Merging Paths by Vince Bailey

Author:Vince Bailey [Bailey, Vince]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-952961-11-3
Publisher: IngramElliott, Inc.
Published: 2022-09-01T00:00:00+00:00

As promised, Jay Pee had appeared at the café early in the afternoon to assist Isabel and Maria with the preparation of the food for the next day’s wake. Isabel knew that he had merely given himself an opportunity to discuss the potential ways to dispense of Freddy’s considerable estate, but, true to his word, he did plow into the kneading and rolling and shredding chores with surprising enthusiasm.

“You should have been a cook instead of a doctor,” Isabel commented. “The hours are better and complaints are fewer.”

“I do enjoy cooking for myself, when I get the time,” Jay Pee grinned. “I was a chef at the Waldorf in a former life, you know.”

“Pues, you didn’t learn anything about making empañadas at the Waldorf, but pay close attention, and I’ll have you cooking like a cocinero in no time at all. Just listen to the maestra!”

As the small talk developed into a more serious discussion, Jay Pee mentioned that he had serious doubts that the ancient Señor Mendoza would contest Isabel’s legitimate spousal claim to Freddy’s holdings, and that they should proceed under that assumption. He then informed her of several pending lawsuits that Freddy had incurred and suggested that they be settled amicably first and foremost. Those liabilities aside, Jay Pee inquired as to what Isabel’s thoughts were on the distribution. She suggested that all property holdings excepting the cantina be liquidated for debts to be satisfied, the remaining sum going to charity, save a small consideration for Jay Pee’s efforts as executor. She then surprised and delighted the doctor by insisting that the cantina be given over lock, stock, and barrel to Manny, Freddy’s loyal, longtime, and long-suffering manservant.

“What a generous and thoughtful gesture!” Jay Pee exclaimed.

“I don’t know about the generous part,” Isabel responded modestly. “We both agreed that none of it should come to me anyway. But Manny deserves it, and, besides, if I fix his menu for him, and Ray continues to perform in the barroom, he might actually be able to support himself with that money-sucking dive.”

“Yes, I must admit that Freddy’s skills as a restaurateur had degenerated over the past few years. But, speaking of Ray, how is he doing these days?”

“I’m so glad you asked. He had almost completely recovered his vision until yesterday, when it took a turn for the worse again. The backsliding has taken a serious toll on his attitude,” Isabel confided.

“I’m not a specialist, as you know, but I’ve read about similar cases—instances of people who have stared at the sun, viewing solar eclipses and such—and virtually none have lost their sight permanently. Tell Ray that regression is common with progress, and it’s usually two steps forward, one step back, and so on. I’ll be happy to examine him myself on Thursday. Just call my service later; I’ll tell them to work you in.”

“Thank you—that’s very kind of you.”

“Nonsense, it’s my pleasure. Gives me an excuse to see you again—I assume you’ll be driving him to the office?”

Isabel felt her heart flutter, and was stricken with a momentary loss for words.

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