shook her head as she spoke as if to force everything to make sense. âWe share ownership, so we discussed hiring someone to run it. But he called to tell me heâs ready for a change and wants to take over.â
âFuck that shit. Thatâs your business, Carmen. You should fight the will. What was your dad thinking?â
âHe was thinking that Iâm not a chef, and I donât want to be. Liam offered to sign over his half to me, but that wouldnât be right. My dad wanted him to have it. I already have everything else and itâs too much.â She set her phone on the table and leaned back into the couch, unable to get comfortable.
Rosa still looked angry on her behalf. âWhatâs his story? He just shows up out of nowhere and takes half your business?â
âHe moved on after working at the restaurant. He finished school and became a chef. Dad kept in touch with him. Liam was like a son to him.â
âHe didnât need a son. He had you.â
âBut I never wanted to cook with him. I did everything I could to get out of the kitchen. Liam loved being there, even if all he did was wash dishes.â She didnât really know how she knew that because sheâd never had a conversation with Liam about it. Maybe she was just making an assumption, but she didnât think so. It wasnât like he came into work skipping with excitement. It was more that he intently watched everything so he could learn. People didnât do that unless they were invested.
âStill think itâs crazy. Whatâs Wonder Bread know about making tacos?â
Carmen felt the need to defend Liam and her fatherâs choice. âHe went to culinary school. Heâs a chef. He learned from my dad. Iâm sure heâs capable.â
Rosa sighed. âI worry about you. Youâre always putting everyone else first. I donât want him to take advantage.â
Carmen felt the laugh bubbling up. âTrust me. Heâs not.â
âOkay.â She rolled her eyes. âIâm bored with this conversation. Letâs do something.â
âLike what? I have work to do around here.â
Rosa stood. âIâll help. Letâs go.â
Carmen joined her cousin and explained that she needed to get rid of her parentsâ bed and decide what to do with the rest of the furniture. As usual, Rosa only half-listened because she was already turning the radio on, blaring music for them to dance to while they worked.
As stressed as sheâd been, dancing through the house with Rosa felt right. They worked and laughed and at the end of the night, Carmen began to feel like she would be able to find her way back to being herself. She needed to discover who she was after the grief lifted and she only had herself to care for.
Liam walked into Porterâs earlier than usual so he would have time to talk with Jonathan before the rest of the staff showed. He quickly changed and then knocked on Jonathanâs office door.
âCome in.â
Liam entered the cramped office, suddenly nervous. Heâd been so sure of this move earlier, but now, his stomach sank. âHi, Jonathan. I need to talk to you.â He reached out and handed him the paper.
âWhatâs this?â
âMy resignation. I have the opportunity to do something a little different. I inherited a food truck.â
Jonathan laughed as he read the letter. Then he looked up. âYouâre serious?â
âYes.â When had Liam ever joked with Jonathan?
âYouâre leaving here, leaving being a chef, for a food truck?â
âIâm still a chef. Just a different location.â
âYouâre going to run a roach coach. Thatâs not being a chef. Youâll have no real opportunity.â
Liam took a deep breath. âWith all respect, I donât feel I have much opportunity here either.â
Jonathan stood, dropping the resignation on the