Noon. Right on schedule, a parade of cars drove over the hill towards the barn, leaving a wake of dust spreading into the sky behind them. One by one, the vehicles pulled into the undefined parking spaces on the north side of the barn.
Standing outside the doors, Thandie plastered a smile and opened her eyes very wide, knowing her expression would settle nicely into a bright and alert state. Why was she nervous? These guests were just people, like herself, who needed a break from whatever was going on in their life that needed breaking from. She let the nerves course through her before shaking the feeling off.
The first car door opened. A very tall woman stepped out of the car. Her blonde hair was grown-out, revealing gray roots, and it hung in stringy clumps of mixed texture. It reminded Thandie of the reason she preferred ponytails and caps most days for taming her own hair. From the passenger side, another woman emerged, shorter and full-figured, and laughing.
Thandie approached the cars. Her intention was to greet the guests personally, but the side effect was overhearing whatever the two women had just been jesting about. Thandie was a sucker for a good joke, and she wanted badly to feel free to laugh so hard again.
From the binder that America had prepared, Thandie knew all their names and bios, but had no face-to-name recognition. And for the life of her, she couldn’t help but wonder which one of the guests, or perhaps it was a couple, was sent there to spy for the investment firm.
“Good day, ladies,” Thandie said as she approached the rear of the first vehicle. “Head inside where you can check-in and enjoy some refreshments. I’m glad you made it to The Foundry safely.”
From the next car, two couples, separated by twenty years at least, emerged. The younger man greeted her with a nod and a pinched smile, as though he was looking for any excuse to get out of there. On his arm, a cheerful redhead in her early thirties was unable to keep her eyes focused on one thing for more than a second before taking in another sight around her. She clapped as she made eye contact with Thandie.
“Check-in is right around the corner.” Thandie pointed as she bent to help an older man out of the passenger seat of the next vehicle. “You must be Buzz,” she said.
She only recognized this man as Buzz from his bio. The retired wrestler was one of the first Black men to win a paralympic gold medal in the sport. She could still make out his once-firm muscular frame beneath the white polo shirt with an American flag embroidered on the left chest.
“Thank you, dear. I never can navigate this whole getttin’ in and gettin’ out of the car with this incensing stick that everyone insists I use.”
“Your doctor said he would only approve this trip if you promised to use it,” said a middle-aged woman with light brown skin like Thandie’s from the driver’s side door.
“You must be Frances, Buzz’s daughter. You can both head inside and check in. Just around the corner.”
A rowdy group of sixty-somethings spilled out of a small taxi. Lightweight scarves covered in pastel floral motifs, strands of pearls the size of marbles, and more hairspray than was probably legal decorated each of the three women. This will be a fun group, Thandie thought and greeted them, showing them the way inside.
Two more cars pulled in. A good looking man emerged from one. His head tilted down and his eyes shifted around the lot as though he was looking for something. From the other car, a pretty woman, wearing a long, brown peasant skirt and tan blazer, peeked over the top of the vehicle. The man and woman nodded to each other, and the woman gave a little wave with a smile like they knew each other. Curious that they arrived in separate vehicles, Thandie began to approach, but as the pair came around the front of their cars, she felt like she was intruding into a private moment between the two.
Bowing out, Thandie headed inside where the other guests were lined up at check-in. America was playing hostess from her position beside the refreshments table. She was explaining the amenities of the barn to the taller woman and her friend.
Spotting a dropped wallet on the floor behind the young couple, Thandie picked up the black leather trifold and handed it to the man. She joined America but didn’t want to interrupt the conversation.
“And that’s when she told me about this place. I didn’t even hesitate and booked right away,” the tall one said.
America, with her hand to her chest, nodded. “I’m flattered that my article had such an impact on you. I do hope you will enjoy your stay this week. This is Thandie. She is the activities director and will be your guide for the next six days.”
Thandie shook the ladies’ hands. “It’s a pleasure.”
“I’m Margret, and this is Anne,” the tall woman said in a fine British accent.
“So, Thandie, what do you have in store for us for the next few days? I can’t wait to feel well and rested,” Anne, the shorter one, who was definitely from the American Midwest, said.
America put her arm in front of Thandie a little, like a defensive move, and spoke first. “So many great things planned. We wouldn’t want to give it all away now. This way you can—”
“Enjoy each activity fully. Live in the moment, I always say.” Thandie finished.
“Quite right,” Margret agreed.
“I’ll be making an announcement in a few minutes after all the guests are checked in,” Thandie said and mouthed a thank you to America for saving her from having to explain the whole week’s activities, which she was still uncertain about.
Thandie mingled with the guests, put faces to names, and made certain they were each getting off to a good start at The Foundry. Leo had everyone squared away in a few short minutes. He handed them each the keys to their cabin, and a map of the grounds—her idea. When everyone had gotten some food, she stood on a box near the cucina sign.
“Welcome to The Foundry Retreat,” she said and waited until all eyes were trained on her. “My name is Thandie and I’m the activities director here. I hope you all had a good trip into town and we, here at the resort, are thrilled to have you for our inaugural wellness week.” She got down from the box and walked amongst the tables. “This week, you will be challenged to look within and find peace, health, and freedom throughout the various activities. I encourage you to try everything, have an open mind, and certainly have fun. If you have any questions or concerns, just let me know.
“Now, for today, let’s hit the ground, literally, with a nice, easy hike. In half an hour, we will meet back here and begin our first event. Wear some good hiking shoes or sneakers. Everything else you need for this, and all the events, will be provided. You can find out more each morning at the activities desk right over there, and I will also make an announcement each night at supper. Any questions?”
Three hands went up from the three rowdy friends. They huddled as far from Thandie as they could be while still being in the dining area. “Do we have to?” one said, and the others agreed.
“Of course not,” Thandie said. “This is your vacation, after all. We meet back here in thirty minutes if you’d like to take part.”