She had made her way down the aisles and was reading a package of soba noodles, lost in thought about making the idea of making some pickled lotus root, and tuna steak with soba, when she felt someone behind her.
“Can I help you find anything?” Michael said with a smile.
Beth spun around and was a bit speechless. He wasn’t wearing his glasses and today he wore a white dress shirt, which was open just enough to see his tanned skin and just a tiny sprinkling of hair. He had on Italian leather loafers and khaki dress slacks, flat front, thank god, she noted. She hated men who wore pleated pants. He certainly didn’t look like a fishmonger, but he strangely resembled some of her more Wall Street guests at the Inn, who she didn’t always love—he looked very “Flatlander”. He looked like a tourist. Well, whatever, she thought, he did he look good today.
She pondered his question and asked, “Can you help me with anything ... wait, do you work here now, Michael?” She asked, feeling a little self-conscious.
Michael wondered if it really mattered whether he worked here or not. Beth didn’t strike him as a woman who really cared whether he was a doctor, lawyer, or bag boy. But then again, he had reacted similarly about her.
“Well, I am working here today.” He smiled. “I’m just here helping out for a few weeks while I’m on vacation.”
That was nice, she thought. And also surprising, from the little she did know about Michael and his relationship with his family. Bob had told her that Michael never came to visit and that he and his father were not on the best of terms. She also remembered that in high school, he had been living under Jesse’s shadow. She didn’t want to pry but she assumed if he was here for a while, then his father must not be doing so great. She and Annie hadn’t had a heart-to-heart recently. They weren’t exactly the best of friends but they did see each other every Tuesday during her shopping excursions.
Michael looked down at her basket and said, “So, are you shopping for yourself today?”
“Oh, no, I’m actually shopping for the Warren Inn today. I’m planning this week’s menu and doing all the shopping for our specials.”
With a smile he nodded. “That explains the chef’s outfit. I had no idea you were both an accomplished chef and bartender.”
“Ahh, yes that. I’m probably the world’s worst bartender. I was just covering for a staff member who called in sick. Actually, I’m the owner and head chef of the inn,” she paused adding, “and the occasional bartender, waitress ... valet parking attendant.”
What the hell was she doing, she thought to herself. This man is here helping his family because his father is sick and she was making a pass at him. And he clearly lived so far away that he couldn't possibly want anything more than a fling. Now, there was a thought: a fling. She could feel herself blushing, maybe he wouldn’t notice.
He chuckled at her response and said, “A woman of many talents.”
“Now, my capabilities are not nearly as impressive but do you need anything I can help you with today, selecting a cheese, fish? Or perhaps
Michael was cut off by Annie, “Beth! So glad you’re here. Is my baby brother bothering you?!”
Now it was Michael’s turn to blush.
“I’m sorry, did I interrupt something?” Annie asked, clearly confused.
Beth responded with, “No, no not at all. Michael was just helping me find a few things,” she said, as she held up her soba noodles.
“Ok, well great then! Well, do I have things to show you today,” she said, as she hooked Beth’s arm under her own and steered her away. Beth looked over her shoulder back at Michael. He was looking back at her and smiled, shrugging his shoulders at his sister. Beth had siblings, too, and felt she completely understood. In a span of two seconds they had silently communicated. And unless Beth was completely dense, she thought they communicated a mutual interest and a “let’s pick up on this later” look. Or, at least, she was hoping that’s what that was. She turned her head and tried to focus on what Annie was saying — Annie was speaking a mile a minute.
“–So, I was also thinking that you need to see the halibut but also these anchovies. I was watching the food network just the other day and I said to Tom, look at these amazing Caesar club sandwiches. It was the barefoot ladies show, you know, and it would just be perfect at the tavern ...”
Michael stood watching them and eventually Annie’s banter faded away. He never thought he’d say this, but a beautiful woman all covered up was actually pretty hot. Granted, she was wearing a baggie chef’s jacket and those little checked chef’s pants ... but there was just something about the way she looked, especially with all that fiery red hair pinned back. He wished he could do something about what he was feeling, but then again, a woman like Beth was probably looking to settle down. He wanted those things, too, but he lived in New York and she lived all the way here in Maine.
And what did he really know about her, anyway? Sure, she was attractive, and no doubt talented, but what else did Michael really know? Was it really worth it to be spinning his wheels about this woman whom he had exchanged nothing more than a few flirtatious words and glances with? All he knew now was that he wasn’t thinking straight and he had another few hours of “on the floor” work and then a night of paperwork. And then a day of more Malone’s Market and home repairs.
Michael was in a daze the rest of day. He bagged groceries, rang customers up, mopped spills, and chatted with customers. He was exhausted. His day job was nothing like this. Sure he worked hard, but he wasn’t on his feet all day. He tried to be extra helpful wherever possible and whenever he had no customers, he was cleaning or trying to stay busy and forget about not only Beth but his father and his family's troubles. As far as he could see, there was a loyal customer base here at Malone’s Market, but they weren’t doing much to retain them. And these renovations were not well-planned.
Time had flown and before he knew it, it was seven thirty and Michael had barely seen Annie since she and Beth had left him in the aisles earlier that day.
Annie must have read his mind because at that moment, she finally appeared. “Hey, slacker, what have you been doing all day?” She smiled.
Annie, always making jokes at Michael’s expense. After they filled each other in on the details of the day, Annie walked Michael through the closing process. Cashing out the registers, checking the slips, noting the returns, listing what would need to be restocked, getting the bank deposits ready, and managing the staff for cleanup. At the end of it all, Annie called Tom to let him know she’d be staying late. Annie had decided that maybe tackling the paperwork together would go faster. They sat down in their father’s office and started getting down to the business at hand.
“What the! How is this even possible, Michael?” she exclaimed after two hours of going through the bills and looking at revenue spreadsheet Michael had been working on. They were losing money every day they were open. Annie looked at Michael in disbelief.
“How, how could he let this happen to the market ... to, to all of us,” Annie stuttered. She looked as if she was near tears.
“Okay, Annie, calm down. I think it’s pretty simple. I think Dad miscalculated and may have gotten a little overconfident. I think he figured with the improvements, profits would just go up. But he didn’t account for all of the renovation costs, permit costs, and lost business due to all of this. He did no marketing and no retention work,” said Michael matter-of-factly.
“Okay, Mikey. Just hang on, none of this mumbo jumbo business school crap. What do we do now?”
Michael tried to think rationally ... basically his family was $374,000 in the hole ... which was a hell of a lot of money for anyone. Taxes would be higher with all the improvements and they needed some serious work done to the place now. Along with marketing costs, new inventory, and maybe even that food stand ... basically they needed at least $500,000 to get them out of this. That was a lot. Michael could swing it, but he knew his dad wouldn’t go for it.
Annie
was looking at him, waiting for an answer.
“Well?” she asked. “Now what?”
“We need five hundred thousand.”
“What? Oh, my God, I don’t even know what to say to that. Oh, my God. Do you think, do you think he knows?”
Michael couldn’t see how his father wouldn’t know, but he didn’t want to say so. “I don’t know, Annie, he might not. This place was a mess till the other day and it’s not that obvious. A miscalculation here and there and ...” He stopped himself.
“I don’t know, Annie, but it’s not good. I think we need to tell Mom and then figure out what to do from there. I can cover some of this and get us through, but I think that would really upset Dad.”
Annie nodded, she knew it was true. “You’re right, we need to talk to Mom. But I want to know something, Michael. Do you think that even if we figure out a way to cover the money that the business could succeed? I’m starting to worry. I just, I just have invested so much time here, and with Tom not knowing what’s next with the Navy and the kids ...”
“It’s going to be okay; we’ll figure something out, Annie. I think I can help if Mom and Dad will let me. And I want to help. I really do.”
And Michael meant it. He really did. He didn’t know what was going on here, but he knew he could make a difference. And after the year he’d been having in New York, that was a really great feeling. And being able to make a difference and have it help his family instead making a bunch of rich people richer seemed right. He still didn’t want to work at Malone’s Market, he thought to himself. Well, maybe that wasn’t really true anymore. Maybe he did. The thought shocked him. But he didn’t want to unless he and his father could resolve their issues. Until then, he would just do what he could for the next two and a half weeks. He couldn’t believe it was already Tuesday, yet he also couldn’t believe it was only Tuesday. So much had happened since he arrived this past weekend.
“So, what are you going to do with the rest of your night, Mikey?” asked Anne, “’cause I could sure use a drink.”
Michael smiled, it had been a while since Annie and he had drinks together. Not since her last trip to New York to visit him.
“Let’s do it.”
They closed down the computer, hit the lights, and headed to the parking lot.
“I’ll drive,” offered Michael.
“Nah, I will. Tom will be really annoyed if I not only came home late but drunk on top of that. We can leave your car here. I’ll pick you up on my way in tomorrow, good deal?”
He nodded and with that they walked to her car and got in.
“Hey, wait, where are we going to go, doesn’t every place close at like eleven?”
“Eleven? Hell, no. Well, Mondays the Tavern closes early but from Tuesday on they’re open till one and yeah, we’re going there. It really is the only game in town if you want a nice glass a wine. Which is what I’m feeling like right now.”
Annie put the keys in the ignition, pulled out of the parking lot, and headed for the Warren Inn. Even though Michael was both emotionally and physically exhausted, he found himself perking up. He wondered if the bartender from last night was out sick again ... he hoped so. At the thought, he smiled to himself.
Chapter 8
“So, what can I get you two?” said the bartender from behind the bar.
“Hey, Michael, right?”
“Yeah! Bob? From McAllister's?”
“The one and only! And who is the gorgeous young lady with you, you cradle robber?” Bob smiled at Annie.
“Bob, this is my sister Annie.”
“Oh, of course I know Annie! My sister Beth just loves you, talks about you all the time. So, what can I get you?”
Annie smiled and looked at the chalkboard and said, “I’ll have the Pinot Noir.”
“Make that two,” Michael added with a smile.
“Coming right up!”
“Wow,” said Annie. “I haven’t seen Bob in ages. He is some looker, look at all those muscles.”
Michael looked over at Bob. No doubt he did have a lot of muscles under that tight black Armani t-shirt and dark, slim-fit jeans. He was sporting a very different look than he had at McAllister's. Bob had style, that was for sure. And he had the same sparkle in his eyes as Beth.
“Annie, you’re a married woman,” said Michael with a humorous look on his face.
“Well, I’m not dead yet. Its good genes, you know. Don’t think I didn’t notice you drooling over his sister today.”
Before Michael could respond, Bob was back with their drinks.
“Here you go, guys! Oh, and Annie, just so you know, Beth gets off work at eleven thirty so you may catch her then, if you like. I’m sure she would love to see you again today.” With that, he winked and walked off to help the next guest.
The bar was a little more crowded this evening than last night, Michael observed. Probably because there was a game on the television, but Michael couldn’t even focus on that. What Annie had said totally threw him off.
“What do you mean, I was drooling?” asked Michael.
Annie took a sip of her wine and waved her hand, “Oh, please, neither of you were hiding it well. It’s clear you’re both attracted to each other, and all I have to say is jump on that! You couldn’t find a better person than Beth. She’s gorgeous, smart, successful, and a total sweetheart.”
And she was incredibly sexy, too, Michael thought.
“Oh, come on, I don’t need anyone now, I’m fine,” said Michael unconvincingly, as he took a sip of his wine.
“Okay, so little brother, what’s the deal? Something is up, I know it. Usually whenever I see you you’re glued to your phone. But I haven’t even seen you look at that thing once. You haven’t obsessively checked the markets on your iPad. And not once, not once, have I heard you talk about your stupid portfolio. What gives?”
Wow, so was that what he was like. She made him sound like a money-obsessed workaholic. The more he pondered it, it did seem that way. But the money didn’t matter so much; he liked being right about the numbers and the “more right” he was, the bigger payoff. She was right, he hadn’t checked the markets or seriously tried to reach the office.
Before he had time to think about it, the words came out of his mouth. “I want to quit my job, Annie. I want to quit my job and come back here. Maybe I’ll help at the market, maybe I’ll open up a small shop of my own. I’m just not happy in New York anymore.”
Wow, he had said it. He really said it, and he had meant it.
Annie almost dropped her glass of wine. “Wait, wait. You want to quit your job and come back here? Here to the place you ran away from?” She was now smirking sarcastically.
Michael sighed. ”Point taken.”
Annie suddenly got serious, “I would love that, Michael. I think we all would.” She put her hand over his. “Even Dad.”
Michael didn’t know about that; he didn’t even know why he had said what he did.
“So, have you quit yet? Is that why you could be here for so long?”
Michael took another sip of his wine, actually a gulp, and then began his story. He had not talked to anyone about this and it felt good. He explained what was going on with the partners of the fund and that they were trying to push him out by pinning some bad trades on him. He had made enough money to get out, he just didn’t know if he should quit with his pride intact, or wait for the huge payoff.
Annie finished off the last of her wine and said, “Okay, the next drink is on me, Mikey, and it’s gonna be a strong one. This sounds like a terrible situation.” She flagged Bob down and asked him for a glass of water for herself and a scotch for Michael.
“If it were me, I’d go out in a blaze of glory and march my ass over there and tell them to go take their money and stuff it, you know where. I mean, it’s not exactly like you’re broke, right?”
“No, not at all. I mean, I could just sell my place in the city and easily get a little house here and start my own thing an
d still manage to help out the market and be all right.”
“Well, then …” She paused as Bob brought over their drinks. She handed Michael his and clinked their glasses. “Cheers to you then, little bro. Tell those jerks to go you-know-where!”
Annie looked down at her watch as Michael was downing his drink.
“Mikey, it’s already eleven thirty. Tom isn’t gonna like this, are you still on to babysit tomorrow? Could you do it till late night?”
“Yeah, of course. Speaking of late night, is there a cab I could get from here?”
Annie suddenly had a devilish look in her eye. “Sure, I’ll make sure you have a ride. I’ll be right back.” And with that, Annie had walked away.
Michael turned to see where she was going and then he saw that she had walked right up to Beth and pointed in his direction. Michael tried to make out what they were saying but his lip-reading skills were seriously lacking. He looked at Beth; she looked amazing. She had changed her clothes since earlier that day and was now wearing skinny jeans, strappy sandals, and a light blue fitted oxford shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Her hair was down and if he wasn’t mistaken, her eyes sparkled with some mischievousness, as she looked his way. He smiled and nodded in her direction.
Annie led Beth over to where Michael was standing.
“Hey, Mikey, good news. I asked Beth about getting you a cab and she offered to make sure you got home all right.”
Beth smiled at him.
“I’ll get the check, Michael,” Annie said, and she leaned over and whispered, “Just tell me where to pick you up in the morning.” She winked at him and waved Bob over.
“Don’t worry about it, I got it, Annie. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
Bob walked over as Annie was heading out. “Hey, sis! How am I doing tonight? Look at all these happy customers!”
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