“Even though it means coming to Columbus?”Jamie asked, afraid of what Joesph may say.He knew that Joesph was from a very small town in North Carolina and hated small towns.
“Yes, even if it is Columbus, Georgia.”
“Wow.You must be desperate,” Jamie commented.
“You have no idea.”Jamie could hear papers rustling.“I’m ready to jet out of town to get away from that woman.Now...give me details.”
Jamie started by giving him the address and phone number for the diner.“It is a very old diner that my grandparents ran for most of their lives, and it’s in need of a complete makeover.It’s so sad looking.”
“Do you have any idea of what you want?”
“I was thinking about that.I want it to maintain the character of an ol’ roadside diner but...updated.”
“Color scheme?”
“It’s that really pale green from back in the ’50s, I think.It was one of my grandmother’s favourite colors.I’m thinking I might like to stay with that.Everything else, I’d like to see what you think.I’m open to any ideas.”
“Music to my ears.”There was a slight pause.“Okay, I’ll pull some things together this afternoon and hit the road first thing in the morning.”
“Can you make it Friday?”Jamie asked.“I have to deal with the staff first and get them on board.”
“Okay, sure thing.I can actually do a couple of sample boards with that kind of time.How big is it?”
“It’s not all that big.It only seats sixty people total.”Jamie looked around the small apartment where he grew up in.“I may...let’s just stick to the diner for now.”
“Oh?Do I hear a life change coming on?”
“I don’t know.”Jamie sighed.“I think I’m at a crossroads and have no idea what direction to go.”
“If I know you, and I’d like to think that I do, you’ll figure it out in record time.One thing I know about Jamie Throneaux is heneverhesitates on making a decision and once made, sticks to it.”
“Wow, really?”
“Oh yes.Just ask any of our friends.You’ve never been one of those guys who is wishy-washy.”Jamie could just picture Joesph smiling.
“Okay, then.”Jamie sighed with relief.“Thanks, Joesph.I’ll try and tidy up the place, and you can stay with me.But just to warn you, this place has never been...well decorated, and it hasn’t changed one bit since I was a child.”
Joesph laughed.“I’ll just pretend I’m visitingmygrandmother.I’m looking forward to it.It’ll be like a working vacation.”
“Excellent!I’ll see you Friday then?”
“Yep.You got it.Thanks, Jamie.”
Jamie sat there a moment, smiling.“Right then, one down.”He tapped his phone, turning it.He scrolled down his contact list, finding the name he was looking for and hit dial.
“Worldwide Travel, Alyson speaking.”
“Hey, Alyson, it’s Jamie Throneaux.How are you?”
“Hi, Jamie.I’m doing well, and you?”
Jamie had always liked Alyson and was glad to turn over travel arrangements to her.She’d become a good friend.“I’m doing okay.I’m currently in Columbus on family business.I need to look into booking a cruise.”
“It’s a great time of year to do a cruise.Are you thinking Caribbean or Mexican?”Alyson asked as Jamie heard her typing on her computer.
“I was thinking Caribbean.It’s for six people, so I’ll need staterooms for each.”
“Oh?”He heard her stop typing.“You do realize that they will charge you for two people even if there is only one per stateroom?”
