Does anyone care that I’ve been sitting here for 20 mins?
Apparently not.
Cecil’s bopping about, Cassie is no where to be found, yet the late breakfast / lunch rush is rolling out flawlessly on this day.
Where is my partner in food service around here?
“Cecil!” I manage to grab his arm as he flies by with an empty dish bin. “Where is Cassie this morning?”
“Late,” he says, then turns toward the dining room and bolts.
Admittedly, I’ve arrived ahead of our scheduled organizational meeting for the upcoming monthly Book Club. Cecil looks slammed, though I must make sure to chat with him about what exactly we’re serving the members when we meet.
As he approaches me, dirty dishes in tow, he leans against the bar and speaks.
“Choice of fried flounder or chip steak sandwich, fries, caesar salad,” Cecil says.
“Hmmm, that will do,” I say. “Can I get a nice glass of chardonnay while I wait for our girl?”
He nods, circles behind the bar, and pulls out the cold bottle with a glass.
“Have at it,” he says, heading back toward the kitchen with the dishes.
I am very disturbed that Cassie isn’t here. Us single girls, you know, we need to be careful and be safe. But, really, what could happen here in Middle Valley anyway?
The doors blow open and, finally, Cassie arrives in a rush, anxious and out of breath.
“Where have you been, dear? Are you okay?”
She glares in my direction, but I’m not feeling tactful today.
“Good thing you have Cecil!”
Her shoulders slump. “Bitsy, I don’t have time for this today. All is well, don’t worry, but I walked right into a hornet’s nest. Ask your son-in-law … it was all on his boat!”
“Lindy?” What the hell could that lousy lay-about have to do with the price of …
“Yes! Lindy!” Cassie says. “Now if you’ll excuse me!”
Cassie disappears into the kitchen and is heartily greeted by Cecil. Actually, it’s more like a big bear hug.
Merc. Surely my daughter will clue me in. I’m sure she knows. I dial her number.
“I can’t talk now. Later.” Mercury says. She abruptly hangs up.
Wanda. Whatever this is, our next mayor needs to be here for this … she needs to have her ear to the ground.
I dial her number.
“You need to come to the Riverside immediately. Something is going on, and while I don’t know what it is, I have a feeling we need to hear this first-hand.”