Page 3 of It Happened Duo
“You mean these cookies?” Colt talked through a mouth full while holding out the box stamped with the Flora’s Diner logo on top. I recalled making the new logo for Mom six years ago in one of the night classes I took at a nearby community college. Between those classes and my years of working with her in the diner, I hoped I was prepared for what’s coming next.
“Colt Jacob Calhoun, you give that box to your sister right now. As if you didn’t sneak cookies all day as you worked, my goodness.” Mom was all riled up now, and I chuckled at the camaraderie they shared. I wouldn’t have left her high and dry like this, with just my brother to count on to help run the diner, but things have happened so fast the past two weeks.
Mom always says things happen in threes. In this case, three calls are what it took to start me off on a new adventure this fall.
It all started when Maisy, the smarty pants, made a frantic call home before the start of her fourth year at Columbia University, only two semesters away from graduating with her degree in neuroscience. She was going to share an apartment this year with her best friend, Sophie, a business major. To make ends meet, they searched for anotherroommate, and found one who was majoring in theater. But on moving day the actress-to-be cancelled.
I assured Maisy it wouldn’t be the end of the world and to keep trying.Then the next day, a call came which none of us expected. Uncle Doug, our dad’s brother, was in the hospital in NYC being treated for a heart condition, Aunt Louisa informed us. Mom fretted for her brother-in-law even though the doctors said he’d be okay, but would have to make some lifestyle changes.Louisa fretted about Sun-Up Deli, the Manhattan deli my uncle owned.
The third thing that happened was a dream come true. A week later, Uncle Doug called, resting at home after leaving the hospital. He asked if I’d help run his deli until his lease ran out New Year’s Eve so he could take some time off to recuperate and plan for his retirement.Of course, Mom cried, but told me I had to do it because of the dream I put off so long ago for her.
That’s how I found myself saying goodbye now to Mom, Colt, and Holly Creek, heading to the big city. I’d miss this place, but I might be back come January. Meanwhile, I would have four months to live the life I always wanted and see where it would lead.
I even had a New York City bucket list of things I’d love to experience. Both fear and excitement rolled through me in a shiver. A lot could happen in one hundred and twenty-two days. I just needed to get in the car and drive away.
I took one last look at Mom with her shoulder length, red-dyed hair. She used to have a stunning red colornaturally, like me, but the years added some gray. Now, she liked to say that her hair was enhanced. She looked fabulous since starting a new exercise regime two years ago at my urging, and hardly a trace existed anymore of the tired, depressed woman she’d become after Dad passed away.
I knew she and Colt would manage without me. I hoped.
“I’ll text every day. Love you.” I hurried to take the box of cookies before I cried again, or chickened out and changed my mind.
“Good luck, sweetie. I know you’ll make great things happen. Be careful driving. Don’t stop at the rest stops?—”
“We’ll be fine, Mom. Call you when we get there,” Maisy, always little Miss Independent, yelled from the passenger seat.
“Scout out the bars and find the one with all the hot chicks for me, so we don’t waste time when I come visit,” Colt called after me. Mom elbowed him in the ribs. “Ow.”
I got into the driver’s side and honked as I pulled away. Maisy hung out the window and waved until Mom and Colt faded away in my rearview mirror.
“This will be so great,” I said to Maisy as we passed the village green and the last shop on Main Street. But I didn’t sound convinced, so I patted my pocket where I’d tucked a bucket list I’d scribbled with all the things I’d like to do while in the city. Maybe it was a silly thing to do, but it reminded me that whether this adventure was short term or long lasting, this was a chance for new experiences.
Tomorrow, I’d wake up and be more confident about the move, but not today, not when I had just left my heart behind and hadn’t realized how hard that would be.
3
BRIGHTEST SPOT
REX
For the entirecar ride into work this morning, I scrolled through all the important emails and messages my assistant Pearl had sent my way. There should be a rule against how many issues a CEO should have to deal with before noon. I paused scrolling at one thing that caught my eye and scowled, dialing her immediately.
“Good morning, Rex. How are you today?” Her usual sarcastic tone ripped through the phone. We had a love/hate relationship. She loved to torment me, and I hated her for it. But I couldn’t do without her, since she was the former assistant to Richard. While he made himself scarce these days, Pearl was indispensable, as the resource I referred to most to navigate being a CEO of this damn family company.
“I’d like to know how speed dating got on my social calendar for tonight.”
“Your friend called—the cute one, Brooks. He said hehad something come up, and you had agreed to be Archer’s wingman.”
“No, I didn’t. Take it off.”
“You work too much, and you need to have some fun.”
“You’re giving me social advice now?”
“Seems to me you could use it.”
“Remove it now,” I ordered.
“And let poor Archer down? Nope. Call your friend and cancel it yourself.” She hung up on me. Dammit, she’s getting a little too comfortable in her role, knowing I couldn’t do this job without her. Pearl was Dad’s assistant before Richard’s, practically family, and I couldn’t fire her or my mother would kill me.
