Mr. Dreisbach was sad, to hear that Tommy was leaving the inn, but he was understanding, too. "Your aunt was right. It is too much for one your age to be working two jobs and going to school," the inn's owner said after Tommy explained his situation, except for the vast amount of money he'd inherited. "This, what do you call it, dojo, it is a profitable business?"
Tommy nodded. "Master Kwan seems to have done all right," he said. "And I have a partner, a police officer. We've already got a contract to train police officers."
Mr. Dreisbach nodded knowingly. "Ah, that is good. We will be sorry not to have you here any more," he went on, "you are a good worker, Tommy. I wish you success in your new business."
"What's up?" Tina asked later in the evening. "I know I'm being nosy, but what were you and Mr. Dreisbach talking about?"
"I gave him my notice," Tommy said. "I'm getting done."
Tina paled and said, "Oh?"
"Yeah," Tommy went on, "Master Kwan left me the dojo, and I'm going to run it."
"Can you do that?" Tina asked.
Tommy nodded. "Sure, the students are already there - heck, there's a backlog - and the North Hampden Police Department just asked about signing us up to do training for them," he said.
"Us?" Tina asked.
"I have a partner," Tommy explained. "Another one of the students. He's a sergeant on the police department over there."
Tina frowned. "I'm going to miss having you here," she said, a little wistfully. "I'm...I'm going to miss our talks."
"Just because I'm not working here doesn't mean we can't be friends," Tommy said. An idea hit him. "Are you and Bobby doing anything Sunday?"
She shrugged and said, "I-I don't think so."
"Why don't I take the two of you to the amusement park?" he suggested. "I hear they have some neat new rides."
Tina smiled. "I'd like that," she said. "And I'm sure Bobby will."
Tommy wondered about Greg. How would he feel if Tina and Bobby spent Sunday with him? He almost asked her, but he decided not to. It was, after all, none of his business.
The Inn was extremely busy that night. Word had gotten out about how fine the food at the establishment was, which resulted in a noticeable increase in the number of patrons, especially Friday and Saturday nights.
Tommy and Tina were running all night. It was so busy, Mr. Dreisbach had to help. The fact that they were busy made the night go quickly, but it gave Tommy no time to talk with Tina.
When it was finally time to close, Tommy looked around. Usually Greg was here by now, pacing, wanting Tina to leave with him. "No Greg tonight?" he asked as they filled salt and pepper shakers.
"He had to go away for the weekend," she explained. "His company sent him to a management seminar in Syracuse."
"Want a ride home?" Tommy asked. "I've got the car."
"I'd love a ride," Tina said. " After the way we worked tonight, I'm not sure I have enough energy to walk home."
Once everything was ready, they left the inn, got in the car, and headed for Tina's place. Tommy thought someone was following him part of the way, but the lights eventually went away. "Maybe I'm just being paranoid," he thought, but didn't mention it to Tina.
"So you inherited the karate school from the man who you took lessons from?" Tina asked as they drove down the street. "That's incredible. He must have thought a lot of you."
"You don't know the half of it!" Tommy thought. "Sensei and I were close," he said. "I knew he didn't have any family, but I had no idea he was going to leave his stuff to me. I'll tell you, it was a shock to find out he had."
"I'll bet it was," Tina said. "You think you'll make money running the school? I don't know anything about that kind of stuff."
"I don't know that much about the business end of it," Tommy explained, "but Master Kwan had a good lawyer, and he's my lawyer now, so I should do OK."
"I think it's exciting," Tina said. They'd arrived at her apartment building and were sitting out in front. "I mean, getting a business and all."
"It is, sort of," Tommy admitted. "I'd just as soon Master Kwan still had it, though."
"Well, I guess I better get inside," Tina said. "Mrs. Dixon's going to be shocked that I'm home so early. See you tomorrow night."
"Yeah," Tommy said, "see you tomorrow." He watched until Tina was in her building, then put the car in gear and drove off. He thought someone was following him again as he drove toward his aunt's house, but nothing happened. He was starting to get paranoid and he couldn't figure out why.
The house was quiet when he let himself in. He saw a light under Kim's door when he walked down the hall. Aunt Karen's room was dark, though. He smiled. Must be Bud called her again.
He went in his room and stripped off everything but his underpants. He was walking from his closet to his bed when Kim came in. The young man gulped and stared. His cousin was wearing a lace camisole that buttoned up the front, and an equally lacy thong bikini.
"Hi," she said softly, her eyes agleam.
"Ah...hi," he replied, unable to take his eyes off her. She was one fantastic female! She kept grinning at him, a knowing look in her eyes. "Enjoy your date with Raymond last night?"
