Chapter Nine
Salzy ordered a heap of food, speaking in what Jamie knew to be Spanish. It seems that he and the owners were well acquainted. They looked sceptically at Jamie—however. Salzy had ordered himself another beer and Jamie a margarita.
“So, what ’cha want me to start on?”
“I was hoping you could start on those stairs. Some of the nails have popped up and they need painting in the worst way. I suspect that some will have to be replaced if not all of them.” Jamie took a small sip of the margarita. “Oh. Wow! This is really good!”
“Why do you sound so surprised?” Salzy shook his head. “I told you it was the best and it is.” He took a sip of the margarita to see for himself. “Yeah, that’s just as good as I remember.”
“So why didn’t you have one?”
“Tequila and I... well, we like each other. A lot. Too much.”
Jamie laughed. “What, you take all your clothes off and dance on the table?”
Salzy deadpanned. “Something like that.”
“Oh hell, now I need to bring you back here and get you all the tequila you can handle.”
Salzy shook his head. “That’s something that will never happen. Back to work, Jamie. I can get those stairs done easily enough. It will take some work but shouldn’t take all that long. I think you’re right about some of those treads needin’ to be replaced.”
“Yeah, what I thought. I’ll call over to Hanson’s hardware tomorrow and see about openin’ up an account or something.”
“I think your grandparents already have one. I picked up some new trash cans for them not too long ago.”
Jamie nodded. “I’ll call in the morning and check it out. Now, the big thing is I’m going to shut the diner down for about four weeks.”
“That’s a long time to close a business.”
“It is, but I have a plan. I just need to make a heap of phone calls tomorrow.” Jamie sipped his margarita, had some tortilla chips and salsa. “That’s the best salsa I’ve ever had.”
Salzy rolled his eyes. “And what about all the staff, the guys?”
Jamie grinned. “I’m going to send them on a Caribbean cruise!”
“Why do I feel I got the wrong end of that stick.”
“You’re gettin’ paid and you’ll be able to keep your rig.”
“Okay. Okay. You’re right. Okay, Mr. Money Bags, what’s the rest of the plan.?”
* * * * *
Jamie got up early the next morning, still full and with a slight heartburn.
He’d eaten so much he wasn’t sure he was going to be able to drive home.
He undid his jeans just to bend into the sports car.
He’d only had the one margarita but had a food hangover, which is a real thing he was finding out.
Once he had all the lights and radio on, Jamie started on the biscuits which was always the first thing to get done, so they could go back into the walk-in refrigerator.
Then onto the corn bread. Those were staples at the diner and people expected them.
I think I’m going to step up these biscuits. I know Mamaw won’t mind... too much.
He was humming along to the radio when Walter and Timmy walked in. “Morning, Jamie,” Walter said. “You’re in early,” he commented as he and Timmy pulled on their clean uniform shirts, aprons, and respective ball caps.
“Yeah.” Jamie beat the eggs and oil together for the corn bread. “After breakfast, I’ve got some business I have to take care of, so I’m going to leave the lunch service to you guys.” He stopped and looked at Walter. “Think you guys can handle it on your own?” Jamie was truly hoping they could.
“Yeah, sure.” Walter turned on the bread warmer. “Dexter can fit in just about anywhere now. He can’t do the biscuits or corn bread, but hell, I can’t either. Only you and Ms. Mattie can do that. One day you’re gonna have to break down and give up them recipes.”
Jamie smiled. “We’ll just have to see about that.”
“I swear, you and that woman were cloned.”
Jamie’s smile disappeared. “I would have preferred that.”
Walter shot a sorry look in Jamie’s direction and nodded.
“Mornin’ all,” Dexter said happily when he walked in. “I see ya’ll got things going already.”
“Pfft. Got to,” Walter pointed to Jamie. “The big boss man has ‘business’ to attend to.”
“Oh? I do love a good mystery,” Flo said as she sauntered into the kitchen, snapping her gum afterwards.
“And a mystery it will remain until Thursday night.” Jamie looked at Flo. “Make sure you talk to that guy...What’s his name again?”
“Mike.” Flo smiled sweetly at Jamie. “Not even a little hint?” She had the nerve to bat her eyes at him.
“You of all people should know that your female wiles will never work on me, you wicked, wicked woman.” Jamie teased.
The entire kitchen staff busted out laughing, even Florence.
Breakfast was busy, but not as busy as Jamie remembered.
At no point did he feel truly needed. The kitchen team handled things as smoothly as any high-end restaurant he’d ever worked in.
The front of house did their jobs, which didn’t surprise him at all.
Mamaw would never have allowed that to happen any other way.
“Hey, guys,” Jamie said to the three men wrapping up the morning service and already well on to prepping for lunch. “I’m going to run upstairs and make some phone calls if you don’t mind. You got everything covered. I kinda feel in the way, to be honest.”
“Yeah, we got this,” Walter answered. “Take care of business, Jamie. We’ll holler if we need ya.”
“Thanks, guys.” Jamie took off his cooks shirt and tossed it in the laundry hamper as he went out the back door.
He started up the back steps and saw Salzy with a notepad, making notes. “You already started?”
Salzy looked up. “Yep. It looks worse than it is. So far, I’ve only seen four treads that need replacing.” He motioned to some others. “The rest just needs a good washing, some sanding, and a couple of good coats of paint.”
“That’s good.” Jamie climbed the stairs, passing by Salzy. “I’m going to call the hardware store now and see about that account. What about the stairs over the garage?”
“I’ll go and check those out right now.” He skipped down the steps. “I’ll let you know when I’m done there.”
“Okay. I hope to have an answer for you about the hardware store by the time you’re done.”
Jamie set up his laptop on the old wooden table where he’d eaten many a meal, got out his cell phone, and called the hardware store. He was surprised when old man Hanson himself answered the phone.
“Hi, Mr. Hanson.” Jamie figured the man had to be close to his nineties by now. “I don’t know if you remember me or not, but this is Jamie... Puckett.”
“Of course, I remember you, Jamie. I’m old not senile as yet. Just don’t go asking any of my kin about that if you don’t mind.” He chuckled. “What can I do for ya?”
“I was wondering if my grandparents had an open account with you, is all?”
“Of course they do... well did. I did make it to the funeral but couldn’t stop by the diner. I don’t get around as well as I used to, I hope you’ll forgive me?”
“Please, Mr. Hanson, don’t worry about it. I understand. I hope you’ll come by the diner sometime so we can catch up. I’ll make sure to give you a good feed too.”
“Now, as far as I can tell, the account is paid in full and still open. You needin’ sumpthin’?”
“Yes, sir, I sure do. I’m going to have a short list. Is it okay if I send an employee over to pick some things up? He’ll have that list of what we’ll need.”
“Yep, I’ll make sure he gets whatever he needs. Just tell him to ask for Terry. She’s my great-granddaughter. She’ll take care of ’im. She’s about the only one here who doesn’t want to stick me in some nursing home.”
Jamie had to laugh. “Sure thing, Mr. Hanson. Just give the invoice to Salzy and I’ll make sure it’s taken care of.”
“Pfft. I wasn’t a bit worried, Jamie. Hope we can catch up soon.”
“Bye, Mr. Hanson.”
He’d just disconnected the call when Salzy knocked on the old screen door.
“Come on in, Salzy.” Jamie stood up.
Salzy had his notepad in hand. “I got a list for what I think it’s gonna take to get both sets of stairs all fixed up. I was thinking we might rent a good pressure washer. Will make things go a lot quicker.”
“See if we can’t just buy one from Hanson’s Hardware.” Jamie put his phone down next to his computer. “I just got off the phone, and we do have an account there. You’re to ask for Terry. Mr. Hanson said she’d hook you up.”
Salzy’s eyes opened wide. “Really?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Well...” Salzy thumped his pencil on his notepad. “She’s beautiful.”
Jamie sat down. “I see,” he grinned. “Got a bit of a crush thing going on?”
“Like she’d be interested in me.” Salzy rolled his eyes. “I’m going to have to borrow Mr. Solan’s truck for all this stuff. You okay with that?”
Jamie started to stand. “Of course, I’ll get the keys.”
Salzy motioned for him to sit down. “I know where they are.”
“Put all the supplies in the garage.”
“Um... that garage is going to be need a good cleaning out. About the only place to put all this is where the truck is parked now.”
“Then just park the truck next to my car. We’ll worry about cleaning out the garage later.” Jamie’s brow scrunched up. “Papaw used to keep that place spotless. What all’s in there?”
Salzy shook his head. “I think things just got away from him, is all. He had a hard time this past couple of years. Of course he wouldn’t let anyone help him. You know how he was. He was a proud man.”
Jamie nodded. “He was that.”