Chapter Sixty-Nine
Jamie placed the freshlybaked biscuits into the bread warmer.“You doing okay over there, Walter?”
“Yeah, Robbie’s finishing up the gravy now,” Walter answered as he watched the young man stirring the large pan on the stove.“Ian is prepping with Dexter, and Timmy’s all ready to go.”
“Christine?”Jamie asked as he made his way back to the biscuit bench.
“Yep, everything is ready.”She pulled a sheet pan out of the oven, which held two freshly baked apple pies.
“Okay, I’ll check out front,” Jamie said as he wiped his hand on his apron.
Joesph was standing beside the cash register, a mug of coffee in his hand.He was adjusting the photo of Jamie’s grandparents.He looked at Jamie and smiled.“It’s almost time.”He nodded towards the front of the diner.“The parking lot is already full.”
Jamie looked around the dining room.He took in the wall with all the photos that Dexter had found.There were some with him with his grandparents, then some of his grandmother or grandfather with different customers, different celebrations.It really made the wall personal and special.
“Thank you for all your help.”He hugged his friend.“I’d never have been able to pull this off without you.”
“You’re welcome, and I thank you.”Joesph pulled away from his friend.“I’d been in a rut and didn’t even know it until I came to Columbus.I’m excited to be here.”
“And I’m glad that I’m going to have my best friend right up the street.”
“Jamie,” Florence said.
“Right,” Jamie turned towards the line of wait staff, all five of them.“Looking good, ladies,” Jamie said as he approached them.“How do you like the new uniforms?”
Minnie was beaming.“I love them,” she said as she smoothed her hand over the white apron with the ruffled, thin white lace trim.
Florence laughed.“I know you had nothing to do with them, so don’t even try to take credit.”
“Okay, I did have Joesph’s help, but I did pick most of it out.”Jamie huffed.“I am gay, ya know.I do have some taste.”
“That he did,” Joesph added, now standing beside Jamie.“However, I’m the one responsible for the lace aprons and lace hankies behind your name tags.”
“Ha!”Florence exclaimed, raising her hands heavenward.“I knew it.”
Jamie rolled his eyes.“I am the one who picked out the soft pink instead of that...bright pink.I never did like that color.”
“I like it too,” Hazel added.She looked over her shoulder.“I’ve never seen the parking lot full before we even opened.”
“I hope we’re ready,” Jamie said, also looking out of the windows.“You ladies ready?”
“I think we are.As ready as we can be,” Florence said, smiling.
