The glass of sauvignon blanc was waiting. None of that house wine shit for me. Life was too short.

It happened in a flash. The green of the Granny Smith apple bounced right off the table and onto the walls. My eyes followed. I let my vision roam up and down the walls. The color flooded the space and my imagination. I smiled the kind of smile that starts from within and spreads. Like a secret. Is this the way Sir Isaac Newton felt?

“I am going to need another apple,” I said.

For the next two weeks, I carried a Granny Smith apple everywhere I went. It went with me to estate sales, to newly discovered vintage stores and old favorites. It went with me to places selling art. Every few days, I either ate it or threw it out and went back for another. I had barely laid eyes on Henry or Griffin. At night, I would browse the internet.

The next week, Dexter was close to pitching a proposal, and I knew I had to meet with the boys. I sat them down in a booth to have a talk. It was reminiscent of one we had when I was thirteen, except this time I was in charge.

“First, I want to thank you for letting me reimagine the restaurant. I really appreciate the job and paycheck. But I really need you guys to tell me how much you’re willing to spend.” I said this with a nice blend of contrition and confidence.

“I already know we need to add some money to the pot since I saw Common around here,” Griffin said. It amused me. My mind always went to the rapper Common. I’m sure Griffin had no idea who he was.

“Has he pitched you a proposal?” Henry asked.

“It’s going to be my proposal—Dexter is a part of the plan. We’re meeting next week. But I need to know what y’all have in mind. I’ve been browsing, and I would like to start buying, but I need to know my budget. I also need to know if you’re prepared to close the restaurant for several weeks to accommodate architectural changes.”

“In rethinking this, I think it is Henry and I who have the pity job. Paying for yours and Common’s ideas. And we thought Julian had to be reined in.”

“Just give me your number. I know damn well Dexter made a similar proposal years ago, and it was Julian that shot it down, not you guys.” I held my ground.