Bayside Café Chap 6
Next stop, NY
Coronado – Ellen's parent's home
Ellen is playing Legos with 5 y/o Abby while Michael watches Sports Center. Grandpa and grandma come downstairs to join them. Grandma joins her girls; grandpa sits on the couch with his son-in-law. During a commercial break, dad gets Michael's attention.
"Son, I had a really interesting conversation with Greer today."
He gets Michael's interest; he turns the TV sound way down. "What about?" As he turns to face dad.
"A friend of ours just bought controlling interest in a café. A real fixer-upper."
"Really? And his point was?" Michael senses a hook coming his way.
"Vern Williams bought into the Bayside Cafe, a small diner on Long Island sound; out on the island. The previous owner and the chef, a relative, ran it into the ground. They took their business losses and got out."
"Shameful," Michael comments.
Ellen and her mother have heard, and are now paying attention.
"Vern and his wife Robin, along with two widow friends have bought out the previous guys. Greer immediately thought of you. He said, if anyone could turn a place like that around, it would be Michael. I agreed."
"So?"
"Well, Greer and I are willing to finance a trip back to New York for you and Ellen. To look things over. See what you think."
Silence.
"Mommy, where is New York," Abby has picked up on this also.
"Way on the other side of the country, sweetie."
"Far from gram and gramps?"
"Yes, baby," Ellen replies. Her eyes are misty.
Michael turns to his girls. He looks Ellen straight in the eyes. "Should we at least take a look, babe?"
His wife drops her head. When she raises it, she has obviously started crying. Michael drops off the couch and scoots over to her. Abby slides onto his lap.
"I would like to at least take a look, sweetheart. But not if you are against it." He pulls Abby into a tight hug.
"Daddy, that sounds like a long way away." Abby sniffles.
Ellen looks up at him. "Ok, let's take a look."
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JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
5 DAYS LATER
"Daddy, there are too many people here!" Abby is awed, confused and a little bit frightened,
They get the shuttle to the National car rental counter. A helpful lady assists them in choosing a Chevy Tahoe. They never would have chosen this model if they were spending their own money. Ellen's dad had recommended a Tahoe, so be it. They climbed in, dad set the GPS and they were off. Siri immediately started talking to dad. It's a very good thing that she did! Traffic was insane!
Michael was busy concentrating on the road, the road signs and not missing any of Siri's directions. Missing s turn could end up as a minor disaster.
Ellen and Abby were absorbed in the sights that went by the Tahoe's tinted windows. The crush of vehicles, the horde of taxi cabs, the crowds amazed them.
As they got out of the packed western end of Long Island, they were surprised that a significantly rural area existed as close to the mass of humanity as it did. They found the town of Middle Island, and were directed north toward Long Island sound. Just before the water they turned left; they drove for 2 miles and there it was.
BAYSIDE CAFÉ
Fixer-upper? Oh, yeah.
Intriguing? Definitely!
Comfortable area, away from the crowds? Yes!
Ellen? Can be convinced.
Abby? Meh.
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3" after they parked in front of the café; Vern, Robin and the realtor drive up. Everyone gets out, introductions are made. Vern is an effervescent personality; Robin holds her own at his side. The realtor reminds Michael of a rattlesnake. He concentrates on dealing with Vern & Robin. Ellen sticks close to her husband's side. Abby never let's go of mommy's hand.
They tour the facility. It takes all of Michael's imagination, but he can see definite possibilities. He comes to like what he sees. Ellen catches some of his fervor. She can see a nice future here too. The more rural, relaxed environment helps. If this had been Manhattan, Brooklyn or some other boroughs – she would have cut and run. FAST! She thinks that she can get used to this.
Before they leave, Robin tells Ellen of a shortage of ICU staff at St. Vic's hospital in Manhattan. She offers to take Ellen there for a look/see tomorrow. Michael agrees; he will spend more time talking with Vern about the café. Abby will go with mom.
ST. VICTOR'S HOSPITAL
It turns out that Ellen's current boss is a friend and former colleague of the head nurse of this ICU. After giving Ellen a quick and dirty introductory tour – the head nurse excuses herself. She calls her friend in California and receives a glowing report. Her attitude shifts immediately. From there on, it is all downhill. Ellen is all in, if Michael remains so. He is!
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BAYSIDE CAFÉ
Michael, Ellen and Abby are moving cross country!
Was this what Michael's father had on his mind at Abby's 4th birthday party? Was he pleased to get his son's success out of sight? Would any father really do that? Unfortunately, some would. We do not know if that is the case here. And the elder Dixon isn't talking. And never will. Because-
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5 DAYS PRIOR TO MOVING EAST – 03:30
The phone rings in Michael & Ellen's downstairs living space. "Hello," a very sleepy Ellen answers.
"Is Michael Dixon there, please?"
"Yes, just a moment." She shakes her husband gently. "Michael, honey. Phone."
He rolls over and takes the receiver. "Hello, this is Michael."
"This is doctor Westwood at Coronado general hospital emergency department. Your father has been in a bad auto accident. Can you come to the hospital, please. And bring your mother."
"Ah . . . yes. I'll be there as quickly as I can."
"Thank you."
As he is dressing, Ellen's father comes down. "What was that call, son?"
"Coronado general. My dad, bad car accident. They want me to bring my mom." He has a very bad feeling about this.
"Why don't you go to the hospital. I will pick up your mother and bring her down."
"That's wonderful, thanks." He finishes dressing, kisses Ellen and says he will call with info when he can.
"Daddy, where you going?" Abby's sleepy voice asks.
"To the hospital, grandpa D had an accident." He kisses both girls, again and is off.
It turns out that Michael and his mother were called only to identify the body. His father had just left the bar, drunk but not incapacitated. The other driver was apparently in worse shape. His dad was t-boned on the driver's side. Dead at the scene. Michael had done the ID by the time his mother came. She was distraught.
After talking with Ellen and her dad, Michael decided to take his mother home and stay the night with her. They would sort things out later that day.
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A day later they had a family conference. After much discussion, the elder Dixon's offered to let Michael's mother live with them. In the downstairs space that Ellen and Michael would be vacating soon. His mom was flabbergasted. Michael was in tears at the graciousness of his in-laws. The value of family like this is inestimable. Indeed.
In addition, Mr. Knight promised to help the widow dispose of the house, and square away the estate.
For their part, Michael and Ellen promised to have Abby and at least 1 parent make a California trip once a year.
They severely consolidated their belongings, storing what was not immediately needed in her folks garage (No room for cars now) and only 2 days later than planned, took off for New York.
What a whirlwind last 2 weeks.
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MIDDLE ISLAND, NEW YORK
Michael, Ellen and Abigail Dixon found a comfortable 3-bed apartment in Middle Island. It was 3 blocks from an elementary school for Abby; 5 miles from the Bayside Café for Michael; and on an LIRR stop for Ellen. The 1st day they informed the café's owners that Michael had arrived; informed St Vic's that Ellen had arrived; stopped by the school to pre-register Abby for kindergarten.
After spending 3 days settling in, 1) Michael started the process of getting Bayside Café ready for a grand re-opening; 2) Ellen started work in the ICU at St Vic's; 3) Abby started kindergarten. Abby was one of the school's turn-key late-to-home kids. When needed, she world go to work with daddy. Always being very good at entertaining herself with the contents of her backpack.
Life on Long Island had begun.
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TBC