“Pops. Ma. Would you hurry up?” I nervously check my phone for the time. Today is the grand opening, and I need to be in two places at once. “Ma!” I holler again, but this time, I stop, images of my parents getting it on flashing through my mind. “Oh, for fuck’s sake. I’m leaving,” I call. “Don’t you dare come down here unless you’re fully dressed.”
The door to the basement opens, and my pops comes up into the dining room, chuckling. “I really scarred you for life, eh, son?” He’s wearing dress pants and a nice shirt, his glasses low on his nose. “I was trying to print out the receipt you sent me just in case your contractor needs it.”
I soften the edges of my voice, relieved that I did not, once again, interrupt my parents’ coitus. “Thank God,” I tell him. “But don’t worry. Mags handled all that yesterday. We’ve got this under control. I just need you guys to come with me.”
Ma comes practically tumbling down the stairs, a pair of heels in her hand. “What’s all the hollering about?” she asks. “Are we late? Benny, I thought we had tons of time?”
I kiss Ma and take the heels from her so she can grab her phone and purse. “We do, but I want to get there early for Willow. Come on. I need you guys to get moving.”
My parents trade looks but don’t argue. We head out to my SUV, and I hear Ma asking my dad, “Why again do we have to drive with Benny? Why can’t we take our truck?”
“It’s a surprise, Ma,” I holler, unlocking the SUV.
On the drive over, my parents talk, but my mind is racing. Pancake Circus died a year ago. The dream of it and the reality. Willow went to Chicago to try to convince her bosses to let the Kincade family out of the deal. Willow offered to take Audrina’s place. To stay in Star Falls and run the restaurant, while Audrina stayed on as a consultant, allowing her to stay in Florida with her family.
But between the lawyers and the Ginetti sisters, that deal was a no-go. But Willow wouldn’t give up.
She went full throttle into the problem, arguing why it would be better for the Ginettis to terminate the deal and let the Kincades out than to litigate and waste a lot of money and time. After a lot of legal wrangling and after the Kincades agreed to pay a crapload of money to repay a portion of the expenses it would require for Culinary Capital to start over, the old deal was canceled. No more Pancake Circus in Star Falls. But a new deal was signed in its place.
Willow Watkins quit her position as COO of Culinary Creations. And she entered into an agreement with Culinary Creations as a client. Willow is now the proud owner of her very own breakfast and brunch restaurant here in Star Falls. Her consulting executive chef, yours truly, was paid a handsome sum to help create an original menu since the Kincades did not want to license any of their recipes as part of the termination agreement.
Thanks to the generous consulting fee I received, I was able to give Mags a nice raise, pay for a new roof over at Benito’s, and buy a couple of extras. Both of which I’m hoping to unveil today.
We pull into the pristine blacktop of the Pancake Paradise parking lot. Willow’s car is already there, along with a dozen others. She picked a weekday to host a friends and family only soft open of the restaurant, so the crowd is small. But I see a familiar face pushing a stroller in circles in the parking lot, so I tell my parents to join me as soon as they can.
I run across the lot and give a big hug to Willow’s best friend, Jessa.
“I’m so glad you could make it,” I tell her, hugging her tight.
“You promised me ravioli,” she says, hugging me hard. “What woman could resist that?”
I bend down to little Walker, who is red-faced and squirming in his seat. “Have you seen Auntie Willow yet, little man?”
“Oh yes,” Jessa says. “We came out here because I need a break. I’m looking at those two bonus grandparents for some relief.”
Jessa points to Ma and Pops, who already have their arms out to pick up Walker.
“Good,” I say. “I’ll see you inside.”
I turn to head inside the restaurant, patting my phone as it vibrates with a text.
Mags: It’s all ready. And it’s covered, but I saw it, Benny. Fuck, it’s beautiful.
Just seeing the words, I know my life is about to change even more.
Me: Love it, thank you. C u soon.
Inside Pancake Paradise, I’m shocked to see my whole family is already here. I’m amazed to see everyone not only present and on time but looking as excited as I feel.
I make the rounds of the room, hugging Franco and Chloe, who stand together holding hands, Chloe beaming like today is her grand opening and not Willow’s. That’s what I love so much about Chloe. She’s so, so sweet and so loving. Her peanut butter crisps are on display on the front counter—another way we were able to pay forward the good fortune as part of the deal with Culinary Creations. Chloe licensed her recipe to Willow to include the amazing cookies on the menu.
“Happy for you, bro,” Franco says, clapping me on the back. “It’s a great day for our family.”
I shush him because God knows my fucking brother and his big mouth will blab before Ma and Pops see the surprise. “Thanks, man,” I say, and then I point to Chloe. “Don’t let him fuck this up, okay?”
She laughs and loops her arm through Franco’s, then silences him with a kiss.
“That’ll work,” I say, heading over to Gracie next.
