The Magnolia Cafe(7)
“All Uncle Hunt makes for breakfast is cereal,” the oldest boy said. What was his name? Jackson? Jeremy? Jason? She knew it was a J name. She never could keep them straight.
“And we’re out of cereal,” the youngest boy chimed in. Jamie. She could remember his name. He looked like a Jamie. Quick impish grin and a smattering of freckles across his nose.
“I haven’t had time to go to the market. I’m just starting to feel better. I’ll shop after we get these boys fed and dropped off at school.”
“I told you I could have shopped for you, Nat,” Hunt insisted.
“Yes, like last time. You came home with so much junk food and forgot the milk. I think I’ll stick to doing the shopping.”
“We rock, paper, scissored, and I won.” The other J-named boy chimed in. “So I got to pick where we get to eat. I picked here ‘cause I love Miss Melanie’s cinnamon rolls.”
“Well, come on in and we’ll get you boys a big breakfast then.”
The always-have-an-excuse waitress walked up and interrupted. “Keely, I have to go. Something came up.”
“I need you here. You’re the only waitress on the schedule with me.” And you have a mess to clean up.
“Well, I quit then.”
Keely sighed. The girl hadn’t lasted a week. “Okay, come to my office and sign a form that says you’re quitting.” Keely had learned a lot in the years running the business. Like if an employee said they quit, have them sign a resignation, so they didn’t come back and say she fired them.
Just then another large group of customers came through the door. Natalie jumped up from the table. “Here, let me get them. I’ll seat them over at that big round table in the corner, okay?”
“That’d be great, thanks.” Keely smiled at Natalie in relief.
By the time Keely got back out from her office, she saw Natalie with a gray plastic bin balanced on her hip, clearing the broken dishes off the floor.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I don’t mind. You look like you can use the help.”
“I can. Want a job?” Keely asked only half-joking.
“I do need a job. And I’d love one if I can figure out what to do with the boys.”
“Really?”
“I have experience. I waitressed in high school. Let me help you this morning and see how it goes. I’m sure Hunt will take the boys to school.”
They walked over to where Hunt and the boys were waiting for her at the front door. Natalie caught Jesse just before he had a chance to shoot the wrapper off a straw. “I don’t think so Jesse. You boys go on outside.”
The three boys pushed out into the sunshine and leapt up on the benches outside the door. “Hunt, could you take the boys to school? I’m going to stay and help out Keely.”
“Really?”
“Really. I need a job. She’s going to give me a try.”
“That’s great. I’ll help out with the boys.” A look of something crossed Hunt’s face. Not exactly reluctance, not exactly enthusiasm either. Maybe a hint of panic?
“Well, I’ll need to find someone to take care of them if I take this job. It’s not your responsibility to watch them. Besides, you’ll be leaving soon.”
Hunt looked a bit relieved. “We’ll talk about it after you get home.”
“Thanks, Hunt. You’re a sweetie.”
“Yes, I really appreciate this, Hunt. Your sister is a lifesaver. That waitress kept leaving me shorthanded. You know, for the one week she worked for me. And I use the word worked loosely.”
“Okay then, I’ll see you later at home, Nat.”
Keely and Natalie watched for a moment while Hunt shoved through the door and tried to corral the boys into the truck. Natalie pushed the door open. “Boys, in the truck. Now.”
The three boys hopped right into the vehicle and Hunt shook his head.
CHAPTER THREE
Becky Lee loved working with Natalie. The woman could juggle six things at once and not blink an eye. It had been a long time since they’d had a good, reliable waitress at the cafe. She’d begun to feel guilty of any days she wasn’t working, because that left Keely with inexperienced waitresses more interested in flirting with the men than waiting the tables. She couldn’t remember the last time Keely had taken a day off, either.
She and Natalie had worked the lunch shift with no trouble, keeping up with the constant stream of customers.
“Natalie, if Keely hasn’t said so, I will. You are a lifesaver.”
“I hope this works out. I have to figure out childcare for the boys after school, though. I’ll have to sort that all out. But I’m grateful for the job. It’s time I got out of the house, too. I’ve just been existing since Kevin…”