<b>“</b>I’ll have someone get in touch with you.”
They all thought the day’s troubles were behind them, but after dinner, Brendan and Karen called the two kids over with unusually serious expressions.
“Dad, Mom, is this about what happened earlier?” Zachary asked.
“We’ve been thinking it over,” Brendan began, “and we’ve decided to set up our food stall near the elementary school, on Main Street by the residential buildings. Most of the neighborhood kids go to school there, it’s close to home, and we know plenty of people in the area. It makes a lot more sense than that food street by the high school–much more convenient.”
“But aren’t there city inspectors keeping people from setting up stalls there?” Zachary’s voice was anxious. “Last time we tried, they almost towed the van, and the only spot we found required a thousand–dor security deposit.”
“If you’re just worried about what happened today, let me talk to Mr. Ignatius,” Zachary insisted. “It wasn’t even our fault–why should we be the ones to move? We didn’t do anything wrong, so why should we get pushed around?”
“That’s settled,” Brendan said, his tone brooking no argument. “We’ll handle it. You running over here after school to help isn’t practical. This is an important year for you; don’t get distracted by these things. Focus on your studies.” Zachary had more to say, but the words stuck in his throat. He pressed his lips together, silent.
The atmosphere grew tense. Alessia nced at the three of them, then tapped her fingers on the table.
“Moving to the elementary school area isn’t a bad idea.”
Zachary stared at her in surprise. “Lessie?”
Brendan, however, knew Alessia wouldn’t bring it up without a reason. When it came to business, she was by far the most gifted of his children.
“What’s your idea, Lessie?”
“That street near the elementary school really is closer to home,” Alessia said. “There’s a market and an office building nearby. If we open a breakfast ce there, it could work out really well. We’d have a steady stream of customers–office workers, families, kids. Whether they’re on their way to school, work, or shopping, it’s the perfect spot to grab breakfast.”
<b>14:42 </b>
“But there are already a couple breakfast ces over there,” Karen pointed <b>out</b><b>, </b>“<b>and </b>we’d still have to avoid the city inspectors. There’s barely any space for a stall…”
“Who said anything about a stall?” Alessia looked at them, puzzled.
The others stared back, equally confused.
“If we don’t avoid the inspectors, what are we supposed to do–just stand there and wait to get a ticket?” Karen asked, voicing what everyone was thinking.
Brendan gave Karen an affectionate pat on the head, his stern face softening a little. Alessia realized she’d left out something important.
“I’m not talking about a street stall,” Alessia rified. “Back when they were renovating that area, I happened to buy a few retail spaces. Just a few days ago, the tenants moved out to go overseas, so one of the shops is vacant right now. We’re in luck–it’s actually in the best location on the whole street, right at the intersection of three main paths. No matter which way people are going, they’ll pass by. We can fix it up however you want and start using it almost immediately.”
As she spoke, Alessia pulled up the property details on her iPad, sliding it onto the table for them to see.
“Wait… what?” Zachary’s eyes went wide. “You just ‘happened‘ to buy a few shops?” He’d always thought of himself as calm and unppable, but ever since Alessia returned, his nerves had been in a constant state of shock.
Brendan managed to keep hisposure–just barely. Alessia had surprised him so many times in the few days since/she’de home. He picked up the tablet, scanning through the floor ns and current photos, and after a long moment handed it back to her.
“Lessie,” he asked quietly, “where did you get the money to buy these shops?”