Chapter Seventeen
Jamie was just puttingthe finishing touches on his version of shrimp and grits when Salzy came in, the doornotslamming because Walter and Timmy were right behind him.Timmy didn’t let the door slam, he noticed.
“Something sure smells good,” Dexter said a few moments later, Walter already having come over to have a look into the pot Jamie was slowly stirring.
“Looks good, too,” Walter commented.“Maybe put that on the menu?”
“We can talk about that after dinner,” Jamie said, smiling.“I hope everyone likes it.”
“All I’m saying is that Ms.Mattie would be fit to be tied,” Hazel was saying as she huffed her way into the kitchen, Florence hot on her heels.
Flo was carrying in a twelve pack of Budweiser bottled beer.“If Jamie can drink beer...”Flo looked at Jamie, smiling.“Then I don’t see where it’d be an issue.”
Walter looked at the redhead.“I thought about it but didn’t know if it would be right.”
“Well, there’s another box in my truck.Go and get it before it gets hot.”Florence snapped her gum, smiling.“I think this is going to be agoodnight.”
“I-I’ll go.”Timmy darted around the two women and out the door.Jamie noticed that he didn’t let the door slam.He looked at Salzy, who was busy taking the beer from Florence.
“Thanks, honey,” Flo said sweetly, then looked at Jamie, one eyebrow raised.
Jamie rolled his eyes at her.
“Anyone want a beer?”Salzy asked, holding up two bottles.
“Of course I do.I brought it didn’t I?”Florence was holding out a hand.“Gimme.”
“I’ll have one,” Walter lazily walked over to Salzy.“Get one for the boss.”
Salzy walked out with six bottles, three in each hand.“Beer all around then.”
Timmy came back in with the second twelve pack, going directly to the walk-in.
Jamie waited until everyone had a beer and then got everyone’s attention by clanking a metal spoon against a pot.“I propose a toast.”Jamie cleared his throat.“May Mattie’s Diner live on for another fifty years.”
“Here, here!”was the hearty response by all.
After they all had had a drink, Jamie announced that dinner was ready and that everyone should go into the dining room and have a seat.When Salzy started towards the swinging door into the dining room, Jamie said, “Not you.You’re working.”
Salzy’s shoulders hunched exaggeratedly.“Yes, boss.”
“Put eight bowls up under the heat lamps,” Jamie instructed, pointing to the stack under the window.“Then set up eight plates, next to me.”
Salzy did as he was told then asked, “Now what?”
“Get eight ice waters and take them out to the dining room.”Jamie watched as he added more cream to the pot.“Use the tray,” he instructed, as he stirred.
“I’m not sure about the tray.Don’t know if I can keep it balanced.”
Jamie rolled his eyes.“I have faith in you.Just go slow and be careful.”Jamie got the bread out of the warmer and divided them into two baskets, with a bowl of butter pats, and set them on the serving counter, which they normally used for cold food.
“Done,” Salzy said, smiling.“I didn’t even spill any.”
“I knew you could do it.”Jamie nodded towards the bread.“Go on and take that out and then come back.”
Jamie got the shrimp dish served up in the eight bowls, sprinkled somefilé gumbo powder and then fresh parsley over the top of each one.He took off his apron and tossed it into the dirty clothes hamper.
