"No. I’ll write in the family group."
"All right, I'm curious now."
After hanging up, I immediately typed a message.
Gabe: It's short notice, but do any of you have time today at 5:00 for a walking tour of the city? As a surprise for Diane.
I'd barely blinked and already five had replied with I’m in.
I could just imagine Diane's expression when she saw us. I was grateful that everyone had rallied around me.
I wrote separately in the group I had with my half brothers. We had one where we were all together but rarely wrote in there, mostly because there were so many people that it made it hard to keep track of anything. They also agreed to join us.
This is going to be fantastic.
I put the phone down afterward and got to work.
Only one person was missing—Celia.
We hadn't spoken too much since she showed up at the house. Diane had asked me not to interfere, and I'd kept my word. But I knew Diane would be happy about this, so I went down to the bar in the afternoon. There was only one hour left until the tour started, so there wasn’t much time.
"Celia, I need a word with you," I said.
"All right."
She put down the glass she was polishing as I motioned for her to come to the very end of the counter. The other two guys were gathered near the wine fridge, so they wouldn't hear us.
"Listen, Diane has her first tour today."
She nodded. "Yep. She texted that a family canceled."
"I know, and I prepared a surprise for her because... well... you know her superstition."
Celia's jaw dropped. "Wait, she told you about that?"
"Yes. My family is joining me on the tour, but I think she'd be very happy to see you."
Celia was quiet for a few seconds, just staring at me. It was bizarre.
"All right. If the boss allows me to take time off."
"The boss agrees."
"Then I will. And thank you. This means a lot to my sister. And... I didn't get the chance to apologize to you for acting that way at your house. I spoke to Diane about it but never with you."
I held up a hand. "No need to apologize. Sneaking around you wasn't our best idea."
“I mean, clearly I'd misjudged you. I might have listened a bit too closely to gossip."
I rearranged my cuff links.
Celia cleared her throat. "All right, when are we going, and who's going to cover the shift?"
"I'll call one of the guys we have on standby."
"I still can't believe we actually hire bartenders to be on standby."
"You never know when we’ll have another of those crazy nights again, and it's totally worth it. Now come on, let's go."