Knock-knock.
“Tara, what’s going on?” he asked through the closed door.
Seconds later, she opened it, wearing a long sweater over the shirt and a pair of shorts. “Mr. Tank. I mean, Mrs. Santini. Ohgod.Mr. Santini. Hello. Welcome back. When did you get home? Now, right? Yeah, now. You just got back into town.” Her shoulders sagged. “I can explain.”
Teddy chuckled. “Good to see you, Tara. How ‘bout a cup of coffee?”
“Sure, right, I can get you one immediately.”
She whizzed past him. Before following, he stood in the office doorway. A blanket and pillow were on the black leather sofa, an old suitcase stood open in the corner.
What the hell…
He walked into the kitchen as she fumbled to make a pot of coffee. He took the pot from her trembling hands. “Relax, okay. I’d hug you, but you’re not dressed?—”
She threw herself on him, hugged him hard. “Please don’t fire me.”
“Let’s make something to eat, then we’ll talk.”
After he started brewing a pot of coffee, they made eggs and toast. With plates and mugs in hand, they left the kitchen, pulled up bar stools, sat side by side. The food tasted great. He savored the eggs, appreciated the robust, black coffee. Being home meant everything to him.
“Are you homeless?” he asked.
“I… um… no. I needed a place to crash for a coupla nights.”
Teddy checked the time. “Let me send a text?—”
“I don’t want to keep you.”
“I got this.”
Tara sleeping at restaurant. Need to talk to her. Be in soon
Seconds later, his phone rang. He answered, put the phone to his ear.
“Hey,” Teddy said.
“Do you need me to swing by?” Greystone asked.
“I got this.”
“Is she okay?”
“I don’t know.”
“Ohgod, I’m gonna get shit-canned,” Tara bleated.
“I’ll be there in an hour.” Teddy ended the call, took another mouthful of coffee, and swiveled toward his employee.
Tara had been the hostess at the Santini restaurant for years. Back when their cousin, Willie Boy, had run the restaurant into the ground, she had shown up for work day in and day out doing her best to keep things running smoothly. She was a hard worker, but more than that, she was loyal.
That counted for a lot.
“What’s going on?” Teddy asked.
“Money’s tight, so I took on a second job,” she said. “The promotion here helped… a lot… but I needed the extra cash now.” Her sheepish expression had him nodding. “Sorry.”
“Go on.”
