Max had only been working at Bar for the past six months. We needed extra help, especially in the summer months. Grand Haven became a tourist destination for those trying to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and wanted a change of scenery from The Hamptons. Grand Haven was also a steal compared to Hamptons’ prices. Definitely more bang for your buck.
I loved the business from a money standpoint but hated serving pompous assholes.
Nicky and I went to NYU together, and when I needed someone to help me with the bar, he jumped in. He was the person who introduced me to Roxy, Noelle’s mother. They both were aspiring to join Wall Street, but Nicky, like myself, preferred small-town living.
Like Noelle said, Max couldn’t do it alone. Nick could handle things if I wasn’t able to make it in for whatever reason, which happened more than I liked, because being a parent always came with surprises.
I did whatever I needed to get by. I knew I wanted to jump into running a business rather than taking classes about business.
Some might say it was naive and that I got lucky. Truth was, I was lucky.
I was lucky Nicky took me to Bar—original name, I know—on my twenty-first birthday. I was lucky that my own sperm donor left my mother but felt guilty enough to leave me a small trust fund when he died.
I was lucky to live in a small town where the banks took a chance on a young single father to buy a bar with a low interest rate.
But being lucky didn’t discount any of the hard work and sacrifices along the way.
I sacrificed relationships because it would take me away from my daughter. I couldn’t risk her getting close to someone only for her to have the rug pulled out from under her. I sacrificed having any real alone time because I’d rather spend my free time with my kid. I sacrificed many of the experiences my friends had because on the rare chance I wasn’t with Noelle or at the bar, I did odd jobs around town to save extra money for Noelle’s college fund or special occasions.
Despite all of this, I didn’t have any regrets. I was blessed.
If it weren’t for my mom, Ms. Kenzie, and Fiona, taking it upon themselves to make sure I didn’t completely screw up this whole parenting thing, I might’ve fallen apart a long time ago. A perk of small-town living was having a village. Many parents—let alone single parents—weren’t afforded that, let alone a good one, like mine.
Jena made her way over to the table, a dish rag slung over her shoulder and flour covering her apron. “Hey, guys.” She poured coffee in the white mug in front of me. “You look exhausted, CJ,” she said.
Ms. Kenzie helped raise me when my mom was working two jobs to provide for us. Jena came along when I was ten and she was like the little sister I never had.
I sighed. “I feel exhausted.”
“And apparently, he forgot my art supplies,” Noelle added, shooting me a smirk.
Ms. Kenzie came up behind her daughter. “You look like shit, CJ.” She was never one to mince words. She handed Noelle a pastry to “test.”
“Thanks,” I muttered, taking a sip of my coffee.
“You do look raggard, Daddy,” Noelle said with her mouth full.
“It’s haggard,” Jena corrected as she walked over to the counter to help a customer.
“Noelle, dear, would you like to help me ice the cupcakes for the high school’s open house?” Ms. Kenzie offered, glancing at me.
I waved her off and Noelle ran behind the counter, complaining to Jena about her braids.
Ms. Kenzie turned to me and clicked her tongue. “You need a night off. How about Noelle comes over to my place tonight? That way you can get some rest and she can keep me company while Jena sneaks off with Keith.”
I rolled my eyes. “They’re still sneaking around?”
Ms. Kenzie nodded and looked to her daughter behind the counter. “She’ll tell me when she’s ready. Plus, I get to spend time with my other favorite girl.”
I hesitated. I hated being away from her, but I also knew I needed the help. “You sure?”
Ms. Kenzie gave me a pointed look. “I helped raise you, didn’t I? I think I can handle a nine-year-old.”
Noelle must have heard Ms. Kenzie’s booming voice because she clapped her hands together. “Sleepover at Kenzie’s!”
I heard Noelle ask Jena if she was going to be there, and Jena started stammering and trying to hide her blush behind her teal bangs. Giving up, she ushered Noelle into the kitchen.
Once they were gone, Ms. Kenzie spoke again. “You need to accept our help more often.”
