**
It was unusually cold that morning as Amy walked through the backdoor of the restaurant. She was bundled up tight, her cheeks and the tip of her nose burning from the cold air. She needed to meet with Uncle Tom and finish up the order for the restaurant. Then they were to work on the schedule for the next month. Amy had finally converted Uncle Tom to a schedule that was not only printed but set a month in advance. It allowed everyone to see their schedule and make changes amongst themselves as needed. The old process involved a spiral bound notebook where Uncle Tom desperately tried to write the schedule and keep tabs on it. On more than one occasion, there were staff members missing because of miscommunication between the staff and Uncle Tom.
When she had gotten out of the shower after telling Luke to leave, he was gone. Luke hadn’t gone into her phone and looked around. He looked at her screen. Was that a punishable offense? Maybe, maybe not. Considering the circumstances and what the text message Luke read implied, it was almost romantic that Luke wanted to get involved. Amy appreciated it, but this wasn’t a simple case of a crazy ex-boyfriend looking to raise a little hell for Amy. This man was crazy and had every right to hate Amy and want to do something to her.
Amy had received a text message from Luke but she ignored it.
Amy sat in the restaurant with Uncle Tom. He had a laptop open, his two pointer fingers curled like talons as he pecked at the keyboard.
“You know, you don’t have to hit the keys so hard,” Amy said. “It’s not a typewriter.”
“Would you like to do this?”
“Actually, I would.”
Uncle Tom slid the laptop to Amy. She began to change all the necessary information for the schedule. She then opened the order screen and opened the previously saved order for comparison.
Within an hour they had an order and a schedule.
Amy started to feel better even though she kept a close eye on the front of the restaurant. The text from Denny was more than likely just an empty threat, but there was always that chance…
“You look lost, Amy.”
Amy blinked and smiled at Uncle Tom. “I’m right here. Right where I belong.”
“Your eyes,” Uncle Tom said. “I can always see the eyes. Where’s your guy friend?”
“Luke? He had to leave last night.”
“Had to? He seemed kind of happy to see you.”
“We had a talk about some things,” Amy said. “He’s in a band, Uncle Tom. He’s busy.”
“Everyone is busy,” Uncle Tom said. “I’ve been busy since I was twelve years old and had my first newspaper route. What does that have to do with anything?”
“Nothing,” Amy said. Her eyes went to the front of the restaurant again. She pictured herself walking out of the restaurant and looking at the empty building next door. “What made you start this place, Uncle Tom?”
“I’d like to say something significant,” Uncle Tom said. “But, honestly? Money.”
“Money?”
“I wasn’t allowed in the Army because of my knee and I needed money to take care of myself and the family I dreamed of having. I knew I could cook a hell of a burger so I went with what I knew.”
“Did you always want something like this?”
“I don’t know,” Uncle Tom said. “I just went with the flow of things. I stayed, it got busier, we expanded, and now I’m sitting here with you, Amy.”
Amy couldn’t keep her eyes off the front of the restaurant. When she felt Uncle Tom touch her hands, she gasped and jumped.
“What’s bothering you?” Uncle Tom asked.
Amy looked at Uncle Tom. She had to tell him about Denny. About the money.
“Ever make a really bad decision?” she asked.
“Of course. Everyone does.”
“Ever want more of something?”
“What more do you want?” Uncle Tom. “Is this about the restaurant?”
“No, it’s not,” Amy said. “It’s about the desserts.”
“The desserts?”
Amy licked her lips and soon found herself shoving the Denny issue behind her as she started to blurt out her dream of the bakery next door. She couldn’t stop talking once she started and at some point she ended up standing, playing with her fingers, and pacing. It sometimes felt like she was selling the idea to Uncle Tom and it sometimes felt like she was begging him to let her do it.
When she stopped she sat back down.
“That’s a great idea,” Uncle Tom said.
“Great idea?”
“Yeah. It is. I know you expected to take this place and make it your own. The thought of not being here, Amy, is unbearable. I’d rather die. I’ll be honest. It pains me that I have messed up your plans by my own stupidity and stubbornness.”
“I thought you’d be mad at me,” Amy said.
“Why?”
“I was afraid you’d think I didn’t love the restaurant.”
“I know you love this place,” Uncle Tom said. “And I’ve tasted the desserts you’ve made. The customers love them. There’s no reason why we can’t do this.”
Amy nodded. She felt like she could cry. It was like a weight lifted off her chest. Unfortunately, it was just a little weight.
“Amy, you can talk to me,” Uncle Tom said. “I don’t want secrets between us, ever.”
Amy nodded. “Well, if there’s no secrets…”
She began to muster the strength to say something just as Jeff came from the kitchen looking for Uncle Tom. Amy lost all her urge and just like that, the conversation was over.
Amy ended up going into the bathroom to cry in peace. As she wept she took out her cellphone and went straight to Luke’s message.
We can talk, Luke. I’m sorry for getting upset. You just don’t understand who Denny is…
A Voice to Love (Fallen Tuesday Book One) (A Brothers of Rock Novel) Page 16
