“And I said, not tonight.It’s a special night and...you helped me make a big decision.I’m going to put that shrimp and grits on the menu.”Jamie smiled brightly up at the big man.“Consider yourself a guinea pig.”
“I don’t feel right not paying.”
“Will you be here tomorrow night?”
“Of course.It’s fried catfish night.”Mike looked surprised that he’d even asked.
Jamie studied the man for a second.“How is it I’ve never seen or heard of you before now?”
The question seemed to surprise Mike, his eyebrows shooting up.“I, uh, don’t know.I’ve been stationed here for about eighteen months, and I’ve been coming here almost every night since I got here.”
“Why here?”
Mike smiled again.“I asked around about who had the best biscuits and gravy, and everyone said Mattie’s Diner.”
Jamie thought for a moment.“I guess it’s my fault.In not meeting you before now, that is.”He looked down at the worn flooring.“I’ve not been home much the last two years.”
“I was really sad to hear about your grandparents.They were always very nice and welcoming to me.”Mike’s voice had gone lower and softer, barely audible.“I’m glad to know the diner isn’t going to close.It’s...”Mike looked out the windows that crossed almost the entire front of the diner.“It’s like being home, I suppose.The type of food I grew up with.”
“That is a real compliment.My Mamaw would be very pleased to have heard that.”
“I told her.”Mike seemed to blush.“I’m sure I told her several times in fact.”
“Do you have your mind set on catfish, or can I try something else out on you?”Jamie asked, watching for any negative reaction.
“No...I have a feeling that anything you cook I’d eat.”
“Good.Then I’ll see you tomorrow night then.”
Mike stood up straighter, towering over Jamie even more.“But I plan on paying for my dinner.Understood?”His voice was low but had taken on a harder edge.
Jamie nodded and walked Mike to the door.“Good night.”
“’Night”
He locked the door behind Mike and watched him walk...glideto his big truck.Of course, he drives a big truck.He is a big, big man.Jamie took a deep breath and let it out slowly before turning around.
When Jamie spun around, Florence had the biggest shit-eating grin on her face, beer bottle in hand.Hazle had her eyes shut and both hands over her mouth, trying her best not to laugh.Minnie’s eyes were so big Jamie thought they may pop out of her head.
“See now why no one would say no to that man?”Walter said, smiling and shaking his head.
“Jamie’s got a crush,” Salzy sang.“Jamie’s got a boyfriend.”
* * * * *
It took a while foreveryone to settle down after they teased Jamie.I didn’t think I was that obvious, Jamie thought as he cleaned up the kitchen.
Timmy and Dexter dealt with the dirty dishes, which didn’t take long.Florence and Hazel made coffee.
“Okay, let’s get this meeting started.”They were all gathered around the table again, and Jamie had his laptop open.“I have a list.”He looked around the table.
“We do too,” Florence said as she pulled a legal pad from her enormous purse.She looked at Jamie.“Want us to go first?”
“Yes please.”Jamie took a sip of his coffee.
The redhead took a deep breath, settled herself in her chair and looked at the rest of the staff.“The big thing is...”she said, her voice trailing off and for the second time that night didn’t seem able to speak.
“What Flo is trying to say,” Walter picked up when she didn’t continue, “Flo and I are over sixty years old and pulling three shifts is getting hard.”
