Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 29018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 145(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 145(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
“I’ll thank my best friend, Lenny. Those came from her.”
Have you met Lenny? She’s a fun, hot mess but is unmatched in the mental health reading department.
“According to them, the best thing we can do to extend his quality of life is not yanking him out of everything he knows and loves if we don’t have to. Which…given that Dave can do his job from literally anywhere in the world, we don’t. It’ll give his father a chance to stay comfortable and the two of us the opportunity to explore somewhere different.”
“What about The Range?” Dad quickly questions. “You gonna run that remotely? Can you run that remotely?”
“No,” Tanya politely informs on a slow headshake. “I’ve always preferred a hands-on approach to things, and this is one gig that definitely fits the bill.”
My father nods his understanding. “Have you already sold this place?”
“I have.”
Seeing the glimmer of sadness in Dad’s stare has me pressing my lips together to try to keep my composure. “Well, I hope whoever runs it next, puts just as much love and respect into it as well as the patrons like you have for the last few years.”
“I’m sure you will, Charles.”
There’s no hesitation for Dad to retort, “Excuse me?”
Tanya covers her mouth to prevent giggles from escaping and cuts me a glance prompting his attention to shift to me.
“Sugar…”
Gently setting my bag down is followed by a loving expression bulldozing its way onto the scene. “Dad, I know you love being Pop Pop. I know you love spending time with the girls – and I swear on their beloved copy of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! that they love every minute of your bonding too – but you are driving Mom as well as yourself batshit crazy.”
His face scrunches into a scowl.
“You need to be doing something, Dad. And you know that. You consciously and subconsciously know that. That’s why you’ve been running through hobbies like tissues during flu season.”
The comparison merely deepens the glower.
“You want a purpose. You want something to get up and do every day, and I think this is it.”
His arms fold firmly across his chest indicating he’s unhappy but listening.
“All your knowledge regarding guns themselves, their histories, gun laws, safeties, policies, ect ect ect, can be put to great use here. You can help people feel more comfortable around the weapon. Be more aware. Instruct newbies who need it or oldies who are looking to get their LTC. Plus, you can work directly with the department to host their new recruit trainings and the community to host seminars or deliver informative speeches when they need someone.”
The smallest hum of contemplation escapes.
Don’t worry. He’s baited. Just gotta finish hooking him.
“I’ve already hired someone to handle the day to day book operations. Paperwork. Accounting. Payroll. All those things. You’re welcomed to learn it, or you can never have to think about it and just enjoy getting to know the clientele that stops in. That choice will be yours. However, Tanya will be sticking around through January to give you a little one on one from old owner – Mrs. Flock – to new owner – Mr. Jenkins – a process that unlike purchasing this place I will have no part in.”
Dad angles his frame towards me, adoration struggling to stay out of his smile. “Is this company going to be in my name or yours?”
“Currently, it’s in mine, but whenever you wanna make the trade to yours, we can!” Flailing my pink sweater covered arms around is thoughtlessly done. “What I really wanted was to put it in yours to begin with, but then someone else was interested, and we got into a bit of a bidding war, and then I started to have second thoughts about what if you hated this to which Archer reassured me that there’s no way that was possible. Nonetheless, it’s technically in mine; however, whenever you’re ready for it to be all yours, let me know. I’ll schedule the day off. Arrange for Archer to pick up the girls and sign it over.”
“Or,” Dad nonchalantly counters, “this could be our business. You could just add my name to it.”
The suggestion receives an intrigued eyebrow lift.
“You could help pitch in pre or post some of our shooting sessions. Add running it to the list of things we do together.”
I swear to God, I am becoming the definition of a renaissance woman. Who would’ve ever suspected I would happily be doing so many things, all at once? Totally, not how I once envisioned my future, but guess what? I’ve learned it’s okay if everything doesn’t go exactly like you suspected it. Often it works out even better. Afterall, look at me and Archer.
“We can give it a shot,” there’s no stopping the giggle that leaks free, “pun so intended.”