Room 7B

Angie entered got out of the cab in front of the Long House Anchorage Hotel. The clean lobby, with its blond and knotty wood paneling and exposed high ceiling beams, reminded her of the Camelback Ski Lodge where her family vacationed together every year. Every year, Angie had burned the roof of her mouth on the steaming hot Coco with marshmallows. It was the one time of year she was allowed to openly indulge in chocolate. Standing in the hotel lobby now, her tongue protectively flitted to the roof of her mouth.

“A single room please.” Angie tried to smile casually at the desk clerk as she handed over her credit card.
“We are booked solid for the conference, but I believe I can find something..,” the young man typed furiously into his computer. “How long will you be staying with us?”
“I don’t know…a week I guess?”
“You guess?”
“I don’t know, I…” The stress finally overwhelmed Angie and she broke down into tears. “I’m looking for my sister.” She managed to say between sobs.
“M’am. I am sorry for your troubles.” The clerk looked Angie in the eyes and asked, “Who is your sister?” He was the prototype of a patient and helpful guest services professional.
“Shayla.” She sniffed, tears pouring down her cheeks.
“Shayla? Did you say?”
“Yes, she-”
“Shayla is your sister? But I know her.” The clerk came from around the desk to speak with her person to person. “But, she’s with us.”
He took Angie’s hands in his as if they were old friends.
“Where is she?” Angie held on to this information, and the clerk, for dear life.
“She’s at Portage Glacier.”
“I must go find her.”
“That can be arranged. But first, your room. Angie, you will be staying in 7B.”
“Thank you…?” Angie wiped her cheeks.
“Bruno. My name is Bruno, but my friends call me B. Shayla calls me B.”
“…Bruno. Thank you.” Angie followed him in the direction of her room.