He looked at me and jumped out of the bed and turned on the light. “What the fuck, Bailey? Are you snooping in my business? You’re just like everyone else, carping about money.” This abrupt change frightened me. I was navigating treacherous waters, and I didn’t want to get Lea in trouble.

“Nothing like that. I just want to make sure that the restaurant isn’t having financial issues.”

“It is my business. My concern. You let me worry about that. We are not having problems. You just have no concept of how much it costs to run a restaurant.” He stormed out. So much for my casual approach.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Six

Lea’s statement had shaken me. Elliott’s reaction had shaken me. In my mind, given the popularity of the restaurant, Rex’s raise should be able to be easily absorbed. But that was a worry for another day. I arrived at the restaurant in time to prepare for the dinner crowd.

When I returned home, the scene’s familiarity didn’t shock me. That alone should have scared me. A glass of scotch and a half-eaten bagel along with an assortment of muscle relaxers and pain pills were scattered around the living room. The blue, orange, and white pills formed a pharmaceutical charm bracelet or something resembling Chiclets on the floor. I took everything to the kitchen and only briefly considered how many pills he had actually taken. I found myself wondering whether, if he took just one more could he return to work. Why couldn’t he be just a little more normal? Maybe Elliott just needed to see a different doctor. I hated those thoughts, and sleep punished me.

The next morning, I selected two of my nicest dresses, which Elliott had bought me at Bergdorf. I would leave them in the office for quick changes. My phone buzzed. It was Mac. “I need to go out of town for a few days. Can we reschedule for two weeks from Thursday?” I was relieved. With Elliott out, I had no time to meet with Mac. I made light of it. “Now who’s playing hard to get? That Thursday is perfect.”

“Thanks, Bailey. It’s my mom’s seventieth birthday. What kind of son would I be? I’ll see you that Thursday.” I returned to the restaurant to find a happy Rex and a nervous Lea. I didn’t have time to address her concerns. I had to coordinate the dinner specials with Rex and get ready for the nightly crowd.

Two weeks later, it would be me who begged off. It was the first Thursday in the month and a big market day. I needed to go with Rex to see how it was done.

“Since we’re not having such good luck with Thursdays, how about the Tuesday after next?” I offered.

“Done,” Mac said.

“How was your mama’s birthday?” I asked.