Ivy:It’s really nothing, Jake. Just a pity party of one over here.
That wasn’t that long of a text. I wondered if she’d typed something else and deleted it. Hmm. How could I get Ivy uncensored? After sex, sure. My dick perked up at that thought. Down, boy. Not now.
Me:Talk to me about this pity party.
Ivy:Jake, it’s nothing. Truly. It’s just that for a person who has lived her life as an only child in a pretty quiet house, I hope you appreciate what you’ve got.
Ahh. I thought back over our day. I woke that morning with Ivy’s body curled to mine. Addie and I’d dealt with breakfast and Ivy joined us. Then it was off to my place with my loud, in-your-face family. Ivy and Addie had stayed into the afternoon, playing card games, having a dance party, before they finally left. She’d gone home to dinner with Addie at her quiet house, only to call the people that are supposed to be her support system, to find them lacking. Again. Then had a video call with me and my siblings, where privacy was never respected and they were their typical opinionated selves.
I guessed it would be a lot. But, just guessing here, it would also feel a lot like love. And, I assumed, if you had never had it, you might not realize how much you were missing until you saw it.
Damn. How did I navigate this one? Thinking of Ivy, I knew what I needed was the truth. Unvarnished.
Me:I’m sorry, Ivy. I wish I was with you. I hate that you’re alone right now. To answer your comment, yes, I appreciate them. Parents, siblings, I know I’m lucky. Even when I want to toss them in the nearest canyon.
Me:How else can I help? What else is on your mind?
Ivy:How much time you got?
Me:All the time in the world.
Ivy:I’ve been thinking more about the store. About the offer.
I sat up, looking at the phone. Ivy and I’d talked a bit about the offer on the store this week. I’d looked over some of her financials, and we’d talked about her options. She could sell, clearly, and stay on to manage. She could sell and find another job. Or she could find a way to bring in some extra income, just to help her feel comfortable. That could be through an increase in revenue, so a focused effort to bring in more business. Or, it could also be what I suggested…
Me:Did you make a decision?
Ivy:I’m still undecided on selling, but you’re right. I need to rent out Nana’s apartment. The income from the apartments really helped when we had our dip in sales this summer. Another tenant is only going to help.
Ivy:I also found a tenant for the business space next to mine. Kristine, the yoga instructor, texted me after I got back here tonight that she’s interested. We’re meeting Monday to go over the contract.
I wanted to cheer as she paved the way for more income each month. That could give her a nice cushion. I couldn’t imagine running the brewery and having every decision rest solely on my shoulders. It would be hard to run anything without someone else to help. I only hoped I worked as a sounding board for Ivy.
Me:All this points to good things, Ivy. The money coming in from the business as well as the apartments all should be more than enough to keep you afloat.
Ivy:Wow, Ivy? This must be a serious conversation if you’re using my name.
Ivy:But seriously, I don’t know why I’m still considering the offer. I just got, I don’t know, worried this summer when I watched a few weeks dip into the red. It reminded me too much of the days after I had Addie when times were lean.
Me:I get that. When Sully and I were supposed to start canning, he got cold feet because he was nervous about us overextending ourselves. He had some lean times as a kid and they made an impression. I didn’t get it at first, but he explained. You do whatever you’re comfortable with.
Me:Are you okay with renting out your nana’s place? I mean, you hadn’t, so I wondered.
Ivy:I just haven’t been ready to face going through her stuff.
Me:You know I’ll come help if you want.
Ivy:No, I’ve got this. But thanks. It’s helped to talk to you about it. It’s nice to have someone to listen.
I sat for a moment, wondering how to help her feel less alone. I wondered when she felt surrounded by love of family. Ever? Ahh… got it.
Me:What would your nana do for you in a time like this? Family stress, business stress?
I waited, wondering if that was too much. I mean, we’d had sex, I’d helped her out with Addie for the past week, she met my family, but somehow, I felt like we were just getting to know each other. Was I here for that? Interestingly, I thought I was. Another topic to examine later.
Finally, her text came through.
Ivy:Nana would tell me to crank the music, dance with abandon, have sex, and smoke some pot if the mood struck.
