“So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life's A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you'll move mountains.”― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!
trailer driving down I-81 on my way back to Arlington, it occurred to me it was three weeks to the day since I got fired, heard about Leigh’s death, and came back home. It felt like so much more time had passed. I think I experienced life and emotions and really being with people more in the last three weeks than I had in the eight years since my parents died.
Normally I would play music, an audiobook, or a podcast while driving. Anything to not only pass the time but also make it so I don’t have to think about anything. But not today. Today, I was going to use this long drive as an opportunity to really figure out what I wanted to do and where I wanted to do it. The car was quiet as I sped down the highway, cutting through green valleys and mountains in the background.
Memories of the past two weeks, of my childhood, of my family and friends, swirled in my head and mingled with memories of working at the The Olive Tree and how much I loved it. I let myself think about New York and the possibilities of starting somewhere new and how scary exciting that could be. By the time I finally arrived in Arlington, I hadn’t made any final decisions, but I knew better what I was prioritizing and what I was letting go.
Ready to talk to Katrina, I pulled into a parking spot and walked into the coffee shop where we were meeting. I was pleasantly surprised to see it was actually quiet and not packed full of people looking for their mid-morning cup of caffeine fix. Though I was early, I was surprised to see Katrina was already sitting at a table tucked away in the corner so we could have some privacy.
I approached her table. “Katrina? Hi, I’m Tess McCabe,” I said in case she didn’t remember what I looked like.
“Yes, Tess, it’s great to see you again. Please have a seat.”
“Thanks.”
As I sat down, I noticed she had sample menus scattered in front of her.
“I’m reviewing different options for the menu. Trying to determine what will fit for New York City. Any thoughts?” she asked as she handed me some of the menu samples to look at.
I looked through the menus. The dishes were not what you would see on a dinner menu at The Olive Tree. These were high-end, fine-dining style dishes. The meals were no less than six courses.
“Frankie’s is fine dining?”
“Well, we are rolling out something new and thought what better place to start than New York City. This isn’t a typical Frankie’s but we are trying to keep that hush hush. We will be Francesco’s,” she said with a smile. “It will have the food and service of a fine-dining establishment without the stuffy atmosphere.”
Katarina’s excitement for the project was apparent. I could tell she really believed in it and had a vision in her head that she was trying to create.
“Sounds exciting. Are you having fun getting it all off the ground?”
“I am loving it. This is one of my favorite projects yet. Plus, I love New York. Always have,” Katrina replied. Her enthusiasm for both the project and New York were apparent.
“I’ve only ever been once as a kid with my family.” Happy memories surfaced in my head. My dad walking with me on his shoulders to keep from getting trampled by the crowds in Times Square. My mom asked Benny to hold her hand, so she didn’t get swept away by all the people. If Benny saw through this ruse, he didn’t say it. He played along and held her hand like she wanted. Thinking back now, I realized he may have been overwhelmed by all the people too and as worried as my mom was that he would get separated from us.
“Have you considered what it would be like to move there?” Katrina asked.
“I’ve been thinking about that and the job ever since I talked to Vito. It would be a complete lifestyle change, that’s for sure.”
Katrina piled the sample menus together, clasping her hands on the top of the pile, and looked at me earnestly. “Let’s get down to it Tess. I know the work you did at The Olive Tree. I have the highest respect for Vito and trust his judgement plus I saw for myself everything you did there.”
“What about Cass?” I asked. I didn’t want to bring up my firing but I also didn’t want her to hear about it some other way.
“Ugh, that blow hole. God, I never could stand him and believe me that won’t change. I’m aware of what happened. Vito filled me in when I talked to him.”
I nodded. That was a relief. I didn’t feel like rehashing the whole incident. I could live happily never having to think about or even say the name Cass again. My firing was unjustified and it wasn’t just me that thought so.
“Cass is an idiot,” Katrina continued. “I don’t know what his deal is when it comes to you.”
“I’m not sure. I know when Vito hired me and then started putting me in charge and teaching me to be his assistant manager, Cass did not like it. He said I was too young and inexperienced. Vito wouldn’t budge though. He argued that I was doing good work and asked how I was supposed to get experience if no one gave me a chance. It was one of the few times I heard Vito really argue with Cass and refuse to go along with what his brother wanted.”
“Cass is a petty man. I’ve known both him and Vito for years. Cass always gets his way. Always. He will be patient and never quit trying until he finds a way, no matter how long it takes.”
“Well, I guess he finally got his way then,” I said with some bitterness. I loved my work at The Olive Tree and for it all to end in such an ugly way was hard to swallow.
“I am sorry about Cass. But I do believe things happen for a reason,” Katrina said. “Let me tell you more about the vision for Francesco’s, the role I need you to fill now and where it could go in the future, and then you can ask me any questions you have. Sound good?”
“Sounds perfect,” I said.
Katrina spent the next hour going over all the plans for the new restaurant and helping me to see the vision of what Francesco’s was to be. She provided a clear picture of what was needed from me, how my performance would be measured, and how my role could change and grow down the road.
“So, what are you thinking?” she asked after she was done.
I sat back in my chair and sighed. Katrina really was dropping an amazing opportunity in my lap. I was young and single with nothing tying me down. If I was going to make a life changing move, this was the time to do it. But, just because this opportunity was presented to me on a silver platter didn’t mean it was my only option.
“When would you need me to be in New York?” I asked.
“Honestly, I needed you yesterday. Frankie’s can pay for a hotel room for up to three months. That way you don’t have to rush to sign a lease somewhere, but I would need you as soon as possible. As early as next week if you can make it happen.”
Katrina’s cell phone rang, and she excused herself to take the call outside.
I was grateful for the reprieve. I couldn’t keep stringing her along. I needed to decide. Logically, it made sense. It was a great move for my career. A new beginning. This wasn’t like before. I wouldn’t be running away from my family, friends, and home. I would be moving away but keeping them in my life. I knew they would all be supportive.
I tried to picture a life in New York City but other thoughts kept intruding.
Lunch with Ruby and Mrs. Shay.
Having coffee in the shop with Uncle Rob and Benny.
Sitting on the front porch swing with Benny.
Running in the Hallowell’s field and drinking coffee with Jack on the tailgate of his truck.
Katrina came back in and sat down at the table. She looked at me for a moment and sighed.
“I really need to know one or another by the end of the week. If you are in, then I need you to be in 100 percent.”
“I understand,” I said with a nod. “Trust me, if I take the job, I will be fully committed.”
She got her stuff together and stood up from the table. “I look forward to your call,” she said.
I stood up and shook her hand. “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me and for making such an amazing offer. I will let you know my decision no later than the end of this week.”
I sat back down at the table as Katrina made her way out of the coffee shop. Spinning my empty coffee cup in my hand, I debated what to do next. It was nearly lunch time and I hadn’t eaten. I should probably have something before heading back.
I was three blocks from The Olive Tree.
It broke my heart that I was nervous about stopping in to see everyone. That restaurant was more than a job to me. It had felt like home for more than two years. I finally started to care about things again while I was working there. I was connecting with people again. I could feel parts of the old Tess -- the Tess before my parents died – surfacing more and more every day. And then it was all ripped away so quickly and hearing about Leigh’s death the very same night as being fired had left me reeling.
I had left everyone and everything I had known for the last two years. I had packed all my belongings in the middle of the night and drove out of town. Again.
With a groan, I put my head in my hands and stared down at the table. This was not going to be the pattern for the rest of my life, things get tough and Tess runs away. At least it didn’t take me years to come back this time. Even though I was not coming back to Arlington to live, I would stay in touch with the friends I had made and visit the restaurant I loved. Cass would not take that from me.
I got up and left the coffee shop and began walking the three blocks to The Olive Tree.