“I take it Caryn talked to you about our restaurant issue,” I said.
Caryn took us all down to the restaurant. The tenant had taken us up on our offer to exchange rent for disputed equipment and had already moved out. Both Mary and Granny wrinkled their noses when they saw the décor; it hadn’t been updated in twenty years. They seemed happy with the kitchen, and when we showed them the upstairs, they got excited.
“I see the downstairs as more of a casual dining place, and we can turn the upstairs into a banquet hall for weddings and the like. We can create a Friday and Saturday nightclub atmosphere with dinner and dancing,” Mary said.
Granny seemed to see her vision but was pensive.
“It would cost some money to get it started. This whole place badly needs to be remodeled. I would suggest we take it in steps and see if we can get the downstairs running before we tackle the upstairs.”
“Before we start, I need your help to figure out what all needs to be done and come up with a budget and plan,” Caryn said.
“I’m in if David’s willing to bankroll it,” Mary said.
I looked at Dad, and he nodded. He’d obviously talked to Caryn about it.
“If Dad says yes, I’m in,” I said.
I was in. Dad took me aside while the women walked through and decided what they wanted to be changed.
“We forgot to tell you, but you have to come home after baseball practice tomorrow. Ohio State is doing an in-home baseball recruiting visit.”
I gave him a curious look.
“Sorry, but we’ve been keeping the intensity of your recruiting under wraps,” Dad explained. “The baseball recruiting has gotten hot since you hit six straight home runs and then beat State. I talked to your mom, and we decided that Ohio State could have the first shot.”
I rocked back on my heels. These were the same parents who didn’t come to my first few games my freshman year. They were now deciding whom I should see?
“I thought I’d get a say in all this.”
“We’re working off your list,” Dad said.
“What list?” I asked.
“Your top ten football list,” Dad said.
I couldn’t even remember who that might be. Before I took my dad’s head off, I took a deep breath. Ohio State would always be on my list, so that wasn’t the issue. If I were being honest, this was on me. Since my freshman year, I’d dumped recruiting on Kendal and now Caryn. I’d had a conversation with my dad about my need to hand things off to others because I wanted to focus on school stuff like baseball and the play.
I gave Dad a weak smile.
“Okay, but could we maybe sit down and look at the list you’re working off? There might be some schools I would change,” I said.
“I’ll bring it home, and we can talk about it,” Dad said.
◊◊◊
I drove the Jeep to State and picked up my niece. Someone had opened his big mouth and promised her a horse. I’d had a chance to talk to Zoe, and she agreed to ‘giving’ Mac one until we found out if she was serious or not. Zoe found it funny that I didn’t know that girls loved horses and told me I’d be buying Mac one before this was all over.
Angie had put it off for a couple of weeks, but Mac had remembered that ‘Unca David promised.’ I was afraid that she was going to be like every other woman I knew and would remember everything I said the rest of my life.
When I arrived at married student housing, I was met at the door by Kyle and his new kitten. Nate was sitting in the middle of the floor, playing with his toys, when he saw me. He made the outstretched-arm motion that was the universal sign for me to pick him up. I did and then sat on the floor with Kyle as we petted his kitten.
I about fell over when Mac came out of her bedroom with Angie, all dressed up in western wear, complete with boots and a cowboy hat.
“Horsey!” Mac yelled at the top of her lungs.
Angie laughed when she saw my shocked face. Someone was excited.
We apparently had to leave
◊◊◊
Zoe was fantastic with my niece. She helped her look at all the horses and pick the best one for Mac. It’s funny how you look at girls differently once you’ve had a child. Watching Zoe’s patience and enthusiasm as she talked to Mac made me realize that she would make an excellent mother someday.
Mac picked a big roan horse that had some gray hair starting around his eyes. He was a gentleman who’d been named Bolt because of the markings on his face. I saddled him, and Zoe pointed out another horse that needed exercise so we could go riding.
Mac went from overexcited to leaning back against Zoe and almost falling asleep as we rode. I thanked Zoe for helping me win the Best Uncle of the Year award from Mac. Of course, as far as she was concerned, I was her only uncle—Phil wasn’t in her life at all—but one little girl was happy.
◊◊◊
When I got home from dropping Mac off, both Coby and Little David were being fussy. Peggy and Mom looked worn out.
“Which one needs attention first?” I asked.
“Take Little David, he’s just tired and needs a nap,” Mom said, shoving him into my hands.
