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wound up into a high bun and she's only wearing a light sweater despite the cool weather. I'm not sure
how she can stand it because as soon as the weather changes I feel like I need to wrap myself up in
several layers.
"I met your father earlier. He fixed the railing." She nods toward the slats in the railing.
Sure enough, all the slats are in place and nailed in to the banister. One of them came loose
last week and was sticking out at an odd angle. I'd tried to push it back into place but I wasn't strong
enough and I was scared of cutting myself on one of the nails poking out of the wood.
"Did he? Well, I'm not surprised. He worries about me."
She moves a little closer, pouring a stream of water from her can onto the potted begonia near
the steps. "He had the tools in his truck. I tell you, they don't make 'em much like that anymore."
She waves as I walk down the sidewalk toward my car at the end of our drive.
Despite the cold, it's a nice day to be out. I put down the windows in my car to let in the
breeze. I'm not the only one taking advantage of the last tolerable weather before winter hits hard.
Several people are on bicycles and I note several mothers out pushing those jogging strollers.
I love Main Street. It's everything that New Haven has to offer in a nutshell. The picturesque
businesses with their trademark red awnings overhanging the sidewalk make for a scenic walk for
tourists. The side street that leads to the boardwalk is deserted but I know that it'll be busy by
midday.
Even in the midst of the cool autumn weather, there are always people like me who can't stay
away from the water. I moved to Virginia Beach because it was closer to a lot of the clubs where I
used to perform. Plus I just wanted to get a little distance from my parents. I knew my mother would
freak out if I moved too far away so I figured thirty minutes was far enough to keep her from showing
up unexpectedly but close enough for her not to worry too much. Now that Kay has moved into her
new house with Eli, I figured it was finally time for me to think about where I want to be.
And that's New Haven.
My new space is in a converted row house on a side street right off the main road. It's in
between a vintage clothing boutique and a pastry shop. I take the first available parking space I can
and then walk to the building. The sign in the window still says For Lease. I'll be sure to take that
down after lunch.
Glancing back at my car, I decide to leave it parked where it is and just walk over to my
favorite retro diner, The Rush. When I push open the door, Miss Doris looks up from behind the
counter.
"Oh well, look who decided to come see me." She cackles out a laugh and comes around the
counter.
I haven't seen her in a while and when she hugs me, her familiar scent of cinnamon and
cigarettes washing over me, it feels so familiar. Kay and I used to come here all the time in high
school.
"I just moved back in town and I've been getting settled. I'm staying over on Kent Avenue in
one of those converted duplexes. I'm renting from Mrs. Hanes."
Miss Doris leads me to the counter. "Sure, I know Elaine. Her husband used to work for the
gas company back when my Gerald was there. He was a nice guy. Liked the drink though," she
whispers.
I can only shake my head. Now it really feels like old times. I forgot how small this town
really is and how there are never really any secrets. Everybody knows your business even if you think
you've been discreet. She leaves and comes back with a glass of Coke. It's a small thing but it feels
good that she remembers my usual drink order.
"I'll just have a cheeseburger and an order of sweet potato fries."
She winks. 'You got it, kiddo."
I pull out my phone and start making lists. Despite having slightly less funding, I'm more
determined than ever to make this club a success. Over the years I've built up an impressive list of
private students but I've always done in-home tutoring. Now I'll finally have a commercial space to
meet my students. One of the main reasons I was able to get a loan for this venture is because I
proposed a space with dual functions. It will be a jazz club and a small theatre. And during the week
when the club is closed, I can use the space for tutoring.
I was told I'd need a liquor license just to serve alcohol at my grand opening but I'm sure I'll
need a different license to serve it on a permanent basis. I put that on the list. Also I'll need to figure
out what suppliers to use so I can get the food and drink at more affordable prices. Miss Doris
interrupts me to set my food down and I'm halfway through my burger when I finally realize that I'll
have to scrap all my plans if I can't figure out how to trim expenses. I could do a scaled down opening
but that's not really what I want to do. I wanted to make a splash.
I take another huge bite of my burger and console myself with the greasy delight.
On the way out, I leave cash on the table and then I stuff several bills in the tip jar up front.
I walk out of the diner and cross the street, walking down to my new building. Excitement
shivers through me. It's mine! I use the key the landlord gave me to open the door and step inside. It
smells musty from being closed up so I leave the front door open behind me to air things out a bit.
First thing, I take the For Lease sign out of the window and place it on the floor facedown. I'll
have to give that back to the landlord later. Then I take a good, critical look around the space. When I
was here before I was looking at it for its potential. Now I'm assessing its current condition. The
floors are scuffed from where the previous tenants moved out and there's a thick layer of dust on
everything.
In the middle of the floor are some bookcases left by the previous tenant. The landlord told me
he would get them cleared out if I didn't want them but I think I ll leave them. I m not in the position
to turn down free stuff, even if I m not sure what I m going to do with it all yet.
There's not too much I can do until it's cleaned up in here but it's fun to dream about what it'll
be like. I pull the door closed behind me and lock up.
As I cross Main Street again, I take a good look around. It's a weekend and the middle of the
day and while there are a respectable number of people out shopping, it's not exactly busy. Nowhere
near the kinds of traffic you'd see in Virginia Beach or Norfolk. What was I thinking to try to start a
club here? Even if there are a lot of jazz enthusiasts, are there enough to support a business?
Shaking off the negative thoughts, I get behind the wheel of my car and turn the key. There's a
clicking sound. I turn the key again. Nothing.
This is not happening. Come on.
Spending the day stranded in the middle of town wasn't exactly my grand plan. I have roadside
assistance but the last time I used it, it took forever. I glance across the street at the diner. Miss Doris
might know someone who could tow me faster. Then for some reason my thoughts go to Gabe. Didn't
he say that he owned an auto shop with his brother?
No, no, no. You are not calling him.
My resolve where he's concerned is already shaky at best and there's no way that I can keep
my reserve around him if we keep getting thrown together. But when I pull out my phone to find the
contact information for roadside assistance, my fingers end up doing a search for Gabe Marshall.
G&Z Motors is the top search result.
Maybe this is a sign. A sign that I need to go after what I want. I snort. I m not even sure what I
want, other than to figure out how to get my club open on schedule. And to see Gabe again. I ignore
the traitorous voice of reason and before I can think about it too hard, I dial the number.
"Hi, I need to get a tow truck."
* * * * *
The man who arrives to tow my car isn't Gabe or Zack. He's a small, wiry guy who introduces
himself as Jim. I climb up into the cab of the truck while he scurries around the back attaching things [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]