Page 18 of Single-Minded
“I’m planning to open a coffee shop,” Presley explained. “I’m going to get coffee beans from all over the world to make delicious coffee drinks.”
“I don’t like coffee,” Nova said.
“Our mom has been all over the world,” Scarlet said.
“All over the country,” I clarified. “Their mom’s boyfriend is a musician. He books gigs all over the US and travels to them in his van. Flora goes with him.”
“Have you been to Chicago?” Scarlet asked Presley.
“I have,” Presley said. “The Magnificent Mile is a fun place to shop.”
“Did you see the T. rex when you were shopping?” Nova asked, looking nervous.
“The T. rex is in a museum, and it’s not a real dinosaur,” Sienna told her.
“It is too real,” Scarlet said. “But it’s just the bones now. Real bones.”
“I didn’t see the T. rex,” Presley said, “but I saw the Ferris wheel on Navy Pier.”
“Did you go to Colorado?” Nova asked.
“I’ve been to Denver, which is the capital of Colorado,” Presley told her.
“Are there chipmunks there?” my youngest persisted.
“I didn’t see any, but I was in a hotel,” Presley said.
I was sure Presley had jet-setted all over the world as an investment banker and that her travel experiences were quite different from Flora and Gil’s, where they slept in their van at odd hours due to his small-venue shows.
Time to rein in their grilling of Presley. “Okay, girls?—”
“Can we please go to Chicago?” Scarlet asked.
“Or any trip,” Sienna said. “We never get to go anywhere.”
“It costs a lot of money to travel,” I said. “Last I knew, you three liked to get new school clothes.”
Their enthusiasm disappeared like the air escaping from an untied balloon. I clenched my jaw, hating that I couldn’t give my girls every damn thing.
“I need to finish up with Miss Presley and get you three home. Why don’t you go sit on that bench right outside.” I pointed to the bench that was visible out the side window, lining the walking path. “Only that bench.”
“I want to stay with you, Daddy,” Sienna said as Scarlet and Nova raced for the door.
I put my arm around my quiet girl and pulled her into my side, confident she’d hang out in silence. It also meant one less personality sitting out on that single bench.
“You’ve got your hands full with these smart little girls,” Presley said, smiling at Sienna.
“That’s for sure,” I said.
That right there was why I had no business taking on extra work.
“So you want this built out as soon as humanly possible,” I said, getting back to our discussion. “Have you given any thought to the finishes you want? Will the walls be painted? Brick? Shelves? Cabinets? Start thinking about specifics and what you’ll want help with.”
“Actually…” She pulled out her phone and started swiping. “I know exactly the style I want.”
Presley moved next to me and held up her phone so I could see a photo of a coffee shop. Sections of white brick mixed with contemporary slate-blue walls, silver fixtures, and pecan-colored floors.
“That’s nice,” I said, “and not too complex. The brickwork will slow it down a little and add to your expense, but nothing else screams out to me as being a problem.”
