Page 81 of Meet Me on Love Street
“I technicallycancancel the contract,” Dad says, “but I won’t. This is what your mother wants.”
Mom nods at that statement. And I know that she’s right—selling the building is what shehasto do right now. Even if I hate it.
“But because we haven’t signed the final paperwork,” Dad continues, “it’s not too late to negotiate some extra clauses in the contract.”
“Clauses like what?” I ask.
Dad looks at Mom, and Mom nods. So he explains. “The developers need to buy at least three more addresses near your mother’s before they can build anything. They are currently in negotiations and are confident theywillacquire them, but it will be a while before anything is demolished. A year, minimum. But empty storefronts aren’t good for the street. I can include in the final contract that they can buy the land, but they must lease the building to me at a fair price until construction starts. For a year or longer. I can easily sublease the storefront for a year. And I’d keep the apartment for myself.”
My eyes widen. “You want to move to Love Street?” I try to imagine Dad and Noureen in my tiny apartment.
Mom laughs. “Sana, he wants to rent it foryouto live in.”
I blink. I could stay on Love Street? With Cosmic and LoveBug and Second Story Books and Mrs. Kotch?
Dad nods. “I understand why you don’t want to move in with me and Noureen. Your mother will probably be moving up north. Your mother and I discussed it, and we’d be willing to cover your share of the rent while you’re in school, if you want to stay there.”
This is… actually perfect. I can stay on Love Street. Maybe not forever, but at least for now. I look at Dad. I honestly can’t believe this washisidea. Yesterday I was so sure that there was no way I could ever forgive him, but him doing this shows me that heiscapable of making me a priority. Maybe it’s fueled by guilt, or maybe me yelling at him really did show him that he hasn’t been fair to me. But he put me first. Finally.
I’m so delighted with the idea, I clap my hands. “That’s so perfect. Yes, I want to stay on Love Street. I can get a roommate… another OCAD student, or maybe Cara—”
“Wait, Sana,” Dad says. “The other bedroom—your mother’s room—how would you feel if Sarina rented that room?”
Did I hear him right? “Sarina?”
Dad nods. “Her commute to U of T has been hard on her. She’s wanted to move out for a while now. Noureen won’t like it, but I suspect she’d be happier if Sarina was living with family instead of with strangers. I know you and Sarina have been spending a lot of time together lately and have become so much closer, which is wonderful. Butthis is completely your choice. I won’t even ask her if you don’t want it.”
I stifle a laugh.No, Sarina and I haven’t been spending time together. We’ve seen each other literallytwicewithout Dad and Noureen in the last couple of months—that day at High Park and then yesterday at that café. I wonder if Sarina has been telling her mother that she was with me when she went out with Cara. The thought makes me smile. First step to sisterhood is covering for each other.
“Yeah,” I say. “But does Sarinawantto live on Love Street?”
“As I said, I haven’t asked her yet. I wanted to ask you first.”
I like this new communicative family I have. On one hand, living with my stepsister would be weird. We barely know each other. But after yesterday I know Sarina is someone Iwantto know better. I think living with her would be the perfect way to do that. Not to mention, she’s dating one of my closest friends. “If Sarina is cool with it, I’m fine with it. Actually, it would be great.”
Both my parents smile widely. I can’t even believe it… This is such an amazing solution. I still don’t love that Love Street will change, but at least for now I won’t have to go.
After that is settled, Dad asks Mom how her search for a new space for the flower shop is going. Mom tells us about the warehouse space she looked at the other night. Dad then tells us more about the condo builder who’s buying Mom’s property. He says they seem different from every other developer he’s worked with, and it’s so evident that one of the founders was a planner with the city first.
I exhale. I can’t deny it—this company does sound like a good fit for Miles. Not that I’m over his deception or anything, but… he wanted to help with the festival so he could make the connections to get a good internship. And he did that. And maybe my parents are right—the developers aren’t the bad guys here. Life isn’t black-and-white, but so much more complicated than that.
Mom, as usual, can tell what I’m thinking. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for Miles, isn’t it?”
I exhale. “Yeah. He’s always talking about zoning and higher-density housing and whatever. I wish it didn’t mean destroying what we have fortheirprofit.”
Dad shakes his head. “I know I’m an evil real estate agent, but not all developers are terrible. This firm really is focused on sustainability and building community. They plan to offer the new storefronts to the displaced Love Street businesses first. And they want community involvement in the planning.”
I don’t like it, but yeah, I know housing is what this city needs. And putting a few more people above the stores on Love Street doesn’t mean that Love Street has to lose what makes it great.
“Your festival will be so good for the area. Not just now, but for years,” Dad says. “I’m so proud of you—I thought the only good thing to come out of all those festivals we went to when you were young was my lifelong love of churros. Who knew it could benefit you, too!”
I laugh. Dad gives me an expression that I haven’t seen on him in a long time—pure mischief. Like only he and I are in on a joke.
After Mom insists I order dessert—the vegan chocolatetorte that’s to die for—I smile. “We should have talked like this a long time ago. I probably should have told you I knew about Noureen.”
Dad shakes his head. “You were just a kid. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Seriously, Sana,” Mom says. “We’re the only ones who should be apologizing. And… I hope you’ll grant Miles the same. Let him explain his point of view before you give up on him. Because you two had something special. Youcomplementedeach other. If he can’t be your boyfriend, maybe he can be your friend.”
