Chapter One
Chapter One
Victor
Over the past fifty years Seaville hasn’t changed much. Sure, some new shops have opened and some have closed, but the small-town aesthetics aren’t much different from when my dad was my age. There’s comfort in that. Some might not like it, and I certainly complained a lot when I was a kid, but now I appreciate it more than I ever thought possible.
The community still smells of salt and sea with the occasional delicious aroma of cinnamon from the bakery and fried fish from the Mermaid Café. The streets are just as narrow, lined with quaint shops and locals walking along them who never pass up a good gossip session. This used to drive me crazy, but now I find comfort in it. Coming home feels like wrapping up in my favorite ragged blanket. There are a lot of ghosts on the streets, though, who like to remind you of their memories, some of which you hoped would be forgotten.
I close my eyes for a brief moment before snapping them back open as I lean against my old Ford truck and gaze at the mechanic shop my father has run since before I was born. Fortier’s Auto Repair, as the faded sign hanging proudly above the garage says, still gives me a sense of comfort. There are so many memories of my childhood wrapped up in this shop... memories of me running around the stained floors, thinking my dad was the coolest man in the world. I still feel this way.
I spent my summers in this shop learning the trade at my father’s greasy hands. His dream has always been for me to take over the family business one day. I can do the work, and I’m quite good at it, but that’s his passion, not mine. My father was proud the day I enlisted in the Marines, but there was never any doubt his hope was for me to return home after my adventures were over. I’m home, but I feel a bit sick at what I need to tell him.
The shop door creaks open and I smile as my dad walks out, wiping his hands on a red rag as I’ve seen him do a million times before. There’s comfort in the fact that he hasn’t changed much. Sure, he has a bit more grey in his hair and a few more laugh lines around his eyes, but the man’s still strong and stubborn as hell, with a deep knowledge in his green eyes. He might be a blue-collared man, but he’s smarter than any person I know. He consumes books every night, saying the mind only dies when a person stops seeking knowledge. As soon as he spots me his weathered face lights up in a grin that takes ten years away.
“Victor, my boy,” he says as he comes forward and gives me a hug. “Glad you’re finally back home.”
“You know I can’t come into town and not head straight here,” I tell him, feeling instantly at peace being with my father again. I don’t regret my adventures around the world, but this is where I belong. This is home.
My chest is heavy knowing I have to talk to my father about so much. I’ve kept too much from him, something I’ve never done before. The weight of what I haven’t told him will pull me under if I don’t get it off my chest. After we lost Mom when I was still in high school, all we had was each other. He became my rock to talk to. At first it wasn’t easy, but over time, I realized he must’ve listened to Mom all of the years they had together because he’s given me some wise advice that usually comes from a mother. I can’t imagine not having my dad. I refuse to think of the day that might become a reality.
“Well, come on inside,” he demands. As soon as we move through the doors, the smell of motor oil and metal fills my nostrils. It’s like stepping back in time. I do love it here even if I don’t want it to be my career.
“It looks great, Dad,” I tell him. He beams at me.
“I keep busy, that’s for sure. I had to hire Jenkins last summer since you were gone, but he’s done a mighty fine job. That boy has tools for fingers.”
“That’s great, Dad. I hate that people have mechanical issues, but with you around at least they don’t have to worry about the job getting done right.”
Dad laughs. “Your mother always complained that I had a bleeding heart and needed to charge more. I don’t want to price-gouge my neighbors though, and we’ve always made a comfortable living.”
This is one more thing I love about my dad. He’s a positive man and as honest as they come. Sure, he could be living a lot better, but he wouldn’t be happy. He loves what he does, has enough to pay his bills, and even a bit extra to buy some fun things. One of his biggest hobbies is the RC plane club where he builds and flies various planes. He absolutely loves it. You’d never expect that from my hard-working dad, but once that remote control is in his hand he becomes a little kid again.
“Are you ready to get to work?” Dad asks. “You know I’m not getting any younger.”
“You’ve been saying this to me since I was five,” I tell him with a laugh. It’s a bit forced though because he’s not going to love this conversation, or at least I don’t think he’s going to love it.
“Well that’s because every day I get a bit older. Having you for a son aged me even faster,” he says as he claps me on the shoulder.
I hesitate, which isn’t something I often do. I’ve always been full of confidence from the time I was a young tot, but I’ve also loved pleasing my father. It isn’t easy for me to do something I know he won’t be thrilled about. I need to get this over with though.
“Dad, I know this place means the world to you, but life has a way of changing a person,” I begin. His grin fades a bit, but he looks at me as he raises his brows. He knows to let me get all of my words out before interrupting. Sometimes it’s very difficult to say what we need to say.
“I really enjoyed the summer festival last year,” I begin.
“You did exceptionally well. I was disappointed when you had to leave again not long after it was over. You’re home again, though, so that’s all that matters.”
I smile. “You’ve always been so encouraging with everything I’ve done. It’s what’s made me into the man I am today.”
“I love your independence and passion for life,” he says.
“Which is why I want to do something with my life I’m passionate about,” I tell him.
He lets out a sigh. “I’m taking it that mechanics isn’t your passion,” he says as if he already knows.
Dang, my heart’s lodged in my throat. “I want to open a restaurant. I love cooking. I know it’s strange, and not your dream for me, but it’s what I’ve wanted to do for the past ten years. I just haven’t been sure how to tell you about it.”
For a seemingly endless moment silence greets my words. But then he gives me a smile as he shakes his head with bemusement in his eyes.
“I can’t say I’m all that surprised,” he tells me. “I saw the passion in you last year as you were cooking. You looked like you were in your element. I was hoping it was a hobby like my love of RC planes because I’ve always wanted to pass this shop to you, but I’ve gotten to do the job I love my entire life, and I want you to do the same. I want you to smile when you wake up because you get to go to the job you love. My dreams don’t have to be yours to make me proud of you.”
I’m shocked at his words but don’t understand why. This is who my dad is. He’s always supported me. I most likely could’ve saved myself a hell of a lot of worry and a few wrinkles had I simply talked to him sooner. Sometimes I don’t know why I make the decisions I do.
“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life, but I kept finding myself navigating to the kitchen, and discovered I have a natural ability to take subpar food and make it great. The men in my unit loved when I cooked, and I found that I liked grilling a hell of a lot more than firing my gun. I don’t know why, but it feels like a calling.”
“Well then you need to do what you love. I’ll make sure this shop stays open for our community. Don’t worry about it at all. I expect you to come help once in a while though. You can trade olive oil for motor oil,” he says with a laugh.
“You’ve always found yourself quite funny,” I tell him as I laugh.
“That’s because I tell the best dad jokes of them all,” he assures me.
“You sure do.”
“Life really is too short to not follow your dreams, son. I’m looking forward to watching you shine.”
“This year’s cooking competition is going national. The Food Network is offering a twenty-five thousand dollar prize. On top of that, maybe they’re looking for talent. Who knows what could happen? This could be what gets me my restaurant,” I tell him and pause. “I’ve saved a lot and can get my restaurant going, but everything helps.”
His eyes widen as they light up. “Well, dang. Our little town is getting on the map. I’m not so sure I like that,” he tells me. “I like the prize money, but don’t want our streets filled with tourists year round.”
“There’s one more thing I need to tell you, Dad,” I finally say.
His smile fades as he looks at me with concern. “You can tell me anything.”
I hang my head in shame. “I know. Just remember that sometimes we’re all stubborn and make foolish decisions. I should’ve talked to you about this sooner.”
“You’re worrying me,” he says.
“You know I was medically discharged from the military, but I didn’t tell you the severity of my injury. I told myself I was trying to protect you, but I was simply thinking I was too strong to complain, so instead of having you at my side I went through it alone. The reason I left is I had to have brain surgery, which turned into three surgeries and nearly nine months of recovery.”
My dad looks horrified at first, then wounded. “Why would you keep this from me? What if something would’ve happened to you and I wasn’t there? I should’ve been with you for the entire journey.” I know he’s thinking about Mom and how much losing her hurt both of us, but at least we were at her side. It scares me to think if something had happened to me, all he’d have gotten was a phone call without being able to say goodbye. I was wrong to do that to him.
“I didn’t want you to worry. I realize now that I was wrong,” I tell him.
He shakes his head. “We’ve always told each other everything, son. I’m hurt by this. Please be honest with me now. Are you okay?”
Now I smile. “Yes, my brain’s all better now and there won’t be more surgeries. I’m sorry, Dad. I know how wrong I was, and I promise you I’ll never keep something like this from you ever again.”
He moves to me and pulls me against him for a hug. “I’m your father. It’s my duty and privilege to hold you in the good and bad times. I love you.”
“I love you too, Dad. I won’t make that mistake ever again. Whatever steps in life I take, I’ll have you right at my side,” I assure him.
“I’m very proud of you, son. Words aren’t enough to express that. I have no doubt you’ll crush this competition and have all of your dreams come true.” He pulls back and grins. “You will be opening this restaurant right here in Seaville though, right?”
I laugh. “Yes, right here. I’m home now, and I’m not going anywhere anymore. My days of wandering are officially over.”
We talk a while longer before I move over to the car he’s working on, and the two of us fix it together. Just because my dream’s to have my own restaurant, it doesn’t mean I’m not going to be at my father’s side every chance I get. I know our time’s limited, and I don’t want to miss another moment of being with him. Time can too quickly be cut short.
I’m going to bake the cake, and eat it too. Those who think you can’t have it all are fools. I’ve confessed all of my sins today, and I’m ready to step forward into the next chapter of my life. It doesn’t hurt that a very sexy competitor is up against me this year once again, either. I have some serious plans for Nikki, and she’s not going to see it coming.