Archer pulled me into a hug and kissed me. "I'll stay with you."
"No, go to the party. I know your family wants to see you."
Archer gave me a long look. "All right. I'll come back later to check on you."
After he left, I looked around the café. It had been my home and my business for the last year. Now it was slipping out of my fingers.
What am I going to do?
I started with sorting through my mail. There were bills, angry threatening postcards, and another letter from the bank reminding me I could sell back my mortgage under the new law.
I flicked on the lights. Nothing happened I cursed. The power was out. Right, because I hadn't paid the bill. Using my phone as a flashlight, I went upstairs to start packing. Was this really my life? I was moving back to my childhood home—almost thirty and a complete failure. At least I had Archer. But would he want to be with me when he realized how poorly I had run my business?
My phone dinged, making the flashlight flicker.
Melvin:Hey Hazel! Long time no text!
Hazel:Oh my God, hi Melvin! How's Seattle?
Melvin:Have a nice house. It's bigger than a closet. I saw you on Instagram! I follow Chloe and she posted a picture you. I've been meaning to tell you congrats on opening your own business.
I started crying. I could barely text him back.
Hazel:Thanks, but actually it's about to fail. Packing up now.
Melvin:I'm so sorry to hear that! Don't feel bad! Restaurants are hard. There's one down the street from me that's changed owners three different times in the last two years. Just regroup and start another one. You're awesome. You can do it!
Hazel:I don't know. I need a change of pace.
Melvin:If you want change, you could come out West. I'm sure we could clean out a closet for you to sleep in *grin*
Hazel:Ha ha.
Melvin:No I'm serious. I know for me just escaping New York made me feel like a different person. I always knew you were going to do great things Hazel. Come out to the West Coast for a few months and clear your mind.
Hazel:I'll seriously consider it.
Melvin:Just come! Don't overthink it! YOLO!
I looked around in the dim light from my phone. Leave Harrogate? Leave New York? It was tempting. But what about Archer? Also what about my debt? With my bags packed on my bike trailer, I wheeled my bike out of the café and locked up for the last time. The letter from the bank about selling back my property to get out of my mortgage was tucked in my bag as I slowly pedaled down the street to the bank.
Terrence, a guy who went to my high school, greeted me when I walked inside, one of my sandwiches in his hand. "Hey, Hazel, we were about to close, but I'll stay late for you!" Terrence said, ushering me to his office. "I owe you especially since you're keeping my grandma out of my hair and convincing her to do something other than yell at the TV. That art retreat was a bang-up idea. Also your sandwiches are great!"
"I'm actually done with the café business," I said, trying to swallow the lump of sadness in my throat.
Businesses fail all the time,I told myself.You'll start over. It will be fine.
"I am behind on my payments, and I received this letter." I shoved it at him. Terrence set down the sandwich and took the letter.
"I'm sorry to hear that." He looked sadly at the sandwich.
"There might be a possibility for me to still make sandwiches for Ida," I told him.
"Good! This is the high point of my day. Banking isn't all that exciting, I'm afraid." He pulled up my account on the computer. "Are you sure you want to do this? We might be able to look at some other options."
"Yes," I said. "Hopefully the building will go to a good home."
"Property turns over fast in Harrogate now with the Svenssons," Terrence said, typing on the keyboard. "They snap up anything as soon as it's on the market. I'm putting your building in a package of properties that they're going to buy from our bank."
