“I’ve...well, no, I’ve not looked at the paperwork other than the new accounts stuff, and we talked about all that.”
“Speaking of which, just let me know if you want me to move any more of that money over for renovations.I know that expenses can add up quickly, and I was serious about being able to build ten new diners.There is plenty of money for you to do what you want or need to do.”
“I’m sorry, Adrian, I’m still having a hard time...well, dealing with everything.”Jamie sighed heavily.“I’ve not had a spare minute to think about much of anything.”
“I understand, Jamie.”Adrian let out his own sigh.“To be honest, I don’t know how you’ve managed to do what you’ve done already.I guess that’s why people are so interested in you.It’s like Ms.Mattie never died.Or Mr.Solan, either, for that matter.It’s like...well, you’ve never skipped a beat.Everything just went on as it always has.”
“I’ve just done what I’ve always done.”Jamie rubbed his eyes, feeling so tired.
“On another note,” Jamie could feel the smile even though he couldn’t see Adrian.“Is it true that your biscuits are better than your grandmother’s?”
At that, Jamie had to laugh.“She is probably livid at me, and my grandfather is shaking his fist at me.”
Adrian laughed.“I can’t wait for you to reopen so I can try them.We did plan on coming in for dinner last Friday night, but the line was out the door.”
“Yeah, I don’t know exactly what’s going on, but I’ve never seen the diner so busy.Walter either.”
“Jamie, I think that folks around here feel like you’re a breath of fresh air.It doesn’t hurt that you have the reputation of being one of the top chefs in Atlanta.That carries a lot of weight around here.You know, homeboy comes home a big winner.That sort of thing.”
“Pfft.I don’t think so, but there is something going on.”
“Well, Jamie, it was good to chat with you, but I do have a mountain of paperwork to deal with.I’ll call Mr.Manley and let him know that anytime this week will work for you.If he gives me a date and time, I’ll let you know.I did give him your number so he may call you directly.”
“Don’t men like him have people to do all that?”
Adrian sighed.“I’m sure he does, but Jamie, you’re not just anyone.Not anymore.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Jamie took a deep breathand let it out slowly.He held his phone after disconnecting the call with Adrian.Money is not an issue.How can that even be?I’ve never had enough money to do whatever I wanted.He remembered his grandfather counting every penny that was ever spent.He always managed the diner’s books, and I could hear him talking with his mamaw about costs and trimming where they could.So how can there be so much money?Because he never spent any.He’d answered his own question.“And I’m going to be careful on expenses, but...”He looked around the kitchen.“It’s an investment to keep the dinner going for another fifty years.”
“Hey, Jamie,” Joesph popped his head around the back door.“Come look at this paint color.”
Salzy stood there, paintbrush in hand.He’d painted a good portion of the riser, banister, and balustrades.
“Wow,” was all Jamie could say.“That’s...the color the inside tables and chairs used to look like.”
