Just then, Mom and Popster pull up, and I can’t believe I didn’t think to call them. I have no idea who told them. Ryker? Becky? Everything is a blur. They run over to me and wrap me in hugs. Ryker steps aside, now that my mom is here, and he heads over to talk to the fire chief. I’m relieved he’s here, taking control of everything.
Because I’ve fallen apart.
Black smoke is no longer billowing from the windows, and it’s been replaced by plumes of white steam as the firemen continue spraying in water, advancing closer to the building, while another team enters through the front door. In a few minutes, they turn off the hoses, and more of them enter the building. I resist the urge to run inside after them… I know it’s not safe, and they have work to do. But I just need to know… if my hotel is…
Ryker and the fire chief walk over to me, and the chief introduces himself. Something snaps me out of my stupor, and I’m suddenly alert enough to introduce myself and listen to what he has to say.
I’m relieved to learn that very little actually burned, just a small part of one exterior wall. The sprinkler system did its job and helped suppress the fire. Fortunately, the firefighters didn’t have to use the fire hoses very much, just enough to make sure there was no fire inside the wall. But there will still be water and smoke damage.
Ryker asks the fire chief, “Any idea what might have caused it?”
“We’ll know more soon, but according to Mr. Kingsley, the kitchen wasn’t in use yet, and the electrical had all just passed inspection. And since no one was supposed to be there, we’re still unsure, but we might have an idea,” the fire chief says, and then he turns to me. “Aspen, the fire was in the laundry room. Did you, by chance, use the dryer today?”
“No, I wasn’t even… wait a minute… Popster did. He said he washed a load of linens. Why?” I ask, confused, but sensing trouble. I swallow to ease the burning in my throat.
“Have you used the dryer before that? I mean, is it new, or did it come with the hotel?” he asks me.
“I think Popster has used it a few times. And it’s not new. The appliances came with the hotel when I bought it. The dryer’s been there for years, but it works. Well, it did.”
The fire chief grimaces. “Yeah, well, did you happen to have anyone clean the lint trap and vent hose before using it?”
“Well, I don’t know. I think Popster would clean the lint trap between uses, but I’m not sure about the… lint hose? What’s a lint hose?” Dread seeps into my gut.
“Vent hose,” he corrects. “It’s too early to say for sure, but dryer vent hoses are a common cause of fires. They’re those big, aluminum tubes coming out of the dryer that vent hot air out of the building. They need regular cleaning, and it’s anyone’s guess when the last time that happened here, right?”
“Fuck,” I whisper, and close my eyes as I feel my heart breaking in slow motion. It breaks for Popster, who will feel awful and take the blame because he left the dryer unattended. And my heart breaks, because, well, my dream just went up in flames.
The chief continues. “As soon as it’s safe, the inspector will get to work and verify the cause, whatever it was. When you’re ready, give us a call, and we’ll send someone over to walk through a fire safety checklist. It doesn’t cost anything, and it might keep us from having to come out again sometime,” he says dryly. Just another day at work for him, I suppose.
I thank the chief, and he walks away.
Ryker turns to me and says, “Shit.”
“Vent hoses? Fire safety checklist?” I say, dumbfounded. “What else don’t they tell new hotel owners?”
I shake my head. “Popster will feel so bad, even though it’s not his fault. He’ll think he’s responsible, not only for leaving the dryer unattended, but also because he’ll figure the vent hose was his job.”
“Want to tell him together?” Ryker asks. “He’s going to ask what the fire chief told you.”
“No!” I shriek my whisper. “I can’t tell him!”
“Jesus, Aspen, what are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. Put off telling him as long as I can. I’ll tell him after some time has passed, when everything is up and running.”
“If you say so,” he says, but I can tell he’s not sure about my plan. Then he asks, “You have insurance, right?”
“Yes, that part I knew about. It was required to get a loan.” My eyes look back at The Rose, and my heart continues to sink. I dread going inside and seeing how bad the damage is. A crowd of people have gathered, and I’m grateful Mom and Popster are handling them.
“The insurance will take care of everything, Aspen, you don’t need to worry.”
Then I realize something, and I start to cry. “It will take months to get paid by the insurance company! I don’t have the money right now for repairs. I’ve already maxed out my credit cards just getting the hotel ready to open. I’ll have to wait to get reimbursed before I start on fixing this! That means I can’t open on schedule, and that means no bookings, and that means I won’t be able to make the payments on the loan!” He tries to calm me, but I don’t think he understands. “Ryker, I’m going to lose the hotel!”
I throw my head back. With tears filling my eyes, I look up at the sky. It’s dark and gloomy, like my life, as of this morning. I’m back to the beginning… again.
He tips my chin in his direction and says, “Aspen, of course you have money. You have my money.”
“Ryker, I can’t take your money. You know that,”
