3D: Status Update

Aubrey and Keegan’s next status update meeting got pushed a few times because of Harvestfest, the Windenburg trip and other inevitable occurrences. The team at Bocca Felice were amazing, and she loved spending time with them. She also missed seeing Keegan every day and found herself waiting anxiously for their next meeting.

The blustery morning begged for a soothing cup of hot tea. She could have made herself a cup but seized the moment for her catch up with Keegan. They didn’t have a pre-determined meeting spot, so whatever struck her fancy determined the locale. A new Asian restaurant opened in Newcrest around the corner from Bocca Felice. Word on the street was they had an awesome tea bar. She sent Keegan a text to meet her there at the appointed time.

The server came by a few times asking if she was ready to order; she told him she was waiting for someone. Keegan was rarely late, and it made her nervous. Hopefully nothing bad happened.

Fifteen minutes later, he walked in with a stiff posture and worried eyes. “Sorry I am late.”

“It’s fine. Are you ok?”

“Yes,” he said hesitantly, still standing.

“Are you sure?”

He sighed. “You see that man looking here?”

She glanced over her shoulder and, sure enough, an old man glared at them.

“He is my father.”

Keegan must have favored his mother more because, apart from his pale brown skin and maybe his nose, he looked nothing like the old man.

“I saw him through the window. I did not know if I wanted to come in.”

He finally sat but was still stiff.

“We can go somewhere else if you’re uncomfortable. I don’t mind.”

“No,” he said, more assertive than before. “He has not spoken either. There is nothing to say.”

Jonathan and Skyla’s near perfect relationship spoiled her. She’d never seen them fight; at least not seriously. Aubrey’s relationship with Jonathan outshined all others; she’d die if they ever fell out. How did people live that way? “Forgive me for prying, but I thought you had a decent relationship with him. Even just a tiny one?”

His posture stiffened at her assumption. “Yes. I did. We have not spoken since my birthday.”

Poor guy. She didn’t want to imagine having only one living parent to begin with, but to be stuck with the estranged one? It had to suck. “I see. I’m sorry.”

“What for?”

Everything! She was sorry his mom died at a young age; sorry he felt forced to uproot himself from his country, start a new life, and raise his little brother at just 16 years old; sorry his dad was a jerk who failed to take care of him like a father should. Keegan was one of the sweetest people knew and didn’t deserve such a terrible life, but he managed it so well. At least the man he displayed to the world seemed well adjusted.

“Just that your life is…complicated.”

He shrugged. “Everyone has complications.”

She snorted. “Tell me about it!”

He perused the menu finally. “What’s good here?”

“The tea! I’m a little hungry. Do you want to share some vegetable dumplings?”

“Sure.”

He eyed her curiously. Honestly, something about it made her nervous but not in a bad way. He rarely asked questions about her life, and she was eager to tell him whatever he wanted to know.

“What?” she asked.

“Is it strange to eat in other restaurants?”

She chuckled. “A little? I usually try to relax and enjoy, but I can’t help but critique everything or get new ideas.” She shrugged. “Comes with the territory, I guess.”

“Me too. I tip well now because I understand. I also judge harsh.”

“Like I always say, you run a tight ship, Mr. Faust!”

“Tell me about Windenburg.”

“Oh! Yes. It was nice! If you can believe it, I didn’t check my email once!”

“I do not!”

“I don’t blame you. Julio and I got some much-needed rest.”

She paused for a moment to consider if she should tell him about the restaurant idea. He was one of the most trustworthy people she knew, but she promised Julio she wouldn’t get carried away with ideas. “Have I ever told you about how I got into this business?”

His eyes lit up for half a second. “No. I assumed you chose the family business.”

“I did! But there’s more to it than that.”

“Of course.”

He leaned in to catch every word. It was weird. Aubrey never felt like anyone ignored her, but people weren’t usually as eager as Keegan was. Whenever they spoke, she had his complete attention. It was nice.

“I’ve always admired my dad. He is the most amazing man alive! I wanted to be just like him when I grew up.”

Keegan’s smile faded. She gushed too much about her dad.

“When I was a little girl, Viviana’s opened. He threw a party before the grand opening, and I followed him around all night watching him shake hands and listening to him speak with everyone. I thought he was really important.” She giggled at the memory.

He did too.

“I wanted to be important too and being around all those adults that night made me feel important. That’s when I decided I wanted to work in his restaurant. Honestly, that’s all I wanted. I didn’t grow up dreaming about owning a chain of restaurants. But, my dad did.”

“You’re not from around here, so you probably don’t know about my family. A little bit after prom, my dad finally told us our history. Have you ever heard of a legacy family?”

He shook his head.

“Well, that’s a story for another time, but in short, our family is kind of a big deal around here. At least, we used to be. Anyway, we have a rich family history that I never knew about. It explained so much like why people always treated me differently and stuff.”

His eyes widened as if a lightbulb went off inside his head. “That is why everyone were around you.”

“Yeah. Anyway, he told us the story about our family, and I felt so much pride for where I came from. That’s mostly the reason I kept my name. Right before my birthday, my dad approached me about my future in his business and told me about his dream. Ever since he was a teenager, he’s wanted to own restaurants around the world and asked if I wanted to carry on his dream since he probably wouldn’t get very far.”

“So, you want to open a restaurant in Windenburg?” he asked eagerly.

She hesitated. “I mean … It’s a very strong idea. We just happened to run across an empty property while we were there, and I got so many ideas.”

“Windenburg is good for restaurants. We love to eat.”

“I noticed! I got so carried away while we were there. I was so ready to pack up and move, but Julio talked some sense into me.”

Keegan looked worried, and his mouth opened and closed a few times like he changed his mind about saying something.

“What is it?”

“I shouldn’t ask. It might be inappropriate.”

“Keegan, I know I’m your boss, but we’re still friends. You may ask whatever you like.”

His worried eyes softened, and the corner of his mouth turned up a little. “Ok. Why do people whisper about you and Julio?”

She sighed, sinking back onto the chair. “Well…most people don’t agree with our relationship. Even my family.”

“Why?”

“Well, at the end of the legacy story, Julio’s dad took everything from my dad. We were a very wealthy family and lived in a mansion that had been in the family for nine generations. Tony, my deceased father-in-law, took all the money, our house, and even my dad’s restaurant and left my parents with only the clothes in their suitcase. So…yeah.”

Keegan looked stunned.

“I understand everyone’s feelings. Maybe I’d feel the same way if I were someone else, but I’m not. I didn’t know who Julio was! I didn’t know this family feud would mark me for the rest of my life. How was I supposed to know to stay away from him? I liked him! It couldn’t be helped.”

“I’m sorry,” he said.

“For what?”

He grinned. “Your complicated life.”

She chuckled and reached across the table for his hand. “You’re a great friend, Keegan. Like, I really cherish our friendship.”

He smiled bashfully, avoiding eye contact and took his hand back.

She caught herself smiling a bit too long. “I guess we should discuss business at some point, huh? How was your first month as manager?”

“It is a lot of work, but I enjoy it.”

“Good! So, you’re getting the hang of it? Got a nice little routine?”

“Yes. It is good.”

“And, your new employee?”

“She is doing well.”

“Glad to hear it. I’ve had an idea for a while, and I think it’s a good time to try it. I want to set the restaurant apart from other burger places by sourcing local, organic ingredients. But, using premium ingredients will drive up costs. Can you put out some feelers and see if people would pay more for better food? Maybe tell them it’s coming soon and see what they say?”

He grinned again. “Of course. I will do anything for you.”