I groan and plop my head into my hand, leaning against the white tablecloth. The restaurant is lovely, halfway between the gym, Lotus House, and downtown. The sun is shining, and it’s a wonderful day to be outside. Briefly, I watch the people walking down the street, wondering if they are warring with feelings of inadequacy or if it’s just me.
Monet clears her throat, bringing my attention back to the two women sitting with me at lunch. She eases to her side and grabs my hand. “Honor, you’ll be fine. You already said Josephine loves you.”
“Likes me! Nick is the one who said she loves me. I don’t know her well enough one way or the other to make that determination.”
“Puh-leeze! Ma’s bringing you homemade dinners every couple days. She doesn’t do that for just anyone. Her food is her fortune, and you’re getting it on the regular. You feel me?”
I roll my eyes, and Grace laughs and points her fork at me again, this time with pasta dangling precariously off it. “Totally loves you. Did she mention grandbabies at any point?”
“Er…perhaps.”
Grace’s eyes widen to the size of our salad plates. “She did! Was that on her last visit?” Her tone is bordering on hysterical and excited. Hysterically excited, I presume.
I think about it for a moment. “No, it was on her first visit. And the second, actually.”
“Shit! You are so fucked! Mama wants you spittin’ out blondies ASAP!” She snort-laughs this time.
My head starts throbbing, and I press two fingers to each temple and rub in frantic circles.
“Grace, you’re freaking the poor girl out. Mama Josephine is just excited. Don’t fret, Honor. It’s good that she likes you. Really good. If she didn’t…” Monet makes a face as if she’s just eaten something disgusting. “Anyhoo, what is it you wanted to discuss with us?”
I tell the two about Nick’s suggestion about finding out what gets me out of bed and makes me happy, but most importantly, what I thought would better my life and the lives around me.
“And that’s the problem. I have no idea. I never have. That’s why I’ve floated around from one charity function to another with my mother. I had nothing better to do. No talents or skills outside of being a rich girl who stands on the sidelines and looks pretty at parties.”
Monet vehemently shakes her head. “Not true. You are a college-educated woman with two degrees. That takes skill and effort. Do not sell yourself short because you haven’t found your calling. There may have been some bumps in the road after you graduated, and you’re feeling uncertain about what’s next, but you have made immense strides in finding the things that bring you joy. Remember that. You’ll find what it is you are meant to do.” She finishes breathily, practically panting, as if it took serious effort to get all of her words out.
The poor thing. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be pregnant, have a being living inside me. Nick’s baby. Then again, if it was Nick’s child, it would be perfect. Dark skinned, dark hair, light eyes. Full of love and a good life. He’d make it so, and I think he’d teach me along the way.
Grace finishes her bite and bursts my baby-making bubble, bringing the topic back to the matter at hand. “But you love working at the gym, right?” Grace asks pointedly.
I brighten, and a smile spreads across my face at the mere mention of the gym. “Yes, and it’s totally in the black and making a profit. Only it’s a shame that he can’t take on more members and make a far larger profit. So many would benefit from his training, experience, and service.”
Monet taps at her bottom lip, her coal-black eyes flashing with worry. “Why can’t he add members?”
“Unfortunately, space in the facility is limited. He’d have to expand, and he definitely doesn’t have the capital for that type of venture or the square footage. It’s not a small gym, but it’s not as big as the regular franchises.”
“It’s awful how franchises steal all the mom-and-pop business.” Grace groans.
I can imagine the frustration of coming from a family that has a boutique winery. “And see, that’s the thing. What Nick offers is special, and people aren’t canceling their membership. He’s absolutely closing in on capacity. Soon he’ll be turning people away.” I frown.
Gracie shrugs. “Well, you have tons of money. Why don’t you buy the building next to his? I heard a rumor that the owner wanted to retire, but the offers weren’t good enough on his building for him to do it. A lot of people don’t have the coin to renovate. They look for buildings that are turnkey.” She pouts and stabs at her lunch.
A light bulb goes off in my head. “Are you referring to the juice and smoothie bar or the laundromat?”
“The laundromat.” Grace’s entire face illuminates as her excitement grows. “It’s huge.” She spreads her arms out wide. “And it has another storage building behind it and a loft on top.”
Interesting. Our apartment shares a wall. “Does the owner plan to stay in the loft?”
“Not last I heard. Wanted to move to a retirement community up north on a golf course.” She grins. “Old people love to golf, I hear. Not my parents. They love to drink wine, play music too loud, and get all up in their kids’ lives.”
“Really?” The hamster starts spinning its wheel.
“Really, my parents are like an octopus with its eight arms when it comes to their kids.
