“Okay, everyone,” Jamie said loudly, trying to calm them all down.“Let me have a status report.”
“Timmy and I finished up the inventory and have an order list for you,” Walter said.“It’s on the clipboard in the office.I took you at your word and beefed it up a little.”
“Perfect.Thanks, guys.”
“We got the dining room all set.Even rewashed all the flatware, cups, and glasses,” Hazel volunteered.“Those cabinets are wonderful.It’ll be so much better to have everything close to hand.”
“It sure will keep us from running into the kitchen for everything.The only thing I see us coming to the kitchen for is the bread,” Florence added.“Anytime I don’t have to walk more is a good thing.”
“Dexter and I went through all those old photos; some are justfabulous,” Joesph said.“I’m going to do them up today and get them hung by tomorrow.I saw some frames at the copy center that will be perfect.”
“I ran the dish pit and helped out where I was needed,” Salzy said.
“I saw that,” Jamie said, smiling.“You just fit in wherever you’re needed.I appreciate it.”Jamie looked at Joesph.“If you’re going to the copy center, would you pick up the banner I ordered.I’m going to put it across the front over the windows.”
“Sure thing.”Joesph took out his small notebook, which he always had on him.
“Salzy, do you think you could get that hung up first thing tomorrow morning?”
“Yeah.No problem.”He’d already started collecting the silverware from the table.
“Can I have a look at that supply order, please?”Christine asked, her arms full of cooing baby.
“Of course,” Jamie said.“Do you have some good dessert ideas for me?”
“Apple pie, of course.”She grinned at Jamie.“I’ll make mine, and then you can make yours.We’ll see whose is better.”
“Ah, I see a challenge,” Jamie said, laughing.“And who is going to be the judge?”
“Thatwould be me,” Joesph said.
“What about me?”Salzy called out over his shoulder, just about to go into the kitchen.
Jamie held both hands up.“I say everyone gets a vote.”
“I require ice cream,” Joesph added.“What is apple pie without ice cream?”
“That reminds me,” Jamie started, speaking to Christine.“I’ve ordered a big Hobart Mixer.That poor old Kitchen Aid is on its last leg and won’t keep up with the volume we’ll need.”
“That sounds smart,” Christine said, standing.“I think this one here needs a diaper change, then I’ll meet you in the office.”
“Uh...hello?”It was Ian Sawyer, who’d come around the side of the diner.
“Hey, Ian.”Jamie motioned for the young man to come over to the two tables.“I’ll introduce you to everyone, or better yet, let them do it.I need to go over those orders that need to be put in.”
No sooner did Ian start meeting the other staff than Sharon, Julie, and Robbie showed up.Everyone was chatting good-naturedly.Florence sidled up beside Jamie.“And the family grows,” she said, nodding towards everyone gathered outside.
Jamie smiled at the redhead and kissed her cheek.“That it does.”
“Your Mamaw and Papaw would be so proud of you, Jamie.I hope you know that.You’ve touched so many lives already, and there will be more.You’re just like them.I see you,” she said, gesturing with two fingers, back and forth between their eyes.“Just like your Papaw did.”
Jamie could feel his eyes start to tear up.“Thank you, Flo.That means more to me than you know.”
She touched him on the shoulder.“Now then,” she said, patting her hair, like it would ever move; there was so much hairspray on it.“Let’s get this show on the road.I’d say we’re almost done in the dining room.”
“I think between Walter, Timmy, and me, the kitchen is pretty well set.I’ll check with Christine to see if she needs me to go shopping for anything that needs to be made tomorrow.”
“Do you really think we’re going to be busy come Saturday?”she asked.
