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I flounder for a moment, looking out the window towards Ray’s sun-soaked garden. I’ve never been to a will reading, and I dreaded coming to this one. It feels like an acknowledgement that Pops is really gone. And yet, him requesting that I do a final road trip adventure feels as Alfie Holmes as can be.
I stand and pace around Ray’s kitchen, needing to release some anxious energy.
It feels weird to be doing this here. Movies and shows always have will readings happening in an industrial-trendy big city building with a respectably anonymous lawyer.
Instead, I’m at Ray’s… who was present during my gawky teen years when my voice was mid-crack for months and I had that horrendous, swoopy Justin Bieber haircut. And whose house layout is forever imprinted on my brain from the amount of times I visited with my grandparents.
But such is life in Mirror Valley—the kind of small town where it makes sense that my granddad’s best friend and will executor is also the one and only carpenter for miles around.
I clear my throat, still trying to get my bearings. “So, this road trip… what does it entail?”
Ray puts on his spectacles again and gazes down at Pops’s will. “It’s not a lot, would probably take a weekend. He’s got a series of stops listed, and tasks to do at every location. Seems that he wants you to do one final mission without him.”
I nod again, even as the backs of my eyes start to ache. “I didn’t think—”
“YOOHOO!”
The screech from the front door makes me jump, but Ray barely flinches. He continues to assess the contract through his spectacles as he hollers, “In the kitchen, Franny!”
I barely have time to turn to greet the newcomer when a bundle of colorful dresses covered with an oversized jean jacket throws itself on me.
“Is that wee Ethan?!”
I give her a hug as she cackles loudly. “Hey, Fran. Good to see you.”
“You too, dear boy.” She steps back, but reaches up to pinch my cheek. “My goodness, there’s no sense in calling you ‘wee’ after all. When did you get so tall? They must be feeding you well at that cooking school in Montana.” Fran puts both hands to her chest, eyes wide behind her comically huge glasses.
She and Ray must have coordinated their visual accessories.
“They sure did. Though I graduated a couple months back.”
“So you’re a professional chef?” she whispers with such reverence that I have to smile. “Oo-ee how exciting! I wish Mirror Valley had a real-life fine dining restaurant with a fancy, trained chef.”
Fran pinches my cheek again. She is the one and only person I allow to do that, and it’s more habit than anything else. Fran was another staple of my childhood given that she worked at the fire station with my grandparents. Back then, Nana and Pops used to try and set up Fran and Ray. But to this day, no matter how close the two seniors seem to be, they both insist they’re “just friends.”
Val and I probably should’ve taken a page from their book.
“Tell me your plans,” Fran chortles. “Where are you off to next? Paris? London? The Dominican? Ah, they’d all be lucky to have you!”
At this, my smile falters. I’m currently waiting to hear about the opportunity of a lifetime back in Aston Falls—a sous-chef position on the acclaimed Aston Falls Express, which is, quite literally, a restaurant on a passenger train.
Getting the job would mean that all of my efforts in culinary school have paid off. My career would be set. It’s what I’ve worked towards for years.
“Franny, please,” Ray tuts. “You’re embarrassing him with all your doting.”
“Oh, don’t be silly. He oughta be proud. I know his grandparents were.” Fran’s eyes go a bit misty. “Dear Alfred was so excited for you. Used to beam whenever your name came up.”
I press my lips together, the light mood turning more somber. A moment of silence falls over the table as we all remember Pops.
Fran turns to Ray. “So? You told him?”
“I did.”
“And is he going to do it?”
I roll my eyes, inserting myself into their discussion. “I haven’t decided yet.”
“But you must!” Fran takes my hand. My palm eclipses both of hers, and yet, it’s very clear who has the control in this conversation. “Your granddad would want you to. Ray, did you tell him the best part?”
