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‘What happens next?’ I ask.
‘We look for a property. I can get someone from Real Estate to help with that. They know good commercial realtors. Unless you have an idea already?’
‘Not on the property front. I do have an idea for a manager, though. Do you remember Mickey and Brad, the brothers who bought my first gym in Brooklyn? Well, they did a good job of it. I’d like to float the idea by them.’
‘Are you sure? I mean, are they commercial enough?’
‘No.’ I chuckle. ‘But they managed to keep that gym afloat. They’ve never expanded it, but I know the membership is at capacity. They are capable of doing it and, more to the point, I trust them. Let’s give them a chance.’
He nods slowly, as if contemplating. ‘They’re good guys?’
‘Yeah, they’re solid.’
‘Your call, then. Speak to them.’
We end the meeting with a plan of action in place. It feels good to be taking an extra step, pushing myself. More than anything, it feels phenomenal to know that I’m doing it for me.
Drew shakes my hand and I pull him into a man hug. ‘Thanks, Drew, for pushing this. I had to work through some stuff, but I wouldn’t have done this if you hadn’t been nagging me like an old wife.’
He thumps my back harder than necessary but laughs. ‘I’m glad you’re getting your head straight, Brooks.’
* * *
After thirty minutes of interval training on the treadmill, I hit stop and roll back with the belt until I’m standing on the gym floor. I smile at the thought of Izzy’s jelly legs the day I added it on to her training because she’d pissed me off again. As I rub sweat from my face with a towel, I wonder where she is, who she’s with, what she’s doing. I contemplate sending her a message. Maybe telling her about the plans for the new gym.
The walk to the showers gives me time to think better of the idea.
When I’m back in my office, I have a missed call from Cady. I call her back.
‘Hi, Dad.’
‘Hey, baby. Did you call?’
‘Yeah. I, ah, I’m sorry but we need to talk about me moving into NYU. I don’t know who wants to drop me off, you or Mom. I mean, I would like it to be you and, you know, you could lift stuff better than Mom and Richard. But Mom wants to be there too. She’ll probably cry or something, I don’t know. Anyway, I don’t know what you want me to tell her?’
I suck in a breath and exhale heavily down the line. ‘You don’t need to be in the middle of this, Cady. I’ll speak to Alice.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes, of course. What are you doing this weekend? Will you both be home on Sunday morning?’
‘Ah, yeah, I’ll check but I think so. Will you… are you saying you’ll comehere?’
I scratch my head, not sure at all, but there is no time like the present for conquering things I’m afraid to conquer. ‘I’m sure. Let me know what time.’
A text message comes through to my cell a few minutes after we hang up.
Mom says 10am and she will make breakfast. K?
Breakfast with Alice. Well, fuck.
Sounds good.
37
IZZY
‘Your technique is flawless, Izzy. I don’t think it will take long for you to feel confident about auditioning for theatre, especially if you keep dancing every day.’
