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Zoe and I are two of the three children my parents, Larry and Maxine had. Our older brother, Tahir who is one year older than me has been MIA for the last five years. The details are sketchy about what went down the night of his disappearance and the authorities weren’t forthcoming with answering our questions. His friends who were with him that night told us they were at a dice game on the Southside. An argument broke out between two of the players over money and someone was stabbed, and shots were fired. They were unclear if Tahir harmed in the melee, but we kept wondering, if it wasn’t him, then where is he?
We’ve held our candlelight vigils, praying that one day our questions would be answered but as each year that passes, a slither of hope disappears. Daddy who is a retired Chicago police officer even enlisted the help of a private investigator he was friends with, and he too came up with nothing. It’s as if Tahir vanished into thin air, but maybe one day, whether it’s good or bad news we’ll get the closure we need.
Zoe and I have become closer since Tahir’s disappearance. We were always tight but losing our brother made our bond even stronger. Zoe is a one of the top web designers here in Chicago and we are so proud of her. I, myself own a cozy little bookstore in the West Loop area called ‘The Reader’s Cave.’ Despite our two-year age difference, Zoe is my best friend even though we are like night and day. She’s the outspoken one and reacts quickly while I like to sit back and observe situations and people. I’m not a pushover, I just know how to pick and choose my battles.
I’ve always had a passion for books. Even in my younger days you would find me with my head buried in one. Reading books to me is like taking a mental getaway. You get to see different places and meet different characters.
It’s funny how things in life can change. It was never in the plan for me to own a bookstore. I graduated college with a degree in finance and got a position working as a Financial Advisor with a firm in the West Loop. Having that job was how I stumbled upon the bookstore that was two blocks from the building I was working in. At the time it was owned by a nice older couple, Mr. and Mrs. Collins who had been running it for years. I think I became their biggest customer. Every day on my lunch break I would go see what new books had arrived and if they didn’t have a particular book I was looking for, they would order it for me.
Zoe used to say I needed to step into technology era and buy a tablet, but it’s just something about holding a book in my hands. I like to turn the page versus’ swiping it, but to each their own.
For three years I visited the store like clockwork. It was my recharge in the middle of the day after dealing with clients all morning. Working at the firm was okay but something felt off. I was making great money, but something was missing. It became more of a job to earn a paycheck than a career I enjoyed doing.
Don’t get me wrong, I had a nice nest egg saved up but as the days went on, I knew it wasn’t for me. Then one day on my trip to the bookstore Mr. Collins informed me that they were going to retire and sell the store. When he said those words, I had an epiphany. Who was better to own the store than me? I was sure if anyone else was to obtain it they would turn it into something else.
Bookstores these days were closing due to the bigger chains taking over and most customers were buying their books online, but I saw a vision into bringing the bookstore into the present. Without hesitation, I told Mr. Collins I wanted to buy the store. He smiled saying he knew I would which is why he brought it to me first. It took a month for everything to go through, but I was able to secure a business loan with my bank and when it was all said and done, not only was I the new owner of my very own bookstore but also to the two-bedroom apartment located above it. I truly felt blessed.
After Zoe and I cleaned the apartment from top to bottom, I immediately moved from my apartment on the Southside into my new place. I stayed on at the firm while Zoe, momma and daddy helped me with the some of the minor renovations like repainting the walls from the dull eggshell color to a vibrant yellow. The other stuff like knocking down the entry wall into the stock room to move it back to create more space, I hired a contractor to do. We also moved shelves around to add in tables and chairs for customers to sit and enjoy their purchases. To make it swankier to attract the hipsters, I brought in Wi-Fi, coffee, and espresso machines along with a display for pastries. I brought in a more updated catalog of books while keeping some of the old ones the Collins left behind. The bookstore was turning into a modern-day book hub for readers to come and be in their element.
On the day of my grand opening, momma, daddy, Zoe and a host of our friends and family were there to show their support. Once I cut the ribbon, there was no turning back, The Book Cave was officially open. For once, I finally felt like this is what I was supposed to be doing. That was four years ago, and I haven’t looked back since.
“Hi, welcome to Mythos. Do you have a reservation?” the hostess at the podium asks, pulling me out of my trip down memory lane.
“Hi. Yes, we do. It’s under the name Zoe Lowe,” Zoe replies.
The hostess taps on her tablet, then smiles. “Two others in your party have arrived already. If you will follow Felicia, she’ll show you to your table.”
“Thank you,” Zoe returns, linking her arm in mine as we begin to follow Felicia.
Looking around at the expensive décor and the patrons, I tell Zoe, “This place is amazing.” Just from the ambience and well-dressed clientele, this is going to be a very pricey dinner.
She smiles. “I know, right? I knew this would be the perfect place to celebrate your thirtieth birthday. Mythos is the top Greek restaurant in the city. I had to put our reservations in two months ago because the wait list is crazy. Tonight, we’re going to enjoy a lovely meal and turn up for you, Sis.”
Following Felicia, we pass tables with delicious looking foods on them, causing my mouth to water. I couldn’t hide my smile as we approach our table and our friends Samantha Meadows, who we call Sam and Kennedi Wells stand and start singing the birthday song to me.
Feeling all eyes on me from the other diners, I motion for them to quiet it down.
“Thank you, ladies,” I say, hugging each of them before taking my seat.
“You’re welcome,” They return at the same time.
Kennedi giggles. “It’s good to see you, Dee. So, how does it feel to be thirty?”
“If I have a hangover in the morning, then I’ll let you know,” I laugh.
“Amen,” Kennedi cosigns.
Felicia hands out our menus. “Tonight’s special is the rosemary rack of lambs served with rosemary roasted potatoes along with whole baby carrots roasted with cumin, red onion, and lemon zest. If you would like something else, please take a look at our other flavorful items on the menu. Now, let’s get started on your drinks. What will you ladies have tonight?”
I order first, telling her, “Can I get a sparkling water with lemon and a glass of Pinot Grigio?”
As Felecia writes it down, Zoe adds, “I’ll have the sparkling water as well and a glass of Rose’.”
“And I’ll have a top shelf Long Island Tea,” Sam says, looking at each of us. “Shit, this is the first night I’ve had out in a while without my husband or my babies and I’m going to enjoy it.” She giggles.
Kennedi hi-fives her. “I don’t have either but let me get the same thing.”
After getting the drink orders, Felicia excuses herself, giving us time to look over the menu and talk. It was nice catching up with the girls. It’s been a while since the four of us hung out together. Sam’s married and is a stay-at-home mother of two. Her husband, Alonzo owns several car dealerships around the city. Kennedi has been engaged to her fiancé, Parker for the last two years. When we ask when’s the wedding, she just nonchalantly replies ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,’ whatever that meant. Zoe says she’s too in love with her career right now to tie herself down to one man, so she’s happy with just dating here and there. Though I couldn’t recall the last time I went on a date, I understood the part about being in love with your career. My bookstore has been my boyfriend for the last four years. I do miss the company of a man though, especially after reading a steamy scene from one of my books, but after hearing about the dating nightmares Zoe has had, it’s not worth the headache.
