When Salzy came back into the kitchen, Jamie was already at the stove, something steaming up from the large pot on the stove.“Got it done.”He sniffed the air.“Something is smelling good.”
“Cajun-style sausage.”Jamie glanced over his shoulder before picking up the bowl of chopped onions.“It adds a lot of flavour.”
Salzy’s stomach growled.“Did you eat lunch?”Jamie asked.
“No.I actually forgot, and I was trying to finish up that sanding.”
“Make yourself a sandwich then.While you’re in the walk-in, grab me a handful of those green beans, please.”
“Yes, boss.”Salzy snickered as he walked across the kitchen.
“I sure hope you don’t keep that up.”
Salzy chowed down on the ham and cheese sandwich while gulping down a glass of milk.He was almost finished when an air horn tooted in the back of the diner.
“That’ll be the new refrigerator and bedding,” Jamie said as he stirred the pot.“Can you deal with all that?”
“No problem,” Salzy answered around the last bite of his sandwich.He rushed out, letting the screen door slam shut.
Jamie sighed and went to deal with the bread.He could hear the delivery guys and Salzy.It seems that no one told them that there would be stairs involved, and from the sound of it, they were none too happy about it either.
He had the bread on a baking sheet and all the other ingredients, mise en place, ready.It would only take a short time to complete the dish.
Salzy came in, using the bottom of his old band T-shirt to wipe the sweat from his brow.“Those guys weren’t very happy having to haul all the stuff up the stairs, and they almost didn’t want to take that ol’ refrigerator.”
“But they did, right?”Jamie asked, leaning against the counter.
“Yeah.”Salzy got himself some water.“I got...Ms.Mattie and Mr.Solan’s bed made, but I didn’t know where any spare sheets were, so you’ll have to make your own bed.Got mine made, too.”
Jamie thought for a moment.“Come to think of it, I don’t know where the spare queen-size sheets would be.Maybe in one of the dresser drawers?”
Salzy looked down at the old white tiled floor.“I started to look there, but...it’s all full of...you know...their stuff.”He looked up.“I didn’t feel right looking.Felt like I was snooping.”
Jamie sighed.“I’d feel the same way.”He turned back to the stove even though he didn’t need to.“I guess I’ll have to deal with that sooner rather than later.”
Salzy walked over to Jamie and hugged him from behind.“Remember I’m here for you...bro.”
“Oh hell.”Jamie broke away from the hug, turned the flame off from under the pot.“Let’s go get a shower before dinner.We both stink.”
