9
Diego
Lewis added up all the numbers three different ways. He couldn’t tolerate any mistakes, and he hoped that he’d missed something significant. To successfully put the Home Pro project into action, he knew that he needed not only a considerable downpayment to offer for the store, but he also required a nest egg in the bank to cover any unexpected costs that arose during the change to new ownership. An emergency fund was always crucial. Lewis learned from his parents’ example when a stash of invested cash helped the family avoid financial disaster amid a stock market meltdown.
Staring at the column of numbers on the computer screen, Lewis held up a yellow legal pad with the same numbers scrawled in longhand. He checked to make sure all of the numbers were the same, and then he added them with a handheld calculator to check the mathematics on the screen.
The sum totals told him one thing. One more large donor could take the entire project over the hump from wishful thinking to genuine plausibility. He already had a sizable commitment in place from Alan’s Auntie Erin. Lewis’s own commitment was another leg to support the project. What he didn’t have was a personal buy-in from Diego, Alan’s partner, and the owner of swiftly growing M-Trak Shipping. The company supported the picnic shelter project downtown, but Diego held off on writing a personal check.
Lewis knew from his own experience that individuals with significant wealth didn’t often reach out to projects with their checkbook in hand. They waited for an approach with a specific request.
For a few moments, Lewis considered whether he should speak with another one of his friends and ask them to approach Diego about a contribution. Dak would be a good choice for the job. It was difficult to say no to him. He had no enemies that Lewis knew about, and his soft-spoken nature quickly won over even the hardest of hearts. Lewis suspected that Dak could charm almost anyone with the funds out of a million dollars or so.
Lewis paced back and forth in his living room. Deputizing others for the project might be a good idea, but it also meant leaving the conversation to chance. If he wanted to control the direction of the conversation and make sure the proper words were said, he had to do it himself.
After deciding on taking action himself, Lewis’s preparations began in earnest. He already had in place data on other co-operative stores in the upper Midwest as well as testimonials about Brody’s management instincts. He had Brody’s own numbers about Home Pro sales growth during his tenure in Coldbrook Bend, and Lewis pulled together the budget figures for the overall project.
As he printed it all out, Lewis sat back at his desk and contemplated the most important part of the request. He had to take into account his relationship with Diego both past and present.
He cringed as he thought back to his hissed warnings to Alan about dating a Mexican. With a ridiculous plot to win Alan in his mind, Lewis fabricated a specific brand of xenophobia he’d seen on TV and heard whispered in the restroom at the Corner Hitch. To his surprise, he gathered a small cadre of like-minded thugs faster than he’d ever made friends in the past.
As it all began to spiral out of control, Lewis lost track of his initial reasons for the smear campaign against Diego and his trucking company. It started with jealousy over Alan and hard feelings he couldn’t let go about Dak. Before he knew it, Lewis was the leader of an anti-immigrant gang of sorts in tiny Coldbrook Bend.
Sitting in the counselor’s office once it was all over, Lewis said, “It was so bizarre. It was almost like one of those TV movies where it starts so innocently, or at least it starts as something simple, and soon it’s a conspiracy to take on the world.”
“And the power’s intoxicating,” said the counselor.
That was an understatement. With his small stature, nerd glasses, and penchant for dressier clothes than the usual in Coldbrook Bend, Lewis always found himself inhabiting the corners of rooms frequented by other powerless individuals. As a xenophobic dissident, he found himself a leader despite the questionable morality of the situation.
Lewis told the counselor, “I think I understand a thing or two about cults now. I put my jealousy together with their fear, and who would have guessed it could happen here in Coldbrook Bend.”
The counselor nodded. “It’s a tough world for a lot of people. There’s a sense of unease almost everywhere.”
Opening his eyes wider and staring the counselor square in the face, Lewis asked, “So what’s the silver bullet to make it all go away? How do I get rid of my scarlet letter? I’m sure they all snicker now about how ridiculous I was.”
The counselor shook his head and slowly stroked his beard. “There’s no silver bullet. I can’t promise anything like that, but I do know strategies for improving the situation. Combined with time, the impact of changing your behavior might seem almost as miraculous as the process of getting yourself into this mess in the first place.”
“I’m all for positive strategies.”
“And first and foremost, you have to reach a place of comfort with yourself. You have to be willing to forgive yourself, most of all. In the end, we’re all human.”
Lewis sighed. “Please don’t start talking to me about repenting and all of that. I don’t believe in it. Let’s skip to the strategies.”
The counselor chuckled softly. “I didn’t talk about repentance. I only addressed forgiving yourself, and yes, there is a difference.”
As the conversation continued, the counselor suggested delivering apologies as a crucial element for Lewis to learn both how to forgive himself and accept that forgiveness from others. It worked surprisingly well. He could see the skepticism in Dak’s eyes when he apologized the first time, but that melted over time. Saving Brody’s store would represent the ultimate apology to the entire community of Coldbrook Bend.
Alan offered Lewis a warm hug as he arrived. Seconds later, a lumbering basset hound named Boomer broke up the friendly human greeting. He wedged himself between the two men and stared up at Lewis with soulful, bloodshot eyes.
“He could use some love. Boomer adores visitors. He thinks they’re all here to see him.”
Lewis was not a fan of dogs. In fact, he didn’t like many pets at all. The best were aquarium fish that swam around in water and never expected to touch a human being’s skin. As he peered down at Boomer, he knew that it was the moment to overcome his trepidation. He was on a mission, and he couldn’t afford to derail it with any personal insults.
Squatting down and holding his folder of pitch materials in one hand, Lewis reached out to touch the hound’s head with two tentative fingers.
Alan said, “He loves a scratch behind the ears.”
Lewis did his best to deliver a gentle scratch. Boomer expressed his approval by pushing a phenomenally long pink tongue out of his mouth and licking Lewis’s knee.
“Uh…oh…okay.” Lewis controlled his instinct to yell about the dog’s bad manners. Instead, he merely stood and took a careful step back.
“Boomer, that’s enough.” Alan pointed the way to the living room to the left of the parlor. “Why don’t you have a seat? Diego’s in his office, and he should be out soon. He’s expecting you.”
Lewis found the house tremendously appealing. Alan inherited it from his Auntie Erin when she decided to downsize and move into a small apartment. The furnishings were arts and crafts style and similar to many pieces of Lewis’s own. The difference was the artwork decorating many of the walls. Alan was a painter, and Diego was a collector. Brightly-colored contemporary art decorated nearly every empty space. Most of it was abstract, but the intensity of color and design drew Lewis’s attention.
Alan left the room and returned less than a minute later with a glass of lemonade. As he took the drink in his hand, Lewis wondered whether Alan heard the story of his breakup with Dak.
“Does the lemonade have any special meaning?”
Alan suddenly pulled his hand to his mouth. “Oh, damn, I forgot about that until you said something. Would you like a different dr
ink? I can even get you a glass of wine if you’d prefer.”
Lewis chuckled softly as he remembered the glass crashing to the floor in his living room when Dak finally had enough. Dak was a man with an incredibly long fuse, but when he finally snapped, it was frightening.
“So you know the story?”
Alan sat in a chair on the opposite side of a small side table. “Honestly, yes. Dak loves to tell it, but from what I hear, those days are long in the past. Is that why you’re here to see Diego? To make amends?”
Before Lewis could answer, Diego’s booming voice echoed through the house. “Lewis! I never thought you would visit of your own accord. I thought you’d built the wall so high around yourself that it could never be breached. I must say that I’m pleased to see you.”
Lewis stood as soon as Diego entered the room. Letting himself see the man through different eyes, he recognized the warm, effusive personality that practically vibrated off Diego’s skin. He was a daunting enemy, but Lewis suspected that, approached in the right way, he could be an even more impressive ally.
Swallowing hard, Lewis said, “Thank you for the warm welcome to your home. After everything in the past, I could forgive you if you refused to allow me inside.”
With a wicked smile on his face, Diego said, “Where I came from, the relationships changed so frequently that it was sometimes hard to know whether you should greet a man with open arms or a pistol to the gut.”
“Um, wow…that is an interesting image.”
Diego settled himself on an antique Southwestern-style sofa. He gestured for Alan to join him. As the pair pushed up close to each other, Diego said, “I hear that you’re planning to save our local hardware hacienda.”
Still trying to reconcile the fact that he’d received such a warm welcome in the home of Alan and Diego with his own past behavior, Lewis said, “Well, yes, and that is the reason for my visit.”
Diego reached up for his chin and slowly stroked “I have given this extensive thought, and I expected you to inquire about it sooner or later.”
“So you don’t need my explanation of the costs and benefits?” He opened his folder on his lap. “I’ve brought extensive figures. You might want to peruse them before you make a firm decision.”
“I don’t think that will be necessary.”
Lewis felt a prickly sensation at the base of his spine. He began tensing himself for a rejection. Trying not to sound desperate, he steeled his voice as he said, “I hope to have you on board.”
Diego paused. Alan kissed the side of his neck, and Diego affectionately rubbed his partner’s neck with the pad of his thumb. “Lewis, I am impressed with all of your efforts to return to the correct side of this town’s history. It is inspiring. Count me all in on the project. What specifically do you need?”
10
Elderberry Rose
Brody wished that Elderberry Rose, Coldbrook Bend’s downtown fine dining establishment, would seriously consider upgrades. The food was impeccable, but the decor reminded him too much of a tea room for senior women and their granddaughters. Something sleek and contemporary could attract new customers from outside of town.
Leafing through the menu, Gordon said, “Much of this sounds quite tasty. Do you have any specific recommendations?”
Brody pointed at the small menu addendum clipped inside. The catfish is outstanding when they have it as a special. It is caught right out in the river. The owner once told me their favorite spot is halfway between Coldbrook Bend and Zephyr.
Gordon raised an eyebrow. “I realize this might be a city boy question to ask, but is it safe to eat?”
“Not a crazy question at all, but the answer is yes. I asked a biologist recently who works for the state. He said that it might carry some trace chemicals, and it needs to be cooked well, but yes, it is safe to eat.”
“Honestly, I’ve never had fish caught in a river,” said Gordon. “I’ve never eaten catfish at all. I’ve only eaten what’s caught in the ocean. This will be a treat.”
“We’ll make that two dinners then. Dak would be proud.”
Gordon asked, “Dak?”
“My husband. I have to be honest about your job offer. He is the primary concern pulling me away from accepting it.” Brody quickly held up a hand. “I’m not saying I’m rejecting it. I’m still on the fence, but, yes, Dak’s reaction would be a significant concern.”
“Haven’t you spoken with him about it?”
Brody felt his gut start to tie itself into a knot again. He didn’t talk to Dak. He knew that he should, and he lay awake half the night thinking that he should spill the beans. He’d never been so secretive around Dak before, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He knew what Dak’s answer would be.
“I didn’t discuss it with him. I know what he would say. He would advise me to jump on it, and he would talk about all of the benefits to me and Penny, our daughter, but he wouldn’t think about himself. I can’t let him do that.”
“I’m confused. Where does he think you are then? If that’s not too nosy to ask.”
Brody smiled. “Oh, I told him that I had a business dinner with a potential supplier from Minneapolis. It’s not something unusual.”
“Supplier,” asked Gordon?
Acting quickly to avoid the appearance that he might be untrustworthy, Brody said, “You are a supplier of sorts. You would be supplying me with the financial means for my future.”
The server appeared and quickly dispensed with taking their orders. He suggested a house white wine to go with the fish. As he stepped away from the table, Gordon said, “You know, if this is such a difficult family issue, perhaps you should give strong consideration to staying where you are. I know there are similar stores in Zephyr not far away, and Red Wing might have options, too. The cities are a big move for newcomers.”
Brody pulled his hands down into his lap. For the first time, he had a fear in his gut that the opportunity might slip away. The additional income was the most appealing aspect of the offer, and it would open many doors. Perhaps they could even consider a seasonal rental down in Coldbrook Bend to get Dak close to the river on a regular schedule.
“It’s not that difficult, is it?” asked Brody.
Startled, Brody jumped in his seat when he heard a voice behind his shoulder state firmly, “No, the answer is no.”
Gordon asked, “Is that about you?”
Brody felt a familiar hand on his shoulder. He turned his head and gasped in surprise, “Dak! And Lewis and Sid?”
“Are these friends of yours?” asked Gordon.
Confused about the reason for the interruption, Brody said, “Yes, in fact, this is Dak, my husband, with his hand on my shoulder.” Brody reached up and caressed the fingers that gently kneaded his flesh. “And these other two are our friends Lewis…and Sid. Dak and Sid worked on the river together in the past.”
“You have to stop,” said Lewis.
Dak leaned his head close to Brody’s asking, “Is this guy offering you a job? Lewis is the head sleuth and said that’s what’s going on.”
Gordon suddenly pointed over Brody’s shoulder at Lewis. “I know you.”
In unison, Brody and Dak asked, “You do?”
Gordon said, “You’re the guy with the…oh shit, I can’t say that right here.”
Brody’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “How do you know Lewis? I’m a little lost here.”
“I am, too,” chimed in Sid.
Lewis said, “Three dates. A few years ago. Are you still living in Minneapolis, Gordon?”
“Of course I am.” He waved a hand and pointed at Brody, Dak, and Sid in turn. “Do you actually live here in Coldbrook Bend with these men? I can’t see you in this quaint, tiny…” His voice trailed off.
“Say it,” said Brody. “Now I’m genuinely curious.”
“Lewis is a city guy. That’s all I’m saying.”
Lewis chuckled. He wrapped his hand around Sid’s elbow. “That was years ago. And
I only lived in the cities for six months. I’ve lived in Coldbrook Bend for the rest of my life.”
Gordon scratched his head. “In that expensive loft apartment. You knew all the best restaurants, and saw all of the top theater shows…”
“And it was pretentious as hell. I came home where I belonged.”
“I never knew you went away,” said Dak.
“It was less than a year before I met you. Dak, you’re a pretty good argument for sticking around in a small town.”
Dak beamed as Brody added, “I could never say it any better.”
Gordon asked, “Should I assume that’s a no to our generous offer then?”
Brody held Dak’s hand tight and turned to smile at Lewis and Sid. “I think that’s a safe assumption. I don’t know what any of these people have in mind, but if Lewis says I should say no, this time I’ll trust him.”
Dak said, “Wow, that’s a change.”
“Well, I think Lewis is a different man now. I’m only keeping up with events. I can only say I should have talked to all of you. That was a mistake on my part.”
Gordon frowned. “I suppose this is my cue to leave.”
Brody shook his head. “No, you don’t need to. I told you the catfish is excellent.”
“Oh, it’s the best meal in town,” added Lewis. “Maybe we should all join in now.”
Sid spoke up. “I don’t want to derail the party, but Lewis, I think you promised me a quiet meal at home. This was only a quick emergency mission.”
“And it worked,” said Lewis.
Gordon stood. “I can’t say it’s been great to meet all of you, and Lewis, you clearly aren’t the man I once thought you were.”
“That’s probably true. I’m much much better than the man you knew.”
“Enjoy your little town then. I need to get back to the city. I’m sorry you’ll soon be without a job, Brody. You seem like such a good man.”
As he headed for the exit, Brody called out, “But you’ve got dinner on the way.”
River Town Box Set Page 51