Chapter Sixty-Eight
Jamie took a moment to watch what was going on. The staff were working like a well-oiled machine. It never ceased to amaze him how well they meshed together. I hope to hell these new hires will fit in.
“Hi, Jamie,” Christine said, coming in the back door, holding her baby in a portable car seat, who was sleeping like... well, a baby.
“Hey, Christine,” he greeted his new pastry chef. “By the way, I have the name of a babysitter for you.”
“Oh, excellent.” She adjusted the little blanket on the infant. “I brought him with me because I didn’t have anyone to watch him. He’ll probably just sleep. He had a big morning.” She smiled.
Jamie hugged her. “You can set him over behind your bench, if you’d like. I don’t think you’ll be baking today. I’d just like you to get your station set up and ready to go. If you find you don’t have something, let me know and I’ll order it for you.”
“Sounds like a plan,” she responded.
Jamie gave her the slip of paper with Minnie’s cousin’s name on it.
“Perfect. I’ll call her right now, then I’ll get started.”
“Do what you need to do.” Jamie smiled. “I’m really happy you’re here.”
Chistina beamed. “I’m happy too. I love the house. I’m still unpacking, but I’ve gotten it to where I can manage day to day for now.”
“That’s great.” Jamie leaned over the sleeping baby. “He is beautiful.”
“Hey, boss?” Dexter said, holding a large box. “I think you might want to have a look at this.”
“What is it?” Jamie asked as he approached Dexter.
“Salzy found it shoved up under Mr. Solan’s worktable, covered under a paint tarp. It’s a bunch of photographs. Goes back a fair bit, I’d say, just from the quick glance I had.”
“Let me have a look,” Joesph said behind Dexter, having just come in.
“Why don’t you hand it over to Joesph, and I’ll have a look in a few minutes.”
“I’ve got that one big wall that needs something on it,” Joesph said as he followed Dexter outside.
“Hey, Walter, is there something that can be whipped up for lunch?” Jamie asked.
“There isn’t a whole lot here,” he answered, scratching his head, looking at the clipboard in his hands. “There’s a lot we need to order. It’s going to be a whopper of an order, too.”
A couple of hours later, Jamie ended up ordering pizza for lunch. They were all sitting, everyone catching up on what had been going on for the last three weeks and more. “And Joesph is going to be moving to Columbus,” Jamie announced.
“That’s wonderful,” Hazel said, sitting next to Joesph. “I’m glad.”
“Thank you.” Joesph hugged her. “It’s Jamie who pushed me over the edge in deciding. I’m looking forward to a new adventure.”
“And you,” Florence said, pinching Jamie’s cheek. “You’re a fast worker. Gettin’ yourself all hitched.”
“We are not hitched,” Jamie said. “Only... engaged.”
“Might as well be. Close enough for me.” She smiled. “I’m pleased as punch. And he’s so good-looking, too. I need to find me one of them.”
“As if,” Walter belted out before laughing. “You’ve been around the track more times than a Kentucky Derby horse!”
“Kiss my grits, you old fart. You’re still older than me!” Florence shook her fist at Walter, who only laughed harder. Soon, everyone was laughing. Not so much as to what Walter had said, but how Florence reacted.
“Okay, everyone,” Jamie said loudly, trying to calm them all down. “Let me have a status report.”
“Timmy and I finished up the inventory and have an order list for you,” Walter said. “It’s on the clipboard in the office. I took you at your word and beefed it up a little.”
“Perfect. Thanks, guys.”
“We got the dining room all set. Even rewashed all the flatware, cups, and glasses,” Hazel volunteered. “Those cabinets are wonderful. It’ll be so much better to have everything close to hand.”
“It sure will keep us from running into the kitchen for everything. The only thing I see us coming to the kitchen for is the bread,” Florence added. “Anytime I don’t have to walk more is a good thing.”
“Dexter and I went through all those old photos; some are just fabulous,” Joesph said. “I’m going to do them up today and get them hung by tomorrow. I saw some frames at the copy center that will be perfect.”
“I ran the dish pit and helped out where I was needed,” Salzy said.
“I saw that,” Jamie said, smiling. “You just fit in wherever you’re needed. I appreciate it.” Jamie looked at Joesph. “If you’re going to the copy center, would you pick up the banner I ordered. I’m going to put it across the front over the windows.”
“Sure thing.” Joesph took out his small notebook, which he always had on him.
“Salzy, do you think you could get that hung up first thing tomorrow morning?”
“Yeah. No problem.” He’d already started collecting the silverware from the table.
“Can I have a look at that supply order, please?” Christine asked, her arms full of cooing baby.
“Of course,” Jamie said. “Do you have some good dessert ideas for me?”
“Apple pie, of course.” She grinned at Jamie. “I’ll make mine, and then you can make yours. We’ll see whose is better.”
“Ah, I see a challenge,” Jamie said, laughing. “And who is going to be the judge?”
“That would be me,” Joesph said.
“What about me?” Salzy called out over his shoulder, just about to go into the kitchen.
Jamie held both hands up. “I say everyone gets a vote.”
“I require ice cream,” Joesph added. “What is apple pie without ice cream?”
“That reminds me,” Jamie started, speaking to Christine. “I’ve ordered a big Hobart Mixer. That poor old Kitchen Aid is on its last leg and won’t keep up with the volume we’ll need.”
“That sounds smart,” Christine said, standing. “I think this one here needs a diaper change, then I’ll meet you in the office.”
“Uh... hello?” It was Ian Sawyer, who’d come around the side of the diner.
“Hey, Ian.” Jamie motioned for the young man to come over to the two tables. “I’ll introduce you to everyone, or better yet, let them do it. I need to go over those orders that need to be put in.”
No sooner did Ian start meeting the other staff than Sharon, Julie, and Robbie showed up. Everyone was chatting good-naturedly. Florence sidled up beside Jamie. “And the family grows,” she said, nodding towards everyone gathered outside.
Jamie smiled at the redhead and kissed her cheek. “That it does.”
“Your Mamaw and Papaw would be so proud of you, Jamie. I hope you know that. You’ve touched so many lives already, and there will be more. You’re just like them. I see you,” she said, gesturing with two fingers, back and forth between their eyes. “Just like your Papaw did.”
Jamie could feel his eyes start to tear up. “Thank you, Flo. That means more to me than you know.”
She touched him on the shoulder. “Now then,” she said, patting her hair, like it would ever move; there was so much hairspray on it. “Let’s get this show on the road. I’d say we’re almost done in the dining room.”
“I think between Walter, Timmy, and me, the kitchen is pretty well set. I’ll check with Christine to see if she needs me to go shopping for anything that needs to be made tomorrow.”
“Do you really think we’re going to be busy come Saturday?” she asked.
“Yeah, I think we will be.” He turned to face her. “You remember how busy we were right before we closed for the renovations?”
“Oh, don’t remind me. I thought I was going to be run right off my feet.”
“I’d like you to take charge of getting Sharon and Julie trained. You’re the most senior, so it only makes sense.”
“Are they going to be doing the evening shifts?” Florence asked.
“Julie will fill in for breakfast and lunch when any of the rest of you have days off, but Sharon will only do dinner, ’cause she has small kids. Her husband works days, so that’s the only time she’s available.”
“That should work out.” Florence looked at the laughing and chatting group. “If we’re as busy as you think we will be, we might need another part-time timer on the floor.”
“Let’s see how things play out.” Jamie hugged Florence. “Thank you for everything you do.”
It was Florence’s turn to tear up. “You know you’re family.” She dabbed at her eyes. “Don’t you dare make me cry. I don’t have any mascara with me.”
When Florence, with the two new waitresses and Walter, and Timmy with the two new cooks got back to work, Jamie was able to sit down with Christine and place an order for food deliveries. He even called Jeff at the fishmonger’s and placed a standing order for catfish and shrimp for the new menu.
“Wow, Jamie,” Christine said, looking at the newly printed menus. “This is an excellent menu. Gives me some ideas about desserts.”
“Such as?” Jamie asked.
“Since this is an old-fashioned-type diner, I say we stick with that theme.” She picked up a pen and, using the pad on the desk, she started writing. “I say we pick things that will be standard and available all the time and then do seasonal-type things or some fill-in type desserts.”
“I think apple pie for sure,” Jamie said. “Everyone loves it. They also love the banana cream pie I made.”
“Okay, I agree with you, although I’ve never had your banana cream pie. I think we need a cake.”
“Mind if I barge in?” Mike asked as he filled the doorway.
Jamie smiled. “And if I said I do mind?”
“I’ll just come in, kiss you, and go elsewhere.” Mike stepped inside, bent over, and kissed Jamie, letting it linger just a little longer than a quick kiss would have been. He looked at Christine. “You must be Christine. I’ve heard plenty of nice things about you.”
Christine craned her neck to look up at Mike. “And you are? The new beau that Joesph has mentioned.” She held her hand out to shake Mike’s.
“Yes.” Mike shook the offered hand. “I’m Mike. Mike Jones.”
“Now I see why Joesph gushed when he spoke of you.” Mike turned bright red. She looked at Jamie. “And so modest too.” She looked at Mike and then back at Jamie. “This is going to work. You both have the same energy, but yours is much brighter now that he’s here. You’ve done well.”
Mike looked at Jamie. “I know I’ve done extremely well.” He smiled and kissed Jamie again, this time just a quick peck on the lips. “I see you’re both busy working, so I’ll go and pester Joesph. Nice to finally meet you,” Mike said.
Christine looked at Jamie, leaning a little closer. “You’re engaged.”
Jamie’s jaw went slack. “Who told you?”
“You!” She waved her free hand around Jamie. “It’s clear as day. From what I can see, it will be a long and happy marriage. There... is a lot of family around you. I see all the colors of a nice big opal close by. Mostly blues and greens, which are good.”
Finding his voice, Jamie said, “Sometimes you’re a little scary.” He looked down at the desktop. “You’re sure?” He asked quietly, and then shook his head. “But I’ve never known you to be wrong about people.”
Christine took his hand. “I am very sure. You’re perfect for each other. There is a nice balance between the two of you.” She tilted her head to the side, squinting, “It’s brighter when you are together. Both of you.”
“I don’t know that I’ve ever seen anything so clear as right now.” She kissed Jamie’s cheek. “Now I have a whole new family. It all feels right.” She bounced that baby slightly in her arms. She looked up at Jamie. “Right now, all is right with the world.”