Baby needed to get away. That was all there was to it. Her life had just done a complete 180 on her. Her heart couldn't break anymore. How could her life ever be the same without Amanda in it? Amanda had been the only one she could really turn to besides her father.
Then her mind would drift to Johnny. The more she thought about him the more anger would creep up inside her. Why would he just come to her apartment and say all those things? She longed to hear "I love you" from him and when she finally got it he took it all away from her.
Despite her past with Kellerman's she knew now it would help lift her spirits. Johnny was long gone from Kellerman's and she could relax and enjoy all the guest activities with her family. She had to get Johnny Castle out of her thoughts once and for all. No matter how much she loved him, she had no choice now
The stone walls of Kellerman's main hall were still as pretty as ever as Baby drove down the oak tree lined drive. Fresh paint had done the main hall good. It was about time Max broke down and redone the place.
Baby parked her car and stepped out to see the staff hurrying about to help the guest when she heard an old familiar voice from behind her. "What a sight for sore eyes."
As she turned around she saw Billy standing in front of her. "Billy!"
"You better come give me a hug!" Billy said as she reached out to hug Baby.
"My goodness, how are you?" Baby said as she squeezed Billy tightly.
"Ah, can't complain, you?" He asked her in return.
Baby took a step back to look at the aged Billy but he didn't seem to have changed much. "I am good."
"Never thought I would see you again!" Billy said as she gave her a quick wink. "It's been nine years since you have been to Kellerman's."
"I know, nine years too long. Life has just kept me busy I guess." Baby said making up an excuse.
"We got a lot of catching up to do." Billy said as he motioned Baby to the main hall. "I believe I seen your parents in there earlier."
"Wonder which cabin?" I asked out loud.
"I am sure it is the one they normally stay in. Come on I will show you the way." Billy said as she reached for Baby's suitcases.
As Baby and Billy walked toward her cabin she paid close attention to all that was around her. The same white gazebo was still there that she had first taken a dance lesson from Penny and even the old wig stand was still in place. Guess not much had changed since she had been gone.
"You are going to be in for a treat while you are here." Billy said as she smiled over at Baby.
"Why? What is going on?" Baby asked curiously
"Just wait. A blast from your past will surprise you." Billy said sarcastically.
"What do you mean Billy?" Baby asked as the reached the stairs to her cabin.
"Wait how long are you staying?" Billy asked her.
"I am leaving Monday." Baby told him.
"Oh, never mind. What I am talking about takes place next week. Forget I said anything." Billy said as he opened the cabin door.
"It's about time you got here honey." Marge said as she met Baby and Billy at the door.
"Sorry, I had to take care of some unfinished business before I left." Baby said trying not to think about what unfinished business she was referring too.
"Well, I'll just set your bags down here and I will catch up with you at dinner okay, Baby?" Billy asked as she quickly set Baby's suit cases down.
"That sounds good Billy. Thank you for bringing them for me." Baby said as she gave Billy a quick hug.
"Mr., and Mrs. Houseman I will see you at dinner as well." Billy said motioning bye to them.
"Sure thing Billy." Jake said as she walked Billy to the door. "Feel free to dine at out table."
"Thank you sir. See you all tonight." And with that Billy was out the door.
"He is such a nice young man." Marge said as she took her seat back on the edge of the bed.
"I am getting a little worried about Lisa. She should have been here by now." Jake said as he glanced at his watch.
"I am sure she is fine daddy." Baby assured him.
"Yeah, you are right. She shouldn't be much longer." Jake said as he finished unpacking his things.
As her parents unpacked Baby wanted to take a walk and look around. Kellerman's held so many memories for her. She had told herself she wasn't going to think about it but she knew she couldn't help it. Her past was all around her. It was at the lake, it was at the dance hall, it was at the main dining hall, it was everywhere. She realized there was nothing wrong in having memories even though that is all she would ever have.
Every place her eyes wondered she had a memory there. She can honestly say they were good memories. Everything that had happened to her life here was for the best. She really had no bad memories here. She maintained that thought till she reached the outskirts of the resort and noticed the familiar little shack almost covered by woods.
She couldn't bring herself to go any further. Her heart wouldn't let her. All she could do was turn around and head the other direction. She felt as if she was running from it but what else could she do?
"Still sneaking into the staff quarters huh?" Baby turned around to see Neil standing behind her.
"Hey, Neil how are you." Baby asked him.
"Wow, girl you haven't changed a bit." Neil told Baby.
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Baby asked him smiling.
"Ah, very good thing." Neil returned.
"I was just taking a walk to see how things have changed." Baby told him as she looked around again.
"Not much has huh?" He asked her as they started walking back to the main house.
"Just the people. You and Billy are the only ones I have seen I knew. Guess it's a much younger crowd of staff huh?" Baby asked him.
"Yeah just kids on break from college, that sort of thing." Neil responded. "Everything been okay with you?"
"Yeah as good as it can be I guess." Baby said as her mind drifted to Amanda.
"Something wrong?" Neil asked as the reached the main house.
"Earlier today we buried my best friend." Baby told him as her eyes darted toward the ground. "She has been my best friend all through college."
"I am sorry to hear that. I hope we can lift you spirits." Neil said as he opened the door for Baby. "I hate to run out on you after this conversation but I have to go meet my grandfather."
"It's okay. Tell him I said hello would you?" Baby asked.
"Sure thing." Neil called back.
Again Baby's mind was left to drift. It was an uncontrollable situation. As hard as she tried she couldn't dare move her mind off of Amanda and Johnny. It was fixated on them. Memories upon memories floated into her mind again.
She longed to walk down to the lake and relax as the sounds of the fish fluttering in the water calmed her.
"You see men are like recipes." Amanda started. "Some turn out great then some just turn out bad even though you know you did everything right."
"What are you talking about?" Baby asked her clever friend.
"Men nut! Trust me I have learned to see the light on that subject." Amanda chuckled at Baby.
"My personal philosopher." Baby snickered.
"I try my best. I just wish I could get the recipe right once before I die." Amanda said as she looked out her window.
"You will, we all will some way or the other." Baby returned.
"But, you have already experienced that love with, oh what was his name?" Amanda asked her.
"Johnny Castle. I feel like I experienced everything with that man." Baby's cheeks turned a light pink as she thought about her summer at Kellerman's.
"Well, when we graduate I am moving to Boston and finding me the man of my dreams." She said as she winked at Baby. "And you're coming with me!"
"I am?" Baby asked as she realized Amanda was dragging her into something.
"Yes you are. Best friends for life. Where I go you go and vice versa!"
"Baby, Baby?" Baby opened her eyes to see Lisa standing over her.
"What did you do fall asleep out here?" Lisa asked as she sat in the chair next to Baby.
"I guess I did. I was dreaming." Baby told Lisa. "Dreaming about Amanda."
"I know, I just hate she is gone." Lisa said as she reached for Baby's hand. "You will get through it."
Lisa could be so sweet when she wanted to be. There was so much good in Lisa that Baby had over looked all these years. "I know. It will just take time."
"Well, I was sent to get you for supper." Lisa said as she rose to her feet.
"Guess I need to get back into the swing of things. I just need to have a good time while I am here." Baby said as she joining Lisa in the walk back to the main dining hall.
"That's the spirit!"
