21. Beth
Beth
My parents were finally in town for a weekend visit, and I was set to show them the sites of Port St. Clair. We had reservations for the restaurant side of Windbreaker in a bit, and before that, I planned to give them the tour of downtown.
They were staying at a bed and breakfast on Main Street.
It was very unlike them to stay in a place that wasn’t a Holiday Inn, so a B&B was a big deal for them.
They didn’t enjoy traveling, and Mom always said if they were going to travel, they were going to stay in a place as tried and true as the Holiday Inn.
They didn’t like surprises, and they liked knowing what to expect.
This was exactly why I hadn’t brought up the business idea to them yet.
I wanted to make sure it happened at the right time in the right way.
I had gone down some internet rabbit holes to find comparable businesses and what the cost would be to purchase and maintain them, and I had to tamp down my excitement because the more I looked into it, the more I realized it could actually happen.
Whether I would actually go through with it was a completely different story though.
“It’s like your own little cottage! A summer getaway!” Mom walked around upstairs, and I heard every other word she said.
My dad and I were sitting in the living room with a glass of wine each and one waiting for mom.
“You think she’s about ready to head out?” I asked my dad.
“You know her.” He looked up at me, crossing his ankle over his knee, leaning back into the oversized chair. “She’s only ready when she’s ready.”
Mom’s sandals clicked as she walked downstairs.
“I’ve been meaning to ask. How’s everything doing at home?
With the business?” I asked as Mom took a seat across from me.
I needed to know everything was okay after our phone call.
My dad looked fine, and he was walking normally, but it was still tough not to worry.
There was always a little voice in the back of my head that made me nervous.
“Fine. All is well,” my dad said.
“No big changes or issues then? Things pretty even-keel?” I asked.
My mom scrunched her eyes ever so briefly at my dad, and I knew I was missing something.
I looked from my mom to my dad and back again. “What is it? What am I missing?”
My dad cleared his throat. “Nothing to worry about. Just a bit of a mishap.”
“What kind of mishap?”
“We lost Family Foods,” he said.
Family Foods was one of the longest standing contracts we had. My family had been doing business with them for the last two decades, and I couldn’t believe they hadn’t told me prior.
“What are you talking about?” My breath caught. “That’s a significant vendor.”
“They pulled the contract,” my mom said, sheepishly, and Dad just grunted.
“How? Why?” I asked. “What happened? We just got everything set up for the next year with them.” I racked my brain trying to figure out what could have possibly happened, and I couldn’t figure it out. “Tell me.”
“Said they needed to work with someone more responsive,” Dad said.
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
“I missed a few emails from them. Not my fault they didn’t just pick up the goddamn phone to call me. It’s fine. We’re moving past it. We’ll find another store.” He was angry, but I could tell he didn’t want to let on too much.
“That’s one of the largest family-owned chains in Michigan, Dad. How are we going to replace that?” The anxiety pulled at my chest as I gripped the chair tight.
“There are other options,” Dad said. “I prefer to work with someone more loyal anyway. Completely ridiculous to pull the contract for something like this.”
My breathing got heavy as I thought of the mess I’d need to clean up at home, the phone calls I’d have to make to the owners over there.
“We’ll figure it out,” Mom said, patting my arm. “Let’s just enjoy dinner, okay?”
Looking my mom in the eyes, I saw her concern, her want to enjoy the rest of our time together, and as much as I hated to do it, I had to give her this time.
She deserved everyone being happy together when we’d had so much time apart.
We’d talk about it later, and if she wanted to pretend everything was fine and dandy right now, so be it.
I’d abide—at least for now. And with that, everything went out the window regarding the rental shop.
At this point, what was the point of even bringing it up when there was so much turmoil at home?
I needed to be more involved so things didn’t go off the rails.
Shortly after that, we hopped in the car, and I showed them around town, feeling the heavy weight of what they’d shared earlier.
When we arrived at Windbreaker for dinner, it was already busy with a waitlist, and I was grateful I made a reservation.
I put my name in, and they said it would be a couple minutes.
Sure, I had decided not to tell them about the shop at all, but my nerves didn’t take a backseat because I knew I’d have to clean up the mess at home.
“Mom? Dad? I think it sounds like the table is almost ready. Want to grab a drink at the bar? My treat.”
“Could go for a beer,” my dad said, leading the way.
I followed my parents as they walked over and put their orders in, and when the space cleared next to them, I felt all the contents of my stomach try to escape.
Johnny. Was here. Next to my dad.
I felt my face go hot.
I didn’t need more stress added to my already eventful weekend, and adding Johnny to the mix would do just that.
I had told him my parents were in town, but I wasn’t planning on telling them I was seeing him, and I absolutely wasn’t planning on introducing them. Besides, I was not in the greatest mood at this point, and I knew it. I was going to break if one more thing went wrong.
At that thought, my dad took a seat next to Johnny. He looked up, first at me, then my parents—realizing who was sitting next to him. Johnny kept a lock on my eyes, as if mentally asking what he should do.
In the end, he shrugged at me, then nodded at my dad.
I cleared my throat. “So, small world here, but Mom and Dad, this is Johnny—my… friend.”
It was the slightest reaction, but I could sense Johnny’s face fall at that explanation, even though it didn’t make sense. He couldn’t expect me to introduce him to my parents as anything more, right?
Johnny held out his hand at first to my dad, then Mom. “Nice to meet you both.”
My dad returned the shake and introduced himself and my mom, and an awkward silence fell before I knew what to do.
“What are you all up to today?” Johnny asked, sipping his beer.
“Getting the full tour!” my mom exclaimed, acting as is we didn’t just lose one of our biggest customers. “I got the cutest little centerpiece for the entry table. Plus, some gifts.” She looked around and pointed to Main Street. “We don’t have any place like this back home.”
“It’s a special spot, that’s for sure,” Johnny said, smiling at her.
“You from around these parts?” my dad asked, leaning back on his stool.
“Nah, not lucky enough to grow up here,” Johnny said, laughing. “I’m from a bit south of Detroit. Downriver, actually.”
My dad raised his eyebrows. “City boy, then. How did you end up here?”
I felt Johnny’s tension before he said anything and quickly changed the subject, trying to keep the conversation going without dwelling on my dad’s question. Luckily, my mom chimed in telling him where they were staying, and I winced again.
“Next time you’re in town, you have to stay at one of my rentals. As much as I love the bed & breakfast in town, there’s something cozier about staying in a cottage, don’t you think?”
“Oh, the cottages do sound fun.” Mom beamed at him.
I wasn’t sure what Johnny was getting at. He seemed to be peacocking, and I wasn’t sure I liked it. I furrowed my brow.
He lit up, puffing his chest slightly. “Yeah, I own several places in town. Used to own a bunch in Detroit but now in Port St. Clair. Took a while to get the hang of being in a tourist town, but I’m enjoying it.
” Johnny nodded toward me. “In fact, Beth had an opportunity come up to be in the rental game in Port St. Clair, right Beth?”
I froze.
I felt the color drain from my face, and I stood there, not responding, my feet glued to the ground.
This couldn’t be happening.
This wasn’t happening.
I felt both my parents turn to look at me in what seemed like slow motion and tilt their heads as if to ask what this stranger was talking about. And he was a stranger to them.
What was Johnny thinking bringing this up?
“Yeah, it came up, but it’s obviously not happening,” I said, still unflinching in my reaction.
“What’s not happening?” Dad asked. “What is he talking about, Beth?”
As I looked up at Johnny, his eyes got big, and he must have realized what he’d done because something changed on his face. An oh, shit look.
Oh, shit was right.
I tried to compose myself quickly. Taking a deep breath, I decided to let them know. “Mary? You know, the owner of the rental shop I work for?”
“Yes, of course,” Dad said.
“She’s selling the shops this year. She already has an offer, but she wanted to let me know in case.”
“In case, what?”
“In case I wanted to put an offer in… myself.” I felt myself put my business face on as I spoke with my dad.
I wanted to let them know, but I also didn’t want them to worry about what this could or would mean.
It meant nothing. “Of course, I told her I wouldn’t put an offer in. But it was nice to hear. Obviously.”
“Obviously,” my dad said, still looking unsure of what was going on.
My mom just looked at me, cocking her head to the side, as if silently asking for my opinion in all this. As close as we were, we also had different ways we interacted with the world, and I didn’t want her or my dad getting upset. We were already on edge from earlier.
Everyone was silent for a moment.
My mind whirled. I fumed at Johnny for bringing this up to my parents.
At the same time, I was frustrated with the entire situation regarding the shops—and Johnny just put a giant spotlight on it.
I would love running them, and I had come to love Port St. Clair.
At this point, I knew that it wasn’t a viable option—not with everything going on at home—especially with the recent news.
I’d teased myself with everything over the last several weeks.
I had tasted freedom and independence, and there wasn’t another option at this point.
I wished I could live my own life on my own terms, but that wasn’t a possibility. As much as I could wish it, it wouldn’t change reality, and the reality was I was going home in less than two weeks.
I looked over at Johnny, who was deep in thought looking down at his beer. His head popped up, and I nodded toward the door.
“I’ll be right back. Going to check on our table.”
“Uh, okay,” my mom said, taking a seat next to my dad.
Johnny trailed behind me as I weaved in and out of the crowd.
Once we got to the front of the restaurant, I led Johnny outside, away from most of the crowd and all the people waiting for a table. He still had his beer in hand, and once we had a moment to breathe, I just looked at him.
“Shit. I’m so sorry, Beth.”
“What were you thinking?”
“I wasn’t, clearly. I saw you and your parents walk in, and I wasn’t expecting to see you guys, obviously. Then, your parents walked over, and I think I just blanked out. I don’t know what happened. I’m just so sorry.”
I took a deep breath. I had to go back in there shortly.
Otherwise, my parents would wonder what was going on.
“I just don’t know what to even say right now.
I’ve been stressed out all week, knowing that they were coming into town.
” I paused. “I knew I had to let them know, and you just blurted it out. You weren’t even supposed to be with us! ”
Johnny’s eyes opened wide at that. “Hey, you’re the one who didn’t tell me where you were going,” he snapped. “How was I supposed to know which bar I couldn’t go to? It was a coincidence, Beth.”
“I’m losing control. I can’t do it. Everything is just falling apart.” My throat thickened, tears threatening to fall.
Johnny grabbed my elbows. “What’s falling apart? What’s going on, Beth? Tell me how I can help.”
I backed up, putting distance between us. “You can’t. I can’t. I need to go back in there. Things are bad at home. I just… I just need some space.”
And I turned around, running back to the restaurant, leaving Johnny alone under the shade tree out front. This is what happened when I did something for myself, and it was all a mess.