Jessie
Jessie was unequivocally, undeniably, and completely bored to the core. For a gal with a bright future, several degrees, and an IQ well above average, she had picked the most boring thing to do for a living. Who knew running a resort would be so mind-numbing? Every morning she would come in, give housekeeping their assignments, the same for janitors and maintenance men. Jessie would input what little money they made from the day before into the computer, answer a few emails, and sometimes inquire about renting the resort. All of that took less than two hours.
The rest of her day dragged on in a haze of monotony. She would wander through the empty halls of the resort, her footsteps echoing against the polished floors. Occasionally, she would stop by the dining area, where the staff busied themselves with preparations for guests who seldom came or wandered out to the pool. The pool was her favorite place. It was designed to look like ancient Roman baths, not the actual historical baths themselves, but the Tinseltown idea of where a Roman would soak. The resort had seen better days, its luster now faded like the once-bright wallpaper adorning the walls, but the pool still retained the glamour of its glory days.
Jessie often found herself gazing out the large windows of her office, watching the waves crash against the distant shore. The sea was wild and untamed, a stark contrast to the dull predictability of her daily routine. She longed for something more, something that would stir the stagnant waters of her life.
One particularly dreary afternoon, as she was idly flipping through the old guest records she had found in the attic, a knock at her office door startled her. She looked up to see a man standing in the doorway, a broad smile on his face. He was tall and rugged, with windswept hair and eyes that sparkled with mischief.
“Hi there,” he said, his voice warm and friendly. “I’m sorry to bother you, but I was hoping you might have a moment to talk.”
Jessie blinked, surprised. “Of course,” she replied, motioning for him to take a seat. “What can I help you with?”
“My name is Tom,” he began, settling into the chair opposite her desk. “I’m a writer, and I’m looking for a quiet place to work on my next book. I heard about your resort and thought it might be the perfect spot.”
Jessie felt a flicker of interest. A writer? Here? The idea was intriguing. “We don’t get many guests these days,” she admitted. “But you’re welcome to stay. It might actually be nice to have someone around who isn’t on the staff.”
Tom’s smile widened. “Great! I was hoping you’d say that. I need a bit of peace and quiet to get my thoughts in order. Plus, I’ve always found that new places can be very inspiring.”
As they discussed the details of his stay, Jessie felt a strange sense of anticipation. Perhaps this unexpected visitor was just what she needed to break the monotony. Little did she know, Tom’s arrival would set off a chain of events that would change everything, breathing new life into both her and the resort.
Days turned into weeks, and Tom’s presence became a catalyst for change. His curiosity and enthusiasm were infectious, and Jessie found herself looking forward to their daily conversations. He spoke of adventures, far-off places, and the wonders of the world, igniting a spark of excitement within her.
One evening, as they sat by the fire pit on the resort’s patio, Tom turned to her with a thoughtful expression. “Jessie, have you ever thought about Putting your own story Into words? You have so much knowledge and experience, and I bet you have some incredible tales to tell. You should write”
Jessie laughed. “Me?”
“Yes, you,” Tom suggested. “Write about the resort, your life here, the people you meet. Sometimes, the most extraordinary stories come from the most ordinary places.”
Inspired by his words, Jessie began to jot down her thoughts, memories, and observations. What started as a way to pass the time soon became a necessary part of her day. She discovered a love for storytelling that she never knew she had, and as she poured her heart into her writing, the resort seemed to come alive around her.
Guests began to trickle in, drawn by the tales she shared online and the sense of magic she had woven with her words. The resort, once a dull, lifeless, past its prime place, buzzed with new energy and excitement.
Tom finished his novel and left with barely a goodbye as he was anxious to get to his next novel and a new place. Jessie thought after all their talks and his encouragement that perhaps they would stay friends, but emails were rarely answered. The resort was busier than ever, and time passed.
Eventually, Jessie knew she would probably never see Tom again. She was at peace with that. Jessie would always be grateful to Tom for transforming boredom into boundless possibility and teaching her that the greatest adventures are within.