Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 66978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
“I know that. Still… It’s easier to keep them at arm’s length.”
“You didn’t keep Leif Ramsey at arm’s length.” She smiles.
And I don’t know what to say. Fortunately, our time is up.
I won’t be seeing my mother. Macy understands that, but will the Wolfes? It doesn’t matter. I’m too busy to think about it.
I head to my next table, take the dinner orders, and then grab the drinks from the previous table and distribute them, again with a smile on my face.
“Would you like to order any appetizers?”
“No,” one of them says. “I think we’re ready to order dinner.”
Great. Smaller tip. Still, the smile never wavers. “Wonderful, let me tell you about the specials this evening.”
I prattle off what I’ve memorized, take their orders, and get the order to the kitchen.
Then I do my rounds at the rest of my tables.
I stay on top of things all night, and I’m pretty darn proud of myself. I’ve never worked at a fine restaurant before, but so far so good. I’ve gotten adequate tips, about twenty percent average, but I’d like to see that go up to twenty-five. At a place like this, people can afford it. But this is my first night, so I’m satisfied.
Lois waylays me on my way back from the kitchen. “Kelly, could I have a moment?”
“Of course.”
I’d like to get back to my tables, but when your new boss asks for a moment, you give it to her. I follow her to the hallway where the breakroom is.
“I just want to tell you that I think you’re doing a very good job tonight.”
“Oh, thank you.” I hold back a sigh of relief. “I was afraid you were going say something else.”
“No, not at all. I’m thrilled you’re here, and I want you to know that if you ever need anything, anything at all, please feel free to come to me.”
“Why would I need anything?”
“I’m not saying you will. But the Wolfe family is a huge patron of this restaurant, so anything we can do… You know.”
Anger curls up my spine. I want to smack her around now. But I keep the smile pasted on. “That’s very kind of you. Thank you. I should get back to my tables.”
“Yes, of course. Don’t let me keep you.”
I’m tense now, so I head to the employees’ restroom. I look in the mirror, and for a moment, I see the scared little girl locked in her closet.
I cannot be the scared little girl.
I need to be the self-assured waitress.
So I close my eyes, and I do what Macy told me to do. Visualize. Visualize someone who is capable and professional.
I open my eyes.
And there she is. Kelly Taylor, server at The Glass House. I wash my hands quickly, dry them, and head back out to see to my tables.
31
LEIF
Racine Taylor is staying at the Waldorf-Astoria.
Interesting.
I called to ask if I could see her, and she told me to meet her at the hotel bar. So here I am, waiting.
She’s late.
Fifteen minutes so far, and just when I wonder if she’s going to show up at all, in walks a woman who makes every head turn.
Her hair is flaming red, and her eyes are blue. She’s dressed in tight black pants and a leopard-print blouse.
She’s Kelly’s mother, all right. Her features aren’t as fine as her daughter’s, but there’s a definite resemblance.
I rise, hold up my hand, and wave to her from the small table where I’m seated. She comes toward me, seeming to relish all the eyes on her.
I hold out my hand. “Racine Taylor?”
“Yes, I am. And you must be Leif Ramsey.”
“Guilty on that charge. Please, have a seat.” I hold out the chair for her.
“Aren’t you the gentleman,” she says.
“I try to be.” I take a sip of my drink. “Are you hungry?”
“Goodness, no. I don’t eat bar food.”
Interesting to know. “A drink then?”
“I will never pass up a drink.”
I signal to our server.
She comes quickly. “Can I get you another, sir?”
“I’m good for now, thank you, but I think the lady would like to order a drink.”
“Of course. What can I get you?”
“Champagne cocktail please,” Racine says.
“Coming right up.”
I smile at the server and then turn back to Racine. “It’s nice to meet you. As I told you on the phone, I work for the Wolfe family.”
“Yes. I assume you’re here to talk about my daughter, Kelly.”
“I am. I was wondering if you could tell me why you want to see her.”
She widens her heavily made-up eyes. “Because I’m her mother.”
I take another sip of my bourbon and then clear my throat. “Kelly doesn’t want to see you, Ms. Taylor.”
She smiles. “Please, it’s Racine.” Then her smile fades into…something unreadable. “Why wouldn’t she want to see me?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know her very well. I was hoping maybe you could shed some light on that question.”