Chapter Twenty
Joesph followed Florence into the kitchen, a big smile on her face. “You have a visitor, Jamie.”
Jamie looked up and then immediately closed his eyes. Oh hell. His friend was wearing tight, very tight, cutoff jean shorts, which were close to being Daisy Dukes, and a red tank top, also very tight. A cowboy hat and, to top off the ensemble, were red cowboy boots.
Joesph quickly closed the space between himself and Jamie and hugged his friend. “I don’t even know how to thank you,” Joesph said and hugged Jamie again. “You would not believe the tirade I had to listen to when I told that dreadful woman that I was dumping her big ass.”
“Hi, Joesph,” Jamie said, hugging his friend back. “Didn’t take you very long to get here.”
Joesph leaned against the biscuit bench that Jamie had just cleaned. “Traffic was light once I got out of Midtown.” Joesph glanced around, then slowly looked at Jamie. “I have my work cut out for me.”
His friend wasn’t exactly a flaming queen, but there was no doubt that he was gay.
Slightly effeminate, but definitely not masculine either.
He was mostly African American, but his grandmother had been Vietnamese.
He was a tall man with almond shaped eyes, and his skin was flawless. He was slender, but tightly muscled.
“Yeah, I think so,” Jamie replied, shaking his head. “First things first. Florence, why don’t you show Joesph the dining room?”
The entirety of the staff was standing there, looking at Joesph.
“Don’t you think you should at least introduce us to your friend?” Florence was all smiles, and with an evil glint in her eyes.
“Hi, everyone. I’m Joesph Collins. So glad to meet all of you.”
Florence took it upon herself to introduce Joesph to everyone, her hand around his arm, just above the elbow. When she was done, she said, “And I just love your outfit!”
Even Walter groaned at that.
The women went with Joesph to look at the dining room, chatting like old friends as they meandered through the space.
“Is he going to be doing the kitchen?” Walter whispered.
Jamie laughed. “No, I’ll be dealing with the kitchen, personally.”
“Okay. Good.” Walter took off his ball cap and wiped his head. “I don’t know if I could work in a pink kitchen.”
Jamie doubled over, almost sitting on the floor, he was laughing so hard.
Salzy came in, the screen door closing quietly behind him. He glared at Jamie. “Thanks, Walter. That’s the best bacon and egg sandwich you’ve ever made me.” He rinsed off his plate and empty milk glass.
Jamie was smiling at his friend. “Wasn’t it too hot to eat out there?”
“It was cool in the garage. Cooler than in here.”
“There’s a guy coming later today to have a look at the AC in the dining room.
Unfortunately, there isn’t any air-conditioning in the kitchen.
” Jamie mopped his brow with an old dish towel.
“His boss is coming too, and I’m hoping they can give me a quote on putting it in here too,” he said, waving his hand around the kitchen, still holding the towel.
There was a burst of laughter, as the waitresses came into the kitchen—Joesph right behind them.
Uh-oh. Jamie saw Joesph’s gaze fall on Salzy. He sauntered over. “And who is this gorgeous specimen?”
“This is... uh...” Jamie smiled brightly. “This is my very straight friend, and tenant, Sally.”
Salzy’s head whipped around, his fist already raised. Jamie had enough sense to jump back, just out of reach. Salzy’s eyes narrowed to slits, looking at Jamie who was doing his best not to laugh out loud.
“Hi,” Salzy turned to Joesph. “I’m Jesus Miguel Santos Salazar. My friends call me Salzy or Sal, but not Sally!”
Jamie, having recovered, said, “He’s working as my handyman this month.” Jamie stared Joesph hard in the eyes. “He’s very much off limits. Got it?”
“Yes. Yes, I got it.” Joesph rolled his eyes at Jamie and extended his hand to Salzy. “I’m sure we’ll have a wonderful... working relationship.”
“Good.” Jamie sighed in relief. “You want something to eat or drink?”
“I would love a Diet Coke. This heat is too much. I had my green smoothie on the way down, so I’m not hungry.”
“I’ll get it,” Hazel said, since she was standing by the drink station.
“Where will I be staying?”
“There’s an upstairs apartment. It’s where I grew up.”
“I can’t wait to see this!” Joesph looked around. “Do we go out the front?”
“No.” Jamie pointed to the back door of the kitchen. “That way. You can park behind the diner. Do you have a lot of bags?”
“Darling, what do you think?” Joesph patted him on the chest.
“Well, hell.” Jamie started towards the back door.
“I’ll get your bags,” Salzy volunteered. “Is your car locked?”
Joesph handed Salzy the keys and winked at him. “Thank you. You’re very kind.”
“Want me to drive it around back?”
“No!” Joesph seemed to be slightly ruffled. “No one drives Belinda besides me.”
“Belinda?” Salzy grinned. “Very cool.”
Joesph smiled. “Thank you. I’ll bring her around in a bit, and there’s only two bags I need for now. One is clothes, and the other is all work. It’s the bigger of the two. There are a few boxes in the trunk. I’ll get those when I set up for work.”
“I’m on it.” Salzy took the keys and went through to the dining room.
Jamie led the way up the stairs and let Joesph enter the apartment first. “You still driving that old Cadillac?”
Joesph stopped mid-stair and turned on Jamie. “That old Cadillac is a classic! That ‘old’”, Joesph did air quotes to make his point, “1976 Eldorado convertible is highly sought after. The insurance alone on her is astronomical. It’s why I only drive her on special occasions!”
“That and it gets, what? Eight miles to a gallon? That must cost a fortune.”
“And sometimes, darling, it costs money to look fabulous!” Joesph turned and continued to climb the stairs.
“Oh... My... God!” He walked around the space for a full minute, then looked at Jamie. “It’s just like my Aunt Geraldine’s!” He glanced around again. “I swear...” he said, grinning. “Please tell me I’m going to redo this apartment. Pleeease?”
“It depends on how much the diner is going to cost.” Jamie smiled. “I have to get that done first. I’m also hoping to get a central heat and air system put in as soon as possible.”
“Oh, god yes,” Jospeh said, fanning himself.
Salzy came in the door carrying a large suitcase and another large portfolio style bag. “Where would you like these?”
“Put that portfolio bag on this table,” Joesph pointed to the round table. “And that one,” pointing to the suitcase, “In wherever I’ll be sleeping.”
“In here,” Jamie said, opening the door to what had been his grandparent’s bedroom. “The mattress is brand new.”
Joesph nodded, looking around.
“The sheets are new, too. And the dresser and closet are empty, so...” Jamie looked away, and caught Salzy’s eye. “Flo and Hazel,” Jamie answered the question on Salzy’s face.
Salzy nodded. “I’d best get back to those steps. I hope to get them all painted before the hottest part of the day.”
“At least yours will be in the shade soon,” Jamie commented.
Joesph slipped out of the door. “I need to measure that dining room. After that, I’ll be out of your hair.” He turned back to Jamie. “I was able to make up some sample boards for you. I think you’re going to like what I’ve done.”
The three men descended the stairs, one behind the other; the stairs weren’t that wide.
“I can’t wait to see them.” Jamie opened the door to the kitchen. “Unfortunately, it will have to wait until after lunch, which should slow down by one o’clock.”
“That’s okay. I can work on that table till you’re done. I’ll need to try and line up some tradesmen.”
“Um...” Salzy tapped Jamie on the shoulder. “If I’m going to paint those stairs, you’ll have to stay off them till they dry.”
“Damn.” Jamie rubbed the back of his neck. “Why don’t you bring down Joesph’s work bag. I’ll set him up in the corner booth of the diner.”
Salzy nodded. “You got it, boss.”
Jamie rolled his eyes and turned back to Joesph, who had his eyebrows raised.
“Very straight?”
“Yes. Very.” Jamie shook his head. “Come on,” he motioned to the thin man. “You can work in here.”
Florence was polishing up the silverware, while Hazel wiped all the chair seats down. Minnie was busy getting the drink station situated.
“Will this work?” Jamie asked, indicating the largest booth in the dining room.
“Perfect.” Joesph sat and scooted towards the middle.
“If you get hungry, just flag down one of the girls. One of the benefits of owning a restaurant is getting fed.”
“What’s on offer?”
“Today’s special is fried catfish, hush puppies, coleslaw, and apple pie.”
Joesph closed his eyes. “I’m going to gain a hundred pounds before this job is done.” He looked at Jamie, a smile on his face. “It’s just like going home.”