He placed the glass in front of me and asked gently, “What’s wrong, dear?”
I took a sip of the soda. The cold bubbles fizzed against my tongue as I looked around the restaurant.
That was when I noticed the same shabby man sitting in the same corner of the restaurant, drinking his beer.
I smiled at him out of politeness.
Clearly, it was a mistake.
What I got back was a mean stare with awhat-the-hellexpression. The hostility in his face was so immediate and unnecessary that it made me blink and turn away.
“I just got fired.” I looked back at Jack and sighed deeply. “And it wasn’t even my fault.”
The words tasted bitter, leaving my mouth.
My plan of securing my future… Lucas’s future… my baby’s future… had failed. I had mapped out a strategy to make my life in this village work. Now it was crumbling right in front of me.
My savings were still intact, but I did not want to rely on it unless I absolutely had to. I had worked too hard to build that cushion. It represented safety. A fallback. Breathing room. Using it now felt too close to losing control.
“I’m so sorry.” Jack held my hand gently. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“No. I prefer not to.”
If I started talking, I was not sure I would be able to stop. The anger was still too fresh. I stared at the scratched wooden bar top instead.
“Have you eaten anything?” he asked, his eyebrows drawn together.
“No, I?—”
“William!” Jack yelled.
I jumped slightly at the sudden roar.
“Boy, fire up a grilled seabass with vegetables and potatoes.”
“Yes, Boss!” came the reply from a squeaky voice inside the kitchen.
Jack looked back at me and smiled warmly. “Cheer up, dear. You know what they say.” He smiled wider. “When a door closes, another opens.”
I smiled half-heartedly.
I wanted to believe him. I really did. But right then, all I could feel was the sting of the one that had just slammed into my face.
While waiting for the food, I wondered about this restaurant.
There were several restaurants along the waterfront, and they seemed to be doing quite well.
Except for this one.
The last time I came here, I had not seen anyone.
The same was true now.
The restaurant's location was fantastic, set right by the water. The food prices were reasonable, and the food was quite delicious.
The restaurant itself, however, needed a significant boost.
The tired old establishment had dark furniture and lighting that could blind someone. It was a large space with an indoor and outdoor area and a fully stocked bar. Two pool tables stoodin one corner at the back. The bones were there, but everything about the place felt neglected, as though it had once been cared for and then simply… left behind.
