Hey, um, Sherry? It’s Violet. Violet Ross.
There’s a pause. This was such a bad idea; I can feel the jumble of words start to fall out of my mouth. I’m so sorry about that night. It’s been weighing so heavily on me, and I was so embarrassed, but I wanted to call and apologize, I acted so unprofessionally and—
You, Violet, are a very difficult woman to get in touch with.
Now it’s my turn to pause.
When I found out that little dweeb fired you and tried to use me as an excuse, I was furious. I told him if he didn’t bring you back, I would blast his name all over this city, which is exactly what I did. I called around to some of the staff I could get in touch with, but no one had your new number. They said you’d gone off to B.C. somewhere, she takes a long, almost wistful sigh.
I assumed that meant Vancouver, and that you were going to start a similar business out there. But no one I knew in Vancouver had come across you yet.
My mind is reeling. Was she trying to find me to stop me from making a fool of myself elsewhere, to warn people—
Tell me you’re finally taking clients. I have at least fifteen events for myself and a few others that I can put you in touch with right away.
Stunned, I can only manage to say, What?
Sherry laughs, but it’s not an unkind laugh. You’re the reason I kept coming back, not that insufferable fool Gabe, who is a mediocre chef at best. You’re the one who ran everything beautifully. I never had to worry about a thing if you were in charge.
But, I got really drunk, and was such a mess and—
You had a bad night, and then were heartily encouraged by me, I might add, to have a few drinks. One bad night, when I knew it was because Gabe had upset you, does not erase years of perfectly run events. You have exquisite taste, you bring in the best staff, plan the best menus—truly a dream to work with.
My world suddenly feels like it’s been turned upside down. How did I get this so wrong?
So tell me, are you set up in Vancouver yet? Actually, I don’t care, are you set up anywhere? I’ll fly you wherever, if need be. But I want to have the best, and you’re the best, Violet.
I feel a surge of laughter desperate to bubble out of me. This entire time, for almost two years, I’d believed that I had ruined this woman’s night—that she hated my guts—and instead she’d been trying to track me down all over the country.
I’m not sure about Vancouver, I say, adding, But when I’m up and running again you’ll be the first to know. I promise.
Well hurry up girl, I’ve got things to do!
We hang up with assurances to keep in touch.
I go barging into Alba’s house. She and Rose are on the couch, watching a movie. Alba grabs the remote and pauses it when she sees me. I feel like a completely different person from who she was sitting with on the dock a few hours ago.
That was quick, she says, clearly feeling the getting-things-done energy pulsing from me.
I think you might be right. About Finn.
Oh I’m definitely right—
What about Finn? Rose pipes up, glancing between us.
Are you sure? I ask Alba. She shrugs.
Only one way to find out.
Great, in that case I need a ride.
A ride where? Rose is laughing now, unable to follow this conversation.
Alba and I answer at the same time: To the airport.
Chapter 39
FINN
