He's too protective of his employees. “How's the family?”
“Parents are doing well, Jacob married, and the sister has a sweet little baby girl.” I unlock my phone to show him the latest pictures of Gracie.
“That's Mason Bradley's baby, right?” I nod. “He showed a few pics of her the other day when he came to check on the security system. Cute baby. Your family is growing, and now you’re opening that nightclub. A shitty move; you're going to affect businesses like mine.”
Jacob came up with the idea of opening a place big enough to use it as a venue for concerts. When it isn't, the building will house three different themed clubs, plus we’ll host an open mic session every week. A way for him to find our rising stars and for our own band to have a home to play when we feel like it.
“It's far away from here. A different concept, and your regular crowd is another kind of animal,” I say looking around the minimalist break room.
“Maybe, but times change, Decker.” He walks toward the same back door where T disappeared earlier and holds the handle. “This bar needs a facelift. Maybe you guys are pushing me to retire sooner than I thought. We’ll see.” He shrugs and opens the door. “Time for you to leave, kid.”
“Don't even think about selling, Reed, but if you retire, I'll buy this shithole from you.” I hug him before heading to my truck.
The cold air hits me as I walk out of the Silver Moon. At this time of the night I do miss Cali. Summer nights are warm, unlike Seattle where you’re lucky if it’s not raining. Well, I guess this week I’ll be skipping the sun and enjoying the gloom-and-doom weather of the Northwest Coast. I take another glance at the Silver Moon and realize that Reed is right. The building needs some TLC. New signage is in order, and maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep the place within the Decker family. But I know nothing about owning a bar. The idea sparks just as I’m about to climb into my car. Tristan.
“Decker?” He answers on the first ring. “A little late for calls. I thought we agreed, no more benefits. Unless you’re drunk and want me to pick you up.”
“That’s all you, my friend. Are you . . . drunk?” I laugh to lighten the question, but worry because he does like to consume crazy amounts of alcohol.
“No, I’m not, Matt.” His loud exhale is a hint that I’m annoying him. “Let’s cut to the chase. How can I help you? I have shit to do tomorrow morning.”
“Dude, I'm calling because I might have a business proposition for you.”
In the past, Tristan has acquired and refurbished bars and nightclubs. We can do this together. He’s a sure bet as all of his places are successful. I'd like for the Silver Moon to rise like a phoenix instead of going down after Reed retires. The place is an institution and helped Chris, one of my fathers, start his new stage into the music business after his band broke up.
“Are you in California?” he questions. There's no background noise and I'm guessing he's at home. “We can meet for a late dinner, or an early breakfast if you want.”
“No. I'm staying in Seattle this week. Long, boring shit I won't get into.” I start my truck, pull out of my parking space and decide to crash at my sister’s place. The apartment isn’t the same without Tristan there. “There's a bar that is run down but in a good location. The owner is a family friend and he might sell the joint. We can buy it, be partners.”
“I see,” he says, sounding bored. That man needs a chill pill. After several breaths he finally speaks. “No. I don't like partnerships, Matt.”
“You're a pain in the ass.” He has trust issues. When my brother tried to bring him on board of our venue it took a lot to convince him to be a part of it. Including a bunch of fucking clauses and only wanting to be Jacob’s partner. He pushed AJ and me out of the negotiations. “You have to check out the joint. It’s an institution.
“Parents are doing well, Jacob married, and the sister has a sweet little baby girl.” I unlock my phone to show him the latest pictures of Gracie.
“That's Mason Bradley's baby, right?” I nod. “He showed a few pics of her the other day when he came to check on the security system. Cute baby. Your family is growing, and now you’re opening that nightclub. A shitty move; you're going to affect businesses like mine.”
Jacob came up with the idea of opening a place big enough to use it as a venue for concerts. When it isn't, the building will house three different themed clubs, plus we’ll host an open mic session every week. A way for him to find our rising stars and for our own band to have a home to play when we feel like it.
“It's far away from here. A different concept, and your regular crowd is another kind of animal,” I say looking around the minimalist break room.
“Maybe, but times change, Decker.” He walks toward the same back door where T disappeared earlier and holds the handle. “This bar needs a facelift. Maybe you guys are pushing me to retire sooner than I thought. We’ll see.” He shrugs and opens the door. “Time for you to leave, kid.”
“Don't even think about selling, Reed, but if you retire, I'll buy this shithole from you.” I hug him before heading to my truck.
The cold air hits me as I walk out of the Silver Moon. At this time of the night I do miss Cali. Summer nights are warm, unlike Seattle where you’re lucky if it’s not raining. Well, I guess this week I’ll be skipping the sun and enjoying the gloom-and-doom weather of the Northwest Coast. I take another glance at the Silver Moon and realize that Reed is right. The building needs some TLC. New signage is in order, and maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep the place within the Decker family. But I know nothing about owning a bar. The idea sparks just as I’m about to climb into my car. Tristan.
“Decker?” He answers on the first ring. “A little late for calls. I thought we agreed, no more benefits. Unless you’re drunk and want me to pick you up.”
“That’s all you, my friend. Are you . . . drunk?” I laugh to lighten the question, but worry because he does like to consume crazy amounts of alcohol.
“No, I’m not, Matt.” His loud exhale is a hint that I’m annoying him. “Let’s cut to the chase. How can I help you? I have shit to do tomorrow morning.”
“Dude, I'm calling because I might have a business proposition for you.”
In the past, Tristan has acquired and refurbished bars and nightclubs. We can do this together. He’s a sure bet as all of his places are successful. I'd like for the Silver Moon to rise like a phoenix instead of going down after Reed retires. The place is an institution and helped Chris, one of my fathers, start his new stage into the music business after his band broke up.
“Are you in California?” he questions. There's no background noise and I'm guessing he's at home. “We can meet for a late dinner, or an early breakfast if you want.”
“No. I'm staying in Seattle this week. Long, boring shit I won't get into.” I start my truck, pull out of my parking space and decide to crash at my sister’s place. The apartment isn’t the same without Tristan there. “There's a bar that is run down but in a good location. The owner is a family friend and he might sell the joint. We can buy it, be partners.”
“I see,” he says, sounding bored. That man needs a chill pill. After several breaths he finally speaks. “No. I don't like partnerships, Matt.”
“You're a pain in the ass.” He has trust issues. When my brother tried to bring him on board of our venue it took a lot to convince him to be a part of it. Including a bunch of fucking clauses and only wanting to be Jacob’s partner. He pushed AJ and me out of the negotiations. “You have to check out the joint. It’s an institution.
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