Salzy rolled his eyes.“And what about all the staff, the guys?”
Jamie grinned.“I’m going to send them on a Caribbean cruise!”
“Why do I feel I got the wrong end of that stick.”
“You’re gettin’ paid and you’ll be able to keep your rig.”
“Okay.Okay.You’re right.Okay, Mr.Money Bags, what’s the rest of the plan.?”
* * * * *
Jamie got up earlythe next morning, still full and with a slight heartburn.He’d eaten so much he wasn’t sure he was going to be able to drive home.He undid his jeans just to bend into the sports car.He’d only had the one margarita but had a food hangover, which is a real thing he was finding out.
Once he had all the lights and radio on, Jamie started on the biscuits which was always the first thing to get done, so they could go back into the walk-in refrigerator.Then onto the corn bread.Those were staples at the diner and people expected them.I think I’m going to step up these biscuits.I know Mamaw won’t mind...too much.
He was humming along to the radio when Walter and Timmy walked in.“Morning, Jamie,” Walter said.“You’re in early,” he commented as he and Timmy pulled on their clean uniform shirts, aprons, and respective ball caps.
“Yeah.”Jamie beat the eggs and oil together for the corn bread.“After breakfast, I’ve got some business I have to take care of, so I’m going to leave the lunch service to you guys.”He stopped and looked at Walter.“Think you guys can handle it on your own?”Jamie was truly hoping they could.
“Yeah, sure.”Walter turned on the bread warmer.“Dexter can fit in just about anywhere now.He can’t do the biscuits or corn bread, but hell, I can’t either.Only you and Ms.Mattie can do that.One day you’re gonna have to break down and give up them recipes.”
Jamie smiled.“We’ll just have to see about that.”
“I swear, you and that woman were cloned.”
Jamie’s smile disappeared.“I would have preferred that.”
Walter shot a sorry look in Jamie’s direction and nodded.
“Mornin’ all,” Dexter said happily when he walked in.“I see ya’ll got things going already.”
“Pfft.Got to,” Walter pointed to Jamie.“The big boss man has ‘business’ to attend to.”
“Oh?I do love a good mystery,” Flo said as she sauntered into the kitchen, snapping her gum afterwards.
“And a mystery it will remain until Thursday night.”Jamie looked at Flo.“Make sure you talk to that guy...What’s his name again?”
“Mike.”Flo smiled sweetly at Jamie.“Not even a little hint?”She had the nerve to bat her eyes at him.
“You of all people should know that your female wiles will never work on me, you wicked,wickedwoman.”Jamie teased.
The entire kitchen staff busted out laughing, even Florence.
Breakfast was busy, but not as busy as Jamie remembered.At no point did he feel truly needed.The kitchen team handled things as smoothly as any high-end restaurant he’d ever worked in.The front of house did their jobs, which didn’t surprise him at all.Mamaw would never have allowed that to happen any other way.
“Hey, guys,” Jamie said to the three men wrapping up the morning service and already well on to prepping for lunch.“I’m going to run upstairs and make some phone calls if you don’t mind.You got everything covered.I kinda feel in the way, to be honest.”
“Yeah, we got this,” Walter answered.“Take care of business, Jamie.We’ll holler if we need ya.”
“Thanks, guys.”Jamie took off his cooks shirt and tossed it in the laundry hamper as he went out the back door.
He started up the back steps and saw Salzy with a notepad, making notes.“You already started?”
Salzy looked up.“Yep.It looks worse than it is.So far, I’ve only seen four treads that need replacing.”He motioned to some others.“The rest just needs a good washing, some sanding, and a couple of good coats of paint.”
“That’s good.”Jamie climbed the stairs, passing by Salzy.“I’m going to call the hardware store now and see about that account.What about the stairs over the garage?”
“I’ll go and check those out right now.”He skipped down the steps.“I’ll let you know when I’m done there.”
