10
Iscan the restaurant, searching for Blaire. She and her friend usually come to The Oasis on Friday night for drinks and dinner. They’re suspiciously absent tonight, and I know why. She’s avoiding me. She thinks that by trying to keep her distance while class is in session and not coming here, I’ll move on. That’s not happening.
“Hey, Jaden?” Dave calls out to me while I’m cleaning tables at the end of the night.
I glance his way and shrug.
“Yeah?”
He waves his arm for me to go to the kitchen. I finish clearing the table I’m at and carry the black plastic box filled with dirty dishes through the double silver doors. Placing it on the counter by the double sinks for Tony, I lean against the counter with folded arms.
“J, come with me for a second.” Dave leads me out the backdoor of The Oasis.
I shield my eyes when the bright security light turns on.
“What’s up, Dave?” I ask.
“Are you okay, man?” He looks me straight in the eyes.
“Yeah, why?” I drag my hand through my hair and look past him.
“I watched you tonight. You looked around the entire place at least twenty times.”
“Oh, I was just trying to stay on top of the tables needing bussed.” I scratch my face and kick the gravel beneath my feet.
“Liar.” Dave punches my bicep.
“She wasn’t here tonight with her girlfriend. J, I know you were looking for her. What’s going on?”
“Nothing. I’m not married to Blaire. We’re not even seeing each other anymore. So, there’s nothing going on.” I kick more gravel and fold my arms across my body.
“Sure, Jaden. You keep telling yourself all that bullshit, and maybe one day you’ll believe it. But I’m not buying it. I know you well enough to know something isn’t right with you. Do you want some time off?” he asks.
“Fuck, no. I need to work. It distracts me from everything else.” I look at Dave this time.
“Okay, man. But if you need anything, just ask.”
“It’s no big deal. Really. Now, can I get back inside and finish up for the night?” I walk around in circles to rid myself of my frustrations.
“Yeah, c’mon.” Dave opens the door, and I follow him inside.
It’s 2:00 a.m. when The Oasis is all clean and ready for Saturday’s dinner crowd.
“See y’all later.” I wave to Dave, Tony, George, and Todd as I walk to my car. They wave back before getting into their cars and driving off.
Sitting in my car, I decide to drive the long way home and go by Blaire’s. She won’t be up at this hour, But I don’t care.
Slowing down as I cruise by her house; I stare at the large picture window. The porch light is on, and I notice the drapes are closed. I want to stop and pound on the door, beg her to see me, but I don’t. I drive home, park my car, and go inside to my room.
I spend Saturday morning doing odd jobs around the house for my parents. Fixing the TV for my dad is a daily ritual. I’m sure he messes with the remote on purpose, trying to drive Mom and me crazy.
My mom has some flowers she wants planted around the front porch. It’s not my favorite chore, but I’ll do anything for her.
After finishing up with my parents, I shower and head into The Oasis to begin prepping for the Saturday night crowd.
It’s the second busiest night after Friday. I’m surprised to see Chef Thomas Warren’s BMW is already in the parking lot. I park my car and head in through the backdoor.
“Hi, Chef,” I say when he looks up from the paper he’s holding.
“Hi, Jaden.” He nods, then goes back to the paper.
“Um, is there a special occasion tonight?” I ask.
“Dave didn’t tell you?” Chef Thomas asks.
“He may have. I’ve got a heavy class load at college. Remind me.” I raise my eyes and smile slightly.
“There’s an engagement party of fifty coming in at six.” He glances around, then asks, “Would you like to help my sous chef, Gina, tonight? It’d be a good experience for you.”
Stunned by Chef Thomas’ offer, my eyes widen, and I nod quickly.
“Ah, yes, sir. I’d love to help. Thank you so much.” I grab the stainless-steel counter to steady myself. My heart racing behind my chest, pounding like the drummer from a rock band performing his solo.
“Great, Jaden. Gina will be here at two. Until then, go on with your barback prep. I’ll tell her to get with you when she arrives.”
I extend my hand to Chef Thomas. He takes it, and we shake hands.
“Thank you,” I say with a smile from ear to ear.
With a new opportunity to learn and prove myself to Gina and Chef Thomas, I begin to take care of everything I’m expected to.
Walking along the bar, I check the beverage glasses. All are clean and stacked neatly by size, from smallest to tallest. The straw containers are full, as are the napkin holders. Folding the hand towels for the bartenders, I stack them in piles of ten neatly under the bar. I move onto the hand soap and dish soap containers and fill each one. I turn and check the wall of alcohol, jotting down the names of the alcohol bottles that need replacing.
Going to the backroom where all the whiskey, vodka, gin, tequila, rum, bourbon, and flavored liqueurs are all stored, I grab as many as I can in my arms and hands, then take them to the bar. I place each one in their proper spots and return for a second round. Filling the wall of booze takes the longest time. The Oasis sells a ton of alcohol every day. I check the bottles of soda, the carbonated water under the bar, and check the valves on the CO2 tanks to be sure they’re tight. Once all my preparations are finished, I double check it all. I want everything to be perfect for the bartenders and servers, especially with the large party coming in tonight.
Precisely at two pm, Gina walks toward me as I’m leaning against the metal prep table waiting for her.
“Are you ready, Jaden?” She tightens her black sous chef’s jacket and rubs her hands together.
I straighten my stance and clap my hands.
“Yes, ma’am, I am.” This is a huge opportunity to learn from one of the best sous chefs in the state. She has a reputation for being extremely particular about the way the food is prepped and presented. I’m sure that’s why Chef Thomas brought her on at The Oasis.
“Okay, let’s get started. You’ll need gloves. Cleanliness first.” She points to the drawer behind me.
Inside the wide drawer are four boxes. Each marked with sizes, small, medium, large, and extra-large. I pull out two black extra-large gloves and tug them on each hand. The snug fit works well when cutting, slicing, and dicing.
Turning back around, I stand beside Gina, ready to help create her masterpieces for the party tonight.
“Okay, Jaden. I’d like you to begin by slicing up the cucumbers and sweet onions for the salad. Use that mandolin and don’t forget to wear the safety gloves.” She peers up at me, then nods her head for me to begin.
Since I’m familiar with every kitchen utensil there is, I reach for the mandolin. I’ve helped my mom in the kitchen since I was six. Before I begin slicing, I slide the steel mesh gloves on my hands. I set the mandolin up on its stand, then reach for the large cucumber with my left hand and begin slicing.
“Oh, you’re a lefty too?” Gina asks with a smile.
“Yep.”
Working side by side with Gina gives me a thrilling feeling. After I’ve finished with the cukes and sweet onions, I place them in huge colanders so they can drain most of the water off.
“Ready to learn how to make a rosette with these tomatoes?” she asks, holding a sharp paring knife.
“Yes. I have to be honest. I’ve tried to make these once with my mom. I watched a video online, but I just couldn’t make it look like a rose.” I shake my head in dismay.
“No worries. It’s probably because the image was backwards on the computer. Now watch me closely.” She moves closer to me and since she’s only five-foot-two, I tower over her and can see where exactly she’s cutting.
“Always begin at the bottom of the tomato, and cut about three-quarters from the center, then cut a strip of the skin across the bottom that is almost one inch wide.” She tilts her head up and looks at me.
“Got that?”
I nod.
“Now carefully keep the knife blade under the skin of the tomato. Jaden, be sure not to cut through the peel completely. Our end goal is for one continuous peel from the whole tomato. And be sure to gradually taper the skin as you get closer to the end.” She slowly cuts exactly as she said to me, and I watch intently. When she finishes one, she looks up and says, “Now you try.”
I draw in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Picking up a tomato and the other sharp paring knife, I glide it carefully in the exact way Gina did around hers.
“Okay, comes the tricky part. Lay the peel out, fleshy side up.” She takes her time spreading the tomato peel out on the stainless-steel counter. Then I do the same. “There’s two ways to twist the peel. I prefer to start with the core piece and continue rolling the peel around itself. Like this.” She delicately sets the peel up on its side and twists it around itself. I know she’s going slow for me to observe and I’m grateful she is.
“There you go. A perfect rose.” She stands back and holds her hands open toward her creation.
“Your turn.”
Again, I draw in a deep breath and let it out slowly. I slide off the mesh gloves and begin to twist the tomato peel. My hands are much larger than Gina’s and I fumble a bit.
She steps up and places her hand on my arm.
“Take your time. Once you get the feel of the twisting part. You’ll be able to pick up your speed in no time.”
I nod, then wipe my hands down my apron. Taking the tomato peel in between my index finger and thumb, I slowly twist it until I finally create my first tomato rosette.
I smile when I conquer the one thing I’ve always had trouble with. Stepping back, I ask, “How’s that?”
“Really good, Jaden. Are you sure you couldn’t make these?” She lifts her eyebrow and winks at me.
“I swear, Gina. Watching you wind it around left-handed made it all come together in my mind. It’s really so simple.”
We go on to make fifty rosettes, then she has me dice up more sweet onions, along with green, red, yellow, and orange peppers. Celery, carrots, and white mushrooms. Some of this will be part of the special salad Chef Thomas has planned for the guests. The rest are ingredients for the main course.
Lastly, we fancy cut watermelon, strawberries, mangoes, honeydew, cantaloupe for the fresh fruit salad.
Turning to Gina when we’ve finished our prep, I say, “Wow, thank you so much for teaching me. And having me assist you. I’m honored. Really.” I touch my chest and bow my head.
“You’re welcome, Jaden. You did a wonderful job, and you were a tremendous help to me. I wouldn’t have been able to prepare all of this by myself in time for the party tonight.” She waves her hand over the long table filled with assorted fruits and vegetables.
“I need to check with Dave at the bar. Thanks again, Gina.” I smile and take off the white apron, tossing it in the bin with all the other dirty ones. I find the short black apron I normally wear and tie it around my waist.
Pushing the silver double doors open, I walk over to Dave.
“Hey man. I’m all yours again.” I hold my fist up, and he bumps it.
“Good. I don’t like sharing. Now get these shot glasses washed, then I’m sure George will need help bussing tables.” Dave nods toward the restaurant area half filled with dinner guests already.
“On it, boss man.” I glance around, hoping to see Blaire and her friend, but they aren’t here tonight.