When Jamie came outof the kitchen, feeling like he’d been hit by a bus, he saw Joesph sitting with a martini glass in hand.“Hey,” he said and sat down.“What have you been up to?I’ve not seen you hardly at all today.”
“I’ve been working on the building design for my studio and apartment.I’ve got it pretty much done.I’d like to have Mike look over it.”Joesph held up his martini glass.“Can I get you a beer or...a cocktail?You look like you need one.”
“No, I’ll get a glass of water here in a minute and then maybe a beer.”He looked at his friend.“I’ve got to admit, I’m beat.I never expected the diner to be so busy.”
“Jamie, people know quality when they see it, or in this case, taste it.I don’t know why you’re so surprised.”
“I don’t know if it will stay like this.”
Joesph did his signature eye roll.“And I don’t know how you can sit there and lie to me like that.”
“What?”Jamie sat up straight.“I’m not lying.”
“Okay, you’re lying to yourself then.”Joesph leaned forward.“Jamie, let me set you straight, or at least a gay version...this restaurant is going to be busy and stay busy as long as the food is good and everyone is friendly.That’s how good businesses work.This place already had a good reputation, and now, you’ve gone and made it better.Of course, it’s going to be busy and stay busy.”
Jamie slumped.“Yeah.Okay.I guess you’re right.”
“Of course, I am.I always am.”Joesph took a sip of his martini.
“Not always,” Jamie said as he stood up.“I’m getting some water.You want anything?”
“I’d like some apple pie and ice cream, please.”
“Sorry, there isn’t any.”
“Chocolate cake?”Joesph said, sighing.
“Nope.No desserts at all.There’s a bit of ice cream, but not a lot.”
Joesph huffed.“Fine.I’ll have that then.”
Jamie came out a few minutes later with a bowl of ice cream.He was followed by the entire staff, who all looked like they’d run a marathon.Jamie set the bowl in front of his friend.
Joesph looked at it and then at Jamie.“That’s all there is?”
“Yes.Feel free to go in there and make more.”He looked at Walter.“Try to remind me to order more dry ice, if you can.”
Walter nodded.
Jamie looked at Ian.“So, do you think you could do Walter’s job?”
“No way,” Ian answered.“I’d need a lot more practice to be that fast.”
Jamie chuckled.“Told ya.”
“He did good,” Walter said.“As I said earlier, he’s like a mini-you.He’s gonna be good.”
“Robbie did good, too,” Dexter said.“He was able to fill in for both Timmy and me.Didn’t even need to ask him, neither.He just got right in there and did it.”
Jamie could see Robbie blush.“Good for you,” Jamie said, smiling.“Now we might just need to clone the two of you.”
Walter laughed.“If it were that easy, Mr.Solan would have made a whole lot more of you, Jamie.”
This time, it was Jamie who blushed.
“These young ladies are going to fit right in, too,” Florence said.“I think it helps to have homegrown gals in there.The customers took right to ’em.”Florence beamed at the two new waitresses.
“Listen, everyone,” Jamie said loud enough so everyone could hear.“I know that the last two days have been rough but hang in there.I’m going to hire some more staff, especially if we’re going to be this busy.”
