The Special Family Weekend

The chateau loomed before them. Its dark, thick, long logs were staggered over three stories and spread endlessly over multiple wings. The entrance with its heavy portico was intimidating. Wide enough to accommodate one car and long enough for two, it almost looked like a tunnel. Caitlin stared at the doors manned by a porter on one side; on the other side, there seemed to be a guard house of some sort but it looked mysterious and unwelcoming, not a spot for visitors. She could hear her family speaking, her father commanding, her mother fussing, her brother teasing. They all shuffled into the lobby, tugging at luggage, not wanting to engage the porter. Did one tip the porter? Was it appropriate to ask someone to do something one could do by oneself? There was an unease about etiquette which precipitated the family to the registration desk. Caitlin was last in tow in awe at being in this wide space, an open stone fireplace in the middle with logs so huge she couldn’t imagine the lumberjack who had hoisted them in.

This was a Special Family Weekend. The McLeods were celebrating Father’s 50th Birthday and Promotion, and he had decided that this milestone merited an outing that they had never done before. He had noticed that the Chateau had weekend rates in the low season and that they could exceptionally celebrate in luxurious surroundings. This was why they now found themselves in the hushed, carpeted lobby where sound seemed to evaporate despite the high ceilings, armchairs and sofas surrounding the hearth, and mezzanines from the upper floors looking down on them. Caitlin was too gobsmacked to be shy and took in the recreation desk on her right, the hallways leading to the rooms across the lobby, and the flicker of light from the doors leading to the grounds beyond. She heard her father’s gruff voice indicating that they had the room keys and map. He gave Jackson the Children’s room key while he clasped the Grown-Ups’ room key. They headed for the stairs in a single file, Caitlin, Jackson, Mother and Father at the head. Caitlin followed docilely, marvelling at the pattern on the worn carpet.

The rooms were a disappointment. They were cramped and dark. While the log structure was charming in the large space, in the small room it felt crushing. Everything was in wood, down to the curtain cornices which shrunk the window and filtered out the light. “Can you see anything, Jack?” The boy shook his head. “Not really, it looks like there’s another wing. If I look off to the side I can see the lawn.” Caitlin had hoped for a chamber, one fit for a queen, not a dingy corner. The bathroom didn’t have any marble and looked just barely more luxurious than the Motel 6 bathrooms she had experienced on her rare travels. She started to pout when she heard a knock on the door. It was Mother who’d come to announce that they were having a family meeting in the Grown Ups’ room. Father was sitting on the bed, the map laid before him. He spoke decisively: “Dinner is at 6:00 in the main dining room. You may explore the hotel until then. I expect you to be dressed and on time.” Caitlin's eyes lit up. Two whole hours of exploration.

As soon as they were out of their parents’ sight, Caitlin and Jackson tore down the hall. They popped out on the mezzanine which they quickly covered: they played with chess boards out on tables tucked in nooks; they leaned over the railing to look from above at the newcomers in the lobby; they sneaked into grand conference rooms bedecked with emblems and flags; they lurked at the main dining room’s entrance to peer at the menu. Jackson led them back down and out onto the grounds. Caitlin breathed in the air of freedom. The stone terrace where tables were laid for tea were occupied by dainty ladies. The law stretched out before them, trim and green. Caitlin ran ahead of her brother towards the wide, blue expanse of the river. She could see a marina farther out, trails leading to a forest, stables on her left. She spied a group playing croquet, laughing loudly, and spotted a ceremony near the river bank. “Jack! Look! A wedding!” They couldn’t help themselves, they sneaked in closer. Caitlin was snickering… was this what crashing a wedding was like? A guest turned over to them and gave a sharp hush. The pair ran off laughing delightedly.

Dinner was indeed a grand affair. Caitlin had never been in such a large dining hall. There were chandeliers suspended from the two-storey ceiling, large tables of festive groups in the middle, servers milling about with huge trays in one hand and folding tables in another, ready to set their bounty and distribute it to the guests. The chafing dishes shone, releasing the swirling aroma of fragrant dishes. Caitlin's eyes grew big as she watched a server douse a dish with liquid and set it on fire, blue flames reaching up as the diners clapped. The room was vibrant and dynamic, full of bustle and joy. The McLeods were tucked along the side, their table at a window giving out onto the now empty terrace. Father had his menu held high in front of him, mumbling something about prices. Mother had her hand on his to calm him and remind him what a wonderful time they were having. Jackson was trying to decipher complicated words, like seafood cavatelli, mesclun and pappardelle (he would choose the beef burger). Caitlin was admiring the gowns, jewels, jackets and polished shoes, and while she would have preferred to be in the middle, soaking in all the conversation, she was delighted to see the server give her a special smile and flourish when he set her order in front of her.

The next morning, the family all met again at breakfast, this time to a lavish buffet. Father was in a grand mood and announced that the children would have a free day until their departure at 4:00 pm sharp. He and Mother had had a look at the day’s activities and had reserved horseback riding for them while they enjoyed the grounds. Caitlin could hardly believe her ears but wisely refrained from making any comments apart from a hearty thank-you. The siblings left together, rushing to the stables. They were greeted kindly; their horses were saddled. Caitlin refused the stool and grappled to mount her horse while her brother gave unhelpful advice. Once they were settled, the guide directed their horses along the path that would lead them into the forest that surrounded the estate. Despite the bumpiness, Caitlin loved seeing the world from this new vantage point. Had she released her reins, she could have easily reached up to the tree branches. She could smell the rich, damp soil underneath her horse’s hooves and hear the rustling of the leaves despite her riding helmet. Her body relaxed and fell into the sway of her horse’s gait. She was amused to see the horse in front of her whisking its tail back and forth, chasing bugs that came its way. Suddenly, she heard a whipping sound as she felt a sharp sting against her cheek. She cried out, her horse spooked, and before she could react, fear seized her. She felt her body propelled into the air and crash heavily on the ground. Dazed, she caught her breath, her belly aching from fright and pain. A pair of strong arms picked her up, dusted her off and held her upright. “Ok?” asked her guide. “How are you feeling? I know it was scary but I don’t think you’re hurt. You caught a branch and it threw you off balance.” Caitlin gulped. “If you want, we can walk your horse back.” She shook her head and valiantly got back up. The guide scooted beside her with her own horse and held tight as she brought them back to safety.

By the time they arrived at the stables, Jackson was feeling sheepish. It was he who had inadvertently pulled the branch back not thinking that it would viciously snap back. “Look, your cheek looks kind of nasty. I saw that there’s a swimming pool and a sauna. How about we go there. The water will help.”

“We don’t have our swimsuits.”

“I read we can rent some at the swim desk. I have some pocket money,” he assured her. He grabbed her hand and directed her to a building off to the side. They stepped into a room large enough for an Olympic-sized swimming pool. The rafters were two stories above them. The tall windows were steamed up from the condensation. The splashing of the serious swimmers and the voices of dog paddling socialites echoed in the vast space. Jackson requested two bathing suits and towels from the lifeguard at the front and walked up the main staircase which led to the change rooms, ladies on the left, gentlemen on the right. When they met up, the two caught a fit of giggles: Caitlin was wearing a blue 1950’s suit in a thick, stiff fabric with a wide opening in the back and Jackson was in equivalent brown shorts. They looked ridiculous and they loved it. The fall was long forgotten as they sauntered back down the stairs and jumped into the pool.

Time was ticking. As much as Jackson wanted to keep splashing around with his sister, he knew it was up to him to keep them on track. “Cate! Let’s go to the sauna for a bit. We’re going to have to leave soon.” Caitlin pushed a final wave in his direction and yelled out: “Last one out is a rotten egg!” She scrambled out and back up the stairs, laughing as reached the top. “Where’s the sauna?”

“There’s one in the change rooms. I have to go in the men’s and you the ladies.” Caitlin's smile evaporated. “You’ll be fine. We won’t stay long. I’ll meet you back at the swim desk in 20 minutes.” Caitlin's mind reeled: How would she know when the 20 minutes were up without a watch? Could she sneak out of not going without Jack knowing? What would she say if he asked her? She took a deep breath and pushed open the door to the change room.

The rows of blue lockers and the wood slatted benches were the same as before, but to Caitlin they seemed narrower and heavier. She felt the cold, slippery tile under her feet as she splattered to the back of the room leaving a wet trail behind her. She noticed a fogged-up glass door. From behind her, a rotund woman whom she hadn’t heard coming up, jostled her out of the way and opened the door. “Are you coming in? Hurry up if you are!” she commanded. Caitlin scurried in. The hot fog caught in her throat, making her cough. Her nostrils burned, her skin erupted in sweat, her eyes filled with tears. The floor was so wet she almost slipped and caught herself on a tiled tier. She slunk into a seated position adjusting herself to her surroundings. She could barely make out the form of the woman who had preceded her and wondered if others were there with them. She could feel the day settling in her body: the heaviness of brunch weighing on her stomach, the excitement of the pool, the commotion of the fall.. Caitlin felt muddled. She wondered if she could get out before she got sick. Her limbs seemed to be slipping away from her as though she couldn’t control them any longer. The space seemed stranger than ever, the vapour swirling into indistinct shapes, sounds muffled by the thick air. She looked in front of her and saw another woman appear before her, not the fat one from the change room, but a tall, delicate one. Curiously, she seemed to be wearing a robe of some kind, her towel draped around her? Caitlin was too dazed to tell. The lady sat down next her, she placed her hand on Caitlin's arm. She had a soothing, enveloping, familiar presence. The girl gasped in another breath of steam which burned deep into her lungs. “Cate,” she heard the lady say. Caitlin wondered how she knew her name. Was this one of her mother’s friends? “You’ll be fine, my child,” continued the lady, her voice mesmerizing. Caitlin felt hypnotized and could barely make sense of the words that were being spoken to her. They sounded like a chant or a prayer.

“Know that you will walk the road less travelled. You will see things that most people won’t see. You will meet people who will bring you joy and others who will bring you sorrow. You will meet someone whom you’ll love and you’ll leave him one day. You will feel pain when your parents are gone but your brother will stand by your side. You will struggle to open up your wings and fly, but when you do you’ll soar. As you go through all of this, these moments of beauty and these times of sadness, remember this: when comes time to make a decision, close your eyes. See all the paths before you radiate in an arc. Stand before them. Look at them. Breathe. One will start to shine brighter than the others. That is the path you will walk, the decision you will make. It will always steer you in the right direction.” Caitlin wanted to pull away from her, didn’t understand what she was saying or what she wanted from her. She felt the woman lift her arm and help her up, out to the door. The sharp cold air assaulted her and she was pulled back into the change room. She managed to find her towel, glacial and stiff, and stumbled to her locker.

Jackson was waiting for her, his hair mussed and his cheeks red. He was relieved to see her but didn’t ask her any questions about the sauna. The lifeguard pointed them to a tunnel which led back to the main building, and Caitlin felt she was coming back to herself as they fancied themselves excavators boring their way back to civilization. They emerged in the lobby which seemed familiar now with its fireplace and hubbub of guests arriving and departing. They found their parents who had brought down the suitcases and checked out of the rooms. All that was left now was to follow them as before, back to the car. Father was in front, followed by Mother and Jackson. And as Caitlin trailed behind, she wondered if the woman in the sauna was real or if she was just a dream.

This story was inspired by the Akashics Tarot by Sharon Anne Klingler and Sandra Anne Taylor

© Cécile Charlton, 2021