Page 86 of Pity Play

“Good.”

“Your folks?”

“Really good.”

It’s like pulling teeth to get information out of him. “Not to be rude, but why did you call?”

“I wanted to let you know about an investment opportunity that has become available in Elk Lake.”

“I appreciate that,” I tell him. “But I plan to stay with my parents when I come back to visit.”

“It’s not a house,” Jim says.

While I don’t find it difficult to talk to Jim in person, a phone conversation appears to be an entirely different experience. “What is it?” I ask him.

“There’s a restaurant in town that just went on the market.”

I can’t help the chuckle that bursts out of me. Jim appears to be picking up where my parents left off. “I’m good, Jim. I don’t plan on opening a restaurant in Elk Lake.”

“Don’t you even want to know which restaurant it is?”

“Not particularly.”

“It’s called Pop’s. You may have heard of it.”

This catches me totally off guard. I thought my dad was going to work for another two years. “My parents are selling now? Why?”

“If I had to guess,” Jim says, “It might have something to do with your dad’s recent fall. Coming to terms with your mortality has a way of shocking your priorities.”

“Are you going to buy it?” I ask. “I mean, honestly, Jim, you’ve worked there for so long, you’re as responsible for Pop’s success as my dad is.”

“I already told you that I don’t want to be the boss. Especially at this point in my life.”

A heavy weight settles on my chest as I consider what it would be like without Pop’s in the family. While I’ve never wanted to own it, I suppose I must accept that my feelings have changed a bit. Now that I know my dad’s story, I realize that Pop’s is a much bigger deal than I thought it was. Not only is my own history rich with memories, but it’s also a tribute to my grandfather, a man I never had the pleasure of knowing.

With a sigh, I ask, “Who’s listing the property?”

“Anna Tanaka from Elk Lake Realty,” Jim says.

“Don’t get your hopes up,” I tell him.

Jim chuckles deep in his throat. “I got no hopes, son. I just wanted to make sure you knew what was up, so you didn’t wind up with any regrets.”

“Were my parents going to keep this a secret from me?” I want to know.

“They figured that now that you and your daddy have made up, they didn’t want you to feel any pressure.”

That’s very considerate of them, but still, I’m glad Jim called me. “Thank you, Jim. I’ll keep the secret.”

“Good man,” he says. “Now I gotta go.” He hangs up before I can say anything else.

I immediately Google the phone number for Elk Lake Realty. Calling it, I ask for Anna. I don’t have to wait for long. “Hello, this is Anna Tanaka.”

“Anna,” I say. “This is Luke Phillips. How are you?”

She seems oddly pleased that it’s me. “I’m doing great, Luke! What can I do for you?”

“I just talked to Jim Parnicky from over at Pop’s. He tells me my parents are selling the diner.”

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