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“There you go. A perfect rose.” She stands back and holds her hands open toward her creation.
“Your turn.”
Again, I draw in a deep breath and let it out slowly. I slide off the mesh gloves and begin to twist the tomato peel. My hands are much larger than Gina’s and I fumble a bit.
She steps up and places her hand on my arm.
“Take your time. Once you get the feel of the twisting part. You’ll be able to pick up your speed in no time.”
I nod, then wipe my hands down my apron. Taking the tomato peel in between my index finger and thumb, I slowly twist it until I finally create my first tomato rosette.
I smile when I conquer the one thing I’ve always had trouble with. Stepping back, I ask, “How’s that?”
“Really good, Jaden. Are you sure you couldn’t make these?” She lifts her eyebrow and winks at me.
“I swear, Gina. Watching you wind it around left-handed made it all come together in my mind. It’s really so simple.”
We go on to make fifty rosettes, then she has me dice up more sweet onions, along with green, red, yellow, and orange peppers. Celery, carrots, and white mushrooms. Some of this will be part of the special salad Chef Thomas has planned for the guests. The rest are ingredients for the main course.
Lastly, we fancy cut watermelon, strawberries, mangoes, honeydew, cantaloupe for the fresh fruit salad.
Turning to Gina when we’ve finished our prep, I say, “Wow, thank you so much for teaching me. And having me assist you. I’m honored. Really.” I touch my chest and bow my head.
“You’re welcome, Jaden. You did a wonderful job, and you were a tremendous help to me. I wouldn’t have been able to prepare all of this by myself in time for the party tonight.” She waves her hand over the long table filled with assorted fruits and vegetables.
“I need to check with Dave at the bar. Thanks again, Gina.” I smile and take off the white apron, tossing it in the bin with all the other dirty ones. I find the short black apron I normally wear and tie it around my waist.
Pushing the silver double doors open, I walk over to Dave.
“Hey man. I’m all yours again.” I hold my fist up, and he bumps it.
“Good. I don’t like sharing. Now get these shot glasses washed, then I’m sure George will need help bussing tables.” Dave nods toward the restaurant area half filled with dinner guests already.
“On it, boss man.” I glance around, hoping to see Blaire and her friend, but they aren’t here tonight.
11
BLAIRE
Waking up to the sound of my phone ringing, I grab it blindly and answer it, “Hello?”
“Blaire, it’s Trudy. I need you to come into my office immediately.”
“Um, sure. I have to find a babysitter for my daughter, then I’ll be right in.” I hold the phone in my hand and stare at it. Trembling, I touch the red phone icon and end the call, then thumb to Rae’s number and call her.
“Damn, Blaire. It’s early. What’s up?” she asks.
“I need you to take Britney for me for a few hours. I was just summoned to Mrs. Bowman’s office.” I pause and draw in a deep breath.
“Sure. But who is she?”
“Rae, she’s the department chair.” I let out a long breath.
“I don’t know why she called me in, but I have to go now.”
“Hey. Don’t worry. You ended it with Jaden, so it can’t be that. Bring Britney to me and go take care of whatever this is. It’ll be fine.”
“Thanks. We’ll be there in a few minutes.” I end that call and quickly freshen up. Waking my baby isn’t something I like to do, but I have to today.
