Chapter 11 | Jace | April 20th
The grand re-opening night had finally arrived. Amazingly, everything had fallen into place. The restaurant had been completely renovated into this lush, swank, upscale place that welcomed the metropolitan sensibilities of this community. The menu by Chef Spirit Kimble had already been reviewed by one of the toughest food critics and given four-star quality for those who adhered to choosing places based on star ratings.
Even Mother nature was on our side, with the breeze blowing on a clear, starry night. Our families were completely behind the new concept of the restaurant. My parents already respected medicinal purposes of cannabis because of me. Much to our surprise, her parents loved the idea of the cannabis-infused menu and said that honored the Kimble name even more. As it turns out, Grandma Kimble had been a rebel in her era who loved her snuff and her reefers.
Now, Spirit gripped my hand while I stood beside her as she requested. She was poised to cut the ribbon of her new restaurant with large scissors after a wonderful night of music, fun, and laughter.
The line to enter the restaurant wrapped around the corner. We asked some drummers from the nearby Texas Southern University’s band to get the crowd hyped. Spirit and I danced much to the crowds delight. We had radio stations doing live broadcasts from the restaurant and a local DJ playing music. We were having a mini block party celebrating the latest spot in Midtown. Embers by Kimble.
Spirit spoke into the mic given to her by the DJ, “I cant believe the communitys love and support, and I can’t wait to serve you every day. For those who want to feel mellow, we have comfort food with a little extra, and for those who just need the comfort food, we got you. For my returning customers, everything will just be new and improved. Thank you to my staff, who stuck in there with me through all the changes. To my family, who’s supported me every second of the way as I recreate my grandmother’s recipes.” She waved to her sister, her sister’s family, and her parents. “Lastly, to the Legendary Brothers, none of this would be possible without them.” Remi and I raised our fists, and the crowd cheered. Langston had a game, so he couldn’t make the grand re-opening though he sent his well-wishes.
“Now it’s time to reveal the sign and party the rest of the night. Happy 420 day to all the people who love cannabis for the fun of it, for the creativity of it, for the healing of it, and for people being open to those who love marijuana.”
Jalisha, my beautiful daughter pulled the cloth, revealing the sign: Embers by Kimble. We’d found a local graphic artist who knew how to design and build Kimble to be attached to the current sign. Everyone cheered and yelled, “HAPPY 420 DAY”.
As soon as everyone cheered and yelled, she turned around, grabbed my face, and kissed me deeply before screaming, “We did it.”
“Yes, we did it.” I agreed, looking around at the restaurant and the waiting crowd that shut traffic down. “What we have done in the last three months is amazing.”
Her manager opened the door, and our family and special guests were led to their tables and the wait staff started serving. We stood outside longer, jamming with the DJ, and ensured complimentary water and food samples were passed out to keep the people waiting patiently.
“Go and take your selfies. I’m good.” Spirit pushed me toward the fans in line, calling my name.
I grabbed her back to me. “And I’m good as long as you’re there as my comfort and love.”
She smiled. “Jace Legend, why I believe you’re crazy in love with me.”
Grabbing her ass, I kissed her hard on her lips, oblivious to the approving noise around us. “Believe it, Snookie.”
“Told you not to call me that in public,” she admonished, though her eyes sparkled brightly as she turned around and entered her restaurant. She walked past the window, smiling at her patrons.
Now, it was my turn to stare at her as she moved around like she did to me when we were children. And when she noticed me, she waved and shook her head slightly, remembering the same moment. I waved back and then focused my attention on chatting with people in line, sure that we had the rest of our lives together.
THANK YOU FOR READINGEmbers and Smoke. If you enjoyed Jace and Spirit’s story, please leave a review so others can find and enjoy this story, too. You will see Jace, Spirit, Remi, and Langston again in their own series, tentatively titled: The Legendary Brothers.