"Unfortuantly, I can't do anything for you, mister Leonardo," Dan's laywer said, sliding a folder across his desk. "This Sabrina chick was able to buy out the property for a lot more and had a previous relationship with the building before you showed up." He clasped his hands and sighed. "I'm sorry Dan, but, anyway you put this, she'll come out with the deed."
"Dan, why didn't you tell us this sooner." Faith asked, tugging on Dan's sleeve. Alex and Daimian sat in the doorframe of the office, listening in on the conversation. Everyone looked at Dan, who wore a devistated look on his face.
"There's nothing we can do to get it back," Dan asked. His laywer shook his head, making his head sink again.
"The only thing I can suggest is to find a new piece of property somewhere cheap. Otherwise, you might not own a cafe again," his lawyer said before opening a file cabinet behind him. "If you'd like, I can try to find another building for you to set up at that fits your budget."
Dan shook his head. "No thank you, that's alright." He stood up with Faith and started to walk to the door. "Thanks for everything you've done."
The four of them left the law firm, strolling through downtown in the morning sun. When they passed the old cafe, Dan looked in the large windows. He could see the counter where stools used to be, the sides of the walls where the booths were. Before too long, Sabrina knocked on the glass from the other side and gave a sarcastic grin as she waved. Dan scowled and turned away, catching up with the rest of the group.
"I'm sure you'll find somewhere, Dan. It's just a matter of time," Faith said, patting Dan on the back.
"I don't know, Faith," Dan sighed. "That place had something special about it. Just how accessible it was to everything, having a back and front door... You just can't find a place like that in downtown anymore..."
"Hey Dan," Daimian perked as he tugged on the old man's sleeve. "How about the empty building over there?" He pointed across the street at a large and vacant building sitting next to a Mexican resturant. The windows had no signs of life other than dust and the area around it was in rough condition.
"You mean the old comic shop," Dan asked. He scratched his head and thought to himself for a moment. Looking back at the crosswalk, he urged the family to follow him. The group crossed the street and made their way to the front of the building. All of them pressed their faces against the glass and peered inside the empty lot. Taking his face away, Dan nodded slightly before looking the others with a smile on his face. "You know what, Dame? I think this could damn well work as a new cafe."
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