Chapter Seventy-One
Jamie, Walter, and Ian sat outside, each with a glass of ice water. “Well, how’d it go?” Jamie asked Walter. “You guys ready for dinner tonight?”
“Yeah, no issues, and yep, we’re all ready. More ready than I think we’ve ever been.” Walter nodded towards Ian. “I think he’s going to be a mini-you. Catches on fast.”
Jamie could see Ian blush. “That so?” he asked Ian.
“Yeah, I think so. I’m not as fast as Walter, but I think I could do it, maybe with some help for a while.”
Jamie laughed. “You’ll have to practice a lot to get as fast as Walter, here. I’ve worked with him... well, a lot, and I’m not so sure I am as fast as Walter. He’s got skill.”
Walter chuckled. “I’ve been doing this longer than either of you has been alive. Might even add your ages together and I’d still have ya beat.”
“Wow,” Ian exclaimed. “And do you still like it?”
“I love it here. I don’t know that I’d like it anywhere else.” Walter looked at Jamie. “We’re kinda like lifers, for most of us. I don’t think Minnie has worked anywhere else, and she’s been here over ten years and... well, the rest of them gals have been here almost all of Jamie’s life.”
“That’s true.” Jamie gulped some water. “Do you think business is going to calm down after a few days?” he asked Walter. “I don’t know that we can all keep up this pace for long.”
“Let’s see how it goes Monday and Tuesday,” Walter answered. “We should have a good idea by then.” He looked at Jamie. “I do think we will need another person in the kitchen and in the dining room. And you can’t keep Salzy in the dish pit forever.”
“Yeah, I had the same thought,” Jamie said. He looked at Ian. “You have any friends that you think would be good to work here?”
“I have a friend, Mandy, who might do well as a waitress. I can send her a text.”
“Do that. Anyone who would do okay in the kitchen?”
Ian shook his head, no.
Walter slapped his hand on Ian’s shoulder. “Come, you, let’s get back in there so the others can have a break.”
Ian nodded as he stood up.
“It won’t be like this for long, Ian. I promise,” Jamie said.
“I don’t mind. I’ll work as much as you want,” he replied before following Walter inside.
“I wonder if I could clone him,” Jamie muttered.
“People will think you’re crazy sitting here talking to yourself,” Salzy said as he sat across from Jamie.
“Yeah, well...” Jamie said. “How you doing in there?”
“I have to admit, I’m getting tired.”
“You and me both.” He looked at Salzy for a few moments. “I think I have a plan, if you’re up for it.”
“Yeah, what’s that?” Salzy asked as he downed a glass of Coke.
“What would you say about working here full-time and not as a dishwasher?”
Salzy laughed. “I’m not a cook. I can barely feed myself, you know that.”
“Doesn’t mean you can’t learn, but that’s not what I had in mind.” Jamie leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “I was thinking more along the lines of a manager. I can’t do the front and the back at the same time, and we need someone to fill in the gaps, and you do a lot of that already.”
Salzy sat there, his mouth ajar and eyes wide. “I don’t know how to manage a restaurant!”
“No, but you can learn. You pick things up fast, and you know how this place functions. I can teach you the rest.”
Salzy squinted at Jamie. “You for real?”
“I am. What do you say?”
“You’re not doing it just because I got fired, are you?”
“No.” Jamie sighed. “I’m dead on my feet already, and we’ve only been open for a day and a half, and I need someone I can trust and depend on, and that’s you.”
“I don’t believe you sometimes. You’re just like your grandparents.” He shook his head, eyes watering. “Sure. I can try.”
“I’ll work out a salary and benefits and all that once we get over this hurdle. It’ll be fair, I promise.” Jamie smiled.
“I trust you.” Salzy held out his hand.
Jamie took it and shook. “I think this is going to work out pretty good.”
“What do we do now?” Salzy asked.
“For now, just keep doing what we’re all doing. Going at it as hard as we can. I’m going to hire a full-time dishwasher and another cook. Probably a waitress too. At least part-time. Just try and hang in there for me.”
Salzy nodded. “I can do that.”
“I know, you’ve been doing that already.” Jamie chuckled. “Come on, we’re not done yet. We still have dinner to get through.”
* * * * *
When Jamie came out of the kitchen, feeling like he’d been hit by a bus, he saw Joesph sitting with a martini glass in hand. “Hey,” he said and sat down. “What have you been up to? I’ve not seen you hardly at all today.”
“I’ve been working on the building design for my studio and apartment. I’ve got it pretty much done. I’d like to have Mike look over it.” Joesph held up his martini glass. “Can I get you a beer or... a cocktail? You look like you need one.”
“No, I’ll get a glass of water here in a minute and then maybe a beer.” He looked at his friend. “I’ve got to admit, I’m beat. I never expected the diner to be so busy.”
“Jamie, people know quality when they see it, or in this case, taste it. I don’t know why you’re so surprised.”
“I don’t know if it will stay like this.”
Joesph did his signature eye roll. “And I don’t know how you can sit there and lie to me like that.”
“What?” Jamie sat up straight. “I’m not lying.”
“Okay, you’re lying to yourself then.” Joesph leaned forward.
“Jamie, let me set you straight, or at least a gay version... this restaurant is going to be busy and stay busy as long as the food is good and everyone is friendly. That’s how good businesses work.
This place already had a good reputation, and now, you’ve gone and made it better.
Of course, it’s going to be busy and stay busy. ”
Jamie slumped. “Yeah. Okay. I guess you’re right.”
“Of course, I am. I always am.” Joesph took a sip of his martini.
“Not always,” Jamie said as he stood up. “I’m getting some water. You want anything?”
“I’d like some apple pie and ice cream, please.”
“Sorry, there isn’t any.”
“Chocolate cake?” Joesph said, sighing.
“Nope. No desserts at all. There’s a bit of ice cream, but not a lot.”
Joesph huffed. “Fine. I’ll have that then.”
Jamie came out a few minutes later with a bowl of ice cream. He was followed by the entire staff, who all looked like they’d run a marathon. Jamie set the bowl in front of his friend.
Joesph looked at it and then at Jamie. “That’s all there is?”
“Yes. Feel free to go in there and make more.” He looked at Walter. “Try to remind me to order more dry ice, if you can.”
Walter nodded.
Jamie looked at Ian. “So, do you think you could do Walter’s job?”
“No way,” Ian answered. “I’d need a lot more practice to be that fast.”
Jamie chuckled. “Told ya.”
“He did good,” Walter said. “As I said earlier, he’s like a mini-you. He’s gonna be good.”
“Robbie did good, too,” Dexter said. “He was able to fill in for both Timmy and me. Didn’t even need to ask him, neither. He just got right in there and did it.”
Jamie could see Robbie blush. “Good for you,” Jamie said, smiling. “Now we might just need to clone the two of you.”
Walter laughed. “If it were that easy, Mr. Solan would have made a whole lot more of you, Jamie.”
This time, it was Jamie who blushed.
“These young ladies are going to fit right in, too,” Florence said. “I think it helps to have homegrown gals in there. The customers took right to ’em.” Florence beamed at the two new waitresses.
“Listen, everyone,” Jamie said loud enough so everyone could hear. “I know that the last two days have been rough but hang in there. I’m going to hire some more staff, especially if we’re going to be this busy.”
“You’re darn tootin’ you are,” Florence said just as loudly. “I’m too old to be doing this.”
“And you look it, too,” Walter said, snickering.
“Kiss my grits, you ol’ goat!”