"What's your take on Georgie and his girlfriend?"
In the living room, having found a moment of free time, Meemaw Connie started a casual chat.
After all, Georgie was her eldest grandson; it would be impossible for her not to care at least a little.
"Overall, I'm not too optimistic..."
Mike thought for a moment before speaking.
"If Georgie can stabilize his life quickly, the situation might improve."
The age gap between Georgie and Mandy was significant. Mandy's biggest desire right now was likely to find a good man and live a stable life.
She needed a sense of security.
Georgie, on the other hand, was still in the transition phase from boy to man. He was broke and clueless, unable to meet Mandy's needs either financially or emotionally.
Therefore, if they wanted to maintain this relationship, the best solution was for Georgie to grow up fast and become a "man" someone could rely on.
"That's a tall order for Georgie..."
Meemaw Connie seemed to think of something and shook her head slightly.
As the saying goes, "You can tell a the man by looking at the boy."
Georgie's various unreliable performances in the past made it hard to imagine how he could quickly become a qualified "husband," or even a "father."
Yes, if everything went according to plan with Mandy, Georgie—who wouldn't even be eighteen yet—would be promoted to a young dad in about ten months.
For Georgie, this was tantamount to a rigorous "trial by fire."
"Forget it, let's stop talking about Georgie. Let's talk about the business license for the arcade. Do you have any suggestions?"
Another one of Meemaw Connie's virtues was her optimism; she didn't like to dwell on dead ends.
Besides, ninety-nine percent of the unhappiness in the world is caused by a lack of money.
So, compared to Georgie's troubles, what Meemaw Connie cared about more right now was how to make money.
"Doesn't Pastor Jeff's wife, Robin, work at the Department of Transportation? Maybe you can ask her for help with the business license," Mike suggested.
The Department of Transportation and the street patrol belonged to the same system.
The most terrifying thing about running an arcade was surprise inspections by the patrol.
So, if Meemaw Connie could build a good relationship with the patrol through Robin, her arcade would avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble.
"You're right. We can ask Robin for help."
After the reminder, Meemaw Connie obviously figured out the leverage there.
As for whether Robin would help, Meemaw Connie was somewhat confident. After all, if you really looked at it, Meemaw Connie had played a part in getting Robin and Pastor Jeff together.
With that connection, Robin and Meemaw Connie were practically "on the same team."
"Also, after the arcade opens, it's necessary to separate the games from the gambling," Mike reminded her again.
The main reason it was difficult to get a legitimate business license for an arcade was that the business there was often linked to gambling.
That was illegal.
And favors from Robin would run out one day. If she didn't want unpleasantness in the future, the arcade had to become legitimate.
"Do you have a way?" Meemaw Connie asked back.
Knowing Mike, she knew he wasn't the type to talk big without a plan.
"Yes, it just requires a little workaround. Add a transaction loop in the arcade..."
Mike summarized his thoughts and said, "Take plush toys as an example. When players win in the arcade, we give them toys as prizes. When the players leave, we 'buy back' those plush toys with cash equivalent to the prize money."
Simply put, use toys as "currency" in gambling to avoid direct monetary "transactions."
This step might seem redundant, but it could solve the gambling issue in the arcade very well.
"Let me process this. I think I get it, but also maybe not entirely..."
Meemaw Connie indicated her head was spinning a bit.
Actually, Meemaw Connie wasn't stupid, but her age made her ability to accept new loopholes a bit slower.
"That's just a 'voucher'," Missy, who was sitting nearby, suddenly spoke up, hitting the nail on the head.
"Right! The toys are 'vouchers.' Why didn't I think of that..."
Meemaw Connie felt like a lightbulb had just switched on in her head. She praised happily, "Missy, you were a huge help this time. Meemaw has decided to reward you with another ice cream."
In this round, both Missy and Meemaw Connie came out winners.
---
Meanwhile, in the kitchen.
Mary was preparing a big meal for Mandy, while also directing her husband to make his special barbecue.
Acting on the principle of women supporting women, a calm Mary had basically accepted Mandy.
Over an hour later, the Cooper dining table was filled with a sumptuous dinner. They were just waiting for Georgie and Mandy to return so everyone could welcome them.
But they waited until the barbecue was almost cold, and still, there was no sign of Georgie or Mandy.
"Nothing bad happened, right?"
Looking at the darkening sky outside the window, a worried look appeared on Mary's face.
"Should I go out and look?" George Sr. was getting a bit restless too.
No matter what, the child in Mandy's belly carried the Cooper bloodline.
The Georges couldn't help but care.
Just as George Sr. stood up, ready to go out and find someone, Georgie pushed the door open and stormed in.
"Why are you alone? Where's Mandy?"
George Sr. looked behind his eldest son and asked in surprise.
"Mandy rented a room outside..."
Georgie, returning alone, also had a very bad look on his face.
"How could you let her live outside alone?" George Sr. asked in disbelief.
If word of this got out, everyone would think the Cooper family was bullying people.
Putting themselves in her shoes, one could imagine how terrible the girl's situation was right now.
"Alright, Georgie has been traveling all day, he must be hungry. let's eat and talk..."
To avoid the atmosphere becoming too tense, Meemaw Connie stopped George.
Later at the dinner table, everyone learned what had happened during the hour Georgie was out.
Because of the lie Georgie told about his age earlier, Mandy, upon suddenly learning the truth, was extremely emotional and ultimately couldn't forgive him.
And during the past hour, Georgie had been apologizing to the girl nonstop. In the end, unable to get her forgiveness, he could only helplessly help her find a place to stay in town.
"What do you plan to do in the future?"
After listening to Georgie's story, Meemaw Connie asked with concern.
"I don't know either. Mandy seems very disappointed in me."
Georgie frowned tightly, his mood extremely low.
"I understand Mandy's feelings very well. But your relationship isn't without hope..."
Meemaw Connie comforted him: "Mandy didn't leave town overnight, which proves she still has feelings for you. Whether you can win her back depends on what you do next..."
Combining Mike's earlier analysis, Meemaw Connie broke down Mandy's mindset for Georgie.
If he wanted to keep the girl, he needed to give her enough security.
"So, Georgie. Have you decided what you're going to do?"
After saying a lot, Meemaw Connie returned to the initial question.
"I... maybe I should continue starting a business."
Understanding that to start a family one must first establish a career, Georgie gradually realized the burden on his shoulders, though his expression was still somewhat lost.
After all, in terms of age, he was still just a "kid."
"How about you come to the arcade and help me..."
Meemaw Connie voiced her idea.
According to Mike's suggestion, with the new business model at the arcade, she would probably be too busy to handle it alone.
If Georgie was willing to help, it would be a good thing for both him and Meemaw Connie.