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Epilogue
Hunter
Four months later
“Keepyour eyes shut and don’t turn around,” Adrienne screams behind me and I give Catherine’s hand a squeeze. We’re shoulder to shoulder, mirror images of one another, her giggle saying all the things we don’t. We are both in the dark, literally.
Tonight, is the soft opening of the brand-new Legendary Hall. It’s been a lot of work, but I wouldn’t change a thing. We’ve opened the hall up free to the community. Tours, games, prizes and of course, the unveiling of our new menu.
Four months of permits, contracting, construction, a full redesign of the interior and exterior, custom commissioned art from local artists, new uniforms, and a brand new co-owners shared office that has me enjoying the most beautiful thing in the building – Catherine.
At times we’ve both fought through moments of doubt, did we take on more than we could handle? That’s when the beauty of our relationship shone through, we proved to be the perfect counter balance for one another.
When I had concerns about the new kitchen operations – Catherine swooped in and pulled another trick out of her bottomless bag – she divided the staff into two competing teams that could only use non-verbal means to communicate, pitted against one another to see who could serve a room of two dozen patrons with special orders. It was brilliant and identified the weaknesses in our revised operations procedures.
Catherine had the wonderful suggestion of building an advisory board to continue to challenge us to improve – its’ first member Mr. Franklin. He was more than happy to accept and gave us the update on Frankie. After the debacle at the hall, Frankie had challenges finding employment. After three months of looking, he’s now bartending at the sad and lonely bar on the other side of town, the Button Factor bar. Catherine and I didn’t have the heart to tell him that Frankie would be unemployed soon again as we’ve aligned on targeting the bar as our next acquisition.
Today, we have dozens of media types, the mayor, local celebrities and special guests waiting for us but somehow Adrienne has roped us into this last-minute surprise.
We’re standing in the corner of the foyer, an area Catherine and I have dubbed Adrienne’s Area, we’re still working on the official name. When we started the redesign, Adrienne insisted that we build a space worthy of social media postings. When she began to ramble on about flowers, props, logos and green screens we told her to run with it.
Adrienne’s area has been roped off throughout the construction and neither Catherine nor I have a clue what’s behind the black curtain.
I hear the shuffling of feet, a few whispers of shhh and the air fills with the scent of fresh flowers. We’re about to find out.
“On three, turn and open your eyes,” Adrienne shrieks with her unique energy overflowing. “One … Two … Three.”
I squeeze Catherine’s hand and we turn together, and I can’t believe what I am seeing. Adrienne hops to the side, where her Mom is holding up a phone recording our reaction.
The small space is filled with dozens of plants and flowers of every type – a colorful flower filled arch in the center, a perfect location for a selfie or a portrait. Behind the arch is a brand new twenty foot black and gold Legendary Hall logo. But my eyes ignore it all because I focus on the people. The group of familiar faces holding up placards with messages. Congrats. To the New Legendary Hall. You’ve done it. This is … Legendary.
“Mom … Dad?” I whisper in disbelief. Dad had told me he wouldn’t be able to make the opening, something about a critical business meeting in Baltimore. Yet they are here. I rush to them pulling them into a hug. “I thought …”
Dad chuckles, “As if we’d miss this. We booked our tickets two months ago when Adrienne reached out to us.”
With the mention of her name, Adrienne slinks in, ducking under my arm and slipping into the family hug. “Hunter, your dad and I have been chatting off and on for months. I’m this close to convincing him to join TikTok.” She holds up her fingers in front of my Dad’s face.
He shakes his head and laughs. “If anyone can do it, it’s her.” Dad says admitting defeat. Another victim of Adrienne’s irresistible charm. “It’s the reason I’ve already signed her as brand ambassador for two of my businesses and she’s meeting with Xavier next week to discuss his portfolio. The March girls are about as business savvy as us Farros.”
“A match made in heaven,” I say and press my lips to the forehead of my Mom.
“Speaking of matches, where is your better half,” Mom beams at me, the lights from the chandelier bouncing off her water filled eyes.
I twist to locate Catherine. She’s in the middle of a group hug. Faces I’ve come to know over the last few months. Her parents, Candice and Mia, her friends from Indiana, and Shannon her college bestie from North Carolina.
This little event has drawn people from three different states. Their support means the world to us.
Adrienne pulls me by my hand, leading us toward Catherine. She must sense my presence as she looks over her shoulder at me with a look of sheer joy. She takes a step toward me, her friends and family behind her with matching looks of happiness on their faces.
I wrap my arms around her shoulders, and she presses her face to my chest. “I can’t believe this. Adrienne is a miracle worker.”
“Tell me about it,” Catherine tips her chin up to face me as I press a kiss to her lips. “She not only built this stunning display, but she’s flown in our friends and family.”
We twist, our cheeks pressed together to witness my family hug Catherine’s family and friends. They are laughing and taking in all the trinkets hidden in the booth. Built into the walls are drawers filled with props of every kind, silly hats, glasses, scarves, etc.
“Can you believe we are here?” I say, my question hinting at all the layers beneath.
Catherine nods, glances over my shoulder toward the center of the lobby. “And to think it all started right over there.”
