Serving Time

by Bailey West

  We both laughed.

  “Ms. Patterson,” Mr. Valentine entered the room. “Can I have a moment of your time?”

  “Yes,” I said while looking at my watch. I smiled at Xavier, and he flashed those dimples before he left the room.

  “The meeting went well,” Mr. Valentine said after the door closed behind Xavier.

  “It did. I have some more thoughts after listening to Princeton’s story, but I will have to ponder them before I present them.”

  “That’s your process?”

  “When I am trying to keep people out of jail, yes.”

  “This case will take a lot of man-hours and copious amounts of your time. Are you sure you can handle this and run your law firm?”

  I planned on looking him directly in the eyes when I replied to his question but, something about his eyes disarms me. I needed all my armor for my answer, so I pretended to organize the papers I was putting back in my bag.

  “If I were a male, would you have asked me the same question, Mr. Valentine?”

  “If you were male, Ms. Patterson, I wouldn’t have asked you to be on the team.”

  “Sounds like you are bluffing trying to formulate a politically correct answer.”

  “I’m sure all the pc went out the window when you told me to eat crap and choke on the corn hulls,” he chuckled.

  “I didn’t tell you to do that. I said it would have been my response,” I explained. “You can answer my question anytime you’re ready.”

  “I was raised by my mother and my sister. They are the two people I respect most in life. I’ve seen them handle multiple tasks at the same time and finish each one successfully. No, Ms. Patterson, I didn’t ask the question because you are a female. I asked the question because you are a manager of a busy law firm, much like me, and I know how it feels to be pulled away.”

  “Well, thank you for your concern. My colleagues are handling the business at the firm.”

  “You didn’t have any pending cases?”

  “Actually, I cleared my schedule to work on my charity event. It’s important to me to give it my full attention. Your case just happened to come up at the right time. You’re welcome.”

  He chuckled.

  “Tell me about your charity event.”

  “I host an event every year at the end of February. My foundation organizes a dinner and household supply giveaway on the North Side. It’s called ‘We Love the Community.’”

  “‘We Love the Community’ is your foundation?”

  “You’ve heard of it?”

  “Of course. It’s a big deal in the City.”

  WLTC started as a small event at the church we grew up in, but it morphed into a community event. Now a lot of churches, community groups and corporations participate. We give away dinners, boxes of food, household items, vouchers to grocery stores and we have free health screenings. We do it every year at the end of February as a celebration of Valentine’s Day and Black history month.

  “I read a report once that said, ‘when people who grew up in poor or middle-class communities gain wealth or status, no matter how hard they try, they usually become disconnected from their community.’ I finished the article thinking, this is some bull. There is no way I will gain status and lose the connection with my community. As time went on, I noticed I wasn’t doing anything for the community except sending money to support things. That’s when I decided to start WLTC. I want to be the best attorney I can be while still supporting the people who supported me. It’s important for the little girls in the community to see strong black women doing more than what they see every day in the streets.”

  “No, Mommy. I know. I know Mommy. Please tell daddy it’s okay. We will be fine today. I promise…there is always next year…I will send pictures…. get going. Love you too.”

  My mother was just explaining that she and my dad would not make my event because they had their days mixed up and were supposed to be back in my dad’s hometown for an annual town event. My dad sat on the event planning board and couldn’t miss it. I understood. I would be down two volunteers, but it would be fine.

  “Mommy and Daddy aren’t’ coming?”

  “No, they were still home debating the issue. The problem was that the town event was moved to this weekend and they didn’t realize it was the same date.”

  “Mommy is going to give Daddy hell about this for weeks,” Keeva laughed.

  “She sure is!” Kenzie agreed.

  My sisters and I were setting up at the event hall we rented to host WLTC. The doors didn’t open until one o’clock. There was already a line of people waiting to get in, and it was only ten forty-five.

  “Um…who is that?” Keeva nudged me in my side with her elbow. My stomach dropped as I saw Samuel walking through the side door of the event space with Raymond and his sister, who I’d never met but I’d been to a couple of her organization’s fundraisers. He was dressed in a royal blue turtleneck with dark denim jeans and a pair of boots that to the untrained eye looked like regular paint-splattered boots, but I knew they were Maison Margiela and cost over a thousand dollars. He looked good. He wore a suit exceptionally well. Now I see he can wear anything and look damn good.

  “That’s him,” I whispered.

  “Him, him who?” Keeva whispered back.

  “Valentine.”

  “That fine piece of tall, dark, sexy ass chocolate is Valentine?”

  “Shhhh!”

  “Oh damn,” Kenzie whispered as she walked up behind us.

  “He is magically delicious,” Keeva said.

  “He is utterly fuckable,” Kenzie responded.

  “He walks like his dick is big and gets in his way,” Keeva whispered.

  “Like it has a nice mushroom head and is all veiny,” Kenzie whispered.

  “Is he single? Who is the chick with him?” Kenzie whispered.

  “That’s his sister and his personal assistant,” I whispered.

  Why was I whispering?

  I’m sure we looked like we were up to no good, but Mr. Valentine’s presence does command attention.

  I wondered what he was doing here. He didn’t mention he would stop by. I watched him look around the room, lock eyes with me and walk towards me.

  “He’s coming over here,” Kenzie frantically whispered then picked up something to pretend she was busy.

  He and his group stopped in front of me.

  “Ms. Patterson.”

  “Mr. Valentine.”

  “I had some free time today, so I decided to come by and see if we could be of some assistance. We would like to volunteer. This is my sister, Torrey Valentine. Torrey, this is Ms. Patterson. She is an attorney and is working with the firm on Ro…Princeton’s case. She is also the organizer of this event.”

  I smiled and extended my hand. We shook.

  “I’ve heard about this event for a few years, now. I am so glad we were able to find the time to stop by. I’ve wanted to talk to the event’s facilitator about some other community projects. Now that I can put a face with the name, I will definitely be in contact,” Torrey said.

  What? Torrey Valentine wants to work with me?

  I’m fangirling so hard right now, but I am trying to remain calm. Torrey is the inspiration behind WLTC. She has her hands in so many philanthropic programs. She is known across the city as the foremost authority on charities.

  “I don’t have a business card on me right now, but we can exchange information for sure,” I replied still trying to remain calm.

  I heard someone clear their throat behind me. I turned around to see my sisters sharing the same bright smile.

  “These are my sisters, Keeva McDaniels and Kenzie Patterson.”

  Everyone shook hands.

  “So, where do you want us?” Samuel asked.

  “You’re really here to volunteer?” Kenzie questioned.

  “We are,” he smiled.

  He must save this smile for special occasions because I’d never seen it.<
br />
  “I can use some help over at the health center. Raymond, you can come with me,” Kenzie said flirtatiously.

  Trevor wasn’t here because he had to do some work in the studio with a local artist, but he did come earlier to help us get some things set up. Kerem was away on business so he would miss the event also.

  “I can do that,” Raymond replied and followed Kenzie to the other side of the room.

  “Mr. Valentine, you and Torrey can help us serve the food if you don’t mind,” Keeva said.

  “Sure, we are here to help,” he smiled again.

  “You can help us first by bringing out the pans of food from the kitchen then we can all work the serving line while alternating refilling drinks and cleaning the tables,” I explained.

  “Let’s do it,” he responded.

  Once the people started to come in, we all went to work serving and taking care of the guests. Samuel, Raymond, and Torrey blended in seamlessly with the other volunteers. I tried not watching the way Samuel’s back muscles flexed when he picked up the trays of food. I worked extra hard at not noticing how thick his thighs were in his jeans or how well the jeans fit around his ass. I failed. I watched him every time I felt like I could get away with it.

  Samuel stood next to me on the serving line. He was pleasant, engaging and charming. He even knew a couple of the people by name and asked about their families. He asked one woman about the condition of her son’s tombstone after it was placed. I was impressed. We alternated moving from the serving line to cleaning tables and rotated to other areas of the event. Samuel handled each transition with ease.

  We fed over five hundred people, gave away boxes of food, bus passes, and we screened for high blood pressure and diabetes. It was a complete success.

  After the event was over, I went into the kitchen to empty the trash cans and take the bags to the dumpster. I saw Samuel and Raymond coming into the kitchen through the back door.

  “We’ve already emptied all of the trash cans. Do we need to mop?”

  I tilted my head to the side and examined Samuel like this was my first time seeing him.

  “Mop? You know how to mop?”

  “Unless something has changed in the last day or so, I’m certain it takes a bucket of water and a mop…”

  “I’m sure you have people for that, Mr. Valentine. Besides, I have a cleaning crew coming later this evening to make sure everything is straight.”

  “I do have people that clean for me but that doesn’t mean I don’t know how. I came to help so it wouldn’t be a bother if it needed to be done.”

  “I appreciate your offer, but no, it’s handled.”

  “El, are you ready to go?” Torrey asked.

  She’d walked into the kitchen followed by my sisters. “We have to get over to the restaurant or Ulysses is going to have an entire fit. Would you ladies like to join us? Our uncle owns Untraditional, and he wants to try out some new recipes on us. He loves it when we bring non-family members because he thinks they will tell him the truth. He thinks the family tells him new dishes are good because we love him.”

  “Excuse me? Did you say Untraditional? The same Untraditional with the chicken and red velvet waffles?” Keeva asked.

  “Yes, the very same one,” Torrey confirmed.

  “Do you know how hard it is to get a reservation at that place? My husband and I went for our anniversary, but we had to reserve a table, two months in advance! I’m in! Ken, Vee, what about y’all?” Keeva said excitedly.

  “Heck yeah!” Kenzie said.

  “I would love to come,” I smiled.

  I was low key as hype about going as Keeva was. Untraditional was hands down, my most favorite restaurant in the world. They call themselves a soul food restaurant, but they put unexpected twists on soul food like our favorite the red velvet waffles with fried chicken. It’s drizzled with a sweet syrup the restaurant makes. They also have a seafood macaroni with shrimp, lobster, scallops, and cheese that will make you slap your momma.

  My sisters and I followed Samuel’s car to the restaurant. The parking lot was full as always, but we pulled to the back of the restaurant and followed them through the back door. As soon as we entered I could smell all of the delicious dishes being prepared in the kitchen. I thought we would go into the kitchen, but we turned to the left and entered a small private dining area which was off the kitchen.

  “This is Ulysses’ private area. We have our family dinners back here,” Torrey explained. “Have a seat, ladies. El, let him know we are here.”

  Samuel didn’t blink as he walked out the room to follow her instructions.

  “Ms. Patterson,” Torrey started.

  “Averie, please.”

  “My brother calls you Ms. Patterson.”

  “That’s because I haven’t given him permission to call me by my first name,” I explained.

  “Oh, he’s already displayed his charming side?”

  “If that’s his charming side…”

  She laughed.

  “I really do want to connect with you on some future projects. The event today was phenomenal. I’m glad I was there to volunteer.”

  “It did turn out well. Better than I hoped or expected. I would love to work with you in the future. I’m familiar with some of the things you do.”

  “Great. Oh, and for the record, I know my brother can be a bear sometimes but be patient. He really is a good man.”

  Samuel re-entered the room with an older man and woman following behind him.

  “Ulysses and Francine, this is Ms. Patterson, Kenzie, and Keeva.”

  “It’s Averie,” I said as I extended my hand to shake theirs.

  “Nice to meet you, Darling,” Ulysses smiled. I don’t like being called pet names by men I don’t know, but coming from Ulysses, it felt different for some reason. I actually liked it. “No one calls us Ulysses and Francine. I am Skip, and this beautiful woman is Frannie.”

  “Please have a seat everyone, and we will get started,” Frannie instructed.

  We all chose seats at a long table that was situated along the back wall. Samuel and I ended up in chairs next to each other.

  “Ladies, I don’t know if you have eaten at our restaurant before but…”

  “Yes, we all have,” Keeva interrupted while doing a shoulder shimmy in her seat.

  “Good,” Skip chuckled. “Every few years, we promote one of our sous chefs to head chef. We’ve come up with a little contest to see who will win the position and get a recipe added to our menu. Tonight, we have three of the best sous chefs in our kitchen presenting their meals to you.”

  “Based on our recommendations, one of your assistant chefs will become a head chef?” Kenzie asked.

  “That’s correct,” Frannie answered.

  “Oh, the pressure!” Kenzie threw her hand on her forehead like she was going to pass out.

  We all chuckled.

  “Don’t worry about causing someone not to get the position, Skip and I make the final decision, but your input is valuable,” Frannie continued.

  A waiter entered the room.

  “Tony will take your drink orders while the chefs prepare their presentations,” Skip said as he and Frannie left the room.

  I knew my sisters were going to ask for something fruity like a strawberry daiquiri. I don’t like fruity drinks, they sneak up on you. I don’t like for liquor to sneakily get me drunk. Let me know what your intentions are from the beginning. That’s why I’ve developed a taste for cognac. If I am in the comfort of my house, then I will drink something sweet, but out in public, I need to know how the liquor is going to affect me immediately.

  “For you, miss?” Tony waited with pen in hand to jot down my drink order.

  “Do you have Roulet or Bisquit? If not, I will take Hennessey VSOP or something similar. I will also take a glass of water.”

  I looked over to find Mr. Valentine staring at me.

  “What?”

  “You would rather cognac than a
pineapple margarita or something?”

  “I ordered what I want but by all means order your passion fruit margarita. I won’t judge.”

  He chuckled.

  “I will take whatever you bring her,” he told Tony.

  “Your event was successful,” Mr. Valentine leaned in and said.

  “It was a success. Thank you for volunteering. You seemed to know a lot of the people around there.”

  “Yes, my mother and father grew up around that area. I try to help out where I can.”

  He and his family were fantastic today. It would have been successful without them, but their presence was definitely felt and appreciated.

  Tony walked in with everyone’s drinks. He did have the Bisquit. I was glad. I needed a good drink after all the work we’d done today.

  Samuel

  Volunteering at Ms. Patterson’s event turned out to be a great idea. After she and I talked about her reasons behind organizing the event every year, I realized in some areas of community outreach, I was just throwing money on the problem instead of showing up and making a difference with my hands. It was nice seeing some of the old people from the neighborhood and doing something just because I wanted to do it.

  After our drinks were delivered, Skip and Frannie came back into the room with three chefs in tow.

  “I would like to introduce you to Miles, Hugo, and Leanne. I have charged them with creating a dish which will add Cajun and Creole flavors to our menu. They will each present you with a dish. You will be given cards to rate the dish, and you can ask the chefs questions if you like,” Frannie explained.

  She and Skip took a seat at the end of the table. Miles opened the door and several servers filed in. The plates were placed in front of us, and the lids were removed. It looked like a regular fried shrimp sandwich on a baguette. It was pretty, but I wouldn’t give it points for creativity.

  “Good evening. My name is Miles. I thought about presenting something that could be eaten with your hands. Tonight, I would like to present to you a po’ boy sandwich with shrimp, shark, calamari, and alligator. I’ve added a homemade spicy mayonnaise sauce. There is extra sauce on the side for dipping. On the side is a serving of Cajun fries. Bon appetite.”