“What’s the other job?”Terry motioned for Joesph to have a seat on an outdoor sectional in front of the barbecues.
“Well...this is really top secret for now, but I’m going to redesign the apartment over the diner.”
“Oh, heavens.”Terry planted both hands on her thighs.“That’s wonderful.I have to admit, it was...well, rather shabby looking.I saw when I had to go to the bathroom when I was there.It made me feel...sad.”
“It’s terrible,” Joesph said.“The painter we hired, thanks to your recommendation, I may add, seems to think there may be significant termite damage, so...I have an idea.”
“I’m not at all surprised.Some shipments from China brought a new species into the States and it has spread like wildfire.So, what’s this idea?”
Joesph smiled broadly.“Rip the whole thing off and start over.”
“Damn!”Terry shook her head slightly.“That’s...a big job.”
“It will be a massive undertaking.”
“Can I think on it and get back to you?”Terry had the look of a woman deep in concentration.“I may have an idea that would help you.”
“Why don’t you come over after work and have a look at what I’ve come up with?”
“Okay, I can’t today.I’ll take off a little early tomorrow and can be there around four-ish?”
“Perfect.”Joesph reclined into the soft cushions of the sectional.“This is very comfortable.Does it come in different colors?”
* * * * *
“Ineed to think ofsomething special to do for Joesph,” Jamie said as he started the Mercedes.
“Like what?”Salzy asked, securing his seat belt.
“I have no idea.”
“How about a spa day”, Salzy suggested, using air quotes.
Jamie’s head whipped around.“Sometimes you’re just...scary.”
“What?What’d I do?”
“I was thinking along the same lines.”Jamie chuckled.“And you already know Joesph well enough to know he’d like that.”
Salzy shrugged his shoulders.“I got a gift voucher for my sister, and she loved it.Joesph reminds me of her sometimes.They would get into so much trouble together.”
“Does she live close by?”Jamie backed the car out of the parking space.
“No.She’s with the rest of my family back in Arizona.”
“Then it’s good she isn’t close.You’re from there?”
“We moved there from Texas when I was little.My sister was born there.”
Jamie pulled out onto the access road.“How’d you end up here?”
“I applied to a driving school close by here.I fell in love with the area.I was tired of seeing nothing but the desert.Everything was just brown.I like seeing green, and it makes sense to be here where there are so many connecting interstates, and I just like it here.”Salzy turned to look at Jamie.“And then I fell in love with Ms.Mattie and Mr.Solan.They were really good to me.”
“I know they loved you, too.Now, where am I going?”
“I heard of a place that was just outside of town.I overheard the boss’s daughter planning something there for her bridesmaids, so I know it has to be nice.”Salzy pulled his phone out of his pocket.“I’ll see if I can’t look it up.”
“Cool.”Jamie steered the sports car into the parking area for a Ruby Tuesday’s restaurant.“Let’s have some lunch.I hope this one has a salad bar.I’m craving vegetables.”
