Osvald told me he was keeping the barbershop open for July Fourth that year.
“I gotta stay earning, now that I’m renting to own,” he joked.
Osvald had kept up his monthly lease payments, with the understanding that I’d use them to keep on top of utilities, taxes and insurance. Since our May agreement, the nephew had kicked up an additional $20,000 cash. At the rate they were going, these two would own the building outright in under two years.
“You think people are going to want to get a shape up on Independence Day?” I asked.
“Yeah, you know this neighborhood,” Osvald replied. “I’m gonna grill burgers out front and give ‘em away for free. Do a deal- five bucks off a fade and half price cuts for anyone under twelve.”
“They’ll be lining up around the corner,” I laughed.
Right after July Fourth, I made a quick trip out to Panama City to finalize the sale of my remaining apartment. I was ready to get out of the Central American real estate market, plus I had plans for the proceeds.
The week before I flew out, I met up with Téo.
“I need you to come with me to deal with Bolo,” I told him.
“So soon?” he asked. “We were just down there two months ago!”
“I know that, but I’m trying to make a move that affects you, at least on paper,” I explained.
“Alright Hopeton, what’s going on?” Téo was not pleased.
“I’m making a play for PanStar,” I replied. “And since Mundo’s name is on the deed, I want you to be a part of the negotiations.”
“Are you not tired, Hopeton?”
I could hear the frustration in my friend’s voice- I’d managed to rope him into bearing witness to my problems, but there was no legitimate way out. Because my problems were so entangled with his.
“Yes, Téo, I am,” I replied. “But I’m trying to free myself. And I know you understand.”
This time, I allowed Bolo to set the venue for our meeting. He chose Las Bóvedas. Once again, we were triangulated- Téo and I on one side of the table, Bolo across from us. He looked tense.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?” Bolo asked. “Is everything okay with Mundo? Have you told him the plans?”
“Not yet,” Téo said. “We’re doing as you suggested and letting him have one last summer in Brooklyn. Lali and I will let him know in September.”
“That’s a good way to handle it,” Bolo agreed.
He waited for one of us to fill him in on our reason behind this lunch.
“I’m here with a proposition,” I began. “And I think it’s a sensible one, now that your attention has turned to real estate. New York feels done for you, I think. And really, I can’t blame you.”
“Oh?” Bolo remarked, then fell silent.
“Yes,” I replied. “And again- I can’t blame you. Sometimes people change lanes and move on. And now that Mundo’s on his way, why would you be concerned with a dying business model?”
Téo nodded in agreement, his sole contribution to this discussion.
“But is it a dying business model?” Bolo asked. “It’s what’s funding my current endeavors. And you haven’t done too poorly, either.”
“True indeed,” I admitted. “I have done well since you folded me into PanStar. And that’s why I’m able to make this offer to you.”
“I already know what you’re about to say,” Bolo interrupted. “And the answer is no.”
“I will pay far more than that building is worth,” I countered, without even having a chance to make an initial offer.
I glanced at Téo. He didn’t look surprised. For the briefest of moments, I wondered if he’d warned Bolo in advance of our arrival. But then Téo shook his head at me, and I knew- Téo really did not want to be involved in this chess game.
Bolo caught everything and gave me a small smile of acknowledgment.
“I’m happy with our current arrangement, and I really don’t see any reason to alter it.”
With that, I knew my window of opportunity had shut.
Bolo stood up to leave.
“I won’t try to argue you into it,” I said, conceding defeat. “But I’d like to revisit this early next year, once Olmando is settled in here.”
“That’s a reasonable offer,” Bolo replied, as he stood up and pulled out his wallet.
“And one thing before I leave,” he said, pausing for a moment. “I’d like you to know that my goal is to continue to supply the New York side with enough product to keep our business viable. Please don’t assume PanStar is dead. I need you to hold up your end of the arrangement.”
Rafael threw a twenty-dollar bill on the table, gave a nod of dismissal and walked out of the restaurant.
Once we were alone, Téo excused himself and went to the bathroom.
When he returned to the table, he sat in Bolo’s vacated seat, gave me a long, tired look and said, “I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”
