RAISING SUMMER

WALLY'S WONDERPIZZA

The bakery was slow today which was good I feel like people were only stopping by to buy pity batches. Katy groaned in the back on her phone.

"I'm going to die bored." She clicked away on her phone. Katy handled things counter wise when I was away. She's a really amazing kid with a good head on her shoulders. She is just, well, a teenager.

"You can go home early if you want."

"Really! You're the best boss ever!" She cheered and squeezed the wind out of me.

"Yeah, yeah, get out of here." I laughed as she made her quick exit. I started cleaning and I heard the bell chime.

"Aww what an adorable surprise!" I chuckled as Luke strolled in frantically with Summer with Summer attached to him in a wearable baby carrier.

"Is Jane Anderson calling me cute?" Luke grinned.

"No I'm talking about.."

"Summer, yeah I know." He huffed exasperatedly. "Listen Janey I need some advice."

"Okay, what's up?" I leaned against the counter.

"I have a crazy idea that I think might not be too crazy after all. I trust you'll talk me out of it, if it's too crazy being the Debby downer you are." He rambled on.

"Ouch."

"No offense." He gives me that irritatingly charming grin.

"Offense taken." I crossed my arms.

"It might be better if I just show you." He looked up contemplating.

"Alright let me close up really quick." I grabbed my keys. Flipping the sign in the window to closed before following him to the car.

We drove for a short 10 minutes before arriving at...Nowhere, there's nothing but empty buildings on this street and Mrs. Waterman's house.

"Luke, why are we here?" I held Summer close looking around. He excitedly runs around the car in front of an abandoned building.

"Ta da!" He enthusiastically spread his arms wide.

"Why are we at Wally's Wonderpizza, they closed ages ago." I looked at him confused.

"Remember the job conversation we had?" He led.

"Briefly yeah, why?"

"What if I bought it?"  He searched my expression tentatively.

"Why would you buy Wally's Wonderpizza?" I twisted my face.

"Jesus Jane, I want to turn it into a bar?"

"We already have a bar, remember, Ronnie's?" I reminded him.

"Well not just a bar..." He came up behind me shuffling me inside.  He stood behind me, his chest to my back before he leaned into my ear. "Stage right over there." His fingers found my shoulder as he pointed with his other hand. "Bar right there." His breath ghosted my ear and I held mine as chills roamed up my neck. Warmth radiated through my body where his skin met mine. "Tables here." My body grew cold as he retreated. I regained my thoughts as he moved in front of me. "Afternoon live music, the local teens can even come and hang out. Then at night, bar only with live music..." He went on with his face lit up, he was really passionate about this. I don't think I've ever seen him like this. I could see the vision.

I realized he stopped talking. Awaiting my thoughts. My face was blank and he searched it growing more concerned every second that ticked by.

"How bad do you want it?" I asked genuinely and he paused.

"More than anything realistically." He held his breath.

"Then I'll help." He released his breath.

"Really?" He smiled.

"Yeah it seems like you've thought about it all." Truthfully I think there were more details that needed to be worked out but the sheer joy I saw in his eyes when he explained his idea sold me.

"You don't think I'm crazy?" He scoffed.

"Crazy? Yes!" I rolled my eyes.

"There's the Jane I know..." He ruffled his waves in desperation.

"But I think you could pull this off."  I interrupted. He wrapped his arms around Summer and I and squeezed excitedly. As Summer made an odd noise that sounded like a scold.

"Oops sorry Summer." He ruffled her hair softly as he beamed. "Good thing you said yes, cause I already bought it." He grimaced jokingly.

"Luke!" I swatted his shoulder.

"What!"

"Good thing Mrs. Waterman is profoundly hard of hearing." I patted his shoulder.