“It’s okay, Papa. I’m probably being sensitive anyway for no reason. I just didn’t expect that.” She looked up at Adam. “Thanks for diverting the attention away, I appreciate it.”
Anytime. His heart swelled with inordinate pleasure at her words. This evening had been wonderful for many reasons. Adam hadn’t realized how much he missed being involved with a family even though his had never been anything like Lena’s. They were easy to get to know and appreciate and if the truth be told, to love. Kyle had wormed his way into Adam’s heart and he felt an immense sense of pride in the way the boy had performed tonight. He had the mark of a professional, and the drive and ability that would impress any chef taking on an apprentice.
“Hey, what are friends for. I could see you were exhausted and didn’t need that on top of everything else you’ve had to put up with. You’ve all done an amazing job and you should be proud. Especially of Kyle. That kid has the skills to go far.” And I hope he achieves his dream too.
Lena glanced at him, a ghost of a smile hovering over her lips. “I don’t think I could have done it without him, and Mama, and all of the other helpers including you two.” She looked around the room. “Where is he?”
Ben rested a hand on her shoulder. “He’s outside with Mitch and a couple of other kids who helped out. Some of the boys have offered to help clean up if we need them. Never a good idea to stop a youngster doing a good deed in my mind.”
“No, I agree. He must be tired too though.”
“When you’re nearly thirteen years old, you’re only tired on a Sunday morning when your mother wants you out of bed to mow the lawns.” Not that Adam would know, they had a gardener growing up, but he remembered never wanting to get up on the weekends.
“I’m wondering if we should leave the clean up until the morning. By the looks of this crowd, they’re here for the long haul. They seem pretty settled to me.” Lena sighed and dropped her shoulders, rolling them to unknot the kinks and the stress. “I’d love to go and crawl into bed right now. This was worse than a Saturday night in the restaurant.”
“But you loved it, admit it.” Adam playfully punched her on the shoulder. “I saw your face in there working away. It’s so you.” You can’t deny it.
“I totally agree.” Gail came tottering over looking a little tipsy with a glass of red wine in her hand. “You did an amazing job, babe. I’m so proud of you.” She put her glass on the bar and wrapped her arms around Lena, giving her a huge hug and topping it off with a smacker of a kiss on the cheek. “I might be a bit drunk, but I love you, babe. So glad you came home. We all missed you.”
“Here, here.” Pete strolled over and leaned on the bar. “You did a stand up job, Lena. The P & C will be knocking on your door next year, I can almost guarantee it.”
“Thanks, Pete. I did enjoy it and I had some amazing help.”
“Um, that dessert. You didn’t have any spares of that did you? It was my favorite dish of the night.” He looked insulted when Gail poked him in the belly which was protruding over his trousers.
“Sorry, Pete. The kids got the left overs, but I’ll make you one during the week, promise.” She shared a glance with Adam and smiled when he winked at her.
“It was my favorite too, mate. Don’t be shy about it.” She made my night too. He’d been thrilled when Lena promised to make it for tonight knowing how much he’d enjoyed it.
“So when are you opening the doors for real then?” Pete ignored the daggers look his wife threw at him. “What? Where there’s smoke there’s gotta be fire. I’m just asking.
“I don’t know whether I want to do it not at this stage. I loved tonight, although I’m not ready to have someone else control my life again. Having my own restaurant again would be the icing on the cake after tonight, but…”
Lena jumped when a man tapped her on the shoulder. Adam recognized the photographer. “Can I quote you on that, love?”
“No. I’d rather you didn’t thanks.” She shied away from him and Adam stood up, guiding the man away.
When Adam came back Lena had started to gather dirty plates. She stacked them into large plastic bins ready to take home and clean the next day. Adam hurried to help her as she moved between the tables. She was asked the same question over and over and by the time they’d cleared most of them away, and she looked as though her face ached from keeping the smile in place. Adam wanted to push her into a chair to rest. She refused, insisting that once the bar was closed and people ran out of drinks and conversations, they seemed ready to make a move toward home.
She was right. Slowly people said goodbyes, thanked her again for a wonderful evening and by 1 a.m. the place was almost deserted. She wiped her hand over her face and yawned as he reached for her.
She was exhausted. “Come on, I’m walking you home.” Adam was by her side and took her arm. “No arguing. We’re the only two left in case you hadn’t noticed.”
She looked around the dairy and he saw her realize it was true. So busy getting everything sorted to make it easier for tomorrow, Lena hadn’t even noticed her parents leaving. “Thank you so much for all you’ve done, Adam. You didn’t have to and I appreciate it.”
She gave
