Chapter 3

“I’m not implying anything,” I said, my face calm. “I just want to know when you started planning to sell the restaurant, and how you negotiated.”

“We talked about it last year. George is in the restaurant chain business, and he was interested in our location, wanted to turn it into a flagship store for his brand.”

I pressed on. “$1.8 million – was that your asking price, or his offer?”

Her eyes flickered. “Does it make a difference?”

“It does,” I said. “If it was his offer, then he’s taking advantage of you because you don’t understand the market.”

“If it was your asking price, then you’re practically giving away my dad’s legacy.”

Her face changed.

“Tony! Get your facts straight, who’s giving it away?”

“I’ve worked my fingers to the bone managing that restaurant these past two years. I know better than anyone what it’s worth!”

“Then tell me, what is it worth?”

She opened her mouth but couldn’t speak. I watched her, waiting for an answer.

“Anyway, the contract’s already signed,” she turned her face away. “There’s no point in talking about this.”

“Signed?”

“Signing tomorrow,” she said. “The letter of intent has been signed.”

I said nothing more.

She waited a while. Seeing that I remained silent, she spoke again. “Tony, I know you feel it’s your dad’s legacy and you don’t want to let go.”

“But have you ever thought, what are we keeping it for?”

“You don’t manage it, and I’m tired of managing it. Now that we can sell it for a good price, why not just sell it and be done with it?”

“$1.8 million, you call that a good price?”

“It’s not for you, but it is for me,” she said, her voice sharp. “I’ve been with you for so many years, what have you ever given me? You’re always on business trips. Have you ever handled anything at home? Or at the restaurant? Now that I want to sell it, you’re suddenly speaking up.”

I retorted, “So you’re selling the restaurant because I travel too much?”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” she scoffed. “I’m selling the restaurant because I don’t want to deal with those people anymore. I want an easier life. Is that wrong?”

“No, it’s not.”

“Then that’s it,” she stood up. “We’ll sign the contract tomorrow. Once the money’s in, we’ll split it fifty-fifty. If you want a divorce, fine by me, I don’t care.”

I looked into her eyes and asked, “Are you serious?”

“Serious.”

I nodded. “Alright. Don’t regret it.”

She let out a laugh, then turned and went into the bedroom, slamming the door shut.

I stood in the living room for a while, then went to the guest room, grabbed a blanket, and lay down on the sofa.

I couldn't sleep. My phone buzzed.

I picked it up. It was a message from Rubio.

“Tony, I found him. The car owner’s name is George. He runs a catering company.”

“This guy is no small fry!”

Attached were several documents.

After carefully reading them, I replied, “Are you free tomorrow? Come with me to the restaurant.”

“No problem!”

I put down my phone and closed my eyes.

I don’t know how much time passed. Just as I was drifting off to sleep, my phone rang.

I picked it up and saw it was Mira, my mother-in-law.

I answered, and before I could say a word, she started yelling at me.

“Tony! What do you mean? You’re divorcing Lauren?”

“What did she ever do to you? Is it easy for her to manage this household and such a big restaurant all by herself? Now you’re saying you want a divorce? Are you even human?”

I listened, but didn’t respond.

“I’m telling you, if you dare divorce her, I’m not done with you!”

“Don’t think my family is easy to push around! Lauren’s been with you for seven years, what have you ever given her?”

“That crumby restaurant your dad left, she helped you manage it, working her fingers to the bone every day, and now she wants to sell it, and you’re not happy about it?”

“Is that yours? She’s the legal owner of that restaurant! She can sell it if she wants to, you can’t stop her!”

I finally spoke. “Are you finished?”

She paused.

“What did you say?”

“If you’re done, I’m hanging up.”

“You wouldn’t dare! You have to explain yourself today!”

I hung up and turned off my phone.