“It’s not every night, but most. I do more than work here.”
I lifted an eyebrow.
“The Walleye Tavern is mine,” he said.
“Wow.” My gaze moves from Theo to around the large room. “It’s yours? You own this place?” Theo is a year younger than me and he owns his own business.
He nods. “Yeah, I had my first job here in high school. I cleaned, threw away trash, and helped stock the back. Two years ago, Old Man Wilson learned he had cancer.”
I try to remember. “Didn’t he have family?”
“Wife and three kids. Wife died before he was diagnosed. Their kids are married with kids of their own and all live away. None of them were interested in this old place.” He shrugs. “I was. I made him an offer.”
“How does a town deputy feel about his son owning the only bar?”
Theo scoffs. “It’s not the only one. Sunshine Cafe serves beer and wine.”
“Oh, come on, it closes at eight.”
Theo laughs. “I’m not interested in the breakfast rush. We have a nice understanding.”
Dipping another French fry in salt and cheeseburger grease, I nod. “That’s the appeal of a small town. I don’t think different establishments negotiate hours of service in California.”
“Back to your question, I’m still proving to Blue Gil and beyond that I’m more than a deputy’s son.”
I plop the fry in my mouth. “It looks like you’re doing well. What is your sister up to?” She was a year older than me.
“She’s like you.”
“Like me?”
“Yeah, Syd went to college and never came back.”
“Where does she live?” I ask.
“Chicago. She works in some law firm.”
I flash Theo a smile. “Different strokes for different folks. You’re making this place work.”
“I started out trying to keep everything the same,” he says, “like if I did, people wouldn’t know it was under new management. I’m slowly making some changes. Next week, I’m opening outdoor seating for the first time. It will be seasonal, but I’m hoping there’s a market.” He shrugs. “So far, no one has complained about the changes, and more importantly, they keep coming back.”
“Well, that’s a start.” I smile. “You’re good at talking to people, Theo. You probably know everyone’s life story.”
He leans forward with his elbows on the bar as theedge of a tattoo peeks out from under his sleeve. “What’s your life story, Jillian? Why did you quit caring what others think?”
Picking up my drink, I swirl the amber liquid. The memory I have been trying to suppress returns. My sister...my family.
The medications were dissipating from Julie’s system. After Michelle entered the room, a nurse came in and told us to watch for movement. Sure enough, in another hour, Julie began turning and fidgeting. Her hand would twitch, and her face moved from side to side.
Michelle was gone, and I informed the nurses. They assured me it was normal.
Just before Dr. Chaudhry arrived, my family joined me. I’m not sure what the doctor injected into Julie’s IV, but within a few minutes, Julie’s movements increased. Her eyes opened for a split second. It was as if she wasn’t seeing what was in front of her. Her expression was a composite of emotions, as if she were seeing something we couldn’t.
There was both fear and shock as her focus was somewhere beyond the present. She offered gurgled sounds as her breathing came faster. She pulled at the tubes. It was like watching a frightened kitten, clawing and hissing, Julie went from slumber to a sheer state of panic.
Instead of enlisting our help or support, Dad sent us all out of the room, leaving only him, Mom, and Dr. Chaudhry at her side.
For a moment, my siblings and I lingered in thehallway outside her door, wondering what Julie was saying, what she remembered, and if they told her about Marty, how she reacted. Eventually the three of us made it to the waiting room, Ollie, Liv, and I.
