"Hugo, you can't reopen with the shop like this. You can't get new equipment that fast." Eric, of course, was the voice of reason --- and reality. Mocha Daze was trashed. My place. Destroyed by some...some... I shut the doors and put up a sign. "CLOSED FOR RE-CONSTRUCTION. Sorry folks, be back soon."

I kept what was left of the stained glass window in a box at home, hoping to put it together into a bigger, newer window when we re-opened.

*****

"Peter? It's me."

There was a brief silence until he cleared his throat and said, "Hello, Hugo. How are you?" the words seemed forced, not mean, just words to jump start a conversation that he didn't want to be involved with.

"I think you can probably guess the answer to that question, Peter."

"Yes. I'm sorry. I heard about what happened at the shop."

"Can we talk about the lawsuit?"

"I don't think so. Barbra..."

"Frankly, I don't give a damn about Barbra, Peter. I'm talking to you."

"I'm very uncomfortable with this. "

I almost shouted at him, "That was never my choice, Peter. I never excluded you from your father or the life we shared...Your father wanted you in our lives."

More silence.

"It's not like this lawsuit is personal. Barbra is willing to buy you out, if necessary."

I could feel my heart sink down in