by Ashlee Price
I was sure that that was the part of it that held the most truth. It was hard to imagine doing things without her, but at the same time, I knew she was worried about failing. We all have those worries, of course; I’d had the same ones when my dad and I first started the business. But as time went on, I realized that I could do anything that I set my mind to. I was sure that Melissa was now going to get the very same important lesson that I’d learned so long ago.
Pulling her in for a hug, I told her that she could do it. “You know that you’re the only one I would trust to do this. I know that you can do this, Melissa, and you’re going to do great. We’ve already trained up the crew, so you’ll have nothing to worry about. Everything has been thought of.”
She wasn’t sure, but suddenly I was, and I was going to be sure enough for both of us. While she was always positive for everyone else, there were times that Melissa needed a dose of positivity herself. I knew that it was all going to be okay, and when she left the bistro to get to the other location I hoped the best for her. I wanted her to have a good first day. Looking around my own shop, I was trying not to feel so alone. An eerie feeling was going over me, but it wasn’t long before I heard Glenn fussing and I knew that I was never going to be alone again. Now I had Scott and Mom and little Glenn. I had more family now than I ever did before.
When I finally opened the doors to start the day, the place started to fill with people immediately and the moment of loneliness was gone. I didn’t have time to feel that way. I had a job to do.
***
“This is the third time that I’ve called you, Scott. Are you okay? Just call me when you get this. Melissa said that you weren’t at the other shop, so I just want to make sure that you’re okay. Please call me, baby, you have me worried.”
I hung up and stared at the phone. I was there alone after everyone had cleaned up and left for the day. I’d insisted they go, of course, but now I wished that I hadn’t. That solo feeling was upon me again, and although I knew that I was fine, I wasn’t feeling fine without Scott. He hadn’t called all day, and that wasn’t like him. Usually if he was away from me and Glenn, he would call several times a day to check in. It was strange to me that he hadn’t called, and I wasn’t sure why it could be.
Finally I’d had enough sitting around, and I called him again. Again there was no answer, and I got ready to leave. I wasn’t sure where I was going, but I knew that I had to find Scott. It wasn’t dark or late, but it was so far out of character for him that I was sure that something was wrong. If it wasn’t, why didn’t he answer his phone? As much as I tried to think of a reason for that, I came up with nothing. There was nothing that would keep him from answering or calling me back, so it had to mean that something had happened to him. My mind went to the wreck again, and I hoped that I was wrong.
When a couple more hours had passed and I still hadn’t heard from Scott, I stopped calling. It was clear to me now that he was either in trouble or just not answering his phone. My mind played out all of the scenarios that I could think of, and none of them were any good. I so wanted to be wrong about everything, but in the end I didn’t know what to do, so I went to bed. Even though I was alone, the worry and taking care of Glenn had worn me out.
I fell asleep fast, and slept until a hungry Glenn woke me up for a feeding. The clock said it was three in the morning, and I didn’t have to look next to me to see that Scott still wasn’t home. I went to look on my phone, and I could see that he hadn’t called either. My worry skyrocketed, helped on by the crazy dreams that I’d been having.
Without anything else to do and with no one else to call, I started calling around to the hospitals. I wasn’t sure what I was going to find out, but after I called each one and there was no record of him being there, a small relief was outweighed by a bigger question. Where was my husband?
When the phone rang early the next morning, I jumped at it red-eyed. I didn’t know who it was, but I hoped more than anything that it was Scott. I’d played all the scenarios in my head, and I wanted to know which one was true. Had something happened? Had he decided to leave me because family life wasn’t all that it was cracked up to be? What?
“Hello?”
“Jesse.”
“Scott! Where the hell are you?”
“I’m in the hospital. I’m sorry I didn’t call sooner, but something came up and I couldn’t get to a phone.”
There were phones everywhere, and I was going to call bull on that later, but for now I was just happy to hear his voice and know that he was safe. There would be time later to find out everything else. It didn’t matter what it was, because as long as I had Scott, I knew that I could get through anything.
Chapter 3 – Scott
“I just can’t believe that I didn’t know about it.”
Maria shook her head and patted my hand. She was trying to tell me that it was going to be okay, but I didn’t feel like it was. I needed to see Jesse, but I knew that it was going to be a while till she could get down to the hospital. They hadn’t given my father much time to live in his current condition. While there was no way I could have known about his cancer, I somehow felt like I should have. I felt like it was my fault for resigning and then making it so that we didn’t see each other. I should have truly forgiven him. Then I would have seen what was right in front of me the whole time.
“You know how your father is, Scott. He didn’t want anyone to know that he had cancer. He didn’t want to appear weak. I think that was the biggest worry for him, and that’s why he’s been refusing chemo. He doesn’t want to lose his hair.”
“But he could have told me.”
“Yes, but with everything that was going on with the business, he wanted to give you some time.”
“How did you know about that?”
“I’ve known him almost as long as you have, Scott. He’s a complicated man, but there is a good part of him that’s like gold. He just keeps it wrapped up too tight. I know that it’s a lot to take on all of a sudden, but he doesn’t have much time, and I know that he wanted to make amends with you.”
“Thank you, Maria. Thank you for being there for him when no one else was.”
She waved me off, then smiled when she saw who was coming into the waiting room. As soon as I saw Jesse, I felt a large weight being lifted off of me. Maybe everything would be okay now. As long as Jesse was there, I knew that I was going to be okay. She moved to me and gave me a hug, telling me how worried she was.
“I wasn’t trying to make you worry, Jesse. I just got wrapped up with everything. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“It’s fine, Scott. I was just afraid that you’d been hurt or were leaving me.”
I chuckled and asked her how she thought that I could ever do that. “I don’t even want to wake up in the morning if you’re not next to me. I love you, Jesse, but seeing Dad this way, I just forgot about everything else. Please don’t be mad.”
“I’m not, Scott. I was just worried.”
“Where is Glenn?”
“He’s with my mother. She’s going to watch him for the night, and she can watch him tomorrow if she needs to. I’ll just have to run over and bring her a few things. I’m all yours, Scott. We’ll stay here until they know something.”
“Thank you, Jesse. I’m already feeling better with you here. Maria called and told me what was going on. It took almost all day to convince him to come here. I thought he was going to die right there. He’s so stubborn.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t know anything about that…”
I kind of chuckled and laughed. It was true that I was just as hard-headed as he was. For the longest time I’d hated to have anything in common with my father, but in many other ways I was proud of who I was and where I came from. He was a strong man, and although he was a hard father to live with, he was a great man to look up to. As a businessman, he was one of the best.
“Well, I’m glad you finally called. I don’t know what I would have done if something had happened to
you, Scott. You and Glenn are my world.”
“Mine too Jesse. Mine too.”
***
“There’s something that I need you to do for me, Scott. Something I need you to promise me.”
“Okay, whatever it is, Dad, I’ll do it.’
“I need you to take over the business again. I’m not going to be here that much longer, and I just want to know that everything is going to keep going. I know that you’ll do that and I know that you’re the best man for the job. Let me give you something, my legacy, Scott. I know that I’ve done many things that I’ll always regret, but in spite of me, you turned into one hell of a man. Take the company, Scott, it’s yours.”
He chuckled. “Seems like me dying is the best thing that could have happened to us. At least now you’ll listen, and I’ve no more time to guide you. You don’t need it anymore. I’m proud of the man that you’ve become.”
I was close to tears, so close I had to fight them back so I wouldn’t embarrass myself in front of everyone. Jesse seen them, though, and she squeezed my shoulder a little tighter. It didn’t matter that my father had said such bad things about her. She was there for me, and that was the kind of loyalty that everyone wanted and needed in their life.
“Thank you, Dad.”
Jackson turned to Jesse, and I could feel her stiffening up a little bit. It didn’t matter that my father was being nice now. I knew that she remembered what he’d said about her before. But she wouldn’t say anything, not now and most likely not ever. She was just that kind of woman.
“I owe you an apology, Jesse. I thought that you were going to be disaster for my son, but I see that you’re exactly what he needed.”
Jesse’s face got a little red with the praise, and then she told him that it was I who’d saved her. I couldn’t have loved her more in that moment. There was a knock at the door and Jesse went to it. From the way she was up so quickly, she seemed to know who it was.
“I hope you don’t mind, Jackson, but I thought it was about time that you met the next generation of Scotts.”
I didn’t know that she was going to have her mom bring our son to the hospital. I knew that she was worried about germs and everything else, but I couldn’t help but feel a tug at my heart when I saw my father’s eyes light up. He’d called once after Glenn was born, but I’d been too busy to visit. Now I wished that I’d done what Jesse was doing. She really could see the bigger picture far better than I could.
My father was ever so gentle holding Glenn. He told me how much he looked like a Scott. I could tell that he was happy to see the blue eyes that we both had. It was a moment that I was never going to forget, and it was all because of Jesse. I really didn’t know what I would do without her.
Chapter 4 – Jesse
“I know that you have to do this, Scott and I think you’re such a generous man for doing it, but I’m worried. That’s all. I’m just worried that you’re going to get sucked back into the business and you’re going to be unhappy again. Ever since you quit, you’ve been happier. Are you really ready to go back?”
I was worried about his unhappiness more than I was worried about his state of mind. He was always upset when he working at his father’s company, and I didn’t want to see my husband that way again.
“It’s different now. Father has a lot of recovering to do from his last bout of chemo, and since the doctors are giving him a good chance of fully recovering, it may only be for a short time. I don’t know why, but I’m looking forward to it.”
“Is it because you don’t like working at the bistros?”
“No, it’s not that. I mean, I like being here with you and Glenn all day, but I need something more, Jesse. I miss all of the deals and everyone looking to me for advice.”
I could understand that. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to go from a high powered job like he’d had to the bistro. It was doubtless a huge change, and he was taking it rather well. I was going to miss him, because he brought the same intensity to everything that he did, but I was starting to see that it was something that he needed. He needed to run things, and although it would be hard without him, I hoped that it lasted a little longer than expected.
“Well, your father isn’t the only one who still has to recover. The surgery was just a couple of weeks ago. Why can’t you just wait a little longer?”
He chuckled at me and pulled me into his arms. “Would it be any easier if I took another week off?”
“Yes.”
My answer was too quick, and that had him grinning bigger. We both knew that it wasn’t true, but I was almost desperate to keep him away from that life, even if I knew I wasn’t going to be able to.
“No, I mean, I know that it would be easier for me if you never went back, but you have to, Scott, and I understand. I just… I don’t know. I don’t want you thinking like before. I love you, and I just don’t want you to get it in your head that you owe him. You’ve given your father more than forgiveness, you gave him a kidney too. I think you’ve done your part.”
“You’re the one who showed me what forgiveness could do. The way you’ve forgiven your mother was amazing. How could I do any less?”
“I didn’t give her a body part, Scott. Just know that you’re doing great, and if you want to quit, that’s okay. It will go on without you, and there is always the bistro that needs you too.”
“Are you going to miss me?”
I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. I pushed them back angrily. I didn’t want to get emotional, but it was just par for the course lately. Who knew that being a mom would make so many emotions bubble up to the surface?
I nodded my head to answer Scott. He gave me a big hug, and for a moment I was feeling a little bit better about everything that was going on. I was going to miss him, but I told myself he would be back later.
“Have a good day, baby. You know I’m going to miss you.”
He gave me one more kiss before he turned around and started to leave. I watched him walk away with our child in my arms. Glenn started to get fussy, and I was sure that it was because of his father leaving. I know that I hated to see him go.
***
“So tell me about your day.”
Scott shrugged, and I could see the tension in his features. It had been a long day for him, and it had taken its toll.
“I don’t know, Jesse. It was just another day. I’d forgotten how much more pressure there was at Dad’s place. It was a little better without him calling all of the time with instructions, although I still have the board to deal with. They have never been my favorite aspect of the job.”
I poured him a drink while he asked about my day and Glenn. “We had a good day. Sales were crazy like they have been. I think we may need to open another place up. It’s like the city can’t get enough coffee.”
“I wanted to talk to you about that. Dad has some great ideas on how we can stay in the business, but pull out at the same time.”
I wasn’t going to hear about business anymore. It was our time, and although I’d made my peace with Jackson, it didn’t mean that I wanted to listen to his business advice, no matter how good it might be.
“How about we shelf that talk for a little while. Glenn is asleep right now, and I know that you’re in need of some unwinding time.” I handed him a glass of scotch. “Take this and go get in the shower. You’ll feel better once you’re out of there.”
Scott cocked his eyebrow and asked me if I was going to join him.
“Maybe.”
Maybe meant definitely, but I didn’t want him to know that. It had been hard to juggle work and home life with our sex life. We were both feeling it, and for once I just wanted the night to be about us. I waited until I heard the shower water go on, and then I made my way to the bathroom.
I took my time to get everything that I had on off before I got into the shower. I could hear him moving around in there, and I was happy to see his back to me when I got in. Scott was so focused on the water
beating on his face and shoulders that he didn’t even hear me. I was more than a little turned on, and before I could stop myself, I was touching his shoulder.
“I missed you today, Scott.”
He turned around and his dark blue eyes fell on me. I shivered at the look in them, and I knew that he’d missed me as well. Leaning in for a kiss, I closed my eyes and let my lips do all of the talking. My hands roamed over his body as I did my best to calm his nerves. I knew better than anyone what kind of stress the man was under, but I also knew a way to make it all go away. All I had to do was touch him in just the right way and Scott was putty in my hands.
“I love you so much, Jesse. I wouldn’t be able to do this, any of this, without you. Knowing that you’re here for me when I get back home makes it possible for me to do what I need to do during the day. I don’t know how I deserve you, but I don’t want to even think of my life without you.”
“Me either.” It was all that I could get out before he was pushing me back against the tile and his mouth moved down to my neck.
The end for now…
Epilogue to ‘Served’
Jesse
“Do you really think that this is a good idea, Scott? I just don’t know about this.”
“I know that it was my father’s idea, but what you have to understand is that he wouldn’t have tried to buy the bistro in the first place if he didn’t have a way to make his money back twentyfold. I’ll say he has changed, but one thing that hasn’t changed is his nose for money. If it wasn’t going to work, then he never would have even considered it.”
“I know, but factories and merchandise? I just want to make some good food and good coffee. That’s what my father wanted. I don’t know how he would feel about all of this.”
It had been a couple of months since I’d heard Scott out on his new idea. He wanted a way for me to work less but still have the business, because he knew how much it meant to me. Having another restaurant was a lot of work, and with everything else that I had to juggle, I was tired. Glenn was getting to the point where he wasn’t going to be quiet and stay in one place anymore. He was moving around now, and I had to be more vigilant. But could I really give it all up?
