Page 15 of Stay With Me

The reality is, she does. I’m not used to having the extra noise in my house and Kimchi scratches on my door after she leaves. Most mornings I’m able to fall back asleep, but it’s definitely been a growing pain.

After dinner, we move to the fire, pie in hand.

By the time we leave, Elise is yawning and I’m grateful tomorrow is her day off. We both need a good night’s sleep.

***

Eyeing my phone, I pick it up and call my mom. I haven’t had a chance to talk to her about retiring. Actually if I’m being honest, I’ve been avoiding it.

“Young Jae? Gwaenchana?” She asks if I’m okay since I rarely call her during the workday.

“Gwaenchana. I just had a moment before a meeting and realized I haven’t checked in for a while. How are you and Appa doing?” I ease in, hoping to butter her up.

“Busy. Things at the inn are steady, which is good. Otherwise, everything is the same. Jamsiman.” She covers the mouthpiece and starts talking rapidly. I’m assuming to Appa based on what little I pick up.

When she comes back on the line, I finally bite the bullet. “Have you and Appa thought about slowing down? I think it would be nice for the two of you to spend time relaxing. Besides, Ari has her business management degree. She’s ready to step up.”

Silence. That’s all that comes over the phone before she starts ranting at me.

“Relax? Why would I need to relax? Ari hasn’t been running this inn for fifteen years. She’s been full-time for two. She’s not ready.” Her voice is sharp, that unbending tone she’s always had.

“Eomma, that’s not fair to Ari. She’s been working at the inn just as long as you in some capacity. She is ready and she doesn’t need ten more years of being sidelined to do a good job. Her ideas are good—”

“Aigoo. My children. No appreciation for the hard work we’ve done. We will retire when it’s time. I don’t want to hear of it again.” She hangs up, leaving me slack-jawed.

Ari was right. Talking to her about retirement is like stepping on a land mine. Kaboom.

I leash Kimchi to walk her before my meeting, checking my phone as it starts buzzing with texts from Ari.

I’m sorry, Oppa. I really thought she might be more receptive.

Chuckling, I type back.

She will come around. We can try again another day, maybe six months down the road.

She sends an exasperated GIF back. Smirking, I finish my walk and head home for an afternoon of meetings.

***

Shutting down my laptop, I lean back in my chair. Kimchi takes it as an invitation to sit on my lap.

“Well, damn.” I scratch her ears, still amazed at how that meeting went.

My office door cracks open, Elise peeking in with a fresh pot of coffee in hand. “Well damn, what?”

“That was the head of municipal development for Thistle Creek. They are restoring the grain elevator and want me to design the inside. They’re going to turn it into a museum, art gallery, and library all in one.” I can barely contain the excitement in my voice. These are the projects I live for.

I hold out my mug, grateful for a top up.

“Incredible.” She holds her hand up for a high-five, which I give her. “I’ve never been to Thistle Creek. If you want company on a scouting mission, I am happy to go with you.”

Leaning back in my chair, I grin. “I do need to head out there. It can wait until next Monday, so let’s go then. We can make a day of it.”

She sets the coffee pot on my desk, scoops Kimchi out of my lap, and dances around with her. “It’s a plan.”

We laugh as the dog wriggles out of Elise’s arms onto the floor, crouching down and wagging her stumpy tail.

Her excited wriggle turns into barking when the doorbell rings.

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