“They cancelled my next big run.That was always my run.I’ve been doing it for a solid year.One of the biggest I have.”Salzy drained his beer and went to the cooler to get another one.
“Uh...why?”
“Punishment.”Salzy flopped down next to Jamie.“I asked for an extra day to be around here after Ms.Mattie and all.Now they took away not one but two runs from me.I think they’re wanting me to miss a payment on my rig so they can fire me is what I think they want.”
“That sounds...well, kinda stupid if you ask me.If you got a good employee who is reliable and paying for his truck, why would you sack him?”
“Humph.The old man’s daughter just got married to some bum who can’t hold a job down.”Salzy looked at Jamie.“See now?”
“Ahh, I gotcha now.”Jamie thought for a moment.“How much do you need to make that payment?”
“I amnottaking money from you.I don’t do charity.”Salzy’s face was turning red.
“And I’m not looking to give you any, so there.”Jamie took a swig of beer.“That run to Jacksonville was to be today, right?”
“Yeah, so?”
“And how long was that big run they just cancelled on you?”
Salzy lowered his chin.“It takes me about three weeks round trip.”
“How much do they pay you?”
“Gettin’ pretty nosy there, aren’t ya?”
“I was just thinking...”Jamie leaned over, his elbows on his knees, cradling the beer can in both hands.“What about doing some work around here on the diner?Make enough to make up the money you’d have earned with them?”
Salzy blinked a few times.“Really?You’d do that for me?”
“Well, it isn’t just for you.”Jamie drained his beer and handed the empty to Salzy.“Got another one of those?”
“Yeah, sure.”Salzy got Jamie another beer.
“It seems like Papaw was a rather shrewd businessman.”
Salzy snorted.“I could have told you that.”
“It also seems that Mamaw didn’t do much with the money when he passed, and it’s all sitting in the credit union.”
“How much you talkin’ about?”Salzy frowned slightly.
“I don’t know the amount, but I do know it’s a lot.”Jamie smiled.“I’m thinking I’m going to close the diner for renovations, send all the staff on a vacation, and just get it done.Want to help?”
“I could kiss you.”
Jamie grinned and pursed his lips.
“Yeah, no.I ain’t gonna kiss you.”
“See what I get?”Jame teased.
Surprisingly, Salzy leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.“That’s all you’re getting!”
“Okay.”Jamie smiled.“I can live with that.”They both laughed.
Salzy’s stomach growled.
“Why don’t I go and make us something to eat?”Jamie was about to get up.
