“We got customers in the parking lot,” Florence announced as she came into the kitchen.“Jamie?”
“Coming.”Jamie went into the dining room, where the five waitresses were standing in a line, just like always.He looked around the dining room and saw that everything was in place as he expected.The ladies in their new uniforms looking pristine.“Ya’ll look as good as the dining room.”
Jamie walked over to the window into the kitchen.“Everyone ready?”
“Yeah, we’re ready,” Walter said, giving his customary thumbs up.
“Okay.Let ’em in, Flo.”
“You got it, boss,” she said as he went and flipped the sign over and unlocked the door.
Chapter Seventy-One
Jamie, Walter, andIan sat outside, each with a glass of ice water.“Well, how’d it go?”Jamie asked Walter.“You guys ready for dinner tonight?”
“Yeah, no issues, and yep, we’re all ready.More ready than I think we’ve ever been.”Walter nodded towards Ian.“I think he’s going to be a mini-you.Catches on fast.”
Jamie could see Ian blush.“That so?”he asked Ian.
“Yeah, I think so.I’m not as fast as Walter, but I think I could do it, maybe with some help for a while.”
Jamie laughed.“You’ll have to practice a lot to get as fast as Walter, here.I’ve worked with him...well, a lot, and I’m not so sure I am as fast as Walter.He’s got skill.”
Walter chuckled.“I’ve been doing this longer than either of you has been alive.Might even add your ages together and I’d still have ya beat.”
“Wow,” Ian exclaimed.“And do you still like it?”
“I love it here.I don’t know that I’d like it anywhere else.”Walter looked at Jamie.“We’re kinda like lifers, for most of us.I don’t think Minnie has worked anywhere else, and she’s been here over ten years and...well, the rest of them gals have been here almost all of Jamie’s life.”
“That’s true.”Jamie gulped some water.“Do you think business is going to calm down after a few days?”he asked Walter.“I don’t know that we can all keep up this pace for long.”
“Let’s see how it goes Monday and Tuesday,” Walter answered.“We should have a good idea by then.”He looked at Jamie.“I do think we will need another person in the kitchen and in the dining room.And you can’t keep Salzy in the dish pit forever.”
“Yeah, I had the same thought,” Jamie said.He looked at Ian.“You have any friends that you think would be good to work here?”
“I have a friend, Mandy, who might do well as a waitress.I can send her a text.”
