Indeed it was the air-conditioning guys.“Why if it isn’t Jamie Puckett,” the younger of the two men greeted him.
“Uh...Jerome.”Jamie looked at his old schoolmate, who had also bullied him.
“This is my boss, Gene Weston.He’s the sales rep.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr.Puckett,” Gene said, vigorously shaking Jamie’s hand with his damp grip.
“It’s Mr.Throneaux,” Jamie said, avoiding looking at Jerome Daniels.
“Oh, since when?”Jerome was grinning.His look was slimy, just like his boss, Gene.
Jamie ignored the question.“Mr.Weston, I need to update the heat and air unit in the diner.I would appreciate a quote, please.”
“Sure, sure.”Gene looked around the place.“Where’s the outside unit and the inside intake?”
“The outside unit is out back, under the stairs.”Jamie showed the two men through the kitchen to the back door.“The inside part is behind the drink station.”He pointed.“The door is in the break room.”He gestured towards the back area.
“Okay, sure, sure.”Gene opened the clipboard box and took out a form.“We’ll have a look-see and see what we’ve got here.”He exited through the back door, Jerome right behind him, still grinning at Jamie.
As soon as they had gone out back, Jamie made a beeline for Joesph.“Get Terry Hanson on the phone and see if she can’t recommend a HVAC company.We won’t be using these guys.”
Joesph nodded and stepped outside in front of the diner, his phone in hand.
Jamie got himself a glass of ice water.I need to try and wash the foul taste out of my mouth.He downed the water and got a box of mushrooms from the walk-in.
“Mr.Thornow,” Gene Watson said, returning from examining the outside part of the HVAC system.
“It’s Throneaux,” Jamie corrected the man, having stopped slicing mushrooms.A big bag of baby spinach sat next to him.
“Oh, sorry, Mr.Thornow.That unit out there has to be over twenty years old.I doubt we’d even be able to get parts for it.I’d suggest replacing it.”
“Okay, that’s what I said.As I mentioned before, I’m only looking at getting quotes at the moment.”He started chopping mushrooms, loudly, his gaze never leaving the man, his knife moving continuously.“Perhaps a quote to replace the entire system?”He looked down, scooping up the fungi into a bowl.
“I’ll have a look at the intake unit.”Gene entered the staff room to access the other part of the AC.
“How ya been, Jamie?”Jerome all but leered at Jamie.
“Very well, thank you for asking, Jerome.”
“I’ve been really good too.Got hitched and got a couple of kids.”His grin, which looked more like a sneer, remained on his face.“You got any kids?”
Jamie looked at him.
“Oh, right...of course not.Fags can’t have kids, can they?”
“You might be surprised.”Jamie ripped open the bag of spinach.
“Mr.Thornow, I’ll get you a quote made up—”
“Don’t bother, Mr.Watson.I will not be using your company.Thank you for coming.You know the way out.”
“But, why?”Watson asked, his face turning red.
Jamie pointed his knife at Jerome.“Ask him.Have a good day, Mr.Watson.”
“But, but—”
“Have a good day, sir.You may leave now.”Jamie did his best to keep his face blank.
