DREADED OUTCOME OR NOT, IT STILL HURT LIKE HELL

"And now," Althea said, turning to the quiet man in the corner, "Can you tell how Adam became the owner of the Sky Cafe?"

Mrs. Walter smiled. "It's a simple story, but I'll let Adam tell it."

Althea turned to look at him. “Care to explain?” she asked

“I will.” Adam said softly.

Althea sat up straighter, waiting for Adam's response. Her food had long gone cold, but she was too entranced to notice.

Adam cleared his throat. "Well," he began, "On your eighth birthday, you wished the Sky Cafe would never close down. I thought it was a silly wish at the time, but I made a promise to myself. I vowed to buy the cafe, no matter the cost, and gift it to you as a surprise. I tried once, but Walter wouldn't sell it. When I left home, I made my fortune and tried to buy the cafe. Mrs. Walter agreed to sell it, and I've owned it ever since."

"It's been sitting dormant for a long time," Adam continued, "but after returning to the country, I decided to reopen it. For you, Althea. Because the Sky Cafe