Chapter.08

February 14

Sunday we started by going to church, meeting a special friend of Sidney and than having a very lazy but wonderful breakfast at the Hotel. I ate so much, I wasn't sure if I'll ever be able to move again. But we needed to test everything that was available. Well, me needed to test everything. All looked so great and delicious. Sidney just sat there most of the time, watching me. But I also made him to taste a lot of stuff.
Back at our apartement I was lying fully dressed on the bed, listening to music while whining about becoming much too fat because of Sidney. He just ignored all of that by telling me
'Becoming fat means becoming more of you? So there'll be more of you I can love' and than he went to the living-room, grinning. To read some mail he got.

About an hour later the phone rang. I almost had answered it. Gosh, I was really feeling like home now. But at the last second I stoped my hand and waited Sidney to answer it.
'Sheila, how are you?' I could hear him
'Sure, come up - haven't seen you for a while. And I need to introduce you to someone very special.'
Ups. Perhaps I should go. I don't want to lie at Sidney. But that will happen if Sheila is here. Than I have to pretend I don't know her. Also they haven't seen for few weeks, so I'd only disturb.
'Your niece?' me asking Sidney after I got up very quickly.
'Yes' he's looking up at me while still sitting on the couch, a letter in his hand
'She's coming up. I hope you don't mind, darling. But I think you have to meet anyway.' now he's smiling at me, standing up and reaching his hands to tell me I should come to him.
'Ah, no. I guess I'll leave the two of you alone. So you can talk more in private ...' yes, I sounded very lame but what else to tell him? I know more about your niece than you? Not really!
Anyway, it was too late, just at that moment the doors opened and in came Sheila. Half a head taller than me, normal figure dressed up in Hotel-stuff. Her red long hair hang loose around her shoulders. She looked more pale than ever, just like she isn't great and haven't slept much.
'Uncle Sid!' she smiled and ran in Sidneys open arms.
'Sheila my dear. How are you?' Sidney had also recognised she didn't look very well, because his voice sounded worried.
'Oh uncle Sid! I'm so glad you are here! And ...' she stoped for a second, looking around till her eyes found me, still standing at the door to the bedroom, awkwardly
'and I'm also glad that you are here Sandy!'
What? She wants to confess?
'Hey Sheila' I answered very silent.
Sidney now looking curious, his eyebrows raised up, almost touching his hairline. At me first and than at Sheila. But he didn't ask, he just said
'How's about sitting down. It's more confortable.' holding his hand up to me again, so I was supposed to sit next to him. Sheila took the chair, looking at both of us. Sidney now taking my hand, squeezing it. I wasn't sure what he wanted to tell me. That it's okay if I knew her before? That he'll back me up whatever she's telling us now? That he is just glad I am here? ...
And because Sheila didn't say a word - just staring down at the floor as if she lost something, now searching for it - Sidney started the conversation. By asking her why she is looking so aweful. That made her start crying. I can't stand it when a friend of me is in pain. That's why I stood up and went to her to take her in my arms. After she was barely okay again I sat down again, next to Sidney. Him only watching us, trying to find out what's going on.
'Would you please tell me what it is, sweetheart?' Sidney asked very calm. Well I guess he asked Sheila, but it was also possible he asked me. Or maybe he just asked and hoped one of us will answer. Lucky me, Sheila got her voice back
'Oh uncle Sidney! It's so wonderful ... but also so complicated. And I ... uh, where to begin. I just need anybody to talk. You know my dad, I cannot talk to him.'
Sidney seemed to be totally relaxed, but I wasn't sure if he really was or if he just acted. Because he was again holding my hand very tight. His fingers playing with my fingers - something he is doing often, but always if he is nervous. So I could feel that he was not really as calm and relaxed that he pretended to be.
'So, how's about just start your story at the beginning? Or if it's more easy, perhaps would you first tell me why you know my wife?'
Now it was me squeezing Sidneys hand. Of course he had noticed that we know each other.
'Yes, that's a good idea. I met Sandy about a year ago. In London. She is a good friend of ...' but than she stopped, looking at me, pleadingly. So I went on - even not sure if she wants me to tell or not. If it's the right thing I was saying now or not
'Well, Sidney ... ummm, you already know I am a good friend of Barry? Barry introduced me to Sheila. That's how we know each other.'
It looks like it was the right explanation, because Sheila now smiling at me. But not the right thing for Sidney, who now faced me. Looking more curious than before
'And it never occured to you that this Sheila Rickman is my niece Sheila?'
'Nope.' I told him the truth. I really never thought about Sheila being his Sheila - not till last night, but that's something he didn't need to know.
'No, because i know her as Sheila Mulligan.'
'Mulligan? You are using your mothers name?' Sidney now looking at Sheila again.
'No, nomally not. No. Because ... well, you know why. I hate her. But that was some kind of emergency and it was the first name that came to my mind ... I'm sorry.'
'Aha ... an emergency ...' and few seconds later I litterally could hear the click in Sidneys head. When he made the connection about what I have said. Turning his head toward me he asked
'You know what I am thinking?' me only nodding. More awkward than ever. So he again faced Sheila, confronting her with what he just discovered
'So, you are Barrys girlfriend?'
Sheila now looking at me, whispering
'You - you told him???'
'No, she didn't tell me anything.' Sidney answered the question she wanted to know from me in a very angry way. But he also squeezed my hand once more.
'But I am not that stupid and senile. I am still able to count one and one together little lady. Don't blame my love for your secrets.' and with a much more softer voice he went on
'And now please tell me what your problem is. I don't like you looking that unhappy and tired and aweful.'
Me still looking at Sheila, she looking at me
'I'm sorry Sandy. I didn't want to insinuate anything to you.'
'It's okay, don't worry' I told her
'You want me to leave? Than the two of you could talk.'
'No. No, please stay. You know I like you and well, I guess you are now also like family, right?' she smiling now a bit at us. Sidney now taking his arm around my waist to pull me more close to him.

Than Sheila told her uncle and me everything. That she is in love with Barry for three years now and that they are engaged for two weeks. But she still hadn't told her father because she was afraid. Afraid that he will not let her marry. She told us that she had few boyfriends but everyone was not good enough for her. Her dad had always told her and earlier or later they dumped her or she left them. But with Barry it was some other kind of thing. They knew each other for that long and they are both interested in the Hotel. She thinks her dad is only so crazy acting because he is afraid that she'll leave him and the Hotel if she finds a nice boy.
'But I love my dad and I love this Hotel. Granddads Hotel. That's my life!'
'Snd why don't you just tell all of that to my brother?'
'Because he won't listen. He never does. He is so stubborn ...'
'He is still hurt ...'
'But that's not my fault uncle Sidney. It wasn't my fault that mom left us. Why can't he be just happy for me?'
'Hunny - he just wants to protect you. Every dad wants to protect his little girl. But you know that, right?'
'Sure. But I'm 28 and I need to make my own faults. And if it's really a fault to marry the man I love - so it should be. Also I don't think it's a fault. Not Barry. He is so wonderful.'
'What do you want me to do now? Or is all you needed is to tell anybody?'
'No. I think not. Since you arrived here I thought so much about Barry and me. First I was afraid that my secret will no longer be a secret because of Sandy. Well, I was wrong and I knew it. Also Barry told me that she would never tell anybody. Than I thought about it being some kind of destiny that you are here. Now I have to confess everything. In the end, that's why I decided to talk to you. Now I just need more courage. Because I know I need to go to dad and tell him. That I will be Barrys wife.'
I still couldn't say a word, just listen. But I was so released that she finally decided to stop that hide-and-seek. Not for my sake but for Barry and hers.
'Sheila?' Sidney now asking very softly
'you think it would be good if I escort you? To talk to my brother? Just in case ... you know.'
'You'd do that?'
'Sure! you are my most favourite niece. I care about you. And I'd do a lot for you.' and he stepped over to her and huged her for a very long time.

Than Sidney called David and the two where already at the elevator to go down to see him. When Sheila turned around, huging me and saying
'Thank you so much! Thank you so much for being such a great friend.' and after a short pause she added in a bright smile
'And welcome to the family. My grandmas ring really fits you well ... aunt.'