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BILLY
It’s Friday night,and Jackson’s team has an away game. I expect to see him to come through later, but it won’t be a big show like last week.
My sister and the girls are wrapping up last-minute details for the party tomorrow. My parents think they’re going to the hall to check it out for a wedding for Tom and Farrah. Meanwhile, those two are already married.
I knew it! I felt it the minute he left. The way they looked at each other, like they held a secret only they knew about. A little plan they cooked up for just them. I’ll admit to being a bit upset that I didn’t get to see it happen, but the smile on his face earlier today was enough.
He’s happy. And he’s in love. Farrah gave him everything he needed to overcome his demons.
That's what a good woman does, right? They make us look good when we have nothing left.
“Hey, Bill,” Al says as he approaches the bar. He looks terrible, but Idon’t want to tell him that. Instead, I shake his hand and tell him he’s got a good crowd here tonight.
“I think they’re waiting for word about the game.”
Seeing a couple of regulars come in, I grab two beers from the cooler and slide them down to them. “I’m sure. I’m waiting, too. None of us are there tonight, preparing for tomorrow’s party. You’re coming, right?”
He smiles. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
He’s got an odd look in his eye that I can’t quite place, so I ask, “You doing okay?”
He nods to the barback. “Hey, take over for five? I need to speak with Billy real quick.”
I’m immediately on edge, as we walk to the back office, and I enter before him and he shuts the door, closing us in, the music dulling behind the door instantly.
“What’s going on, Al?”
He takes a breath, looking around the room before settling back on me. “We need to make a decision about this place.”
“I know you’ve asked me to take over. I just don’t know if it’s a good idea.”
“You’ve been working here for months without a problem, Bill. you’re the only one I trust to do the right thing here. If I sell it outright, you may end up with a chain restaurant or some crap that takes away from the small-town charm here. Your dad would never let me live it down.”
He laughs, but I eye him suspiciously. There’s something more going on here, and I feel I have to give him what he needs just to ease his mind. “What do you want me to do?”
“I don’t want to do the fifty-fifty split anymore. I want you to buy Moose’s from me.”
“Al! I can’t-”
He puts his hand up. “You can.” he nods at me. “Take your wallet out and give it to me.”
Furrowing my brows, I do what he says. Handing it over, I watchas he opens it up and takes out the cash I had. “Bro, you’re robbing me right before my eyes?”
He smirks at me as he counts the money. “Seventy-three dollars will do it.” He folds the bills in half and stuffs them in his pocket, handing the empty wallet back and moving to the desk. “Sign this.” He slides a paper across it, handing me a pen as he does so. I move to the desk, picking up the paper. It’s a deed for the building, along with a contract of sale for the Moose’s LLC business. The deed conveys property from Mr. Albert P. Gargulo to Mr. William J. Casanova.
My eyes jump to his as I exclaim, “This place is worth more than seventy-three dollars, Al. What are you doing? I can’t sign this!”
“Bill, it’s not about the money. This town needs this place. You need this place and I want you to have it. I want it to stay how it is, with a few minor fix ups, but I know you know a great construction company to handle it.” He smiles, still holding out the pen.
Taking it, my hand begins to shake because this feels too final for some reason. I pause, searching his face. “Are you going somewhere, Al?”
“Just sign the papers, Bill,” he says softly, holding my stare. My lip trembles but I press my lips together and bend down to sign.
Righting myself, I drop the pen and give him some good news. “I’m going to be a dad, Al.” His face lights up as he comes around the desk and pulls me in for a hug.
“And you’re going to be the best one ever.” He claps me on the back again. “Come on! Let’s go have a shot!”
I pull from him as he dissolves into laughter. “Have you lost your mind, old man?”
