Chapter 16 #2
Still, I’m extremely grateful I did all of that because now the house and supper club are pretty much gone. At least we have the pictures to show how things had looked before, even though we lost the buildings. If Pappy were still alive, this would have definitely been the thing that killed him.
That thought has my chest aching even more.
I was the one that had found Pappy after he’d had his heart attack.
He’d been as healthy and spry as a horse, and none of us had seen it coming. I’d found him slumped over the desk in our office at the supper club. I called out for help before trying to administer CPR, but I couldn’t get his heart to beat again.
And neither could the paramedics.
Shaking my head, my mind goes back to the fire.
Would this hurt as bad if I knew this was an accident? Like if the fires were caused by faulty wiring and it only happened to us?
Instantly, I know the answer is no. But someone is messing with us. We were hit twice, the Leyton Grocery, The Dive, the Millers’, the Adairs’, and the Sharpes’. We were all targeted... But why? And by who? Was it the Coxes? Or someone else?
I’m shaken out of my thoughts by Granny’s voice.
“Seems that young stud has taken quite a shine to you, Lark.”
My cheeks flame. “Granny!”
She scoffs and then chuckles softly. “I may be old and widowed, but I’m not blind. That young man fancies you, Sweetie. Why didn’t you say yes?”
My shoulders slump. “I don’t feel ready.
If the fires never happened, I would have definitely said yes, but.
..” I pause as I chew on my lip. “I’m all messed up in the head right now with everything.
Not to mention I’m going to be busy with physical therapy, doctor visits, therapist appointments and that doesn’t even include rebuilding.
I just... I need some time to get my head on straight. ”
She hums. “While I agree with you, I also disagree with you. I think you’d do much better if you had him by your side through all of this.”
I’m about to say something when she raises her hand, and I shut my mouth.
“Now, I’ve said my piece, but just so you know, Sweetie, I’ll back you up one hundred percent.
That, and I think we need to have a family meeting tomorrow morning when you’re ready.
Before we begin rebuilding, I want to hear your thoughts again, Lark.
I think you were right, and I was just being a stubborn old fool. ”
I open my mouth and close it a few times, shocked by this turnabout, but no words come out.
“Why?” I finally manage to croak out.
She sighs heavily and her shoulders slump.
“I think I just didn’t want to lose my last thread to Charlie, but you almost dying put everything in perspective.
The house and the supper club aren’t my last threads to Charlie.
It’s you, your mother, and Mark. Even before he died, Charlie liked your ideas and wanted to implement them.
I... I was scared it would change everything and become something I couldn’t recognize anymore.
But, again, you almost dying really drove home that point.
I would still like to embody the spirit that Raymond had put into the place, but yes, I am open to your changes. ”
I share a stunned look with Ma in the rearview mirror before she goes back to focusing on the road as she navigates through town.
Clearing my throat, I carefully reach forward, placing my hand on Granny’s shoulder.
“I want to rebuild as close as possible to what we had. After the last time we talked, I got to thinking more about what you said. About wanting to keep our history intact. I want that as well, but I also think we could fill a bigger need in the community if we added on and built a tavern attached to or next to the supper club. If it was attached, I figured we could build a thick wall to divide them so that no one in the dining areas could hear what was going on, on the opposite side of the wall. The kitchen and office areas could be connected at the rear of the club and tavern so that the staff and us can get between the two as needed. Also, the kitchen staff could help the other as needed, too. For the supper club, I thought we could make a few minor changes but mainly remain the same. Those were my thoughts about them, anyway.”
Granny gently pats my hand, and I lean back in my seat.
“I like those ideas, too, but we’ll need to run the numbers,” Ma replies, and I nod in agreement.
“They’re saved to my cloud account, but we’ll need to get a new computer since our other ones were destroyed.
I also want to get a better security system as well.
Reaper mentioned his grandparents’ grocery store’s system alerted the fire department when the fire triggered the alarm.
I was thinking of talking to him and his friend that runs the company for a quote. ”
“I heard from Audrey that the system likely saved their store because the fire came dangerously close to where their gas lines were located. The fire chief also told her that the system notified them about the fire and they were on their way before the man who was walking his dog called it in. My vote is to get the same security system. For the house and both the businesses. Emma?”
It takes me a moment to remember that the Audrey she’s referring to is Reaper’s grandmother.
Ma nods in agreement, her hands turning white on the steering wheel as she grips it tightly. “Same. I don’t want this ever to happen again. Go ahead and get the quote, Honey.”