“I’m not finished with it yet. Can I get a spoon for the rest of the ice cream? One of those ones they use for sundaes.”
“Sure.”
I grab him a spoon, then get to work making another root beer float. This time I don’t need Tanner’s help.
And this time, when I set it in front of Aaron, he gives me a small, reluctant smile and mutters a barely audible thank-you.
At the end of the night, I help Louis clean the bar—it is not an enjoyable part of the job—and put all the chairs up on the tables.
“So?” I grab my purse from under the bar once everything is done. “What’s the verdict?”
“Huh?” Louis asks as he counts out the dollar bills that filled the tip jar.
“Did I pass the test? Do I get the job?” I sure hope so, since I’ve spent the last nine hours on my feet, serving a lot of stinky beer to a lot of people. And I need to have a discussion with Louis about the wine selection. I had a sip of the red, out of curiosity. I would rather drink an entire bottle of vinegar than try to consume a glass of that stuff.
“Oh. Yeah. Absolutely. You passed with flying colors. You okay with working Thursdays? It’s just as busy as it was tonight. I have a couple of people for the weekends, but I could use another set of hands on payday, and customers love you, so yeah, if you’re available, you’re hired.”
“I’m totally available.”
“Fantastic. I’ll send you home with some paperwork. You get standard server wage plus tips. And did I hear right, you’re Van Firestone’s sister?”
“I am.”
He regards me thoughtfully for a moment. “You mind me asking you a personal question?”
I shrug. “Sure.”
“You, uh, don’t really look like you need a job tending bar.”
“That’s more of an observation, not a question,” I point out.
“Hmm. You’re right. Do you need the job?”
I smile. “I want the job.” It’s the easiest and most truthful answer. I want to figure out who I am and what I like, and the best way to do that is to try a bunch of new things.
“Fair enough.” He pushes a stack of bills toward me. “That’s your share for tonight. See you next Thursday.”
“See you next Thursday.” I head for the door. “And Louis.”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for taking a chance on me.”
CHAPTER 5
NEW BEGINNINGS
Teagan
I head back to Chicago on Sunday afternoon. I didn’t sleep well last night thanks to my nerves, but with two new jobs secured in Pearl Lake, the move makes sense. I need this. I need to take control of my life and start doing things for me instead of everyone else. This is the mental pep talk I give myself all the way home.
Danielle’s red Camry is parked beside my dad’s matching white one. I back the ancient truck into the driveway—Van gave me a lesson before I left this afternoon—and park in front of my dad’s car.
I don’t leave the truck right away. Instead I take a few calming breaths, not that it’s particularly effective, considering I stopped and picked up an energy drink on my way here and there are only one or two sips left.
I glance at my purse, debating whether I should go ahead and take one of my antianxiety pills before I go inside and talk to my dad. This move is kind of a major life decision. I give in and grab my purse, find the bottle in the bottom, and pop one of the tiny pills into my mouth. I give myself a few more minutes to collect myself before I get out of the truck.
When I open the front door, I immediately notice the significant change in decor. Much of the furniture we bought when we moved has been replaced with Danielle’s things. It’s like walking into a completely different house.
And it makes it that much easier for me to take this next step.
I find my dad and Danielle sitting on a pair of loungers in the backyard, drinking lemonade. I stand at the sliding glass door, watching them for a minute. They look happy and comfortable. And I want him to have that. Happiness and companionship. He deserves it after all these years of loneliness.
I know he blamed himself for my mother’s death for a long time, thinking that it was his fault she died on the operating table. That he was the one who pushed her into getting the nips and tucks. But it was her body and ultimately her decision. He loved her with his whole heart, and he never would have wanted her to do something she wasn’t comfortable with. At least that’s what I choose to believe, despite the fact that it hasn’t ever been a conversation we’ve had in all the years she’s been gone.
I’m also her spitting image.
I can’t imagine how hard it would be to look at your child and see the wife you lost reflected in her face every single day.
I open the sliding glass door. “Hey, Dad, hey, Danielle, the house looks great! Did you get moved in okay, then?”
“Oh! Hello, Teagan! I was hoping you’d like the changes.” Danielle grins nervously and looks to my dad for reassurance.
He squeezes her hand and gives her an it’ll-be-fine smile.
I make small talk with them, telling them all about the weekend, trying to figure out how exactly to approach the subject with Danielle sitting there. She makes it easy for me when she announces that she’s going to start dinner. And she absolves me of having to offer to help by offering me her chair and making us both a drink so we can have some dad-and-daughter time.
I decline the drink, and my dad holds up his half-full glass and tells her he’s fine too.
I wait until the sliding door is closed before I reach over and squeeze his hand. “I’m so glad you two found each other.”
“Me too, honey. And I’m so glad you and Danielle get along. I know it’s going to be a bit of an adjustment, but it means the world to me that you’re trying. I was worried when you decided to take the weekend away that you were upset.”
“I’m not upset at all, Dad. You’ve spent a lot of years alone, and more than anything I want to see you happy, and now you are.”
“I really am. Danielle is a good partner. Grounded. Caring. I think your mother would have liked her.”
My heart clenches. It makes me sad that he’s in his midfifties and still seeking atonement in the form of approval. I hope I’m not like that by the time I’m in my fifties. “Me too, Dad. She would want you to be happy, just like I do.”
“I think so too.” He gives me a smile that’s tinged with sadness.
“I need to talk to you about something.” And I need to do it before Danielle comes back.
“Is it about the new living room decor? I know it’s different, and you went to all the trouble to make it look perfect—”
“It’s not about the living room, Dad. And I honestly think it looks great.” I give his hand another squeeze. “I did some thinking over the weekend about what I want for my future and yours, and I’ve decided I’m going to quit my job at Smith Financial and move up to Pearl Lake for a while.”
The smile fades from his face. “I thought you liked Danielle.”
“I do, Dad. This isn’t about Danielle.” I sigh. “Well, it’s partly about Danielle, but not in the way you think. I’m twenty-six. I need to move out and learn how to be an independent, self-sufficient adult. And you and Danielle need time to grow as a couple, without another adult in the mix.”