Page 1 of The Beachside Cafe
ONE
Jaymee Lent stood in front of the gigantic circular saltwater fish tank she’d had installed over the last week, her arms crossed over her chest, her blue eyes wide with admiration. She’d been determined from the very creation of this dream project of hers to install something like this and to having it now – right there in front of her – it felt like a dream come true.
She sighed, moving her eyes with the Ocelliris Clownfish, her own personal Nemo, as it swam freely around the coral and live rock. She’d made sure to purchase at least one Clownfish, to satisfy the children that would visit once Saltwater Café was open. In fact, her little Nemo was her first purchase.
The grand opening was two weeks away and the last-minute touches were now being done. The sound of construction going on in the kitchen as the appliances were installed filled Jaymee with a feeling of satisfaction that had been growing steadily in the last few months as her lifelong dream of owning a café right on the shores of the ocean in sunny California took shape. It was finally happening. Jaymee was beside herself with joy.
She moved her eyes from the Clownfish to the Angelfish. She’d done plenty of research into the types of fish she would allow in the tank. Right now there were only four, including the Lawnmower Blenny for janitorial services.
She grinned, looking along the rocks and sediment for the algae eater. When she spotted it, she bent over to get closer to the glass. It was such a strange looking creature. She would be getting more of its kind, that was certain.
Jaymee stood up straight, looking for the fourth fish. She stepped back and then began to circle the tank, looking for the Auriga Butterfly. It was the most beautiful and exotic of the ones she’d purchased so far. But it was known for its ability to play hide and seek with great success at the hiding part. Not so much at the seeking.
She smiled when she finally saw the fish hovering just inside a cave-like area in the tall mountain of rock that was placed directly in the middle of the tank. The rock mountain was filled with holes, tunnels, caves, and other places to hide.
Jaymee admired the beauty of the butterfly fish. She’d taken special care with that one. It was the rarest in the tank so far, as well as being the most exotic. She’d read that it was important to observe them eating before buying one. Many specimens refused prepared fish food. This one seemed to take to the tank right away and had shown great interest in eating the food it was given.
“Mrs. Lent?” A man’s voice behind her made her turn around. She lifted her head in acknowledgement.
“What is it, Charlie? Everything all right?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Charlie replied, holding out a clipboard with one hand and a pen with the other. “Got some papers here for you to sign. Can’t find Mr. Lent so I guess you can do it, can’t you?”
Jaymee took the clipboard and the pen, scanning the paper on top of the small stack attached at the top. “What is it I’m signing?”
“We just got all the new appliances in. We’re installing them now. These are the agreements to pay. There are three invoices there, so if you just sign them for me, I can send the delivery guys on their way.”
Jaymee nodded, signing the one at the top and then flipping through to sign the other two. She handed it back to the pudgy contractor with a smile. “Thanks for all the hard work and diligence to get this done, Charlie. I really appreciate it.”
Charlie grinned, saluting her. “You bet, Mrs. Lent. It’s been a pleasure. I sure hope you’ll consider us in the future if you need any repairs or extensions added on.”
“You know I will, Charlie. Thanks again.”
Charlie nodded and turned to go back to through the double swinging doors that led to the kitchen.
Jaymee turned her head and looked back at the cylinder tank. It was topped by a lid of stone with cherubs playing harps carved into it all the way around. The bottom was designed the same way with the symbol of the fish in replacement of the cherubs. It was a design Jaymee had dreamed about and remembered when she woke up. The vision never left her mind.
And now she was staring at it. Her dream in reality.
She shook her head, amazed that things were progressing so well. It was all finally coming true.
Jaymee turned away from the tank and crossed the room to open the glass doors and step out onto the terrace. Her long, wavy blond hair was immediately caught up in the breeze and she narrowed her eyes, almost taken aback by the beauty she saw.
She sighed, her heart swelling with emotion. She weaved around the tables and chairs that were placed strategically on the terrace, looking at them long enough to take in the beauty of the style she’d chosen – round black tables, white chairs with cushions and a checkerboard umbrella overtop. She was extremely satisfied.
The terrace was at the edge of a cliff that went straight down to the ocean. Jaymee could hear the crashing of the waves against the rocks below. The water stretched out in front of her, disappearing on the horizon where the blue sky took over. She moved to the railing that surrounded the terrace and put both hands up on it.
She felt her back-pocket vibrating, tickling her. Less than a second later, her notification sound went off. It was a text message.
Where’s dad?
It was from her daughter, Cheyenne. She tapped back a response.
He’s not here. I don’t know where he went. Charlie couldn’t find him either. What do you need?
She waited for a response, deciding to text her husband, Doug, to let him know his daughter was looking for him.
Her phone vibrated again, then the notification sound.
