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“Yesterday, a young man came to buy the place.” He grins even wider. “And at a wonderful price.”

“But this place is your baby. You always say you don’t want to let it go.”

“For the price he’s offering, I can retire on the beach in Hawaii, just like the missus always wanted.” There’s a wistful tone to his voice, and my heart goes out to him.

I don’t know what it's like to lose someone like that, but I know how it feels when you lose someone you love, when your dreams don’t come true, or at least, not in the way you planned.

“I’m happy for you, Dean. But I’ll miss you.” I haven’t known the man very long, but he gave me an opportunity when I really needed it, and he’s always been kind to me.

He smiles. “I’m telling the rest of the staff at a meeting later, but I know you have to be off by four today, so I wanted you to know, too.”

I’m expected to be home today when my mother gets there. She made it a point to let me know she wanted us to spend some “quality” time together. Of course that just means she wants to try and set me up with someone new, some high class snob, son of one of her society friends.

But since she doesn’t know I have a job, so I have no way of telling her no. Dean has been kind enough to let me off early whenever she has these demands, which, luckily is not that often.

I swallow hard.

Will the new owner be as understanding?

“May I ask who bought the place?”

“I can’t quite remember his name, but it’s some franchise place trying to expand into the city. A real up and comer.”

I probably would know the name if he said it–my father knows all the up and comers from miles around. But maybe it's better if I don’t. I don’t want any preconceived notions about my new boss.

This will be a fresh start for me–or at least, that’s what I’m hoping.

* * *

It’s beena week since Dean gave us the news, and everyone else still seems as nervous as I am. Dean has just promoted me to office manager, but I’m really only doing a little extra work.

Whatever corporate changes are happening, it seems like Dean is really leaving, and I’m pretty sad to see him go. He took me in when I had no opportunities.

But on the other hand, I’ve got a better salary, more responsibilities, and I’m taking to this position like a duck to water. It makes me feel like I can do anything. I’m feeling on top of the world, and there’s nothing this new owner can do to bring me down.

The other employees and I get along well, too. There’s Javier, one of the mechanics, and Dina, the receptionist. They’re the two I’m closest to.

Javier, Dina, and I are all single, and they’ve tried to set me up with a couple of guys.

Nothing panned out, but I did have a few fun dates.

After the second failed setup, we all go out for drinks.

“This feels like a goodbye party,” Javier whines, nursing his can of hard seltzer.

“No one’s leaving,” Dina points out.

I take a sip of my drink. “Well, Dean is.”

The two look at me with wide eyes.

Javier groans. “Don’t remind me. The man has been like a father to me.”

Dina rubs Javier’s arm. “He’s going to a better place.”

I snort out a laugh. “He’s notdying, Dina.”

She sputters. “That’s not what I meant. I mean, Hawaii is definitely a better place.”