“It was good. We were talking about old times. We talked about you, of course, and what’s new at The Inn. Then, she told me the strangest thing.” She says with a twinkle in her eyes, which I know means trouble.
“What’s that?” I ask, pulling a bottle of water from the pantry. After working in a hot kitchen, I prefer to drink room temperature water. My dad was the same way.
“I guess, her chef at The Inn quit, after being there for four years. He got picked for one of those reality TV shows, and then left her high and dry, since she can’t get anyone onto the island right now.”
Danger Will Robinson sirens start going off in my head, and I can’t get a word in, before she continues.
“So, I got to thinking that the new sous chef you hired is good and should be given a chance in the kitchen.” Mom continues.
“He is good. What are you getting at?”
If she’s suggesting I send him over to Brynn’s to help out, I think I could do that with the stipulation he’s to come back to me, as soon as she gets a new chef. I don’t want to lose him, because I plan to make him the main guy in the kitchen, when I’m not there.
“I know your plans are to put him in charge, when you aren’t there, so do it, and then you go help Brynn.”
“Wait, what?” I say, processing her words.
“You promised to work things out with her, and this is the perfect chance. She’s in a bind, and you can help her out. It’s the best way to apologize for being a jerk all those years ago.”
“Whose side are you on?” I mumble.
“We both know you deserve more than the two kiwis she tossed at your head. Do this for me, if you won’t do this for yourself.” She starts laying on the guilt nice and thick.
“I need to think about this,” I say, and without another word, I turn and head out of the back door, taking the footpath that leads to the beach.
I walk aimlessly, trying to put all this together. But the more I think of sending another guy into Brynn’s kitchen to help out, the more I hate the idea.
Can I handle all of that time in close proximity with her? It will be for at least two to three weeks. I know the county and state are rushing the bridge with it being the only way on and off the Island, but there’s the possibility it could be more than that.
The dream we had as kids was to get out and work on the mainland for a few years. When Brynn was ready to take over The Inn, we’d move back, and I’d run the kitchen, while she ran The Inn. We’d work together just like her parents did. Then, when my parents retired, I’d manage the two restaurants, and we’d run it all together.
Lin had the same plan with her then boyfriend, Travis. The four of us were inseparable, until Brynn’s dad got sick. Then, her parents died, and Travis broke up with Lin at her parents’ funeral. I gave him two black eyes the next day, and that was the end of our friendship. He’s back in town too, and I hope he doesn’t try and start problems for Lin, because I’m happy to give him a repeat performance.
I end up by the graveyard and head in to go see my dad. It’s always hard to see his name on the stone. The empty plot next to him will be my mom’s, and I know that day will kill me.
“Hey, Dad,” I say, sitting down next to him on the cool grass.
“I know you can see what’s going on, and I know you’re watching over Mom. Heck, it was probably you who put the idea in her head about me working at The Sunset. I know how much you loved Brynn, and how upset you were, when we broke up. I promised Mom that I would make things right with her, but I don’t think working side-by-side with her is a good idea.”
I pause, trying to think of the reasons why.
“Well, for one, a kitchen has knives, and they are worse than getting hit with kiwis. I hate to see what she throws at me next, and we both I know deserve whatever it is.”
That’s the only argument I have, and it’s a weak one. “I love you, Pops,” I say, standing up, and I start walking again with no place in mind. I don’t pay attention, as I think about how long I waited for her to show up on my doorstep, saying she missed me.
Even after her parents died, I waited, even though I knew in my heart, it wouldn’t happen. I tried dating in New York City, but city girls just aren’t my thing. The endless string of models my boss dated didn’t appeal to me. They were so fake, where Brynn is real, and what you see is what you get.
None of the girls in New York City even came close to Brynn, so I stopped dating and tried to focus on work. I planned to stay in the city for two more years, before coming home to learn from my dad. I’d take over and let him retire early and enjoy time with my mom. I figured once I was back in the South, it would be easy to find a good girl to settle down with.
Then, my dad died, and seeing Brynn at the funeral, broke me. I finally understood all she went through. I also realized why none of the girls I dated were good enough. Because standing there with tears running down her face, in that black dress, and the same one she wore to her parents’ funeral, I knew I was still in love with Brynn.
It’s why I resisted for a year about coming home, when my mom asked. I needed to be prepared to run into her, or even to see Brynn dating someone else. I know I blew my chance with her and had to prepare myself for that reality, before I came home.
By the time I look up, I realize The Sunset Inn is right in front of me. Of course, my subconscious brings me here. I sit down on a nearby bench and just stare at the building that was a second home to me growing up.
I had the run of the place, since I was a kid, and even more so, when Brynn and I started dating. Summers by the pool and on the beach were plentiful. Brynn has done a great job keeping The Inn up, since her parents died. I heard her and Lin were running them together still, and it’s just like their parents had.
I’m so damn proud of her. Her dream was to always run this Inn, and while she was thrown into it much sooner than expected, she has hit the ground running and is now living her dream.