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“Oh, that’s too bad. I thought you two made a cute couple.” Her grin suggests she’s concocted an entire romance in her mind, starring Deanna and me. It’s a crazy thing, actually. I was told that’s the nature of reality TV. Viewers often see what they wish to see.
Nevertheless, I express my gratitude and then rush to my gate. Even with the fast track, I barely make it before it closes. Once settled in my nice, spacious seat, a wave of relief envelops me. I’m almost home, and I can’t wait to return to Gina and the Calypso.
* * *
3 Hours Later
I slept through the entire flight to LaGuardia, where I have an hour layover before the final leg to Hartford. That sleep was much needed, but I’m still exhausted. I’ve tried calling Steve several times, but each attempt goes straight to voicemail. Growing tired of trying to reach the people I’m calling while searching for a quick but satisfying meal, I finally call Jeremy, who answers immediately.
“So you haven’t been abducted by a TV show, Jeremy jokes jubilantly. “Damn, I’m happy to hear from you.”
I smile from ear to ear, glad to finally hear a familiar voice. “I couldn’t call you or anyone else during production. The producers took our phones as soon as we arrived, and we had no contact with the outside world except for those, you know, associated with the show.
“Well, the outside world’s been spinning off its axis,” Jeremy remarks.
“Speaking of spinning, why can’t I get in touch with Steve? I need him to pick me up from the airport. Where is he?”
Jeremy’s prolonged silence speaks volumes, causing me to stop in my tracks. My appetite vanishes, and a chill runs down my spine as I brace myself for bad news.
“Just spit it out, Jeremy,” I press him.
“All right. Brace yourself. The bank has taken possession of the Calypso and closed it down.” His words hit me like a ton of bricks.
“The bad news doesn’t end there,” Jeremy continues. “The bank is auctioning the restaurant due to foreclosure. I tried to intervene, but it’s too late. If the family wants to reacquire The Calypso, we’d have to pay a premium.” He pauses. “You know what I think? Let it go. Let’s move on. We kept that place running for Steve longer than we should have.”
Jeremy’s words clash with my instincts. I’m shaking my head because I don’t agree at all. “No,” I say firmly.
“Randy, you’re a star after that show. Everyone’s talking about you. You went there to get back on track, and you’ve succeeded. Go somewhere big. Blaze your trail. Stop trying to save Steve when he won’t save himself.”
I keep shaking my head, internally rejecting every word he’s speaking. But more questions nag at me. “Where’s Gina?” I ask, needing to know.
“I haven’t seen her in a month or two,” he replies, sounding uncertain.
“Sarah, Rita, Pete? The others? What are they doing now that the Calypso’s closed?” I ask, trying to grasp the full extent of the fallout.
Jeremy’s voice is tinged with impatience. “I don’t know,” he admits. Then, as if remembering something important, he asks, “By the way, did you win?”
The question intensifies my frown, adding a sting to my eyes. “I can’t tell you that. But really, you have no idea where Steve is?”
“No, I don’t,” he retorts, obviously frustrated.
“How could you not know?” My voice rises slightly, a mix of disbelief and frustration coloring it.
Jeremy sighs deeply, the sound resonating in my ear. “You know, Randy, you’re not doing him any favors by being codependent with him.”
I jerk my head back, surprised and irritated by his accusation. “Codependent? That’s a new one from you,” I retort sarcastically.
Jeremy snorts facetiously. “I’m sitting in the bank, digging into my savings to bring Steve’s account to zero balance. So I asked Kathy, the lovely lady I had never met until that very day, who was sitting across from me, ‘What do you call it when you keep paying your cousin’s gambling debts, only for him to rack up the same kind of debt again, and again, and again, and again?’ And do you know what she said? ‘It’s called toxic codependency, and if you’re involved in that kind of relationship with anyone, you need therapy.’ But I don’t need a therapist because I’ve always known what I was doing for Steve was pointless, toxic, and harmful. I’ve known it every time. But all my life, it’s been you and Steve. You two were like brothers, which left me feeling like an outsider. I thought if I went along with this crap, maybe you’d both see me as an equal. But I’m done, Randy. I can’t do it anymore.”
I sigh, rubbing my throbbing temple. That was a mouthful. I’ve never heard Jeremy express himself like that before, and it troubles me because… “You’ve never been on the outside,” I reply, my tone less harsh and more reassuring.
“Listen, Randy,” he starts. “If we keep enabling Steve, he’s just going to continue this cycle. Do you know how I found him in Atlantic City? He was begging tourists for five dollars, claiming someone stole his wallet after he lost all his money gambling.” He continues, the bitterness evident. “So I asked him, ‘Steve, why are you begging people for five bucks?’ And he tells me, ‘Because I’m on a hot streak,’ and then he has the nerve to ask me for a hundred dollars.
“You know what I did next? I grabbed him by the collar, shook him, and kept repeating, ‘Steve, you’re out here, begging for money to gamble. You’re begging for money!’ Somehow, I got through to him and convinced him to come home with me. But not long after, he took money out of Calypso and was back out there in no time. So yes, I’m over it, Randy. I love him, but I’m tracking this bank sale because he’s in debt up to his ears. Then I’m releasing him into the wild. Because that’s where he wants to be anyway.”
I take a deep breath, grounding myself before responding to Jeremy. “I understand where you’re coming from,” I say, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “But I can’t step back, Jeremy. Steve’s always been there for me. He’s the reason I got my life back. And I know what it’s like to be under Uncle Todd’s roof. He was tough, not easy to love, but he did what he thought was best. It’s hard to hold it against him.”
I pause, thinking about the future of The Calypso, and then I make my move. “Jeremy, I want to try and save Calypso. I’ve got some money set aside. Can you help me work out a way to win a bid that’s not going to break the bank?”
