CHAPTER 10: The tree house is perfect.

Ben point of view:

The Tremont has been open for a week. I was anxious thinking the reopening might fail, however, it was extremely successful! The hotel is at full capacity and the waiting list has 3 pages. I couldn´t be happier!

Guests seem to be comfortable, there haven´t been any complaints so far. Jess´ restaurant is going well, too. We´re offering the lunch menu at the springs, allowing people to enjoy them while eating a burger or having a drink. In fact, guests spend most of the day outdoors, enjoying the warm weather before the winter comes.

Sarah and I mostly work at the reception while the kids help Jess at the restaurant, or they clean the common areas. If this success continues, we´ll have to hire employees.

The "hunted hotel" situation seems under control. Our plan worked. There is no video or any evidence about what happened the other day with the ghost. Rumors about ghosts stopped, at least among adults. Kids still believe the hotel is hunted and they tell each other scary stories, but that´s normal, I guess.

Although The Tremont seems peaceful, we haven´t destroyed the radio yet, just in case, but I think it might be time. We appeared on the news today, "The Tremont returns to glory" they said. Is that a sign? Is that enough? Can we destroy the radio forever?

The kids are sad because they won´t see Savannah ever again, but I told them they should be happy for her. She has all she ever wanted, a family. I remember our conversations back then in the tree house, she has told me how badly she wanted a family countless times. Now she has one… in the 60s… that´s crazy!

"Ginny says she´ll be here for the New Year´s Eve party!" Sarah leaves her phone over the reception´s counter.

"Oh, great! Have you told your sister about these last months?"

"Of course not!" she looks at me as if I has lost my mind. "No one needs to know about the ghosts, or the radio or… anything."

"That´s a good plan."

"Speaking of the radio… the basement´s door is locked, isn´t it?" she murmurs.

"It is." I nod. "Don´t worry, I got it covered."

We put not one, but three locks on the basement´s door. All the keys are on my drawer. That is an efficient way of keeping kids away from the bunker and the radio. Can you imagine if any of the kids staying at the hotel end up time traveling? That would be a disaster!

"We must destroy that radio as soon as possible, though." I add.

"Sure. As soon as all of us have some free time, we go down there and break it."

"So, needless to say, I haven´t told my dad about it either." I change the subject.

"Yeah, I imagined." Sarah frowns, as if I was saying something obvious. She still believes I haven´t talked to him since he left Sulphur Springs about a month ago.

"I talked to him." I explain.

"Wait, what?! Really?!"

"He called me. He saw the news about The Tremont success and congratulate me."

"Oh, that´s nice, Ben!" she strokes my arm. "Who knows? You may even make up with him."

"Maybe. I guess inviting him to the party is a good start."

"Of course it is! Do it!"

Work is not overwhelming during the afternoon. Most guests are napping, or at the springs, the kids play outside, so no one will notice if I go out for a few minutes. Griff and Harper are sitting outside, watching the kids play.

"Hey Griff, Harper, come with me." I say. "I have something to show you."

"What is it, dad?"

"Remember about my special project? Well, it´s done."

They couldn´t guess what my special project was during our 20-minute walk through the woods. Finally, we get there.

"Wow! It´s awesome, dad!" Griff´s expression is a mix of happiness and amazement.

"It´s impressive, Mr. Campbell!"

Both of them go around the tree, analyzing every detail of the tree house. The design is simple, I got the inspiration from the camp´s tree house, with the difference this one has a small balcony.

"It´s all yours. Given that the bunker won´t be there anymore, you´ll need another special place."

"Thanks, dad!" Griff gives me a quick hug. "How did you build it so fast?"

"With help." I explain. "I hired people to help me. I figured this place was ideal, far from the hotel, no one will bother you."

"Thank you!" he runs to the ladder. "Can we go up?"

"Sure."

I wait for them until they are done inspecting the inside. It only has one window, and the ceiling is high enough for them to stand up comfortably. It has 2 beanbags and a coffee table, anything else they need, can be brought from home.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Campbell." Harper says from the balcony. "This is the perfect place for a sleepover."

"You´re welcome. A sleepover tonight?"

"No." Griff answers. "We must get ready first. Pajamas, snacks, games, umm… we should download some movies on my laptop."

"Ok. Come on, let´s go back."

On our way back home, I offer my help to paint the house if they want to. They´ll think about it. Harper likes painting, and it seems she´s good at it, so she might do it herself, giving the tree house a personal touch.

"I hope you make good memories there. It may not be as cool as the bunker but…"

"We don´t need the bunker." Griff affirms. "Not anymore. The tree house is perfect."