Chapter 10
Richie heard the sound of the restaurant doors opening and looked over his shoulder to see who was coming in. He grinned and shook his head. “Don’t you ever sleep?”
Remi nodded as he got closer and stepped into the kitchen. “Haven’t slept a lot lately. I’ve relaxed some, but sleep doesn’t seem to want to visit me lately.”
“What are you doing here on a Sunday?” Richie asked.
“Helping.”
“I got this. I only have to make enough food to take care of the store. Restaurant’s closed today because it’s dinner day for the family at Riley’s.”
“Oh, I know. I’ve heard all about it. The Pride doesn’t work on Sundays so we can all spend time together. Still no reason not to come help. If you’re filling up the food for the store, I’ll help.”
“Get in here, then. The usual breakfast sandwiches and burritos. Then we’ll throw together some chicken salad, tuna salad, and some cold turkey and ham and cheese and put them in the cooler over there. That’ll do us for the day.”
“I can stay here and run the store while everybody else spends the day at Riley’s,” Remi offered.
“Seriously? You’re the reason for dinner today.”
“I thought you always had Sunday Pride day.”
“We do. But attendance is requested, not required. Today, Riley asked that everyone make an attempt to be there for at least a little while.”
Remi shook his head. “Gotta love being the object of curiosity along with the reason everybody has to cancel their Sunday plans.”
Richie laughed. “It’s alright, you already met most of us anyway.”
“Not the females. The females are the ones who really run things, right?”
“Shhh! Don’t go acknowledging that shit out loud! We still believe it’s us,” Richie said, still laughing.
They spent the next hour putting together the food choices for the store, then made two trips bringing it all over to the store and getting it arranged under the heat lamps and in the refrigerated sections.
They turned on the lights and got the coffee pots filled and the cash register counted out and ready.
About the time they were done a pretty little girl — actually an older teenager — parked in front of the store and waved through the windows at them.
“That’s Julia,” Richie said as he went over to the front doors and unlocked them, pushing the door opened to allow Julia to enter.
“Good morning!” Julia said. She was the kind of girl that immediately made you think of home. She was warm and friendly. She was brunette with dark brown hair and huge brown eyes. She was a really pretty girl, but the kind that either didn’t know it, or didn’t really care.
“Good morning,” Richie said as he relocked the door.
“Hey,” Julia said as she approached the check out counter and register, where she stored her purse underneath and put her water bottle on the shelf beside it under the register. “I’m Julia,” she said, extending her hand to shake the stranger’s hand.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Remi.”
Some form of recognition flashed in her eyes as she nodded. “Remi! Okay, nice to meet you, too.”
“Julia helps out here at the store on Sundays, as well as working in the restaurant, too. Some of the other employees work both locations, as well, but Julia’s become an integral part of our team,” Richie said.
“Oh, okay. I must have not noticed you working in the restaurant yet. My mind has been preoccupied. Sorry,” Remi said.
“Oh, no. I haven’t been in for about a week. I just got back from vacation. We went to spend the week at Silver Dollar City in Branson. We had so much fun!” she said animatedly. “We really needed the getaway.”
“We?” Remi asked.
“Just some friends. We haven’t seen much of each other since graduation, so we decided to get together for a little fun.”
“Sounds like a great time,” Remi said.
“It really was,” Julia said.
“We just got the food finished. You’ve got surplus in the fridge in the back.
There are hot dogs and sausages on the rollers in the hot dog oven, and I’ve got the nacho cheese sauce already heating up by the chips.
You’ve got four canisters of regular coffee, two of decaf.
I checked your stock of coffee and creamer and you should be all set to be able to make more if you need it.
We put chicken, tuna salad, ham, and turkey sandwiches in the coolers.
I also checked all your fountain drinks and they’re all full and functioning properly. So, you’re all set to go.”
“You took care of all my opening routine.”
“I was here so may as well,” Richie said.
“Who is scheduled to work with me today?” Julia asked.
“Casey is coming in first shift, and Kyle is coming second shift to relieve you. Danelle is coming in to work second shift with Kyle until close. We’re having a big family thing today over at Riley’s, so if there’s a problem, we’ll all be nearby. Just hit me up and one of us will be here quickly.”
“Or me. Please call me so I can leave early,” Remi said, only half-jokingly.
Julia smiled knowingly at him. “Oh, no. You get to spend the whole day being the current subject of discussion. If I need help, I’ll call Richie.”
“Great. Thanks. Appreciate it,” Remi teased.
A flash of headlights, then a tap on the window got their attention. They watched as Richie walked over and unlocked the door to let in another girl.
“Morning,” she said, as she stepped inside the store.
“Morning,” everybody answered.
“Casey, this is Remi. He’s new, but family. He’s helping out in the restaurant for now,” Richie said.
Casey was blonde, with brown eyes, and a pretty girl.
She took one second to look Remi up and down and flashed an exaggerated smile, batting her eyes at him, as she pretended to be bashful.
She slipped into flirtation mode, but tastefully so.
“I’m Casey. If you need anything at all, just let me know. ”
“Thanks. But I think I’m getting it pretty well so far. I’ve been here about a week.”
“I can’t believe I haven’t met you. Where have you been hiding yourself?” Casey asked.
“I come in to help early in the mornings and usually stay in the kitchen after that.”
“Oh, well, that explains it. I tend to work in the store more than the restaurant. Still, if you have any questions, I’m here.”
“Appreciate it,” Remi said, pretending he didn’t notice her effort to flirt.
“Alright, you girls have about twenty minutes before opening. I’m going to get the kitchen cleaned up and go home for a while before we have to be at Riley’s,” Richie said.
“I’ll come help,” Remi said, but instead of following Richie out, he went to the coffee station and filled an extra large plastic to-go cup with coffee.
He added creamer and far too much sugar, then picked up a sausage, egg, and cheese croissant.
He walked back over to the register and handed Julia a twenty.
“Keep the change. Y’all have a good day. ”
He walked over to the doorway leading to the back of the store where Richie watched. “For Cristie?”
“Yep. She’s been in every morning and always gets the same thing. She’s still standoffish, but she comes in the restaurant before coming into the store for breakfast. I figure I’ll take it to her today since she doesn’t have to go to work.”
“I noticed her making excuses to come in the restaurant. She didn’t used to do that,” Richie said, grinning at Remi.
“That’s encouraging.”
“Should be. She doesn't like to argue with just anybody,” Richie said.
Remi laughed as Richie opened the door and waited for him to walk through.
“Y’all have a fun day,” Julia said.
“Thanks! Call if you need us,” Richie reiterated.
“Bye Bye!” Casey called after them.
“Don’t even bother,” Julia said.
“He’s Cristie’s boyfriend, isn’t he?” Casey asked.
“I’m not really sure what he is to Cristie, but I know that they’ve known each other a very long time and that she went to Louisiana to visit him not too long ago. Now he’s living here. Seems to me that there’s more there than just friends.”
“And he did just take coffee for her,” Casey said.
“Yes, he did.”
“Why are all the good ones taken?” Casey asked rhetorically.
“Girl you have to finish high-school before you start worrying about all the good ones being gone,” Julia said.
“I’m graduating this year!” Casey said.
“I’ve been out for a few years and I’m still not worried about men the way you are.”
“That’s why you don’t have one!” Casey said with a laugh.
“Yeah, well. You could be right. But the right one will come along eventually.”
“If you’re looking,” Casey said.
“Maybe,” Julia said. “Now, let’s make sure this place is ready. We only have a few minutes left before we unlock the doors and turn on the open signs.”
~~~
Remi set the coffee and the sandwich he’d gotten for Cristie on the counter top near the grill he planned on cleaning.
“What are you doing?” Richie asked.
“I’m cleaning this grill,” Remi answered.
“No, you’re not. You’re going to give your girl her breakfast. Then if Riley’s up, you’re going to help him get shit ready for today. If not, you’re going to bide your time until he’s up, then you’re going to go help him.”
“I am?”
“You are. It’s called getting in good with your inlaws. Besides, if you’re there already, you get to meet people as they arrive. If you are arriving after they’re already there, then you’re meeting everybody at once.”
“That is a good point,” Remi said, looking regretfully at the grill.
“I’m already thirty minutes ahead of schedule. Take Cristie her breakfast while it’s still hot. I got this. I’ll see you later.”
“Alright,” Remi said, picking up the coffee and the sandwich. “What is it that Riley’s going to be doing to get ready for everybody coming?”
“Any number of things. Cooking, barbecuing, cutting the grass, whatever he points you to.”
“Alright. I’m on it,” he said, heading out to cross the parking lot and let himself through the gate.