Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
M andy was relieved that Cory didn’t take long to pack a suitcase.
He was out the door before the kids were up, which she was grateful for.
She wasn’t up to explaining anything to them just yet.
They were bound to be upset, and Mandy hoped to disrupt their lives as little as possible.
They would have to spend some time with Cory, most likely on weekends, and given that he was rarely around and always working, they might end up actually seeing more of him this way—though she knew it was going to be a huge change for all of them.
She felt like she was going through the motions and that the full impact of what had happened hadn’t really hit yet.
She woke the kids up, and once they were eating breakfast, she jumped in the shower and stayed in a few minutes longer than usual, letting the hot water soothe her. After dropping the kids at school, she called Emma, knowing she’d be up early.
“Did you talk to Cory last night?” Emma asked as soon as she answered the phone.
“I did. It’s—well, it’s worse than I could have imagined.” Mandy’s voice broke, and she felt the tears coming again.
“Where are you? Can you stop by here on your way into the restaurant? I’ll start the coffee now.”
“I’m about five minutes away. I’ll be right over.”
Before heading to Emma’s though, Mandy made one more phone call. Her doctor’s office answered on the first ring, and Mandy took a deep breath. It was the most awkward and uncomfortable phone call she’d ever had to make. She’d googled the night before though, so she knew what she needed to ask for.
“Hi, this is Mandy Lawson. I’d like to come in as soon as possible for an STD test.”
When she walked into Grams’s house, Emma and Jill held the door wide open and pulled her in for a group hug. Emma handed her several tissues as they walked to the kitchen and sat down with their coffees.
“I have some cinnamon crumb muffins if you’re interested? I just had one,” Emma offered.
Mandy shook her head. She had no interest in food.
“No, thanks. I ate earlier.” Sort of… She’d finished half a piece of toast that Brooke had left on her plate. Even that was hard to get down.
“So when you’re ready, tell us about Cory,” Emma said gently.
Mandy took a deep breath and told them.
“A discreet dating site?” Emma looked horrified.
“He thinks he can do whatever he wants. His success has gone to his head.” Jill was clearly disgusted.
Mandy nodded. “I think that’s very true.
Everyone has put him and Patrick on a pedestal, the golden boys that can do no wrong.
Cory has always been a risk taker, but he pushed it too far this time.
He really seemed shocked that I wouldn’t consider forgiving him.
He even offered to go to counseling. I could tell he was pretty proud of himself for that. ”
Jill shook her head. “I’m so sorry, Mandy. I have to admit, I’m shocked. I thought you guys were so solid, the perfect family. Looking back, were there any signs?”
“Yes, but I didn’t see it at the time. You know the convertible he gave me for my birthday?
That was very much out of character for Cory.
I think it may have been a guilt gift. He was working really late the week before my birthday.
All those nights he worked late or went back to the office after dinner—well, he may have been doing something else. ”
“So now what? Do you want to try to save the marriage?” Emma asked.
Mandy sighed and grabbed a fresh tissue. “I’m not sure that I can. The trust is gone. Cory packed a bag and moved out this morning. I told him I’d let him know what I want to do.”
Jill nodded. “It’s a horrible situation, but maybe it’s best to be decisive about it. I would imagine it would be harder to try to make it work.”
“A small part of me wants to try to fix it, but I feel physically ill now when I look at him. I’m not sure we can come back from something like this.
It’s just the shock of it all. It was so unexpected, though I guess I missed other signs too.
He’s been short with me more often and hasn’t been all that fun to be around. I just assumed it was work stress.”
“You should get tested, just in case,” Jill said.
Mandy nodded. “I called the doctor’s office earlier, and I’m getting that done as soon as I leave here. It’s just a quick blood test.”
“What can we do to help?” Emma asked.
Mandy looked at both of her sisters, and her eyes welled up again. She was so grateful that they were there.
“There’s really nothing to do. I’m just glad you’re here and that we have Mimi’s Place. It is a blessing really and will give me something to focus on.”
“If you need help with the kids or anything, please let us know,” Jill offered.
“Yes, definitely,” Emma agreed.
Mandy smiled as a thought came to her. “You know there is something. When I got this place ready for you, I found a diary on Grams’s desk and started reading it.
I think I mentioned it. Have you guys seen it?
It was a fascinating peek into her life.
If you don’t mind, I’d love to borrow it.
I’ll have more time for reading now with Cory gone. ”
“Of course. I haven’t seen it. Have you, Jill?”
“No. I didn’t know Grams even had a diary.”
“When I finish, I’ll bring it back so you can read too. Oh, and we have our meeting with Paul later today.”
Emma looked concerned. “Are you sure you’re up for that?”
“I’m looking forward to it. To seeing what Paul thinks and to get started on these changes. I’ll need a project to focus on now more than ever.”
Paul came in early to meet with Mandy, Emma, and Jill about the consultant’s suggestions.
They grabbed coffee and went into the function room side of the restaurant so it would be quiet.
Mandy walked through the list of recommendations, and Paul was surprised to find himself agreeing with most of them, except for cutting staff.
They were all in agreement that Grams wouldn’t have supported that idea, and they didn’t plan to either.
He especially agreed with the suggestions to get new carpet in the dining room and to hang local art on the walls. As they went through everything though, he couldn’t help but notice that something seemed a little off about Mandy.
“What are your thoughts on changing the menu?” Mandy asked.
Paul grinned. “I agree that it’s long overdue. I tried to add my own spin through the specials, but other than that, the menu really hasn’t changed much over the years.”
“I thought it might be good to have a grand reopening party of sorts,” Mandy said.
“We could invite the regulars, local businesses and hotels, and serve samples of some of the new menu additions—whatever you decide on. If you are up for it?” She seemed excited about the event, and Paul had no doubt she’d do a great job organizing it.
“We thought it might be a good way to thank the regulars and get the word out about the new menu,” Jill added.
Paul agreed that it was a smart idea and a good chance for him to show them what he could do. It would be a fun challenge. “I like it. I have some ideas on menu items. Let me think about this and get back to you with what I have in mind. Sound good?”
“That sounds perfect,” Jill said, and Emma nodded in agreement.
Mandy took a deep breath. “Good. I am looking forward to this event. It will give me something to focus on.” She glanced at her two sisters and then at Paul and hesitated for a moment as if she wasn’t sure whether to continue.
Emma reached out and grabbed her hand, and Jill nodded.Paul knew then that his initial sense that Mandy wasn’t quite herself was on target. Something was wrong.
“I might as well tell you, since you are our partner and word is going to be out soon enough anyway. Cory and I are separating.” She didn’t go into why, and Paul didn’t need to know. His heart went out to her. He’d gone through a divorce himself, and it was hard.
“I’m so sorry, Mandy. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help. I’ve been there.”
She smiled gratefully, and he could see that her eyes were slightly red.
“Thank you, Paul. I appreciate that.”
As far as he was concerned, Mandy was better off without that guy anyway.
He didn’t know what Cory had done, but Paul didn’t like his attitude.
He’d been in the restaurant a few times before with work colleagues, and Paul had heard from the waitstaff that Cory was a difficult customer. He was demanding and full of himself.
He spent a lot of money though—expensive bottles of wine, after-dinner drinks, appetizers, and dessert. Paul knew that Cory owned some kind of financial services company and made an obscene amount of money. There were a lot of those types on Nantucket.
Most of them had second homes on the island and visited them just a few weeks a year, but when they did, they expected to be catered to.
Many of them hired personal chefs for their stay.
Paul had worked a few of those gigs before he landed at Mimi’s Place.
It was relatively easy money being on call to cook whatever a rich family wanted—from peanut butter sandwiches to clambakes on the beach and elegant dinner parties.
Some of the people were nice, but others were difficult and full of themselves, like Cory.
Mandy seemed too down to earth and nice for someone like that.
“Okay, so I think we’re all set then?” Jill asked.
Mandy nodded. “I’ll start working on a plan for the event and run the details by you all in a few days.”
“And I’ll let you know some thoughts on the menu soon too.” Paul was looking forward to trying some new things and was excited to create a menu that would showcase what customers loved about Mimi’s Place, along with some fresh new dishes.