Bentley won a math award.
Cassidy: . . .
After school, Caleb asked Bent if he wanted to FaceTime his mom.
“Nope,” he said as he set the award on his desk. “Can I go skating?”
“Sure, but come straight home after. Maybe we can watch a movie.” Caleb handed him a twenty for skate rentals and a trip to concession. “Hey, I’m proud of you. So are Grandma and Grandpa.”
“I know.” Bentley dashed down the stairs and out of the house.
Caleb, Mom, and Dad weren’t the ones who mattered most. His mom mattered most.
You’re losing him,Cass.
Downstairs, past his unpacked boxes, he browsed the pantry, then the fridge for dinner options. He should make a grocery list and head to Biggs, stock up for next week.
Kicking out the kitchen table chair to sit, he texted Emery a picture of a beaming Bentley accepting his award. She answered immediately.
Emery:
Way to go Bentley!!!!!!! I’m taking him
for ice cream.
Caleb:
Can his uncle tag along?
Emery:
Maybe. ;P
Last night, listening to each other’s stories, sharing heart-to-heart at the Blue Plate, then walking home on a cold, misty night through the muted light ... he knew he was falling for her. Flat-out. Even a nob like him could see the romance of it all.
In the meantime, he had some work to do. The Swansons called, wanted to move forward with their Lake Lorraine house. Again. Those Yankees from Minnesota, the Østers, who ghosted him about a home at Preserve on the Bay, also called, apologizing, saying they were ready to get started on their design. The husband deposited a large retainer in Caleb’s account.
Caleb thought he’d drive over to the Preserve on Monday for inspiration, talk to a few contractors.
Simon had also paid for the Doyle transformation—from mechanic’s garage to hip craft beer brewery. Caleb had worked on a similar project in Seattle, so he felt confident knocking out the initial design by the end of the week.
What about the Org. Homestead? Simon continued to work things from his mayoral office. Caleb had half a mind to email Jenny Finch, see if she was serious about investing.
Finished with his bowl of cereal, Caleb headed to his office and caught up on email. He had several from Mercy about the street party idea and how to bring in new business.
Current businesses are up for a street party. We’ll put high-top spool tables down the center of Sea Blue Way for folks to use after they’ve gone into a place for food and drink. The Vine & Barrel will do a wine and cheese tasting. The band that plays weekends at the Fish Hook (can’t remember their name) will play in front of Doyle’s. Let’s think of ways to keep the crowd circulating. More details at our next meeting.
Nicely done, Mercy. She’d put her experience as a former high school principal to work.
He also had a surprising email from Bobby Brockton, inviting him to speak at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon Sunday.“I know it’s last minute,but our speaker dropped out. We’d love to hearyour experience in Seattle.”
The speaker dropped out? Sure he did. This was more of Mac Diamond Mr. Pottering people. But Caleb liked a challenge and accepted the invitation. He’d use the opportunity to address East End issues and maybe touch on Sea Blue Beach politics. The luncheon was at the West End’s fine dining restaurant, the Skylight, a beautiful structure with part of the dining room extending over the water.
Caleb returned to the kitchen for more cereal, dumping ina handful of blueberries to negate the bad carbs and bad sugar, then headed back to his desk to see Mac Diamond had slid into his inbox.
Caleb,
Diamond Dogs Inc. is in talks with a developer in West Palm. We’d love to bring you on board as our in-house architect. Your reclaimed and sustainable materials design is striking a chord with people.
