I HEAD OFF TO MY new business, my dream. I’m so excited to finally be doing this and so are all my friends and family, who have always proudly flaunted everything I’ve ever created for them and have been forever asking me when I was going to open my own store. Many of my clients who I’ve done architectural work for are also excited to see me branch out on my own and all the enthusiasm and support I’ve received have given me the impetus to take this step.
I rented storefront space on Main Street in El Segundo, a sleepy little beach town at the mouth of LAX. It looks like the town of Mayberry from The Andy Griffith Show and the people are just as welcoming. Main Street is flanked with boutiques, small restaurants, and mom-and-pop shops.
The space I’m renting isn’t terribly big, but I know I can make it work. The previous tenants ran an artisanal olive oil shop and designed the interior to be very European and very elegant with textured walls and hardwood flooring throughout. They sank a lot of money into it and when the fad began to die, so did their business. Their loss became my gain.
I have the whole thing laid out in my head. The front of the store is going to be retail while the back will contain offices, a conference room, and a small workshop/storage area, with a dining area in the corner. My mom is an interior decorator and will be using one of the back offices when she needs to meet with clients; I’m excited to be able to work with her.
I’m also going to be spending more time with my dad and we’re already planning what we’re going to make. The furniture I want to showcase will have a European flair to match the interior of the store. Each grouping of furniture will be contained in its own vignette and will be designed to have the feel of being in an outdoor space. I’ll also have my portfolio on hand to take custom orders.
I’m naming the store Allie’s Retreat. Once I get the signed paperwork back to Eric, my realtor, I’m planning on hanging the sign out front and surprising Alyssa with it. She doesn’t know I’m using her nickname but I know she’s going to love it. I can’t wait to show her and see her reaction.
Alyssa is my rock and I depend on her for everything. She was a business major at UCLA, with a specialty in marketing, and graduated at the top of her class. She’s wicked smart, and really very good at what she does. She had just started working at a very successful company which she loved but decided to stay at home and be a full-time mom after Alex was born, a decision I wholeheartedly support. I love that she’s been home with him. Alex is the person he is today because of the loving dedication of his amazing mother. He has a brilliant future ahead of him that I can’t wait to see and I'm so excited to be part of all the great things he’s going to experience.
I don’t usually meet clients so late in the day, but Jonathan had to be out of the area all day and pushed back our appointment. It actually works in my favor, because I’ve got some new ideas and decided to come in and fine-tune the blueprints before our meeting.
It’s a beautiful, sunny fall afternoon so I took the coast, instead of Sepulveda Boulevard, the local thoroughfare that takes you from one beach city to the next. For some reason, I was more stressed out about Alyssa driving today and I haven’t been able to shake it. She’s always very careful and safe but my gut has been in knots since I kissed her goodbye. I usually follow my intuition and my heavy gut is yelling at me for not stopping her or, better yet, going with her.
Still shoving my trepidation aside, I smile when I enter my new space. The only things in the shop right now are my drafting table, a chair, a small couch, and a mini fridge. I just finished adding the final touches to the Endicott project and turn on my phone. I don’t like the distraction when I’m working, so it’s typical for me to have it off. Everybody knows this and have accepted my quirk. Not two minutes later, my phone rings.
“I bet that’s Alyssa!” I say out loud as a smile lights up my face, imagining her giggle while she tells me the news that Alex received his yellow belt and how excited he is.
Still smiling when I see it’s my mom’s face lighting up my phone, I swipe my finger across the screen, accepting her call.
My mom is an amazing person, beautiful both inside and out, and I love her dearly. My dad is the yin to her yang. Where she’s petite, his towering presence commands attention; where she’s light, he is dark. Yet they complement each other perfectly, bringing out the best in one another. Like Alyssa and me, they’re stronger together than they are alone.
“Hi, Mom, I’m at the new shop,” I say with excitement in my voice. “Alex is in karate and my appointment with the Endicotts was pushed back so I came in to add some extra details before our meeting. What’s up?”
I always spit everything out in one fell swoop when it comes to her because I know that once my mom gets started, it could be a good five minutes before I get a word in edge-wise.
But that’s not the case today, not even close.
“Ean…”
She’s sobbing so hysterically I can barely understand her, except I do make out five words that will forever change my life.
“…Alyssa and Alex are dead.”
My gut was right; I stop breathing and collapse.
My.
World.
Goes.
Black.
Literally.