Chapter Four: The Career Change

"A sketch artist? You're leavin' all of this behind to be a sketch artist?" Cat said incredulously, gesticulating dramatically to all four walls of my office once I'd given her the news.

"That's the plan," I said coolly, sitting back in my office chair.

"What's your husband think? Y'all are gonna practically be co-workers; he's okay with that?"

"He's fine with it," I chuckled, adding, "He's putting in a good word with his captain."

"Your juvie record ain't affectin' that?"

"Technically, they're expunged so they don't count against me."

"What're you goin' to do while you're there all day?" She continued in disbelief. "You're just goin' to draw people and things, and that's it? I didn't even know you could draw—why am I just findin' this out now!"

I smiled in return. "From what Detective Kerry's said, the position is pretty cut and dry. 9-5, every other weekend off, and I don't have to deal with people, except for the ones who want me to draw other people. In my spare time, I'll be helping the filing clerks sort out the evidence locker room—they're short on those too."

"But this place is your baby."

"Was. Doesn't feel like that anymore."

She pointed to the door in exclamation: "The last time you left you couldn't wait to come back! Now that you're back, you're just goin' to abandon it—"

"—I'm not abandoning anything."

"You're basically leavin' us behind."

"I'm not leaving anyone behind!"

"So why the sudden career change?" Cat scoffed. "What is it? A mid-life crisis or somethin'?"

"I just need a change of pace. And I'll be putting it in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing, someone who's going to take care of you. All of you."

Skeptical as ever and not eroding anytime soon, Cat said standoffishly, "So, who're you puttin' in charge this time for good if you're leavin'? Cuz it ain't goin' to be me—I could manage it for a few months while you were out and all, but there's no way I'm takin' that on permanently. I'm good at dealin' with people, not managin' 'em."

"Well, if I'm being honest, the first person that came to mind—"

"—Was who?"

"Ally."

Cat stared at me: "You're goin' to give this place to Ally?"

"Right next to you, she's the only person I'd trust with this responsibility."

"She's not even worked here for…god, for months."

"She's competent, efficient—"

"She's not even been a manager for a year!"

"Why does it sound like you suddenly have a problem with my judgement?"

Cat's eyes suddenly darted downward for a second as if she were reevaluating her life decisions. When she met mine again, her tone had softened as she said politely, "Don't get me wrong; I love that girl to death, but she's too young to handle a place like this—"

"We've operated the same way for years. She's been my second-in-command since we got the place up and running. The only thing that's really changed is the clientele—"

"—That's the biggest thing that's changed, and you know it."

I clicked my tongue, motioning to her openly as I asked, "What's your problem with this, exactly? Are you mad because Ally's younger and capable of doing more than you could possibly handle, or are you just attacking me personally because you don't like change?"

Cat's frown deepened as she crossed her arms, shaking her head.

I knew my mistake the moment it was made. She looked as though she'd emotionally shut down and if I didn't make amends, I'd be losing a friend.

I sat forward in my chair, uncrossing my arms as I said apologetically, "I didn't mean what I said."

"No." Cat sniffed. "You did. You always mean what you say…even if it doesn't come out in the way you want it to."

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.

After a pause, she said evenly, "Look. The only person who can run this place as well as you isyou. I know you've been through some shit and I'm all about wantin' to start anew."

"Sounds like there's a 'but' coming along, so you might as well just spit it out."

I waited and watched the corner of Cat's lips quirk upwards into the tiniest grin because I knew her only too well.

She admitted, "Workin' at the Grotto without you would be like not workin' here at all. Lots of us feel that way—you're the thing that makes the Grotto what it is and without you, it's just not gonna feel right."

I'd thought about this conversation, this very one with Cat. Lee, Dee, Cat, Brady—all of them had been with me from the very beginning, back when the Grotto was a bar just like Frank's. I'd summoned all the will in me to stay on top of the Grotto for their sake, but somewhere down the line, I'd lost my love for this place.

"I appreciate your loyalty, Cat. I do. But I can't be your boss if I'm not happy being your boss," I explained.

"So, nothin' I say is gonna change your mind?"

"I just wanted all of you to know what my plan was so when someone does take this place off my hands, you all aren't left in the dark. I'm offering it to Ally because she's operated as my assistant, and she knows the ropes. Doing a hand-off would be fairly quick."

"In my opinion, she's too naïve to take care of this place on her own."

"She won't be alone." I reminded. "I'll always be here if she needs anything—if any of you ever need anything, you know where to find me."

Cat snickered, "Yeah, only three places: it'll either be here, the precinct, or boinkin' your hubby."

I shrugged, knowing she was right.

"Hmm. Mmm." She puckered her lips then sucked on the inside of her cheek before she said with a nod, "You don't want to manage anythin' or be anyone's boss, be the top dog?"

"Peace of mind is all I want," I confirmed.

"'Peace of mind.' That's what you really want, huh."

"I'd trade my soul for it."

"It'll just be weird not seein' you around, tellin' us what to do, askin' if we're okay, checkin' on us. I guess it's just not the change I was expectin' or wantin'."

"Your feelings are valid; I know this was unexpected."

"Well, sure. But you know, you deserve peace of mind. That's all I'd ever want for you." As she came around the desk and hugged me tightly, that big rubber band ball of nerves and anxieties suddenly relaxed within me. "I'm just really gonna miss you."

"I'll come by. Trust me." I patted her arm.

"Not sure you're gonna get 'peace of mind' workin' at a precinct with all these people askin' you to draw murderers and such, but to each her own, I s'pose."

I thought of my pendulum device and the red dish soap-gelatin sludge back in the warehouse. To this point, I said ironically, "You'd be amazed what things could grant some people peace of mind."

Cat nodded in agreement. "For all our sakes, I hope Ally does take your offer."

"Me too."

"Last I heard from Cody, she's been kinda spinnin' her wheels at the other restaurant downtown, not gettin' much guidance and such."

I quirked an eyebrow: "What do you mean?"

"Cody says she's been kinda distant, doesn't get much respect from her people, doesn't have the same kind of family-feelin' like we have. Dropped the ball a couple times when she was tryin' to get liquor licenses and a few lawsuits got her frazzled."

I sat back in my chair, kicking my feet up on the desk, saying, "She's young, still learning how to do her job. I'm sure she'll find her routine eventually. There's more than one way to lead."

Cat stepped back, heading out of my office as she said lazily, "I don't know 'bout that. Ally seems like she's just as lost without you as you've been without her."

The door was left open on her way out.

With due consideration, I pulled out my cell phone and gave Ally a ring. She answered.

The offer was placed on the table for her to take over.

Without hesitation, she said, "I'll do it."