Part 18
Last month I was an average married accountant. Now I'm a rich, promiscuous, lesbian, sex crazed, businesswoman, renovating a bar and starting a sex club.
What's next? Or Who's next?
I hope you enjoy reading as much as I did creating.
Chapter 44
5 am, in a very sleepy voice, I answer a phone call.
It's Bob, Neil's roommate from college.
In a nutshell, unknown to me, Neil helped finance 2 college buddies in an Australian gold mine, it was very successful. The 200 grand in the second bank was for an additional claim, apparently a surprise 10th anniversary present for me. Hearing Neil was incarcerated they're offering to buy me out, for $1 million.
Sipping coffee, waiting for breakfast at a table with Carl and Bernice. Josie walks in.
"Woke up alone and hungry, heard this place has decent food, oh wait, it's cuz it's FREEEE." Doing a little shimmy, shake dance.
"Carl, I'll get the painters on table and chairs, you get the cleaners going in cafΓ© and Bar. Can you get that serving window open, it would be convenient while the tables are out here.
"I'll eliminate the office, remove the shelves, that'll make room for new appliances, and open the window. I'll get on that first thing." Carl is smiling.
"A sign, arrange photo shoots, buy the parking lot, keys cut and a little shopping spree for uniforms are my priorities."
At 6:55, Steve and O roll carts out. Choice of scrambled, Denver, or poached, sausage, bacon, fried ham, hash browns, pancakes, waffles and white, rye, or brown toast. Fresh fruit, cantaloupe, watermelon, oranges, bananas. By 7:05 everyone is served.
7:15, O offers seconds. I get more bacon.
"Want some special sauce on that?" O giggles. I nod, wink. (re: breakfast at Camille's when we first met)
By 7:40, tables are clear, except for coffee cups. At 7:50 I enter the kitchen.
"GET OUT," Steve shouts, wags his finger, chasing me out.
"Kitchen off limits today. What you want?"
"To compliment you on the breakfast."
"Ok, ok, I don't need compliments, I need $25 an hour, lunch at 12, see you then, GO."
8:15 painters are putting drop sheets under the cafΓ© furniture; cleaners are busy in all areas. Guys are moving the office equipment into the hall. I arrange a photographer for 6:30-9pm tomorrow.
2 fellows outside, 3 inside, installing security cameras.
Flooring representative arrives, Bernice and I walk through each area with him, confirming what happens where, restaurant, some upstairs rooms, available day after tomorrow, bar to be done a day later. Expecting completion Sunday. He agrees.
10am, Jeremy Schneider texts, be there in 15.
We wait in Carl's vehicle, not wanting him to know I bought the bar at this time.
6'1", 30's thick black hair. At a quick glance, he looks a lot like Niel. We shake hands.
"Hello Jeremy, Erin, my good friend, and sister-in-law, Bernice, how is it you own this narrow strip of land."
"2 brothers, returned from the war, bought this entire block, built 2 houses. Fred built an auto shop there, Ralph ran a scrap yard here. Both became successful, raised their families."
"14 years ago, Ralph sold out, retired to Florida. The new owner built the bar. Dad bought his house. 10 years ago, Fred died of a heart attack. Dad bought his property, renting everything out. 3 boys inherited everything, we had careers, no interest in the houses or garage, so we listed everything. A developer wanted to build the strip mall, only required that land, so we still own this lot."
"Unlikely to ever sell but paying taxes. We researched it; bylaws only allow a 22-foot building. Not much use to anyone, I however have plans. Here's my offer." I pull out a bundle of cash.
"One-time, fair offer, right here, right now, 10 grand, meet at my lawyers, sign papers. This offer is not negotiable, decide right now; Yes or No, cash or tiny lot."
I wave the cash.
"5, 4, 3, 2," I put the cash in my bag, "1." I turn.
"Yes, the deed is at our bank, follow me there?"
"No, I want my lawyer to assure me it's a valid deed to this specific property, free and clear. I'm a cautious businesswoman; 1:30 at my lawyers; work for you?"