probably won't be many stores open but I'm sure you could find something," I suggested. The tourists who stayed here were often looking for things to do so I was pretty well equipped to give advice about what there was around the area.
"Well, I appreciate that but my car's still in the shop so I'll probably just stay in my room and read," she said hesitantly.
I sighed in exasperation. Was everyone in the world determined to do nothing but mope around today and make me depressed? I suddenly got a mischievous idea.
"Michael will take you," I said.
That seemed to snap him out of his daze instantly, "What?"
"Oh, no, no. I really appreciate the offer but I couldn't ask something like that," she said shaking her head.
"He doesn't mind. Do you dear?" I asked with my best June Clever smile.
"Umm..." he started.
"Besides we're out of milk, I need you to pick up some," I said, thoroughly enjoying the look he gave me in response.
"Great," I said and ushered both of them out the door. It was mean, yes. I knew he would kill me for it later, but my son was just too easy to annoy. I thought to myself with a laugh.