Chapter Six

 Six

Demetrius Grace

Only in his mid twenties, Demetrius Grace has always been considered an old soul. Even as a boy he was focused on goals and dreams. Graduating from Cal State University at Fullerton with his degree in Hospitality and Restaurant Management in only three years, Demetrius jumped into his career with a passion only out paced by his zealous love for April.

April gave him something no one else had: A sense of wonder at the beauty of the ordinary things of life. She taught him to savor the day, to see colors, to look deeper within the people around him. “April has helped me discover that people aren't clients, customers or obstacles, but they are to be enjoyed, experienced and appreciated,” he had said during his wedding vows just over a year ago. But without April, he had been spinning in circles. Until the idea of moving with Oliver and Sandy to start afresh in Paine Harbor took hold within him, he’d been lost. But suddenly, he was like his old self again; focused, determined and energetic about life. 

Having landed in Paine Harbor, Demetrius wasted no time in searching out the possibilities of opening his own coffee house. Paine Harbor's business district is pretty small with only a few ordinary businesses to serve the needs of the 4500 people who lived on the island year round along with those who would visit during the brief summer season.

While wandering around Main Street a few days after getting settled into his new apartment, Demetrius noticed one particularly interesting empty building with a 'For Lease' sign in the window.  He peered in to the dirty window and positively noted it was located just one block up from the docks, and two blocks south of his apartment, potentially a great location for a coffee house. 

“What are you looking at, Mister?” inquired a man dressed in black with highly polished shoes. The polished shoes were the first things Demetrius noticed in the reflection of the window before turning around to greet him. When he turned he saw a tall, thin, older man with gaunt features, thick horn rimmed glasses and a head of not quite under control salt and pepper hair.  His appearance reminded Demetrius of an undertaker in an old cowboy movie.

“Hello,” Demetrius replied. “I'm new here to Paine Harbor and I'm just making my way around town getting familiar.”

“You must be one of those Californians. The Grace family, if I’m not mistaken,” he said proudly.

“Well,” Demetrius said with a smile, “you are half right. I am a member of the Grace family, but I'm most recently from Colorado. The Californians are my brother and his wife. Oh, I'm sorry, sir, my name is Demetrius. Demetrius Grace,” he said extending his hand in greeting.

The man looked at the hand, almost as if he was wondering what he was supposed to do, and finally gave Demetrius a weak shake. “I'm Reverend Sharp, Reverend Axel Sharp. I'm the minister at Paine Harbor Community Church over on Shadow Place. So, what brings you to Paine Harbor?”

 Demetrius felt a cold chill as he released Reverend Sharp's hand. This is one weird spooky guy was his unspoken thought. “Uh, my brother, that's Oliver, was sent here by his company to do some research and I decided to tag along and see about starting a business here on the island.”

“What kind of business are you thinking about starting, young man?” came the question in a near accusatory manner. 

“Funny you should ask,” Demetrius replied warily. “That's why I was looking in this window when you walked up. I'm looking for the right place to open up a little coffee shop.”

“Coffee shop?” Reverend Sharp scoffed. “We have Portia Galeener's place, she serves coffee. What do we need a coffee shop for?”

“Well, its just something I'm considering,” Demetrius replied. “I'm trying to figure out a way to create a space where people could come in their free time and enjoy some excellent coffee. I mean really good coffee. What's more, they could read books, or talk, or just be still and listen to the sounds of others enjoying themselves. I want a place where community could be built.”

“Ridiculous. My church hosts a once-a-month potluck dinner on the first Sunday of every month. Isn't that good enough?” Reverend Sharp asked defensively. 

“No, sir. No wait, that's not what I mean,” said an obviously shaken Demetrius. “What I mean to say is... well, I'm sure your dinners are wonderful times for the church people but I’m certain you'll agree that people need to be together more than once a month.  There is something about a great cup of coffee, a nice comfortable chair, maybe a fireplace and some good music. I think people here in Paine Harbor will like what I'm planning.”

“Boy,” reacted a now agitated Reverend Sharp. “You don't know the first thing about Paine Harbor. You'd best be thinking long and hard about this!” And with that he stormed away.

“What was THAT about?” thought a deeply confused Demetrius. Shaking it off, he made note of the name and phone number of the leasing agent and continued his exploration of the small downtown district of Paine Harbor.

A few hours later, Demetrius met with the leasing agent. The agent was dressed in a business suit that was new sometime during the Reagan administration and was cut for a man considerably smaller in size.  He put a smile on his face and reached out to Demetrius. “I'd bet you are Demetrius. May I call you that? Or would you prefer Mr. Grace? I'm Johnny Sales, the leasing agent for much of the commercial property in Paine Harbor, plus I'm the mayor. You might say I wear two hats, but I try not to wear them simultaneously. Welcome to Paine Harbor. Let me show you this little gem,” he said while turning the key. “C'mon in. You are going to love it.” 

He couldn't have been more correct. Within minutes of seeing the building, Demetrius could see the possibilities and was been able to look past the clutter of previous tenants and some of the inevitable dirt, decay and need for renovation. Constructed of red brick that had been painted over with a clear lacquer creating a beautiful sheen, and hardwood floors that were in need of sanding and a coat of urethane. The suite had a small kitchen in the back, two nice restrooms and a pair of large skylights that welcomed in what little light late November offered.

“Oliver,” said an excited Demetrius that evening over a simple dinner Sandy had lovingly prepared. “It is near perfect. It needs some work, but Johnny Sales, the leasing agent, assured me it could done easily. You ought to see the way the light plays off the shiny bricks. And it has a huge wood-burning fireplace. Johnny thinks I can get a good deal. It's been empty for several years and the owners are willing to negotiate. What do you think?” Sandy and Oliver were still in a state of shock at the rapid changes they were seeing in Demetrius. It was like he was a new man.

“Deme,” Oliver said quietly, “It looks to me like you've got yourself a coffee shop.