Walt shrugs. “I like real estate. I own a good half a dozen buildings around town. Figured this one was a good investment, and it would help all of you out at the same time.”
That is an unexpected revelation. I had no idea Walt was a real estate magnate in town. This morning is full of surprises.
“If Walt owns the building, he’s on the hook for all the repairs,” Dot explains, “including all the upgrades to satisfy the new county codes.”
Walt nods placidly. I’m struggling to understand the particulars of the offer, however.
“So you’d be our landlord? We would rent from you?” My mind is skipping many steps ahead.
“Sure, you can sign any length of contract you want,” Walt says. “I’ll give you a real good deal. It might even save you money in the long run, with property taxes and repairs being so high.”
“Why would you do this for us?” Mom asks Walt cautiously.
He shrugs. “A man’s gotta do his part for his community. And I gotta do right by my sister too. Can’t have her shop closing on account of needing some new pipes.” He nods toward Dot. “So I figured it was a win-win. I get a good investment and you get peace of mind. Think it over and talk with the others. I’m in nohurry.” He goes back to his enormous platter, sopping up gravy with half a fluffy biscuit.
“I need to get back to the store,” Sebastian says, standing. “I have a shipment of oils coming in any minute.” He taps the document on the table. “I’ll have my attorney look this over, and after he’s had a chance to discuss it with me, I’ll get back to you with my vote.”
Hilda stands too. “I’m okay with selling if that’s what we decide,” she says. “I don’t have the money to pay for what the county is making us do. Either we sell, or I’ll have to close up shop and sell anyway.”
“Or we could come up with another option,” I add. “Maybe we don’t have to sell at all.” Walt’s offer is enticing—easy, generous, and it would solve everyone’s immediate financial problems. But to sell our shop? I need some time to think about it. At first glance it doesn’t sit right with me somehow.
“We need some time to think about it,” Mom says, putting her arm around my shoulders and giving me a soft little squeeze. “Since this is Emmie’s new shop, I’m going to leave the decision up to her.”
“If there’s a way to afford the repairs and keep our shops, I’d be all for that,” Hilda tells me as she floats out the door after Sebastian in a cloud of patchouli essential oil and a swish of her full hippie skirt. “Let me know if you come up with any other good ideas.”
“That’s my cue,” Dot says, standing and throwing a five-dollar bill on the table for her coffee. Walt is still plowing through his enormous plate. “I gotta get the shop opened. See you all in a few.” Dot leaves.
Now it’s just Walt, Mom, and me.
Mom stands with difficulty, grabbing her cane. I stand too. “Thank you, Walter. This is a generous offer. We have a lot tothink about.” She pauses. “I’ll see you Thursday.” She hobbles out the door, Mr. Butters at her heels. He’s almost prancing this morning, blocky head held high. I follow her out, holding the proposal from Walt.
“No doggy costume today?” I observe, glancing at Mr. Butters.
Mom looks down in surprise. “Oh, I just didn’t have time. Too much on my social calendar, something has to go.” She waves a hand. I smile. Maybe she’s finding a path for herself after all.
“What’s happening Thursday with Walt?” I ask as we head down the sidewalk toward our store.
Mom hesitates for the briefest of seconds. “Walt is coming with me to puzzle club again this week. You don’t need to drive me. He’s picking me up.”
How interesting…
“And he invited me over to his house this weekend to do a new puzzle he just got in the mail. He’s part of a puzzle subscription service, where as soon as you complete a puzzle, they send you a new one. Isn’t that clever?” Mom’s mouth curves into a little smile of anticipation as we walk side by side down Front Street toward our storefront. “This time they sent him a very tricky one, all ferns in shades of green. We’re going to sit on his back deck and listen to a true crime podcast and try to complete the puzzle. Apparently that’s what he does every Sunday, listens to a podcast and completes a puzzle.”
“But you don’t like true crime,” I point out. “It’s too violent for you.”
Mom smiles again, a secret little smile. “Well, it’s never too late to try new things,” she says. “Who knows, you might find out you like something you thought you loathed for years!” And then she breezes into Dot’s shop, Mr. Butters in tow, leaving me standing gape-jawed on the sidewalk.
I linger for a moment in front of our shop, creasing the folds of the offer letter in my hands, thinking over the implications. Mom is letting me make this decision, and it’s a big one. If we sold, we could afford…so much. The repairs on the house that we’ve been putting off forever. I could afford the proper equipment I’ve been longing to buy for years. Walt would cover the very steep cost to upgrade the building. It’s a very appealing thought. But is it the right one?
I pull out the list and look at the second item.
To-Do List
• Henry + Emmie fall in love
• Chocolate shop
•Yellow dressthe right yellow dress thatfits!
