Shang nods. “Good. Very good. I’m impressed with your progress this past week.”
“Thanks, Chef,” she says. “I’m really glad you’re giving me the chance to learn. I was honestly surprised when you called me up the other day.”
He scratches behind his ear. “Yeah, well… We’re not at La Rouge anymore. I don’t give a shit if you’re formally trained so long as you follow instructions and pull your weight.”
Amanda beams. “I won’t let you down, Chef.”
“Good. Then that concludes your last training shift. Be here bright and early tomorrow for service.”
“Yes, Chef.”
“Yo, Shang?” Peter calls from the line. They’re starting prep even though they won’t be open for another hour.
“Yeah?”
“Some dude’s out front asking for you. Says he’s your uncle?”
“Charlie’s here?”
Shang wipes his hands on his apron and slips through the double doors from the kitchen to the dining area. He’s gotten used to the cramped space. They can only hold a fourth of the tables that La Rougecan, but he doesn’t mind. Less tables means less orders to drown in during rush. Less orders means he can take his time perfecting every dish before he sends them out. It’s a nice change of pace.
A man stands by one of the front tables, admiring the décor. The walls are a charming mustard yellow, numerous picture frames hanging from the walls. Every one of his kitchen staff chipped in, bringing in pictures of them when they were still in culinary school. The man seems particularly fond of one. He’s in it, along with his dark-haired nephew standing just in front of him.
“I remember that day,” Uncle Charlie says. “You spent hours on your hair.”
Shang rolls his eyes, but there isn’t any heat behind it. “We both know I got my father’s ears. Have to hide it somehow.”
Uncle Charlie chuckles. “Very true.”
“What are you doing here?” Shang asks softly.
“Wanted to check on you. Word around town is that this is the place to be.”
Shang smiles, pride filling his chest. “I guess we’re doing alright.”
“Humility? Surprising, coming from you.”
He shrugs, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I think Eden brings it out in me.”
“That must be it.”
A pause falls over both of them. It isn’t uncomfortable, per se, just a little heavy. “I wanted to apologize,” Uncle Charlie says finally. “For how I spoke to you at your parents’ party. I realized I was being a hypocrite.”
Shang shakes his head. “Don’t worry about it. It’s in the past. Let’s just move forward.”
“My, how you’ve grown. You’re certainly a bigger man than I.”
Shang takes a few steps forward and claps his uncle on the shoulder. “Hungry?”
“Famished.”
“I’ll whip something up for you before we open.”
“Are you sure it’s not too much trouble?”
“It’s no trouble at all.”
* * *
