“This is Samantha, one of our best servers. Samantha, meet the new owners of Mimi’s Place.” Ray introduced each of them and Samantha told them how pleased she was to meet them. Once she’d left the room, Ray spoke up again.
“I had a quick meeting this morning and let the staff know about the changes. I also begged them to go easy on you.” His eyes twinkled as he added that last bit and they could tell that he was kidding. “I understand this came as a bit of a surprise to the three of you?” He glanced around the table with a warm smile.
“That’s an understatement,” Emma said and Mandy and Jill both nodded in agreement.
“How long have you known about Grams being the owner, if you don’t mind my asking?” Mandy pulled her chair in a bit closer, eager to hear his response.
Ray rubbed a finger absently against his chin as though he was trying to decide how best to answer. “I’ve known for many years. As manager, there were certain things that had to be communicated directly, you know. But I always respected your grandmother’s wish for privacy. She had her reasons, and she wanted to be treated the same as any other paying customer.”
Unfortunately, it was clear that Ray’s loyalty to their grandmother would keep him from divulging any of her secrets.
“Well ladies, shall we begin?”
For the next two hours Ray gave them a crash course on running a restaurant. He stressed that no one expected them to learn overnight, and that he just wanted to give them an overview of how they did things at Mimi’s Place.
“The only way you’ll really learn is by doing. You’ll learn on the job, and that’s how it sinks in. Plus, it’s not like you’ll be going it alone. I’ll be here to help for a while and Paul is looking forward to working with all of you.” He glanced around the restaurant and then at his watch before adding, “He should be here any moment.” He cleared his throat and then continued. “Ladies, as you know I’m no spring chicken. I don’t like to admit it because in my mind I’m still in my thirties. It’s just the mirror that doesn’t agree with me, and I suppose I’ve slowed down a little. These legs don’t go as fast as they used to. Anyway, what I’m getting around to saying is that I think it’s time for me to go. Past time, if you ask my wife.” He chuckled at that and added a bit of cream to his coffee.
“I’m supposed to be cutting back on this stuff, cream and coffee, but really, at my age, what’s the point? So where was I? Right. I was planning to finish up here this week. But, I’ve only been here part-time for many years now. Gary, my assistant manager, has been doing a fantastic job and he’ll be the one that will be here walking you through everything. Paul has been running the show in the kitchen for the past twelve years now and doing a right fine job of it. He’ll be joining us shortly. You all know Paul?”
“Of course,” Emma began. “He was in my year in school.” She didn’t add that she and Paul had actually dated during their senior year and after she ended things with him, they hadn’t spoken since.
“Where did he work before this?” Mandy perked up now that they were discussing people instead of the restaurant itself.
“Paul came to us from Patsy’s Bistro.”
“That’s a wonderful place! Cory and I used to go there often. Why did he leave?”
“Patsy and Paul were married for a few years. When they got divorced, Paul left. They were college sweethearts who grew apart. Luckily, they never had kids.” He looked up and smiled as Paul walked into the room. “Speak of the devil. Paul, we were just talking about you.”
“Oh no. Should I come back later?” His voice was deep and amused. He was taller than Emma remembered, though she realized he could have kept growing a bit after high school. He was a few inches over six feet and had the same thick dark brown hair. He met her gaze and smiled and she remembered how she’d always loved his eyes. They were a pretty mix of gray and green.
“Have a seat. I was just telling the girls that you run the show here and that they’ll be in good hands.”
Paul sat in the empty chair next to Emma. He looked around the table at everyone. “It’s great to see you all again. I’m very sorry for your loss. Your grandmother was a special lady. I’m honored that she chose to remember me this way and I’m looking forward to working with all of you. Mimi’s Place is a great restaurant.” He smiled and glanced around the table before adding, “Do any of you have restaurant experience?”