Page 90 of Just Trouble

Time to lift my game.

I think about the music and the band, how ambition once drove me to greater heights. I remember a year of desolation after Taylor’s death, a year with no plans or goals, a year of languishing with no objectives or energy. It was sheer hell. I don’t want that again.

I run to Port Cavendish and stop on the pier, looking out across the silver mirror that is Lake Erie. The sun is rising and there are a few other people out, mostly walking dogs. One lab is leaping into the lake, despite being called back to the beach.

I think of how coming back to Empire was like being hit by lightning. Or maybe that was meeting Daph again. I think about how much I’ve enjoyed the last few weeks, the sense of purpose, the conviction that I was a part of something bigger than myself.

It’s like the band but better. Much better.

It matters more than the band ever did.

I want more of that, too. And that kicks my brain into gear. What does the future look like with both Empire and Daph in it? What could I do here? What would feed my sense of purpose and fulfillment?

My first idea is so perfect that is seems inevitable, but I let it simmer while I consider the variables. Taylor, Taylor, was this your plan all along?

When I eventually jog back into Empire, I give Queen Street a hard look. Merrie’s going to have a hard time building success here.

Maybe my quest has only just begun.

Maybe the challenge of invigorating Empire is what I need.

I am, if you must know, excited by how huge this idea could become.

In front of The Golden Lotus, Phil is helping his mom into a mobility van. I stop, stretching while I wait to talk to him. He waves as the van leaves and comes over. “It’s her day at the seniors’ centre in Havelock,” he explains, waving again as the van passes the gas station. His mom is at the window, waving her heart out. “They have programming for people with dementia, and I get a chance to run some errands.”

“It’s great that you could come back here for her.”

He’s watching the van fade from view. “I’m glad I can do it. My brother’s going to come down for some weekends this summer and help out.” He turns and gives me a smile. “You’re up early.”

“Thinking.”

“Running is good for that. I love when I can get out.” He tells me about a couple of new trails, including one built along the old railway line in Port Cavendish, where the tracks were taken out.

“Can you tell me what isn’t owned by Patrick on Queen Street?” I ask.

Phil exhales and his gaze goes to the end of the street. “Jim’s Antiques, and now the Carpe Diem Café.” I follow his finger as he continues down the north side toward us and Big Red. “The post office. The churches, both of them. The thrift store and the convenience store rent from him.” He skips past the Foremanplace, but I know it’s Daph’s now. “The Legion. The Grand Hotel. I own The Golden Lotus.” He turns to look down the street to the right. “The Odeon Theatre. Richard owns his law office. The Petro Canada station. Oh, and Bruno owns The Maple Leaf Motel.”

“Who owns the Odeon?” I have the inescapable sense that everything is coming together. I don’t want to spook the universe so I try to disguise my interest.

“Nate Thompson inherited it, wanted to sell it but couldn’t, then refused to sell it to Patrick.”

“I like him already,” I say in an undertone and Phil laughs.

“Don’t you remember him?” Phil continues without waiting for a reply. “Oh, no, you wouldn’t. He has to be five years younger than you. It was his older sister I knew a bit.”

“And where do I find him?”

“Mountain View or Cupertino. Somewhere in California anyway.” Phil nods. “He was a genius boy wonder and big tech called his name. Why?”

“Think he’d sell me the theatre?”

That gets his full attention. “You’re staying then.”

“I’m thinking about it.”

Phil nods once, then pulls out his phone. “I think I have his deets from organizing the reunion two years ago. Yeah, here he is.” He gives me Nate’s contact info. “Let me know how it shakes out.”

“I will.” I turn to run back to the motel. “Oh, and don’t tell anyone anything yet. I want it to be a surprise.”

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