“Damn.” Jack unfolded his arms and ran his hand over his face.
Tommy wasn’t inclined to share the business of another, but Jack was a trustworthy sort. He wouldn’t tell anyone who didn’t need to know.
“I’m only involved because he’s threatened my wife,” Tommy continued. “My family.”
Jack stroked his beard as he contemplated him. “So, what are you going to do?”
“I’m going to find a way to bring him down.”
Jack shook his head, his thick beard, now peppered with white, moving with him. “That’s dangerous business, son.”
Tommy felt Jack’s concern, especially in the way he referred to him. He was worried about him, not judging him. Tommy realized he hadn’t even asked his mentor how Blackwood had threatened him.
“What did Garrick say to you?”
“Told me that you were trouble. That you were in with Blackwood and I best be rid of you, or I would see myself beholden to the man soon enough.”
“If we let him get away with what he’s doing, all of Manchester will be beholden to him in one way or another,” Tommy said.
“Unfortunately, I guess that’s the truth.”
“I don’t want to see you or the business in harm’s way, any more than I want to see Minnie put in his path,” Tommy said with a sigh as he ran his hand through his hair. “Maybe it’s for the best that we part ways.”
“Part ways? You and me?” Jack said, his eyes widening, the first show of emotion. “Tommy, I’ve been training you for seven years. Known you since you were wee.”
“I know, but Jack…” Tommy didn’t want Jack to think he wasn’t grateful, but there was still much that needed to be said about their working relationship. “It’s been seven years, and we haven’t talked lately about what comes next. I appreciate working with you more than you know. You’ve been good to me. More than an employer, than a mentor. But…”
Jack studied him. “But now you have a wife to look after, a family to come.”
“Yes,” Tommy said, relieved that Jack understood. “I need to decide what’s next for myself, as well.”
“I’ve been doing some thinking myself,” Jack said, sitting back, once again crossing his thick arms over his chest. “Maybe it’s time that you start looking after all of this yourself, as we always planned for you to. If Blackwood wants to threaten you, then so be it. That will be on you to deal with.”
“Take it on?” Tommy repeated, blinking. “You want me to take over the shop?”
“That’s what I’m thinking, yes,” Jack said, a wide smile breaking over his face. “You’d have to buy me out, but we could do it over time, a small bit each month. I’d still be around to help when needed, but I wouldn’t have to worry about the concerns that come with running the shop. That would all be on you. Let’s be honest, you’ve been doing much of it already. I could still help during football, until you hire an apprentice. Of course, the profits would also be yours as well. What would you think about that?”
“That would be… that would be amazing,” Tommy said, still in astonishment at the turn in the conversation. “But Jack, I don’t want you to feel forced into this because of Blackwood’s threats. We could always pretend you’re not part of it and then return to the way things were. Do this later, once everything is settled down.”
“No,” Jack said, shaking his head and sitting forward. “I think this is what I needed to encourage me to take the next step. To be honest, son, I’ve been dragging my feet. Too afraidto move forward, as it means my best years are behind me. Flora’s told me that enough times, but I just couldn’t see it myself until now.”
“You don’t know that, Jack,” Tommy said, realizing he was arguing against what he wanted, but he hated seeing the man he cared for appear so discouraged. “Maybe your best years are yet to come. You can relax. Spend time with your family. Enjoy your time.”
“True.”
“And if you really miss the work, you can come in and harass me anytime,” Tommy said with a laugh. “You know I’m going to have more questions than you’ll want to deal with.”
Jack laughed in turn. “Don’t I know it. Be careful with your offer, Tom, or you might have me on as a full-time employee.”
“I’d be happy for it,” Tommy said, reaching out and clasping hands with Jack before he turned serious again. “I do have one other favor to ask.”
“Name it.”
“Becoming my wife… has been an adjustment for Minnie, even if she’d never admit it. It’s not that she isn’t happy with me – at least, I think she is – it’s just that she’s just not sure what to do with herself all day while I’m in the shop. Do you think maybe she could chat with Flora one day? Get a sense of how she can help, what she can do?”
“Seems to me like she’s been doing a decent job so far,” Jack said. “But of course. Flora would be happy to speak to her.”
“Thanks, Jack.”
