“It’s just the way you look sometimes.When you expect something to be done the way you want it done.It’s almost scary.”
“Really?”Jamie stopped oiling the pans for the corn bread.“I’m not sure what you mean, but I’ll take it.”
Dexter shook his head, smiling.“You shore’nuf look and act like her when you’re in this kitchen.”
“Must have rubbed off.”Jamie smiled back at Dexter.“That’s a compliment in my book.”
“It was meant as one.”Dexter put a hand on Jamie’s shoulder.“If no one’s said it, thank you for being here, and thank you for all you’re doing.I know all of us was more than a bit worried about...well, you know.”
Jamie nodded, his eyes tearing up.“I’m glad to stay.”He straightened, shaking his head.“My old boss sure wasn’t happy when I called him and told him I was resigning, effective immediately.”
Dexter nodded, “I bet not.”Just then, Joesph and Salzy came in carrying two large cases.
“Now be careful with that one,” Joesph said.“Let’s do the dining room first.”
Salzy rolled his eyes at Jamie as he passed him.“And I thought you were bossy.”
“Mornin’.”Hazel said as she came in.“I don’t know about y’all, but I’m still tired from yesterday.”
“Amen to that,” Walter said.
Hazel walked over and quietly said, “Jamie, do you think I could talk to you for a minute.In private?”
“Of course.”Jamie picked up the sheet pan that held the corn bread.“Let me get this in the oven.Meet me in the office?”
“Um, how about outside?”She looked around.“While it’s still a bit cool.I spend enough time boxed up in here.”
Jamie laughed.“Yeah, I can see that.Let’s go.”
Jamie dropped the towel he was holding and followed the middle-aged woman outside.“What’s up?”
“I was thinking on my way home last night and...I don’t know if you know it or not, but Mike Jones is kind of a big deal.Over on the base, I mean.”
“I didn’t know his last name was Jones.Hell, I didn’t even know of him until two nights ago.”
“Well, he is.”Hazel glanced around as a car pulled into the parking lot.“Anyway, if you’re going to close the diner down for a whole month, then he’ll be going somewhere else to eat.”
“Yeah, that’s just the way it is, I’m afraid.”
“I was wondering, just thinking...what if you could...like cook for him while, you know, everything is happening.He sends a lot of business our way.A lot of personnel from the base come in here, and a lot of them come because he talks about the diner.”
“Oh, I don’t know.”Jamie took his ball cap off.“I plan on redoing the kitchen some too.I may have to find somewhere to go myself.”
“If you’re gonna be cooking for you and possibly Sal, you might as well cook for Mike too.Right?”
Jamie blinked a few times.I sure wouldn’t mind seeing Mike around.“I’ll think about it.”
“I’m sure that I’ve got his number somewhere.I’ll dig it out and give it to you.You can invite him if you...you know, decide to cook for him.”
Jamie thought for a few moments.“I could try out some dishes on him that I’m thinking of adding to the menu.Get some input.”
Hazel grinned.“That’s a great idea.”Then she frowned.“There are a lot of regulars that come in and will expect the same thing.Especially the weekday specials.”
“Wait...why do you have Mike’s number?”
“There have been a few times in the past when the diner had to shut down.Once, when the plumbing backed up.Another time when the grill went out and we had to change the special.Just...stuff that happens around here.”She shrugged.“He gave it to me so he could save the trip into town, is all.”
“Okay.I guess I can see that.I’ll have to think on it.”Jamie nodded.“I know.Do you know why Mamaw took the chicken livers off the menu?”
