Chapter Seven
Emmet
My days are going by more smoothly ever since I gave Adam my number.
It’s easier to have a conversation with him like this, when I don’t have to look him in the eye.
No expectations, just comfortable banter between old friends.
We text throughout the day, and have done that since we exchanged numbers.
Though, I did notice his texts come more frequently now that he’s back in California and not with his kids.
I am not at all complaining about that. I love how dedicated he is to being a father.
It’s something he always wanted to do, and I’m happy that he was able to do it.
Adam
Officially on my last month of working here.
Do you have a job lined up in Seattle?
Adam
I have a few interviews next week.
That’s great. Good luck.
There’s a heavy bang on the back door, so I get up from my seat to open it. I should put a camera out there, so I can make sure I’m not opening the door to someone trying to break in. Though I’m told this is a safe neighborhood, you just never know.
“Hi, are you Emmet?” the guy asks once I pull open the door. He’s wearing a grey T-shirt with a faded logo that I can’t quite make out, but I am able to see the HVAC beneath it.
“That’s me,” I say, offering my hand.
He shakes it, then steps inside, a couple guys following behind him.
I don’t know who thought having a bar in a basement in Seattle was a good idea because it’s awkward as hell, especially coming in through the back.
The stairs from the alley are steep and narrow, and I still can’t figure out how they got the big fridge and freezer down here.
Oh, and Pete warned me that it leaks because the drains get clogged often.
Getting someone to come here regularly for that was just another thing I added to my list of things to do.
“So, you’re looking to put in some ovens?” the guys asks, walking deeper into the small kitchen, looking all around.
“That’s right. I was told the ventilation system would have to be redone for that.”
“Do you have the blueprints?” the guy asks, turning his attention on me.
He’s a good looking guy, maybe in his fifties. Greying short beard and hair, rough hands and a muscled build.
“Yep. They’re in my office.” I head in that direction, and grab them to hand over. He lays them out on my desk and takes a look. His eyes dart from one end to the other, his finger trailing along some dotted line that means nothing to me.
“If this is all accurate, it looks like we’ll just have to upgrade and replace the equipment. The way everything is laid out, looks up to code.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“You okay with us looking around today?” he asks, flicking his eyes up to me.
“Yeah, of course. Do what you need to do.”
He meets the other guys waiting in the kitchen, and they share some conversation as they glance around and point to different areas. Hopefully this doesn’t turn out to be a disaster.
Adam
Is it Friday yet?
I wish
Adam
Why? You work weekends
Thanks for the reminder.
I can picture him laughing. He always found me funny when I was dry in my humor. His laugh was one of my favorite things, and though I’m not an overly funny guy, Adam always found me funny at all the right times and it always made me feel good.
I listen to the HVAC guys as I figure out an event schedule for the bar.
Something in the spring sounds like a good idea.
Like a new owner celebration party, or something of the sort, though I’m not sure what to call it.
But the title and theme can wait. I can reach out to other businesses in the city and see if they will donate or show us their support in any way.
We can have games and door prizes, and just a ton of things to draw people in.
Maybe we could make it a week-long thing.
After that, assuming it goes well, we could do one in the summer.
Halloween party, too. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year.
There are plenty of opportunities to bring the crowds in.
Planning is not my favorite task, and I’m not much of a people-person, but I have enough experience from all the events we hosted for Mom at Durant’s.
In the end, it wasn’t enough, though, and was ultimately why we had to sell the bar.
She needed the best treatments, and the insurance barely covered what she needed.
The only way to get that money was to sell the business my father brought to life, and neither of us would take that back for anything, as much as we miss how things were.
Adam
Did you know that octopuses have three hearts?
uhhh… no?
Adam
And blue blood, apparently.
Are you studying to be a marine biologist?
Adam
LOL!
Adam
Judy told me this last night and I can’t stop thinking about it.
Adam
It’s fascinating. I guess they use copper to carry oxygen, not iron like us, so that’s why their blood is blue.
I huff out a laugh. I love that such small things entertain him.
Nature is pretty amazing.
Adam
Octopuses are cool.
I think you mean octopi.
Adam
Actually, they’re both right. But it seems…
Adam
Proper Greek would be octopodes, but that’s weird.
Maybe you should be a teacher.
Adam
I’ve thought about it.
I could see him doing that. He loves kids.
Maybe he should look into it. Maybe it’ll make him happy.
He’s a great realtor, one of the best in Nevada County, but I don’t think that selling houses is what makes him happy.
I’m not sure how he even fell into it, because that’s not what he wanted to do when we were younger.
Though, he never could make up his mind on what he wanted to do then.
A heavy weight settles in my chest as I realize how much we don’t know each other anymore. How many things have changed in our lives through all these lost years…
But deep down, surely we’re the same people, right? I mean, how much can people change?
I see him, I’m next to him, and I still feel it. That has to mean something, doesn’t it?
There’s a knock on my door, and when I look up, the HVAC guy is walking in. That’s when I realize I never got his name.
“From what we can tell, everything in the prints looks accurate, so that’s a plus. It is a lot of work though, meaning it’s going to be costly. We can take payments in increments, to help with the cost. Replace things here and there, you know.”
“I appreciate that, thank you. Are you able to write up a quote for me? Overall, and how you’re able to break it up?”
“Sure thing. Is the email I have on file for you an okay one to send it to?”
“Yes, that would be great.”
He nods, placing the blueprints on my desk. “I’ll have it to you by mid-week next week, at the latest.”
I get up. “Thank you. I’ll see you out. Also, I’m sorry, but I realize I didn’t get your name.”
He smirks. “Charlie.”
“Well, thank you again, Charlie.”
I walk them all out the back door, and wave them off. I knew this was going to be a lot of work, but an entire HVAC system replacement? Adam is going to chew my head off if he ever finds out. I chuckle, then head back to the office.
Guess what I found out today.
Adam
What?
I laugh as I type out the texts, telling him how I have to replace the entire ventilation system, picturing the dirty look he’d give me if I were sharing this in person.