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And I know it’s one hundred percent because ofthe girlswaiting on me at home.
—
We don’t get the doors to the restaurant closed until after ten, and Marco assures me that he and the others can handle breakdown since I had to come in earlier today. Normally I would fight him on this, but with the possibility of catching Cassie still awake back at the house... it doesn’t take much convincing to get me to duck out.
I think it’s because she and Sophie have weighed so heavily on my mind tonight—their day together, the fact that I couldn’t be there—maybe that’s why I decide to call the owner, Joseph, on my way home. It doesn’t take long for him to pick up, his voice ringing through the car speakers after only twenty seconds or so. Normally I would worry about calling someone at this hour, but Joseph is a notorious night owl.
“Aiden? Everything okay?”
“Oh, yeah. Everything’s fine.”
“Easy night, I hope?”
“Mild shallot disaster, but nothing we couldn’t handle.”
“Yellow onions?”
I laugh. “Yeah, yellow onions.”
“Always does the trick.”
“Actually... I was calling about something else.”
“Oh?” I can hear him rustling around, no doubt settling deeper into his favorite leather chair that he likes to smoke in. “Everything going all right?”
“Yes, everything is going great, it’s just...”
“Well, spit it out, boy,” he laughs. “I’ve never known you to be tongue-tied.”
“I was considering the possibility of handing off some of my duties to Marco. Lessening my workload a bit.”
“You’re not thinking of quitting are you?”
“No,” I stress. “Of course not. I love it there, and I love workingfor you. It’s just that... ever since Sophie came to live with me full time, I’ve really started to realize just how much I’ve missed out on her life. It’s more obvious when I’m seeing her every day, when I’m reminded every day of how much I’mnotseeing. Does that make sense?”
“Of course it does,” Joseph says, and I sigh in relief. “You know I will work with you however I can.”
“I would of course understand if you wanted me to step down as executive chef, or if you needed to cut my wages to make up for the lesser responsibilities—”
“Oh, nonsense,” Joseph scoffs. “No one wants that. We can find a way to make sure you have more time at home without taking you down from the position.” He laughs then. “Marco would shit his pants if we suggested it, anyway. Everyone there knows that the kitchen can’t run without you.”
“I just want to be fair to you.”
“Son, you’ve been fair to me for years now. You’ve worked yourself to the bone. I always hoped you’d find a reason to start taking some time for yourself. There’s no better reason than family.”
I nod heavily, my voice feeling thick. “I really appreciate that.”
“Now you just need to get yourself a girl, and I can really stop worrying about you.”
I’m very grateful that Joseph can’t see my face right now. “About that...”
“Oh?”
“I was just wondering if I could bring a plus-one to your birthday party in a few weeks.”
“Well, lo and behold, I have seen it all. You’re coming to the party?Andyou’re bringing a date?”
“Well... I haven’t brought it up yet... but I’m hoping that she might like to come with me.”
