Chapter Ten
Jamie took a deep breath before picking up his cell phone again. I really need to figure out what I want to do. Do I move back here and take over the diner? Give up my job in one of the best restaurants in the South? What am I supposed to do?
He shook his head to clear it. “First things first. I need to get this place up to scratch, as Mamaw would say.” Jamie picked a name from his phone list. “Hi, may I speak with Joesph, please?”
“Who may I say is calling?” the receptionist asked.
“Jamie Throneaux.”
“Please hold. Let me see if he is available.”
Jamie drummed his fingers on the big notepad in front of him. I can’t believe I’m even considering this.
“Hello, Joesph Collins speaking.”
“Hey, Joesph, it’s me, Jamie.”
“Oh, hey. What’s going on?”
“I’m in Columbus. My grandmother died last week, so I’m down here attending to some family business.”
“Oh, man. I’m sorry. Anything I can help you with?”
“Uh, yeah, there is.” Jamie took a deep breath. “I need you to help me renovate an old diner.”
“Yes!” Jamie heard a couple of whoops. “There is a God!” Jamie held the phone away from his ear.
“Mind if I ask why that kind of reception?”
“If only you knew.” Joesph sighed heavily. “Remember me telling you that I had a new client who has those restaurants and wanted them all redecorated?”
“I remember,” Jamie answered. “I thought you were excited about that.”
“I was until I started working with her. Turns out she’s a complete bitch who doesn’t want to pay for anything and shoots down almost every idea I come up with. Won’t make a decision on anything. I’m just over her. This will give me a good reason to dump her. When do I start?”
Jamie couldn’t help but laugh. “How about right now?”
“Oh, thank you, sweet baby jebus. Thank you!”
“Even though it means coming to Columbus?” Jamie asked, afraid of what Joesph may say. He knew that Joesph was from a very small town in North Carolina and hated small towns.
“Yes, even if it is Columbus, Georgia.”
“Wow. You must be desperate,” Jamie commented.
“You have no idea.” Jamie could hear papers rustling. “I’m ready to jet out of town to get away from that woman. Now... give me details.”
Jamie started by giving him the address and phone number for the diner. “It is a very old diner that my grandparents ran for most of their lives, and it’s in need of a complete makeover. It’s so sad looking.”
“Do you have any idea of what you want?”
“I was thinking about that. I want it to maintain the character of an ol’ roadside diner but... updated.”
“Color scheme?”
“It’s that really pale green from back in the ’50s, I think. It was one of my grandmother’s favourite colors. I’m thinking I might like to stay with that. Everything else, I’d like to see what you think. I’m open to any ideas.”
“Music to my ears.” There was a slight pause. “Okay, I’ll pull some things together this afternoon and hit the road first thing in the morning.”
“Can you make it Friday?” Jamie asked. “I have to deal with the staff first and get them on board.”
“Okay, sure thing. I can actually do a couple of sample boards with that kind of time. How big is it?”
“It’s not all that big. It only seats sixty people total.” Jamie looked around the small apartment where he grew up in. “I may... let’s just stick to the diner for now.”
“Oh? Do I hear a life change coming on?”
“I don’t know.” Jamie sighed. “I think I’m at a crossroads and have no idea what direction to go.”
“If I know you, and I’d like to think that I do, you’ll figure it out in record time. One thing I know about Jamie Throneaux is he never hesitates on making a decision and once made, sticks to it.”
“Wow, really?”
“Oh yes. Just ask any of our friends. You’ve never been one of those guys who is wishy-washy.” Jamie could just picture Joesph smiling.
“Okay, then.” Jamie sighed with relief. “Thanks, Joesph. I’ll try and tidy up the place, and you can stay with me. But just to warn you, this place has never been... well decorated, and it hasn’t changed one bit since I was a child.”
Joesph laughed. “I’ll just pretend I’m visiting my grandmother. I’m looking forward to it. It’ll be like a working vacation.”
“Excellent! I’ll see you Friday then?”
“Yep. You got it. Thanks, Jamie.”
Jamie sat there a moment, smiling. “Right then, one down.” He tapped his phone, turning it. He scrolled down his contact list, finding the name he was looking for and hit dial.
“Worldwide Travel, Alyson speaking.”
“Hey, Alyson, it’s Jamie Throneaux. How are you?”
“Hi, Jamie. I’m doing well, and you?”
Jamie had always liked Alyson and was glad to turn over travel arrangements to her. She’d become a good friend. “I’m doing okay. I’m currently in Columbus on family business. I need to look into booking a cruise.”
“It’s a great time of year to do a cruise. Are you thinking Caribbean or Mexican?” Alyson asked as Jamie heard her typing on her computer.
“I was thinking Caribbean. It’s for six people, so I’ll need staterooms for each.”
“Oh?” He heard her stop typing. “You do realize that they will charge you for two people even if there is only one per stateroom?”
“Ouch.” Jamie sighed. “I didn’t realize that, but that can’t be helped. I need to get some people out of town and my hair for about a month.”
“I know. I wish cruise lines would understand that there are single people who want to do a cruise, too! Hmm... there isn’t a cruise for a whole month that I know of right off the top of my head.
” Alyson went back to typing furiously on her keyboard.
“Can I do some research and get back to you either later today or tomorrow?”
“That would be fine,” Jamie answered.
“Maybe I could sneak along with this group. Sounds fun. What’s the time frame for this?”
“The sooner the better, I think. Within two or three weeks?”
“Okay. Wow. I’ll see what I can find. Not sure how that’s going to work on such short notice.” Jamie heard her stop typing. “Most people plan these type of vacations well in advance and... well, it could be slim pickings at this time of year.”
Jamie sighed. “Okay, just see what you can come up with and let me know.”
This could be very expensive. I’d better run down to Planters Credit Union before I commit to anything.
Jamie gathered up all the paperwork that Glenn Brown had given him and stuffed them into a courier bag that he used to keep his computer and other paperwork for work. Here goes nothing!
He left the apartment, locking the door behind him, and hopped down the steps.
He went into the back door of the kitchen.
He walked over to Walter, who was starting to clean up after the lunch service, which wasn’t quite over.
He glanced through the order window into the dining room.
He was surprised to see only two customers in there.
“Hey, Walter, I’m going to run out and do a few errands. Need anything while I’m out?”
Walter thought for a moment. “Nope. Can’t think of anything. PDF Foods called, and we’ll get our order in first thing in the morning, so I think we’re all good.”
“Good. If you think of anything, just call me on my cell.”
“Yep. It’s all good here. Just doing a bit of clean up and we’ll be ready for dinner.”
“Thanks, Walter. See you later.”