Chapter 15 #2
They walked up the stairs. Once they were inside, they heard moaning coming from the living room and smelled marijuana fumes permeating the air. “I think my roommate is having an afternoon delight with his gal. Let’s leave our stuff in the kitchen.”
They grabbed their wallets, left their backpacks, and headed out.
“At least someone’s getting some,” Kim chuckled.
“Got to give Thad credit. He hasn’t said a word about Angie living with us, and I’m using his room, so he can have all the fun he wants during the day,” Gina shared as they walked to Durkin’s.
Kris, the bartender, greeted them and put two coasters in front of them on the long wooden counter. They entered through the large wooden door with windows into the dimly lit bar.
“Hey, Gina, good to see you. It’s been a while. Sorry about your uncle. It was always fun when you both came in together. I’ll need to check your IDs, you know it’s the law.” They pulled out their wallets and showed him their licenses.
“Thanks, Kris, it’s been tough, so unexpected.
” Gina needed a break from thinking about her uncle right now.
Since her aunt moved in a week ago, it seemed that was the only subject they discussed most of the time.
It seems whatever they discussed led them both to thinking of Vinnie. They both missed him so much.
“May he rest in peace. Old Style on tap?”
“You got it. This is my best friend and business partner, Kim Yang. Meet my buddy Kris.”
Kim put her hand out and they shook. “Nice to meet you, Kris. How about two shots of tequila?”
“Must be celebrating something—finally left Panera?” Kris started to draw their beers.
“Not yet, but hopefully soon. We’re starting a catering company, just finished the entrepreneur class at Daley College, got an A,” Gina shared with pride.
“What kind of tequila would you like?”
“Do you have Don Julio Blanco?” Kim asked.
“Sure do, nice choice.” Kris placed their beers in front of them, then grabbed the tequila and two shot glasses, and poured them to the brim. “Here’s some lime and salt if you like, but this is smooth, so you may not need them.”
Gina glanced around the bar. It had a classic Irish pub interior with dark wood paneling, exposed brick walls that were decorated with a mix of vintage Irish advertisements, sports memorabilia, and local artwork. Plenty of screens to watch any sport that was on; the White Sox were playing now.
Gina and Kim sipped a little off the top and then lifted the shot glasses. “Here’s to our new business and being our own bosses,” Kim toasted.
They both downed the tequila. “That goes down smooth; we could get in trouble fast.” Gina took a sip of her beer.
“I’ll get in trouble with you anytime,” Kim said, then ever so briefly closed one eye and smiled.
Wait, did she just coyly wink at me? Gina wondered, but then shook it off. I must have been seeing things.
“This is a big step for us.” Kim sipped her beer.
“I did some preliminary calculations, and I think we can start booking as soon as we get the call from the funeral director. We’ll have to use your small kitchen until we have enough money to rent a better space.
I think we should require a fifty percent down payment up front, and we’ll use that money to purchase most of the ingredients.
I asked my parents for more shifts at their store, and they were more than happy to oblige, mostly because they can watch my every move.
I have about ten grand in my savings account. ”
“Another shot?” Kris asked.
“Yes, please.” Gina shifted her attention back to Kim.
Kim raised her shot glass again. “Cheers.”
They downed the second shot, and over the course of the afternoon, each had another beer as they discussed their pitch to Louie.
But Gina found herself having a difficult time keeping her mind focused on business when Kim started applying gloss to her smooth, full lips.
As Gina stared at Kim’s mouth, a thought came to her: I wonder what it would be like to kiss Kim?
But just as suddenly as the notion had entered her mind, she pushed it away.
Okay, this is ridiculous. Clearly, I’ve had too much booze.
Gina glanced down at her watch. “Oh, shit, it’s almost six. I forgot my mom’s bringing us sandwiches, and we have to figure out when Angie wants to pack and move. I’m ordering us an Uber.”
Kim pulled a couple of twenties out of her wallet and put them on the bar. “Here you go, Kris. Keep the change.”
“Gee, thanks, Kim.” Kris looked over at Gina. “And you take care, Gina. Don’t be a stranger.”
“With my schedule and starting this catering company, you may not be seeing me for a while, but if you know anyone who needs their wake or funeral catered, give me a call.” She jotted down her cell phone number on a napkin and slid it over to him.
“I’ll drop off some business cards once we get them printed. ”
Kris laughed. “Hopefully I won’t be calling you anytime soon. Take care.”
“I’m feeling a nice buzz. How about you?” Gina glanced over at Kim.
“Oh, yeah, that’s why I love my tequila. A nice, gentle high,” Kim said.
Before she could stop herself, Gina put her hand on Kim’s cheek. “That gentle high looks good on you.”
“You’re not so bad yourself.” Kim smiled.
Gina looked away. She is so beautiful. Yikes! Why am I looking at my business partner like this? Slow your roll, Gina! Enough with the tequila brain.
Canceling the Uber, and needing to walk it off, they walked to Gina’s apartment, finding Angie sitting in the kitchen, sipping a glass of wine, while Connie put out huge beef sandwiches, wrapped in white butcher paper.
“Nothing like Portillo’s beef, sweet peppers, giardiniera, and grilled onions—and lots and lots of broth. ”
“Thanks for doing this, Mom,” Gina said.
“Of course, honey. How did your presentation go today?”
“Mr. Spiro said we nailed it. He was impressed that we’re only twenty-two and we really seemed to have a grasp of what it would take to launch our business. He gave us some leads on where we could apply for loans and some start-up money,” Gina said as she dove into her sandwich.
“What about you, Angie? Any news about Vinnie’s pension?” Connie asked, as she refreshed her and Angie’s wineglasses.
“No news is good news for now, but the wheels move slowly at City Hall.”
Connie nodded. “Not to pile on, but I talked to Ben today. He wants us to come over to his place so we can handle this storage unit situation. We should take care of this as soon as we can, Angie.”
“Let’s go first thing Saturday morning,” Angie said.
“Hey, what did you think of the tasting menu I put in your lunch bag?” Gina asked.
“I have some fun ideas that will punch it up, but it’s a good start,” Angie said.
Connie stood up. “I have to work at the office tonight. See you bright and early Saturday.”
“I hate to be a party pooper, but I’m tired. Good night, girls,” Angie said.
“I have the early shift so I can drop you off if you want,” Gina said.
“That would be wonderful,” Angie said, and made her way to the bathroom.
“I need to head home too.” Kim walked to the door.
“Let’s talk tomorrow after work. Maybe we can bang out the loan papers together,” Gina said.
“Sounds good, partner.”