Gino walks through the dining room, smoothing tablecloths, straightening chairs, lining up silverware.
He picks up a wineglass and holds it to the light.
Spotless.
In fact, the entire place is spotless, the staff having stayed late to make sure their restaurant will be at its best for this, its last day.
Gino walks to the maître d’ booth and inspects the book.
A solid Wednesday, reservations from 11 right to close.
So many familiar names, regulars coming to pay their last respects.
He turns to the next pages. All of them are blank.
The new owners will have their own book.
Dear Josh,
A poignant story served with bittersweet wine. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Loved the metaphor of the blank pages
This could have happened here. The co-owner committed suicide six months before. The present owner hung on (though he lost all the Portuguese patrons who went there for Nelson) and made it work… well, till now. We shall see what happens next…
Gino will have some great stories to tell.
Well. At least it’s not going out of business, just changing hands. Life does go on.
Scenarios like this are going to be playing out everywhere like this real soon. It’s a gut-churning thought even from a distance. Good story with a very unfortunate premise.
Ah, that’s bad luck.
That’s quite a microcosm of life in general Ob La Di Ob La Da life goes on bra….
This was wonderfully done. I was there, looking at that spotless glass. Fab.
Nicely done. I hope Gino is leaving to a good retirement after many years of business…
I hope Gino is heading for a long and happy retirement.
Lovely point of view. I was right there with him. Wistful piece.
You made us all wish Gino well. Love the name. Seems homey.
A very poignant story.
Selling up and leaving is hard to do. All that gard work now just a memory. Very well told.
It sounds as though the final day is to be celebrated in a fine way. Nicely done.
A touch of nostalgia and a little sadness he has when he thinks of what he is going to miss. Touching story!