Page 45 of Winner Takes All

“Where are we supposed to get the room for more spaces?” I ask.

She laughs. “We can put them on the roof.” I shake my head. I’m glad she’s dealing with this because it isn’t my strong suit. If there’s a battle I can fight it, but I don’t know the right words to put on paper to get done what needs to be done.

We spend the next week going back and forth with various agencies. Each new letter that comes in makes me want to pound my head against the wall. Nikki keeps calm and handles most of it. It’s a good thing, too, because I’d probably start throwing punches, and then we’d never get to open our dream place.

One afternoon we’re in the county office waiting to speak to the clerk and tapping our feet impatiently. I hate this building. It smells like rotten feet, stale coffee, and sweat. The fluorescentlights make everything look far too depressing as well. I’m close to snapping.

Chief Mitchel walks in, shocking me. He’s a long way from home. He notices us and moves over. “You two look like you’re ready to start a brawl,” he says with a chuckle. “What’s happening?”

“We’re having zoning nightmares,” Nikki grumbles. “Each time we start to think we’re making progress, something else happens. We can’t catch a dang break.”

Mitchel laughs. “I’ve dealt with these guys before. Bureaucracy at its finest. If you need some help, let me know. I’ve got a buddy who owes me a few favors as I did save his ass... twice.”

Nikki’s eyes light up. “Really? You think you can put in a good word for us and make this move a little faster?” She’s pleading with him.

“Consider it done,” Mitchel says with a wink before he moves away.

Nikki looks at me and we both grin. “There we go,” I tell her. “We’re making progress. We have the chief in our corner.”

“Maybe that’s how this all works. It’s not about what you know, butwhoyou know,” she says. She doesn’t seem pleased by this, but if that’s how the system works, she’ll utilize it. So will I without any regret. “I’m going to start talking to everyone we know and see who has connections.”

“I will as well,” I tell her.

We leave the courthouse to make new plans. We’re in much better moods as we leave than when we walked in. This is one more advantage of living in a great community. Our neighbors all have our backs, just as we have theirs.

The next few weeks are a blur of meetings, phone calls, and late nights. Nikki and I are practically living on coffee, takeout food... which is shameful for two cooks... and a tablefull of paperwork. I’m going to need glasses by the time this is over because my eyes are crossing and growing blurrier by the second.

One night as we’re sitting on the floor surrounded by documents with an empty bottle of wine, and another open beside us, Nikki rubs her temples. We’re both exhausted. I lean over and rub her back, so appreciative of her. I couldn’t do this without her. I most likely would’ve thrown up my hands by now.

“I swear if one more person tells us we need another permit, I’m going to lose it,” she says.

Somehow I manage to not let out a chuckle. I keep rubbing her back. “We’ll make it through this because we have each other. I’m sure glad you decided to partner with me, though, because I wouldn’t have made it through this process without you. I’d surely have knocked someone out by now.”

Her expression softens. “I know what you mean. If I was alone on this, I might give up too, but knowing we’re a team keeps me going. I never comprehended how hard this would be. It will all be worth it in the end.”

“Someday we’ll look back on this and laugh,” I suggest.

“I don’t think so. We might look back on this and forget all about it because we’re serious alcoholics because of it,” she says as she lifts her wine glass.

I decide we’re done with work for now. I push the papers aside and pull her into my lap. She wraps her arms around me and we have no more thoughts of permits for the rest of the night.

A few days later as we sit at the Mermaid Café, Amelia brings out our usual. She gives us a concerned look. “You two look like you could use something stronger than coffee,” she jokes.

“If you have a secret stash of whiskey in the back you can add a splash to our coffee,” I say, only half-joking.

“I’ll see what I can do,” she says with a wink. She then leans in as if she’s sharing a secret. “You do realize Mrs. Hadworth at the mayor’s office is sweet on you, Victor. I’m sure you could charm her into helping you out.” She winks. Nikki laughs as she claps her hands.

“That’s brilliant, Amelia,” Nikki says.

“Are you trying to pimp me out?” I ask them both with horror.

“I’ll pimp this entire town out if it gets us what we need to begin construction,” she says with no remorse.

I shake my head. “It wouldn’t bother you to have me flirting with another woman?” I don’t know how I feel about this.

“You’re mine,” Nikki says with surety. “I’m not even a little worried. You go ahead and flirt away.” She pauses and looks at me with doubt. “Though, I don’t know if it will do any good. I’m not sure if even your charm can break through all of this damn red tape.”

This makes my back straighten. “Challenge accepted,” I say. She beams at me. I think she tricked me into flirting for a stamp of approval. I’m not sure how much lower we’re going to have to sink at this point.

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