The table got quiet, their eyes looking behind Jamie.
“Um...pardon me, but...”a very deep, baritone but soft sounding voice said behind Jamie.“But...is that shrimp and grits?”
Jamie turned to see Mike towering over him.“Uh...yes.”Jamie tried to swivel in his seat, his neck craning to look towards him.
“Is there a chance I may have some?”Mike asked quietly.
“Of course.”Jamie pushed back and stood.“Are the porkchops not okay?”
“Oh, yes!I didn’t mean to imply that they weren’t, it’s just that...well, shrimp and grits are one of my all-time favourites.”
“Have a seat.I’ll bring you out a bowl.”
A minute later Jamie set the bowl in front of Mike, with a small basket of some of the bread.“Let me know what you think.”
Mike took his fork from the pushed away plate of pork chops.Took a bite and closed his eyes.He chewed slowly and then sighed.He looked up at Jamie.“Smooth.Creamy.Smokey, just enough spice.Not too much cheese.This is the best shrimp and grits I’ve ever had, and that’s saying something coming from a Charleston boy.”
Jamie smiled.“I’m glad you like it.Enjoy.”
He sat back down, everyone looking at him.“What?”
Florence leaned over and whispered, “That man has never deviated from his usual...ever!”
Jamie shrugged.“Everyone wants a change every now and then.”
It wasn’t long before they had all finished eating their fill, Timmy and Dexter each having seconds.
“Who wants dessert?”Jamie asked, standing up, picking up the dishes.“Salzy, you’re helping.”
“Huh?”
“Get up off your butt and help me clear the table and see if anyone wants anything else to drink.”
Florence nodded towards Mike.“I think he’s done too.”
Jamie set the dishes in his hands onto the tray.He went over to collect the dishes.“How was everything?”
Mike shook his head.“I can’t even tell you how good that was.”He pointed to the remaining pork chop.“Think I can have a container for that?”he asked, pointing to the one pork chop left as well as the beans and potatoes.“I can have that for lunch tomorrow.”
“Of course.”He picked up the empty bowl and put it on the tray with the other dirty dishes.He went back and retrieved the plate of uneaten food.“I’ll get this wrapped up for you.”
Salzy was rinsing the used dishes before loading them onto the dishwasher tray.“Damn, that was some fine food, Jamie.”
“Thanks.”Jamie set the plate down, his hands slightly shaking.
“What’s the matter with you?”Salzy sounded a little alarmed.“You okay?”
“Yeah.”He got a plastic to-go container and scooped up the leftover food.“Just peachy.”Jamie topped up the mashed potatoes that were left in the bain-marie.He handed the container to Salzy.“Take this out to that Mike guy.”
Salzy took the container, still looking concerned.
“I’m fine.I’ll be right out.”
Holy shit, that man...I don’t even know what.But there is something...My ears are buzzing.
Jamie shook his head and spooned up nine servings of bread pudding, poured some of his special bourbon butter sauce over the top, and with tray in hand, he went into the dining room.
