“What is that you say? Tired? Robert Adams is tired?”
“I know, right? It’s new for me too. All I want to do is go home and sleep, and I have to be here by six in the morning to begin prep.” They had made it to the small group standing in the entryway. Autumn and Cam were there with three other couples, all friends and prominent local figures in the area. “We wanted to thank you all for coming tonight.”
“We’re so pleased to see what you’ve done with the place,” Kelly, a local news anchor said. “I’ll be back tomorrow for the grand opening with a news crew in tow. This is exciting for downtown Minneapolis. I’m not supposed to tell you, so you’ll all have to stay quiet for me, but we had our food critic here tonight, and he was very pleased with the samples. He’s a hard nut and made a comment that he hadn’t had vegan taste so good.”
Autumn beamed, and Robert nodded. “Thank you for sharing. Those particular items have been years in the making,” Robert explained, his heart in his hand with appreciation. “Tomorrow, I believe our noon lunch reservations are full. Outside of the twelve to one timeframe, you have access to the whole place. We’re adding a second story, but that work’s being done overnight not to bother the guests.” Robert racked his brain for any other talking points he should share, worried the construction vehicles parked out front might keep people from venturing in if they didn’t understand their purpose. They had managed to complete the outside of the building, limiting the construction to the interior.
“He’s worked hard. You should see the wine cellar. It’s spectacular. He followed my father’s lead, stocking with the rarest varieties available. Good thing I get a family discount,” Autumn teased, reminding Robert not to get too serious.
She got the desired result as the group laughed then said their goodbyes with promises of returning soon. Even Autumn and Cam made their leave, waving goodbye to Kennedy and hugging them both. They were left alone in the foyer. The tension Robert had tried to hide all evening drained away as Landon locked the front doors behind them.
“What do we have to do now?” Landon asked, shrugging off his suitcoat.
“The kitchen closed down an hour ago. Pacino has that under control. Sebie’s closing the front end for me. There’re no receipts to total, so closing tonight won’t be difficult. I should stay until everyone’s done,” Robert said, watching Landon roll each shirt sleeve up.
“Let me do that. You take Kennedy home,” Landon offered, nodding Kennedy’s way.
His grandmother waited patiently for them, and by patiently, that meant her head was resting on the back of the seat and her eyes were closed. Her age and the care she needed had Robert agreeing he should see her home.
“You go. I’ll finish up here.”
Landon shook his head at Robert’s head shake. “You go rest for the morning. It’s only seven hours away. You need to be sharp and ready for our first day open. I’ll be along shortly, and you need to be asleep by the time I get home.” Landon left no further room for discussion. He did, though, kiss him chastely on the lips, and as he drew back, he complimented him. “You did it. I’m super proud of you. I know your father is too. Now go.”
Robert watched as Landon left him standing there. It wasn’t within him to just leave like this, but he also loved watching Landon become an active part owner of the restaurant. If something wasn’t done properly, he could make the change in the morning. He was worn out. The last six months of rebuilding this restaurant and traveling back and forth to Oklahoma had taken its toll, stressing him out more than multiple twenty-four hours rotations during his hospital days. He gave a single nod, affirming his decision to leave, and made his way to his grandmother. Mr. Kinkaid, her trusty chauffer who had been propped against the wall started her way too. This time he had a wheelchair, which Robert hadn’t noticed him bring inside.
“She won’t want to use it, but she’s unsteady on her feet when she gets tired. She gets tired faster these days.”
Robert nodded his understanding. He was so thankful he still had her in his life. And as he leaned in to wake her, he said a simple, selfish prayer to give him more time with his grandmother.
Chapter 39
Two weeks later
Soap bubbles covered Landon’s gloved hands, which were currently submerged in a tub of hot sudsy water. His last assigned task in a long multitude of miscellaneous jobs had him cleaning the dishes Robert dirtied this morning while working the prep station for the lunch rush. Over the last couple of weeks of his leave, Landon had performed just about every job the restaurant required. He played host more times than he could count. He ran food, bused tables, and tended bar. He carried glass racks, plate racks, and case after case of anything heavy that anyone needed lifted or moved. He also became the sole janitorial service, cleaning the front end of the restaurant completely by himself for three nights in a row after Robert had a rare display of aggression and fired the cleaning company on the spot.
The restaurant appeared to run best while in a fast-paced state of controlled chaos. An environment Robert flourished in; one Chef Pacino hadn’t appreciated at all. By Landon’s estimation, she’d lasted longer than he thought she might before getting heated over Robert’s perceived criticism of one of her so-called specialty dishes—her Baccala alla Livornese. In her frustration, she began yelling in
