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After a small eternity, a white sedan with my insurance company’s logo on the door pulled up to the curb and a portly man in his mid-fifties got out. He walked over and held out his hand to me. “Walter Murphy. So sorry I’m late. Got caught in a meeting with my superiors and just now got away.”
We shook hands, then took a quick tour of the burned-out building. I showed him the pictures I’d taken the morning after the fire on my phone, and we went over the preliminary reports from the fire department.
“Let me start off by extending our condolences for the loss of your business,” Walter said, scratching his head as he stared at the area that had once been the kitchen. “This is such a shame. I’m so sorry this happened to you.”
“Thanks.” I inhaled deeply, summoning all my patience, and tried to lighten the mood with a bit of humor. “It’s awful, no doubt about it. Zero stars. Do not recommend.”
He snorted, scribbling something down on the pad of paper he had with him. He was old school, he’d said. It helped him remember details better. I honestly didn’t care if he carved notes on stone tablets as long as we moved things along and I got my insurance check in a timely manner. “You know, I used to come in here on Tuesday nights. Man, those chicken wings you served were a thing of beauty.”
Walter wore such an expression of ecstasy, I had to choke back a laugh. “Yes, thanks. Those were really popular.” I swallowed hard and steered the conversation back to the reason we were here. “So, how are things looking, settlement-wise?”
“Well, having seen the place again, Ms. Rhodes, I think we can increase the amount,” he said, and it felt like a heavy burden lifted off my shoulders. “In fact, I was meeting with my superiors earlier about your claim, and between that and what I’m seeing right now, I’m authorized to approve the full $500,000, your policy maximum.”
That was… My ears rang slightly as my mind raced. It was better than the first offer, but it wouldn’t be enough to cover everything. Not by a long shot. Not with cleanup and construction and all-new equipment and furniture and supplies. Not to mention food and beverage orders from my wholesale partners and the taxes that were coming due soon and payroll to keep my displaced employees taken care of in the interim and…
Fuck.
It was a good thing I’d increased my coverage, but apparently I should have gone with a higher limit. I leaned a shoulder against one of the charred walls and put my head in my hands. If only I hadn’t blown off that franchising deal, I might not have been in this position.
But now… Well, now there was no franchising deal and never would be, because who the hell would want to franchise a burned-out shell of a building? Nobody, that’s who. Shit.
I scrubbed my face and stared down the decision before me. Try to raise the additional funds somewhere else, or… move on.
Except this tavern was all I’d ever known, work-wise. It was my life. If I didn’t have it, what else was there?
And how would I be able to care for Savannah without a source of steady income?
“I know it’s a lot to take in,” Walter said, patting my shoulder. Hell, I’d forgotten he was even there. “I’ll put in the requisition for the check right now, as soon as I’m back in my car. That way you should have the money as quickly as possible. Do you have any other questions for me today?”
Thoughts whirling, I shook my head. I took the card he handed me, then watched him walk out of the ruins of my bar—my life—then get in his pristine white sedan and drive away.
In the end, I went back to my car, because what else was I going to do? Five hundred grand was what I’d be given, and it’s what I’d have to work with. As I headed home, I tried to work out how exactly I could save my tavern on a fraction of what I needed.
I was still deep in thought about it all when I walked into the house a short while later. Gabe was full of excitement and adrenaline over a day out with his girls, as he called us. Savannah had picked up on his mood, squealing with joy from her playpen.
“Hey there. You ready for some fun?”
And how the hell was I supposed to stay down in the dumps with the two of them smiling at me?
Yes, my future had taken a serious turn for the shitty, but that didn’t mean I needed to let it ruin the day. We’d planned this wonderful family outing at the aquarium, and we’d damned well have it, even if it killed me.
Gabe breezed by, dropping a quick kiss on my lips as he passed, shoving baby supplies into a diaper bag. “I booked us tickets on the train in an hour. If you’re going to change, you want to do it now.”
Right. I plastered on my best smile and headed down the hall to wash up and get ready, determined to have the best day ever.
It was pretty good too, in the end.
Savannah slept all the way on the train, the gentle sway of the cars rocking her better than any chair ever could. Gabe and I sat shoulder to shoulder, holding hands and chatting about nothing in particular, just enjoying each other’s company. I’d already decided not to say anything to him about the meeting with the insurance adjuster, and when he asked, I deflected, saying the money would be in my account at the end of the week and I’d start planning then.
Not a lie. Not completely, anyway.
The National Aquarium almost made me forget what I was dealing with. There was something so calming about the space and seeing Savannah’s delight filled my heart with joy. She was amazed by the place, her little mouth hanging open in wonder as she tried to take it all in.
A couple of special exhibits were going on, and we checked out one geared toward younger children. A huge pool contained what appeared to be hundreds of stingrays swimming around, diving and swooping through the water like graceful ballerinas. Savannah squeaked and clapped with delight. Gabe carefully brought her to the edge of the tank, where you could reach in and stroke the animals’ backs. At first, Savannah seemed delighted. Then she gagged loudly at the rubbery texture against her skin, making everyone around her laugh, including Gabe and me. She was such a treasure.
Next up, we visited the Jellies Invasion. “Brainless and Beautiful,” the sign said, and I chuckled. “Just like some people I know.”
Gabe snorted. “Me too.”
