Chapter Six
Jamie opened the door to the apartment upstairs. He didn’t even turn on any lights. He didn’t need to. When he got to his old room, he turned on the lights, picked up the suit pants, looked at them a moment and tossed them into the corner. I’m never wearing that again.
He opened the third drawer of the chest of drawers to pull out a pair of pyjamas. Jamie stood looking at the blue-and-white-striped garments and put them back. “It’s too hot for pyjamas.”
He went to the window and opened it. Glancing out, he saw Salzy’s truck parked. He must have backed it in, he thought. That’s when he saw the light in the apartment over the old garage. It wasn’t very big because it only has space for two good-sized cars and a small workbench along the back wall.
What he couldn’t stop looking at was Salzy walking around in his tight-fitting boxers.
“It really is too bad he’s not gay. He is one good-looking man.
” Jamie turned his back, stripped out of his own clothes, down to his own boxer briefs, tossing his jeans and T-shirt onto the nearby chair, crossed the room, turned the ceiling fan on high, shut off the light and fell into bed.
He sat up again and managed to set his alarm clock.
* * * * *
When the alarm clock went off the next morning, it took a moment for Jamie to realize where he was.
He looked around his old room. Hardly anything had changed since he was a kid.
Of course, you could tell he’d been a teenager when he’d left, but none of the furniture had.
It was still the same old bed, chest of drawers, chair, and nightstand.
He groaned when he stood up. “This mattress is going to have to go.” Jamie twisted his back, bending backwards, trying to undo the knots in his lower back.
Jamie made his way to the bathroom to brush his teeth and rinse his mouth out with mouthwash. He for sure needed that after drinking so much last night, which was not his norm, especially on a work night. He washed his face, combed his hair, and went to get dressed.
He went to put on some underwear to discover that it no longer fit. Neither did the T-shirt. Sighing, he went to his overnight case and pulled out the only other pair of undergarments he had. He looked at the clothes he’d taken off last night and shook his head.
“If I’m staying more than one night, I’m going to have to go shopping.
I can’t believe nothing fits me. I may need to do more than just clothes shopping.
” He looked at the beat-up old clock radio that he’d gotten as his thirteenth birthday present.
One of the digital lines was blinking. “Yep, that has seen better days as well. Crap, I gotta get a move on!”
On his way down the stairs, he again noticed how dingy everything looked.
Jamie got the back door open and turned on all the lights in the kitchen.
Even in here, things were showing their age, especially the floor.
Everywhere he looked tiles were cracked—the grout either slightly grey or even black.
Scowling, he went into the dining room. Everything was set up for the breakfast service. He examined the stools and saw that most of the vinyl was cracked, some were a bit wonky and not exactly stable. The Formica on the countertops were completely white where there was the most wear and tear.
Next, he looked over the tables. Same thing with the chairs as the stools, and the mottled green motif was mostly gone, except in the middle of the table where the sugar caddies sat. He’d never noticed how run down the place was looking. I bet Mamaw and Papaw didn’t notice it either.
“Now isn’t the time to worry about that.
I need to get ready for the day, and it was a day he wasn’t looking forward to.
He knew that they were going to be busy, especially after the show that his mother had put on.
Most of their regular customers knew how she was, but there was gossip to be heard and or passed along.
Just as Jamie made his way back to the kitchen, the back door opened, and Dexter walked in.
“Mornin’, Boss,” He smiled brightly. “I wasn’t sure if you was gonna make it this mornin’?
Jamie chuckled. “Dex, I’ve been way more hungover than this and still went to work.”
“Yep.” Dexter already had his cooks shirt on and was about to put on his apron. “You’re a Puckett through and through. We still doing the daily specials?”
“Yeah, if there are enough chicken livers in there for dinner. If not, I’ll run and get some from the store. I’m not sure when the last orders were made.”
Dexter turned to him. “Boss, we’re running low on just about everything. I think Ms. Mattie was feeling poorly for at least a week before... you know... passed on, and we don’t do chicken livers anymore.”
Jamie nodded. “Thanks for letting me know, Dex. I’ll get on the phone and get a regular order in.” He looked around the kitchen. “Hey, Dex... think we might could change things up a bit?”
“Oh, now I don’t know about all that. You know how Ms. Mattie was about staying on a regular basis and not doing much changing around. People know what to expect and want it exactly how it was. If Ms. Mattie preached much about anything, it was about everything being consistent.”
“Yeah, and how many new customers have we been getting?” Jamie asked as he started making biscuits.
“Well,” Dexter took off his ball cap and scratched the back of his head.
“Now that you bring it up, business has fallen off quite a bit. Part of that is the new Waffle House just up the road, and that place is always full.” Dexter chuckled.
“Mr. Solan, he was madder than an old wet hen when they opened up.”
Jamie smiled. “I bet he was. Let’s get this party started today. I’ll make a one-week order, and why don’t we all talk between breakfast and lunch and see where we stand?”
The smile fell from Dexter’s face. “You gonna close it up, ain’t ya?”
“That’s not what I mean. Didn’t even cross my mind. But I do think we are going to have to make some changes around here if we’re going to be competitive, is all.”
“Okay, I’m down with that.” Dexter looked around the kitchen. “Jamie, you gotta know that this place is home to most of us. And Ms. Flo was right last night; we’re family.”
Jamie nodded. “Yep. I know that as sure as I’m standing here making biscuits that I swear I could do in my sleep.”
Dexter laughed. “I’d never have told Ms. Mattie, but yours sure are better.”
“I never told her I double-folded them with more butter, stuck them in the walk-in before the final rollout and cut.”
Dexter was laughing hard. “She sure would have had a conniption fit for certain. Adding more butter just cut into the bottom line.”
“Why do you think I never told her!”
“What’s so funny in here.” Walter had come in. His own ball cap on his head as he got a fresh shirt from the clear wrap bundle on the folding chair next to the hamper.
“Jamie’s biscuits are better because he adds more butter and then sticks’ em in the walk in.”
Walter looked at Jamie and shook his head.
“You better be damn glad your Mamaw didn’t know anything about that.
” He laughed. “Just keep on makin’ ’em the way you do.
Everyone loves ’em. I have a feeling I may need to make extra sausage gravy today.
Just about ran out yesterday as it was. I had to keep adding more milk and bacon grease to it. ”
“Will do.” Jamie got all the dry ingredients measured out when Timmy walked in.
“Damn boy,” Dexter exclaimed. “You look like something the cat threw up.”
Timmy groaned. “Tha-tha-that’s exactly how I f-f-feel.”
“Get some aspirin, a cold Coke, and I’ll make you a greasy sandwich,” Jamie said as he wiped his hands on a towel nearby.
“Naw, I got it,” Walter said. “I’m right here anyway, I might as well just get it done.” He looked over at Dexter. “You okay on doing the burger prep while you’re doing yours? Maybe do a bit extra?”
“Nope, not at all. We’ll get it all done. Don’t you worry none, Timmy. As soon as I get two batches of these biscuits done, I’ll take over the grill for you. Get you something to eat, see how you feel, and if you don’t feel any better, go on home.”
“I-I-think I may h-h-have to take you up on t-t-that.” Timmy wiped his mouth. “I’m g-g-g-onna be sick.” He ran off to the staff bathroom.
Dex and Walter laughed. “I bet that kid ain’t never been that drunk in his life,” Dexter said.
“It’ll do him some good,” Walter said as he started frying up an egg in bacon fat. “That poor young man hasn’t had much of a life as far as I know.”
“Nope. I don’t think he does,” Dexter chimed in. “That was mighty nice of you, Boss, giving the man a break like that.”
Jamie shrugged. “We all need a break from time to time.”
* * * * *
“Anyone want a coffee or something before we start?” Jamie asked.
“I can get it,” Minnie started to get up.
“My legs aren’t broke,” Jamie said, pushing her back down in her chair. “You gals have been run off your feet today, so just sit and I’ll get it.”
“I’ll have a tall Coke with lots of ice, please,” Flo said, holding her hand up.
“I’d like the same,” Dexter said.
“I’ll have a black coffee, please,” Walter chimed in.
“Minnie, you want anything?” Jamie asked.
She looked down at her hands. “I’ll have an ice water, please.” Her voice was barely a whisper.
“What’s wrong, Minnie?” Jamie asked softly.
She glanced up, then back to her hands. “It feels funny you waitin’ on us when you’re the boss now.” Again, she glanced up. “It’s like you’re Ms. Mattie.”
Jamie squatted down in front of Minnie. “Were all the same here, Minnie. We’ve always been like family, and I’d like it to stay that way.”
Minnie nodded.
“Now...” Jamie started. “Coke, with ice,” he pointed to Flo. “Same for Hazel and Dexter. Walter a black coffee, and an ice water for Minnie. I’m on it.”
“Look at you,” Flo snickered. “Next thing you know, you’ll be out working in the dining room.”
Jamie looked at her. “What? You don’t think I could?”
Flo snorted. “I know you could, but you best not start cutting into my tips!”
Jamie went off to fetch the beverages when there was a tapping on the glass door. It was Salzy. Jamie stopped to let him in.
“Thanks,” Salzy said, giving Jamie a brief hug. “Think I could get some ice? I think my fridge may be on the fritz, and it’s hotter than hades out there today. You can tell summer is coming.”
“Of course.” Jamie motioned him back towards the counter. “You’re gonna have to do a bit of work for it.”
“As long as I don’t break a nail.” Salzy snorted.
Jamie turned around and rolled his eyes. “Are you that precious?”
The entire room erupted in laughter.
“Just hold this tray and take it over to that table, after I get their drinks,” he pointed towards Flo and the other staff. “And if you drop and break it, it’ll come out of your pay check!”
“But I don’t even get a pay check!” Salzy whined.
“I suggest you don’t drop it then.”
Jamie filled the tray with the cold drinks, then poured himself and Walter a coffee.
Once he sat down, Salzy was just idly standing by when Jamie started. “What do you guys want to do?”
They all glanced around, looking confused at first.
“Oh, I get it,” Flo crossed her arms, clearly agitated. “You want to know if we want to be let go, and you and Marlene sell this place. Is that the plan now?”
Jamie threw his hands up, palms towards them. “No! I’m looking for solutions to keep this place going and competing with everyone else that’s openin’ up shop around us. I’ve not really studied the books, but from a quick glance, it isn’t looking all that good.”
“So... you’re gonna stick around?” Walter leaned forward, propping his elbows on the table, his coffee mug between his hands. “You’ll move back down here?”
Jamie looked at them all. “I don’t know what I want to be honest.” He looked out the window of the diner. He returned his attention to the staff. “What I do know is I don’t want to close this place. It’s my Mamaw and Papaw’s legacy. I guess, I’m looking to you to help me.”
Salzy raised his hand slowly. “Uh, I know I really don’t have a say in any of this, but this place could really do with a makeover.”
“You know, I was thinking that very same thing this morning. Things here are looking... tired, if you know what I mean.”
Flo looked flustered and then burst into tears.
Jamie jumped up and went to her, leaning over. “What’s wrong, Flo?”
She pulled a tissue from her apron pocket. “I didn’t know what to expect when... well, when first Solan died, and then Mattie so quickly. I... I don’t want another job. I’ve been here almost twenty-five years. I don’t know anything else and... it’s like my home away from home.”
“I think we all think that way,” Dexter said quietly.
“Okay, so let’s put our noggins together and come up with a plan.” Jamie sat back down and took a long sip of coffee. “Let’s all think about it and sit down again later in the week.”
“Alright, ya’ll,” Flo said, pulling on her shoes before standing. “We still have dinner to get through, although I’m thinking it’ll be a slow night. Never is busy on a Tuesday.”
“And I have to go meet with Glenn Brown.”