Chapter Sixteen
As soon as lunch was over, the kitchen cleaned, Jamie set to work on his shrimp and grits dish. He peeled and deveined the shrimp and put them back in the walk-in. He prepped the vegetables and got his fish stock going. He had just washed his hands when Salzy entered, covered in dust.
“Don’t you come in here messing up my kitchen,” Jamie almost shouted, both hands outstretched to stop the golden-skinned man.
Salzy stopped. “Then can you get me some ice water? I feel like I’ve swallowed half a two-by-four.”
Jamie sighed heavily. “Do I have to do everything around here?”
Salzy laughed, leaning against the back door doorframe.
Jamie returned, holding out a large glass of ice water. “You get far?”
“Yeah.” Salzy held up a hand as he guzzled the water, draining the glass. He held it out to Jamie. “More, please. I got all the steps to my apartment done. It’s ready for painting.”
“That’s great,” Jamie called over his shoulder as he went towards the drink station. “Think you can get mine done tomorrow?”
“I don’t see why not.” Salzy took the second glass of water and took a drink, not draining it this time.
“I might be able to get them both painted on Saturday, but I’ll have to get paint and painting supplies.
I think it’d take me half a day to try and find anything in that garage, and even then, there’s no guarantee that they’ll be usable. ”
Jamie nodded. “Just run down to Hanson’s and get what you need. No sense in wasting time on the garage for now. Maybe we can tackle that next week.”
Salzy nodded. “I think I could start on it and at least divvy things up to see what you might want to keep. Of course, it depends on work.” He scowled.
“Have you heard anything else?”
“Not a word.”
“Let me know when you need the next payment. Don’t let them use that against you.” Jamie twisted to try and crack his back. “I can’t wait to get a new mattress. My back is killing me. They should be here any time now.”
“I gotta say, I’m looking forward to it. I don’t think my bed’s as bad as yours, but I did put a piece of plywood between the mattress and box spring.” Salzy smirked.
“Smart,” was Jamie’s only reply.
Salzy handed the empty glass back to Jamie. “I’ll go and strip my bed.” Salzy turned to leave. “Want me to do yours as well?”
Jamie looked around the kitchen. “Naw, I’m at a good stopping point. I’ll run up and do it and move some things around so they can get in there. I’m getting a queen bed instead of just having a twin, so some things will have to go.”
Salzy let the screen door slam behind him. “I’ll come help you when I’m done with mine.”
“Would you please stop slamming that door!” Jamie yelled after the man.
Jamie went through to the dining room and made sure the front door was locked and the closed sign was in place. He checked his stock, then trotted up to the apartment that had been his home longer than any other place he’d lived.
In the end, Jamie, with the help of Salzy threw out his old dresser, the old desk, the headboard, frame, and very old rug.
“You’re keeping that old nightstand?” Salzy asked as he pushed it into the small living area.
“For now. I need a place for my alarm clock and lamp.” He looked at where the old dresser had been. “I need to go shopping. I need clothes.”
“If you need to, you can borrow some of mine. We’re about the same size I’d say.”
“Thanks. It may come to that.” Jamie frowned. “As it is, I’m washing out my socks and underwear every night.”
Salzy crinkled his nose. “Yeah, you need to go shopping. Just run up to that outlet mall north of town. That’s where I go.”
“Problem is, I don’t know when I’ll have time. I have a friend coming down from Atlanta tomorrow to start working on the diner’s renovations.”
Salzy nodded. “You’re gonna have your hands full.”
Jamie nodded. “Let’s get into the kitchen and get ready for tonight.” Jamie grabbed his laptop and walked out onto the landing of the apartment, Salzy right behind him. “And don’t—” Then the screen door slammed shut.
Salzy stood there looking at him. Jamie slugged his upper arm.
“What the hell?” Salzy rubbed his arm. “What was that for?”
“Letting the door slam.” Jamie started down the steps. “For the life of me, I don’t know why Mamaw let you get away with that. She’d never let me.”
“Maybe she loved me more?”
Jamie stopped on the last step and looked over his back at his new friend, a bright smile on his face. “Really? That’s your response.”
Salzy shrugged. “Just like brothers.”
“Oh hell.” Jamie went through the back door to the diner’s kitchen. He waited until Salzy came in, waiting for the screen door to slam, but it didn’t. He looked at Salzy, who was grinning. Jamie shook his head.
Jamie checked on his stock, the whole kitchen smelling like fish. “What do you want me to do?” Salzy asked.
“Come on, let’s set up the tables for tonight.”
The two men went into the dining room and pulled two four-top tables together. Jamie showed Salzy how he wanted the flatware set and let him finish doing that.
When Salzy came back into the kitchen, Jamie was already at the stove, something steaming up from the large pot on the stove. “Got it done.” He sniffed the air. “Something is smelling good.”
“Cajun-style sausage.” Jamie glanced over his shoulder before picking up the bowl of chopped onions. “It adds a lot of flavour.”
Salzy’s stomach growled. “Did you eat lunch?” Jamie asked.
“No. I actually forgot, and I was trying to finish up that sanding.”
“Make yourself a sandwich then. While you’re in the walk-in, grab me a handful of those green beans, please.”
“Yes, boss.” Salzy snickered as he walked across the kitchen.
“I sure hope you don’t keep that up.”
Salzy chowed down on the ham and cheese sandwich while gulping down a glass of milk. He was almost finished when an air horn tooted in the back of the diner.
“That’ll be the new refrigerator and bedding,” Jamie said as he stirred the pot. “Can you deal with all that?”
“No problem,” Salzy answered around the last bite of his sandwich. He rushed out, letting the screen door slam shut.
Jamie sighed and went to deal with the bread. He could hear the delivery guys and Salzy. It seems that no one told them that there would be stairs involved, and from the sound of it, they were none too happy about it either.
He had the bread on a baking sheet and all the other ingredients, mise en place, ready. It would only take a short time to complete the dish.
Salzy came in, using the bottom of his old band T-shirt to wipe the sweat from his brow. “Those guys weren’t very happy having to haul all the stuff up the stairs, and they almost didn’t want to take that ol’ refrigerator.”
“But they did, right?” Jamie asked, leaning against the counter.
“Yeah.” Salzy got himself some water. “I got... Ms. Mattie and Mr. Solan’s bed made, but I didn’t know where any spare sheets were, so you’ll have to make your own bed. Got mine made, too.”
Jamie thought for a moment. “Come to think of it, I don’t know where the spare queen-size sheets would be. Maybe in one of the dresser drawers?”
Salzy looked down at the old white tiled floor. “I started to look there, but... it’s all full of... you know... their stuff.” He looked up. “I didn’t feel right looking. Felt like I was snooping.”
Jamie sighed. “I’d feel the same way.” He turned back to the stove even though he didn’t need to. “I guess I’ll have to deal with that sooner rather than later.”
Salzy walked over to Jamie and hugged him from behind. “Remember I’m here for you... bro.”
“Oh hell.” Jamie broke away from the hug, turned the flame off from under the pot. “Let’s go get a shower before dinner. We both stink.”