Page 23 of All We Need

“It sounded like she gave you permission to be disobedient,”Grahamreplies. “Whichyoushouldn’t.Youpiss off the owner too much, they could disown us at the drop of a hat.”

My brother’s words remind me ofFlo’sconcerns the other day, who is currently gnawing at her lip.Iknow what she’d do.

Quinn’s eyes widen when we direct our attention her way. “Youwant my opinion?” she squeaks.

“Duh, you’re family,”Floresponds and tugs a now teary-eyedQuinninto a hug.

“Oh.Um.”Sheglances atGraham, who, to his credit, doesn’t attempt to sway her. “I…don’t like the pressure.CanIbeSwitzerland?”

Laughing,Ilook atJohanna, who doesn’t need me to ask what she’s thinking. “Isaw how well the specials you came up with did earlier in the year.Everyonedeservers to see what a talented chef you are.”

Patrick is next, and he doesn’t pull his punches. “There’sa smarter way to go about this, and as much asIdon’t want to risk what we just saved…it feels like we need to take back a bit of ownership.Weshould have changed the menus in the spring.Doit.”Henods once.

“We have a tie,”Ipoint out.

When a decision needed to be made on whether we should accept the current owner’s offer, all theSadlerandThomaskids had input, along with our parents.WhichincludedHarriet,Johanna’syounger sister.

“Jo, any chance you can getHarryon the phone?”

She shakes her head. “She’sperforming tonight.”

We all turn toDex, who blows out a breath.Hefiddles with his hearing aid and winces when the feedback whistles in his ear.Sincelosing the hearing in one ear when he was a teenager, it’s been a big transition for him.Weall face him fully and speak clearly when we’re together, which he always appreciates.

“No pressure then,” he jokes as he scrubs a hand over his buzz cut. “I’mtired of not knowing who runs this place.Thesame place that’s been like a second home to me, as it has for all of you.”

A weight pushes down on my chest, stalling my breath.Whatstarted out as a bit of childish fun has turned into something more.

“I say we change the menu.Ican’t imagine they’d pull the plug over something so small.”Hiswords appear to ease the worry written onFlorenceandGraham’sfaces.Hepauses, the dramatic bastard, then his lips curve deviously as we wait with bated breath. “Let’ssmoke him out.”

An hour later,we’re all packed around two high-top tables inShirley’s—the anonymous owner still the topic of conversation.

Shirley’s has been around since beforeIwas born and is the spot to go for a drink with friends after work or to celebrate a special milestone over a lukewarm beer.It’srough around the edges, the paint is peeling, the staff is unwelcoming, but it’s an institution.Italso wouldn’t be what it is withoutLenny, the owner, chasing us out of the building after the last call.

“You really think a couple of new menu items are going to have them revealing their identity?”Patrickchallenges.

Jo peers up at him. “He’shad it out forBooththe last couple of months.I’mconfident they’ll take the bait.”

A palm slaps on the table, drawing all our attention toFlorence. “Excuseme.Allevening you’ve presumed it’s a dude.Whatif it’s a woman?Thisis the twenty-first century, fellas.”

I hold up my hands in apology. “Verytrue.Regardless,I’mnot sure this will lure them out.”

“We could serve customers naked on rollerblades.Thatwould get their attention.”Mysister chuckles to herself, oblivious to the straight faces staring back at her.

“One step at a time.”Dexknocks his big shoulder intoFlorence. “Keepit in your pants for now, littleSadler.”

She rolls her eyes. “Quitit with the nickname, you oaf.I’mbored with this now.Let’stalkChristmas.”Herface turns animated, and she rubs her hands together like a big kid.

“Christmas will be canceled if that storm rolls in like they’re predicting,”Grahamthrows in.

Like a bunch of retirees, we chat about the weather for longer than necessary.Dexgoes to order in one more round, andGrahamandQuinntake the opportunity to sneak out.Sincereuniting, they’ve been inseparable.Ipeek a glance atPatandJo, who have been joined at the hip since they could walk.

WhileGraham’srelationship is new,JoandPathave been dancing around each other for years.Theywere inevitable.AfterJoleft town unexpectedly,Patrickclosed a part of himself off, until she returned earlier this year and they reunited.

Witnessing the way both my brothers found a new form of happiness, all because of the women in their lives, has me questioning things.

AmIreally happy?WhenI’velost the passion for my job and have no one to share my life with?

On the outside,I’mthe funny guy, always cracking jokes to lighten the mood.Easygoingand happy to go with the flow.Neverone to cause a fuss.Orto be taken too seriously.

---