Pushed

Chapter 10

Not even thechill of the walk-in fridge could remove the memory of Prince Charming’s warm touch. And the next day, too. I’d thought for sure I’d forget the dreamy stranger after a good’s night sleep, but he clung in my mind with more determination than peanut butter on the roof of my mouth.

I shook my head, hoping to clear my thoughts.

Let it go, AJ. You’ve got work to do.

Eric burst into the kitchen in a rush. “Sorry I’m late, chef. But I have some news that will make up for it.”

“Tell me while you chop these onions and mushrooms, we don’t have time for chitchat.”

He donned his white jacket, got out his knives, and began chopping.

“I got a phone call from my cousin, who is a first responder, as I was leaving my apartment to come to work. She wasn’t on the call, but she heard on dispatch that Mr. Quince had a stroke early this morning and is in the hospital. She didn’t know how bad it was.”

The basket of apples I was holding spilled, and apples rolled all over the counter and bounced to the floor.

Oh no. Poor Mr. Quince! His poor family. Shock made my limbs go numb even as another part of my brain whirred like a spinning top. Had Mr. Quince made end of life decisions for the restaurant? Would his family take over? Would they sell?

“Eric, help me make sandwiches and snacks for the family. I’ll bring it up to the hospital and be back before the rush starts.”

“Good idea. Nobody likes hospital food. I’m sure they’ll appreciate the gesture.”

We quickly assembled a dozen sandwiches, chips, and cookies, and loaded them into a box. I gave Eric instructions for what else needed to be prepped, so he could get it ready while I was gone. “I’ll be right back.”

“Don’t worry. I got this.”

When I arrived at the hospital, one of Mr. Quince’s family members stood right outside the door. His brother Tim filled me in on where the rest of the family could be found.

The lobby of the intensive care unit was filled with family and friends of the Quince family.

Tina, Mr. Quince’s only daughter, greeted me. “AJ, how nice of you to come.”

“I’m so sorry about your dad. I brought some food for you and your family, so you don’t have to suffer eating at the cafeteria. Let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.” I handed her the box of food.

“That’s so sweet of you. We really appreciate this.” Tina accepted my offer, but her face remained strained with worry.

“How’s your dad doing, if I may ask?”

Her eyes welled with tears and her voice quivered as she spoke. “It was a massive stroke, but it’s still too early to tell what his recovery will be.”

“Let him know we’re all pulling for him, and hope he recovers soon.” I looked at my watch. “Well, I better get back to the restaurant. It’s almost time to open.”

“Thanks again, AJ.”

I waved and rushed back to work.

Throughout my shift, I kept imagining the things I would change if this restaurant was mine. A new menu. Better quality ingredients. Bring the dining room out of the 80s and into the modern age. Expanded hours to include lunch on weekdays and brunch on weekends.

So. Many. Things.

But the more I let my mind wander and dream, the more guilt swamped me. Mr. Quince was lying in the ICU while I was dreaming about my future.

Don’t worry about this now, AJ. Just focus on what you do best, cooking amazing food.

Cooking always relaxed me, no matter what was stressing me out. If I was in the kitchen, I was in my happy place. I was in control there. If something went wrong with one of my dishes, I could always find a way to fix it. Not the case with the rest of my life.

During a lull in the shift, I slipped into the office to call Paige. I needed a sounding board. After filling her in on what happened with Mr. Quince, she asked, “So, do you have your proposal and business plan ready?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Come on. Don’t tell me you haven’t been thinking about what happens to the restaurant now that Mr. Quince is out of commission.”

I shrugged. “Out of respect for Mr. Quince, I’ve been trying to focus on my work.”

“That’s great, but you also need to be prepared for things to change. This could be your chance. I know you would love to have full control of that place. It’s all you’ve talked about since you started there.”

A slap of reality as well as a buzz of excitement moved through me, and the thoughts I’d been pushing aside came rushing forward.

My own restaurant. Full total control of the menu, of the staff…everything.

This was not the time for being nice. My dream was within reach. I wasn’t about to let it slip away.

“You’re right, Paige. Things could happen quickly, and I don’t want to miss my opportunity. I’ll work on those things when I get home tonight.” Even if I had to stay up all night to put it together, I needed to be prepared.