My father had said the right things when he was pitching me the job, making me feel like I’d have a say in the projects we were working on and that this would be a collaboration. I gave him the benefit of the doubt—and that was a big fucking mistake. Because now I was trapped, and that might have been his plan all along.
I had a folder of potential ideas that I’d pitched to my father, only to get shut down over and over. I wanted to prove him wrong, but more importantly, I wanted to show myself that I could do it. Maybe then it’d be easier to escape his grasp, even if that meant being on my own.
That’s exactly what I intended to do with my weekend trip.
About a month ago, I’d gotten an unexpected email from my grandfather Hal, who lived in Golden Falls, a small townin northern Wisconsin. It was about a four-hour drive from Milwaukee.
My father grew up in Golden Falls but left when he turned eighteen. He never went back, not even for a visit. As a result, I’d never been there, and that brought its own anxieties.
I’d seen my grandfather here and there over the years when I was growing up, but it had been longer than I wanted to admit since the last time I saw him. As much as I wanted to be excited that my grandfather reached out, I just…didn’t feel that connection. I barely knew the man, and he barely knew me. Or at least, he barely knew the adult version of me.
I vaguely remembered Hal and my grandmother Vera visiting Milwaukee when I was young, whether that was for my birthday, holidays, or my sports games. One thing I did remember clearly, though, was they always had a camera on them to take photos.
The visits eventually became less frequent and stopped when I was a teenager. I remembered instances of Hal and Vera showing up at my parents’ house, and my father telling them to leave. Of them asking to see me and him saying no.
I harbored my own guilt and emotions that had been nagging me over the last couple of years. Emotions I’d tried to avoid. Until now. In a few short days, I would step foot in Golden Falls for the first time in my life.
Contrary to what my father thought, I tried not to get emotionally invested in my various projects. I tried to keep it strictly business. That’s exactly what my visit to Golden Falls would be. Nothing more.
I pulled up last month’s email from Hal, reading it for what felt like the millionth time.
From: Hal Nelson
To: Gabriel Nelson , Lily Richards
Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2:30 p.m.
Subject: Building proposal from Hal Nelson
Dear Lily and Gabe,
As you both know, I’m nearing my mid-seventies and am seeking to pass down some of my responsibilities, namely my tasks as a property owner and landlord. I still plan to continue operating my hardware store.
I currently own the one building, which has commercial space on the first floor and apartments on the second. Lily is very familiar with this building as she rents one of the apartments and is one of the business tenants. Gabe, I encourage you to visit Lily’s café when you’re in town.
I’d like to speak with you both about the future of the building, because I’m unsure about next steps. I care deeply about both of you and about this town. I have a feeling this building has the potential to bring people together, and I’d like to see what ideas you may have as I prepare to sell.
I’d like to meet with you both in early December. This will only work if we meet in Golden Falls. Likely in my hardware store, although I’m open to other locations in town.
Please let me know some upcoming days and times that will work with your schedules, and I will handle the rest.
I’m looking forward to it and hope you are, too. See you both soon.
- Hal Nelson
The replies on the email thread were limited. Shortly after getting the email, I let Hal know my availability. I had no idea what this building was or why he was looping me in, but I was intrigued. For some reason, it felt like something I couldn’t pass up. Lily replied with when she was available, and then Hal set up a date and time for us to meet.
Just as they’d done the past month, my fingers itched to look her up. I started to type her name into the search bar, my pinky hovering over the enter key. Right as I was about to give in, I caught sight of the time. If I didn’t leave now, I was going to be late for dinner with my best friend Liam. I shook my head and shut my laptop.
I had no idea who Lily Richards was, but I’d find out soon enough.
2
GABRIEL
“Your dad’sa piece of work, and that’s putting itverymildly,” my best friend Liam Haven said over the classic rock and various conversations in the background before taking another bite of his burger.
We were at Half Day Pub, our favorite spot to grab dinner and a beer after work. It was hard to believe we’d been coming here regularly for a few years now.
