“You’re darn tootin’ you are,” Florence said just as loudly.“I’m too old to be doing this.”
“And you look it, too,” Walter said, snickering.
“Kiss my grits, you ol’ goat!”
Chapter Seventy-Two
Joesph had been right, Jamie begrudgingly admitted.In the past two weeks that the diner had been reopened, it had been as busy as the first day of the grand reopening.He’d been able to hire two more waitresses on a part-time basis and a full-time dishwasher, and a part-time one for nights.Finding another cook, however, was proving to be a lot more difficult.He’d gotten one lead from the vocational school, and he hoped it would work out.He’d like to have another one, too.
“Hey, Jamie,” Walter said, leaning on the doorframe to the office.“Have you placed an order yet?”
“Not yet.”Jamie turned in his chair.“I’m waiting for Christine to tell me what she needs.Why?”
“I was showing Ian and Robbie how to do inventory and temp checks and saw that we were already running low on a few other things.”
“Okay.Can you just write them down, and I’ll get them put on the order.Thanks, Walter.How are the boys doing?”
“Ian is going to be just like you.A powerhouse.He’s quiet.Almost too quiet.Robbie is going to work out just fine.He could fill in for Dexter or Timmy already.And I think Ian could fill in for me, too.He just needs the confidence to do it.”
Jamie nodded.“He was bullied in school.I know how that affects you.Just encourage him is the best advice I can give.”Jamie paused for a moment.“That young man has a lot of potential.”
“Yeah, he does.Okay, that’s all for now.”Walter said, turning back into the kitchen.
Jamie sat for another moment before writing in the daily ledger, which he started as soon as he’d returned to Columbus.Every place he’d ever worked kept one.He was training Salzy to do it too, along with all the other managerial duties.It would help free up a lot of time for him, concentrating more on managing the kitchen.
“Hey, Jamie, I’ve got the list of things to order for the dining room,” Salzy said as he came into the tiny office and took the other chair.“These people sure do like their sugar.”
Jamie chuckled.“Yeah.I remember Papaw complaining about how many sugar packets we went through.”
“I...uh...think I need to say something to Julie.I saw her flirting with one of the customers.I mean, I know they have to be friendly and all, but it was over the top, even for me.”
“You want me to say something?”Jamie asked.“We do not want to get that kind of reputation here.”
“No, I think it would be better coming from me for the time being.I just wanted to let you know, is all.”
“Okay.Let me know if you need any help.”Jamie smiled at Salzy.“You’ve been doing a good job, by the way.Everyone seems to be happy that you’ve stepped into your new role.”
