Salzy nodded.“I think I could start on it and at least divvy things up to see what you might want to keep.Of course, it depends on work.”He scowled.
“Have you heard anything else?”
“Not a word.”
“Let me know when you need the next payment.Don’t let them use that against you.”Jamie twisted to try and crack his back.“I can’t wait to get a new mattress.My back is killing me.They should be here any time now.”
“I gotta say, I’m looking forward to it.I don’t think my bed’s as bad as yours, but I did put a piece of plywood between the mattress and box spring.”Salzy smirked.
“Smart,” was Jamie’s only reply.
Salzy handed the empty glass back to Jamie.“I’ll go and strip my bed.”Salzy turned to leave.“Want me to do yours as well?”
Jamie looked around the kitchen.“Naw, I’m at a good stopping point.I’ll run up and do it and move some things around so they can get in there.I’m getting a queen bed instead of just having a twin, so some things will have to go.”
Salzy let the screen door slam behind him.“I’ll come help you when I’m done with mine.”
“Would you please stop slamming that door!”Jamie yelled after the man.
Jamie went through to the dining room and made sure the front door was locked and the closed sign was in place.He checked his stock, then trotted up to the apartment that had been his home longer than any other place he’d lived.
In the end, Jamie, with the help of Salzy threw out his old dresser, the old desk, the headboard, frame, and very old rug.
“You’re keeping that old nightstand?”Salzy asked as he pushed it into the small living area.
“For now.I need a place for my alarm clock and lamp.”He looked at where the old dresser had been.“I need to go shopping.I need clothes.”
“If you need to, you can borrow some of mine.We’re about the same size I’d say.”
“Thanks.It may come to that.”Jamie frowned.“As it is, I’m washing out my socks and underwear every night.”
Salzy crinkled his nose.“Yeah, you need to go shopping.Just run up to that outlet mall north of town.That’s where I go.”
“Problem is, I don’t know when I’ll have time.I have a friend coming down from Atlanta tomorrow to start working on the diner’s renovations.”
Salzy nodded.“You’re gonna have your hands full.”
Jamie nodded.“Let’s get into the kitchen and get ready for tonight.”Jamie grabbed his laptop and walked out onto the landing of the apartment, Salzy right behind him.“And don’t—” Then the screen door slammed shut.
Salzy stood there looking at him.Jamie slugged his upper arm.
“What the hell?”Salzy rubbed his arm.“What was that for?”
“Letting the door slam.”Jamie started down the steps.“For the life of me, I don’t know why Mamaw let you get away with that.She’d never let me.”
“Maybe she loved me more?”
Jamie stopped on the last step and looked over his back at his new friend, a bright smile on his face.“Really?That’s your response.”
Salzy shrugged.“Just like brothers.”
“Oh hell.”Jamie went through the back door to the diner’s kitchen.He waited until Salzy came in, waiting for the screen door to slam, but it didn’t.He looked at Salzy, who was grinning.Jamie shook his head.
Jamie checked on his stock, the whole kitchen smelling like fish.“What do you want me to do?”Salzy asked.
“Come on, let’s set up the tables for tonight.”
The two men went into the dining room and pulled two four-top tables together.Jamie showed Salzy how he wanted the flatware set and let him finish doing that.
