Chapter Eighteen
Jamie served dessert, starting with Mike, whose eyes were wide. “I didn’t order dessert.”
“I know.” Jamie took in the man for a moment. “I’d just like to know what you think.”
“If it’s anything like the shrimp and grits, I’m sure it’s excellent.” Mike smiled for the first time, showing straight, even white teeth. “I’ll let you know if it’s as good as my grandma’s.”
Jamie smiled and nodded before going back to the staff, all of them looking at the bowl of bread pudding.
“I have no idea how I’m going to eat this,” Dexter moaned. “I’m already so full.”
Timmy groaned. “I-I a-a-ate too mu-much.” He rubbed his stomach.
“Oh, Jamie,” Flo said, her eyes closed. “This is the best.” She looked at Jamie. “Who knew you could cook like this! I mean, I knew you could cook, but hellfire boy... this is... I don’t even know how to say it. I’m at a loss for words.”
“Stop the presses,” Walter said, almost standing. “Never, ever have I known that woman to be at a loss for words!” He pointed at Florence. “And I’ve known her for nigh on thirty years!”
“Shush, you,” Florence said with a scowl. “No one asked you.”
Everyone laughed and then fell silent. The only noise was that of spoons against bowls.
“Oh, Holy Mother of God,” Dexter said, leaning back in his chair. “I may never eat again, I’m so full.”
Minnie also leaned back in her chair, both hands over her tummy. Salzy, of course, looked like he was about ready to lick the bowl.
“Excuse me... again.”
Jamie didn’t have to turn around to know that Mike was behind him. He turned around. “How was it?”
“As much as it pains me, I have to admit your bread pudding beat my grandma’s by a mile,” Mike said in his deep, soft voice. “That sauce was perfectly balanced.”
Jamie stood up and faced the man. “That is the best compliment a chef can have.”
Mike smiled, his face warm, eyes bright. “Check, please.”
“Nope, not tonight. It’s on the house.”
“Wait a minute, I intend to pay for what I had.” Mike’s brow furrowed.
“And I said, not tonight. It’s a special night and... you helped me make a big decision. I’m going to put that shrimp and grits on the menu.” Jamie smiled brightly up at the big man. “Consider yourself a guinea pig.”
“I don’t feel right not paying.”
“Will you be here tomorrow night?”
“Of course. It’s fried catfish night.” Mike looked surprised that he’d even asked.
Jamie studied the man for a second. “How is it I’ve never seen or heard of you before now?”
The question seemed to surprise Mike, his eyebrows shooting up. “I, uh, don’t know. I’ve been stationed here for about eighteen months, and I’ve been coming here almost every night since I got here.”
“Why here?”
Mike smiled again. “I asked around about who had the best biscuits and gravy, and everyone said Mattie’s Diner.”
Jamie thought for a moment. “I guess it’s my fault. In not meeting you before now, that is.” He looked down at the worn flooring. “I’ve not been home much the last two years.”
“I was really sad to hear about your grandparents. They were always very nice and welcoming to me.” Mike’s voice had gone lower and softer, barely audible.
“I’m glad to know the diner isn’t going to close.
It’s...” Mike looked out the windows that crossed almost the entire front of the diner.
“It’s like being home, I suppose. The type of food I grew up with. ”
“That is a real compliment. My Mamaw would be very pleased to have heard that.”
“I told her.” Mike seemed to blush. “I’m sure I told her several times in fact.”
“Do you have your mind set on catfish, or can I try something else out on you?” Jamie asked, watching for any negative reaction.
“No... I have a feeling that anything you cook I’d eat.”
“Good. Then I’ll see you tomorrow night then.”
Mike stood up straighter, towering over Jamie even more. “But I plan on paying for my dinner. Understood?” His voice was low but had taken on a harder edge.
Jamie nodded and walked Mike to the door. “Good night.”
“’Night”
He locked the door behind Mike and watched him walk... glide to his big truck. Of course, he drives a big truck. He is a big, big man. Jamie took a deep breath and let it out slowly before turning around.
When Jamie spun around, Florence had the biggest shit-eating grin on her face, beer bottle in hand. Hazle had her eyes shut and both hands over her mouth, trying her best not to laugh. Minnie’s eyes were so big Jamie thought they may pop out of her head.
“See now why no one would say no to that man?” Walter said, smiling and shaking his head.
“Jamie’s got a crush,” Salzy sang. “Jamie’s got a boyfriend.”
* * * * *
It took a while for everyone to settle down after they teased Jamie. I didn’t think I was that obvious, Jamie thought as he cleaned up the kitchen.
Timmy and Dexter dealt with the dirty dishes, which didn’t take long. Florence and Hazel made coffee.
“Okay, let’s get this meeting started.” They were all gathered around the table again, and Jamie had his laptop open. “I have a list.” He looked around the table.
“We do too,” Florence said as she pulled a legal pad from her enormous purse. She looked at Jamie. “Want us to go first?”
“Yes please.” Jamie took a sip of his coffee.
The redhead took a deep breath, settled herself in her chair and looked at the rest of the staff. “The big thing is...” she said, her voice trailing off and for the second time that night didn’t seem able to speak.
“What Flo is trying to say,” Walter picked up when she didn’t continue, “Flo and I are over sixty years old and pulling three shifts is getting hard.”
“If it’s at all possible, we’d both like to just do breakfast and lunch.” Flo looked at Walter, then down at her hands.
Jamie looked at his computer. “Okay, that was number three on my list. I completely agree with both of you.”
Florence glanced up, a look of surprise on her face. “Really? You’re not mad?”
Jamie rolled his eyes. “Of course I’m not mad. You both have been working here, what? Nigh on thirty years?”
Walter looked directly at Jamie. “I’ve been working for this family for twenty-seven years.”
“Twenty-six for me,” Florence added. She pointed to Walter. “That old goat will be sixty-five in October.”
“And you’ll be—”
Florence cut him off. “Don’t you even dare!” She had her hands on her hips, daring him to say her age.
Minnie raised her hand. “I’ve only been here thirteen years, and I’ve never had any other job. If you don’t mind, I’d really like to only work two shifts. It doesn’t matter which ones.”
Jamie looked at his computer again. “I had down two shifts all around if that’s okay with everyone.
We can decide which works for all of you.
” He scrolled a page down. “Now... having said that, I realize that it would mean that you wouldn’t make as much as working three shifts, so I budgeted that you’ll all receive a fifteen per cent pay raise, starting next week. ”
“What?” Hazel exclaimed. “You serious?”
“Yep.” Jamie looked up and smiled. “You all work hard, and all of you have been here for most of my life, so I think it’s fair. You deserve it, and I can see from the books that you’ve not had a raise in a while.”
“I’m going to kiss you,” Florence said, pushing her chair back.
“Don’t you even dare, woman.” Jamie held both hands up. “The last time you kissed me you got that red lipstick of yours on my shirt, and it never came out!”
Everyone cracked up. There was an ease in the air after that.
“When are you planning on start redoing this place?” Hazel asked, still wiping at her eyes with a napkin.
“I have a professional decorator arriving tomorrow. He’s an old friend, and he’s anxious to start. As to when exactly it starts, I haven’t a clue. I’ll know more tomorrow. I can’t wait for y’all to meet him.” He looked around the table. “Maybe you can tell him what you like and what you don’t?”
“What will we be doing while it’s all being done?” Dexter was leaning on the table. “And for how long?”
Jamie smiled. He’d talked to Alyson early that morning, and it was decided that since he wasn’t sure any of them had passports, so he’d taken a suggestion from her that he thought would work.
“I’m sending you all on a paid vacation, paid for by the diner.”
“What?” Walter asked as he wiped over his bristled hair, his eyebrows almost meeting his hairline.
“Yep.” Jamie smiled. “I thought a lot about it, and I got the advice from a travel agent. I’m closing the diner as of Saturday night.
You guys leave from Atlanta next Wednesday.
A shuttle will pick you up at eight that morning and drops you off at the international airport for your flight. You’ll be gone for thirty days.”
“You’re not serious.” Hazel’s eyes were as big as cup saucers. “For real?”
“I-I’ve n-n-never had a v-va-va-vacation.” Timmy was blinking so hard it looked like he was about to cry.
“Yes. I am serious.”
“Where to? Please tell me the Bahamas. I’ve always wanted to go there.” Florence was practically bouncing in her seat.
“You’re going to Seattle, where you’ll stay for four nights, then you’ll get to go on a train through the Rocky Mountains for two nights.
You’ll get off in Vancouver and be there for four nights, and then.
.. a ten-day luxury cruise to Alaska, then back to Seattle.
There for two nights, then home.” There was total silence.
It was so quiet, Jamie could hear the wall clock ticking.
“Um... is that alright? I mean, I didn’t know if you guys had passports and in Canada you only need a driver’s license. ”
Florence blinked hard a few times. “Is this for real?”
Jamie nodded. “It’s for real. Now if any of you don’t want to go, please tell me now so I can cancel it tomorrow. I only have that one day to cancel and get the money back.”
There was silence until Minnie, of all people, let out a squeal. She jumped up and ran over to Jamie and gave him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“Settle down, y’all.” Jamie straightened up and scrolled a page down on his computer. “Now... let’s talk about the menu. Oh, and just to be clear... I’m moving back down here to run the diner.”