“All I need is the summer,” I said. “And I’ll have the down payment.”
“I can do that,” he said with a sigh. “Sooner if you can.”
“I’m going to the bank to start paperwork this week. I know it’s a process, and I want to have everything in place by the end of August,” I said, buoyant with excitement.
“How did you manage that so quickly?” he said.
“I’m going to adjust the schedule this summer so the college kids get day shift which they prefer, while I take on another job to earn enough to buy this place. Then I’ll do nights and weekends and the management duties as usual. I mean, obviously, if it’s okay with you.”
“If you can get the new waitresses trained up in the next two weeks, it’s fine with me.”
“Thank you! I’ve already got them off to a good start, and I’ll make lots of notes for the day shift leader. This is going to work,” I said.
I got back to work and hustled cheerfully, all the while thinking of how great this was going to be. First of all, I’d have this relaxing, fun summer with Sadie and get paid for it. Then I’d work at the diner, which I loved, and all of it would get me to my goal in time. I’d be a business owner, have my own place with my own rules at last.
All day I thought about the changes I was going to make and how fantastic this was going to be. After work, I went over to Laura’s to tell her. I gave Brenna a squeeze and sniffed her sweet smelling baby shampoo hair as she scampered off for Brody to read her a story.
“So what’s the news?” she said, “you sounded pretty manic on the phone.”
“I got the babysitting job. It’s insanely good pay, enough to get the rest of the diner down payment ready by the end of August.” I squealed. Laura hugged me fiercely.
“I am so happy for you. You deserve this, babe. And if there’s anything I can do, if you need anything, I’m here for it.”
“I know you are, thank you. I just—I’m so thrilled. Hugh even was fine with me changing my shifts and making the schedule work.”
“Because he wants you to have the place. You know how much he hates change. I mean look at what you have to wear.”
“Hey, I got him to ditch the headbands with the bows on them,” I said. “Slow progress is still progress. But you’re right. I expected him to make more of a fuss about anything being different. He’s told me all along he wants me to get the diner, so I guess that’s why he’s willing to let me do it how I need to.
“And it’s not like you’re slacking off. You’re going to have that place running like clockwork while you’re gone. He really has no reason to complain.”
“Thanks for that,” I said. “I’m going to Max’s for dinner tomorrow night to talk over the terms of the job and spend some time with Sadie.”
“You seem really happy about it.”
“I am. It’s going to be a big change of pace for me, spending lazy days with a sweet kid, but I think it’s going to be refreshing, and I’ll still be at the diner a lot. I’d never want to give that up, but it’s going to be like a vacation.”
“Only you would consider taking on a second job to be a vacation, Rach,” Laura said. “Here, come in the kitchen.”
“What’s up?”
“I made you a plate. We had meatloaf, and I used Mom’s recipe and it’s good.”
“Oh my God, that’s so sweet. I love you!” I said, hugging her. I sat down and gobbled up the meatloaf and scalloped potatoes. “Did my baby Brenna like it?”
“She ate the potatoes. With her hands. Which is okay, I mean she’s still a baby. And she had a roll and some green beans.”
“That kid loves her greens,” I said.
“She sure does. She gets it from her dad. Speaking of dads, how are you going to handle the Max thing?”
“I don’t plan on handling Max at all.”
“Exactly. Don’t mix business and pleasure,” she said, smirking.
“You married your boss. After he knocked you up.”
“What? And I’m your role model here? No. Do as I say not as I do, right?” she laughed. “And if doing Max is fun, go for it. Just don’t let him break your heart.”
“Did I ever let anyone do that?”
“No. Because your heart is in your work and with your friends, but, honey, you deserve to have it all, everything you want. Whether that’s a man or a kid or a chain of restaurants or all of the above,” Laura said.
I took my plate to the sink and hugged her again. “You’re the best.”
“Congratulations, go-getter,” she said, squeezing me tight.
10
Max
Sadie sprinkled cheese over the salad while I took the roast from the oven to let it rest. Sadie set the table and almost remembered which side the forks went on. I didn’t correct her, just watched her look quizzically at the way she’d put the napkin and spoon and fork all on one side. I went in and added the knives to my place and Rachel’s while Sadie chattered happily.
“I want Rachel to see my room, and I want to show her my laffydill I made.”
“Daffodil,” I corrected with a small smile, glancing at the big yellow construction paper flower she’d brought home from school the day before, which hung on the fridge now.
“You remember why Rachel’s coming right?” I asked.
“She’s gonna be my sitter ‘cause Miss Denise is going away,” she recited dutifully.
I wasn’t sure she understood that Denise really wasn’t coming back, but we’d talked about it for a few days. She was working on making a card for her, and we planned to go say goodbye before the lady left town. I owed her
