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“You don’t have to miss it just yet,” I said. “After all, you’re still going to need to find a new apartment.”
“I guess so,” she said thoughtfully. “And a job.”
“Well, when the restaurant’s rebuilt in November, I’ll be sure to give you a ring.”
“Actually, I was thinking that I’ve been working as a waitress for too long,” said Lola. “You were right that day in the coffee shop, the day we met again.”
“I don’t think I could have been more wrong,” I said.
“How so?”
“I thought that there was some reason you gave up singing. Some reason other than…” I looked back downstairs, thinking of our daughter, sleeping. “I had no idea.”
“I didn’t tell you.”
“You should have told me.”
“Let’s not have that one again,” said Lola. “You know I’m very proud of her. And she’s just like you. She’s clever, you know.”
“Is that right?” I said. “And she’s beautiful, too. Like you. She takes after her mother,” I added, and Lola smiled, and rested her head on my chest. I span her a little, in a slow, short dance.
“Maybe there is a way I can persuade you to look for somewhere close by.”
Lola snorted. “Not with these rents.”
“Well, as a matter of fact, whenThe Blue Orchidreopens, we’re looking for a manager.”
“What about Zeke?”
“Zeke’s doing something new,” I said. “He’s always wanted to. So I’m giving him a blank check and telling him to make it happen. We’re going fifty-fifty. We’ll be partners.”
“That’s good,” said Lola. “That’s real good.”
“Would you be interested at all?”
“What?” said Lola.
“In managing it,” I said.
“Alex, I can’t manage a restaurant,” I said.
“You managed the wine cellar pretty well.”
“But I’ve never managed a restaurant,” Lola spluttered.
“Well, of course, Zeke’s going to train you,” I said. “After all, I need someone I can trust.”
“And do you really trust me?” Lola looked guilty for a second. “After I turned you away?”
“I do,” I said. “You sent me away because I got you into this mess. And I did. But I want to help now. I’m no longer up for making messes. I’d rather clean them up.”
“Oh, Alex,” said Lola softly.
“Which brings me to my question,” I said.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. How do you feel about the current mess we’re in? Together?”
