by T. F. Pruden
With a nod to his colleague the head chef followed close behind his boss as Wayne strode with purpose into the dining room.
Rene stood next to the booth where Jane sat across from Richie and Monica Pallento.
He waited for his young partner to emerge from the kitchen, anxious to get the speech over with and desperate not to look like it. The dining room remained full though over three hours passed since the dinner service began. Rene wanted to make the speech while everyone who had eaten dinner was still there.
He had no idea what he should say yet he knew that to say nothing would be inappropriate.
As always he counted on himself to deliver in the moment.
“Don’t be nervous hon,” Jane’s voice was low from beside him as she entwined her fingers in his hand resting on the back of the booth, “remember these people are your friends and we’re all happy for you tonight.”
“T’ank you ma’ darl’ang.” Rene said with a gallant bow, “I appreciate you being ‘ere an’ I’m ok wit’ it, would jus’ l’ak to get ‘dis show on ‘da road is all, eh, oui oui.”
“It’s been a good night,” Jane continued, her voice filled with lustful pride, “and it’s turning into a better party Rene. Plainly you’ve managed to do it again mon cher.”
Rene turned to the attractive woman seated on the bench beside him with a grin. It pleased him to hear desire in her voice. His pride swelled. He had managed once again to impress her. He leaned over and kissed her, squeezing her fingers and wanting her as much as he ever had.
“Hey, cut that out you two!” Richie Pallento spoke from across the booth with sarcasm dripping, “do you need me to get you a room upstairs or what? Jeez!”
The lovers parted and smiled to one another with promise as their friends laughed across the table from them.
“Tabernac!” Rene said and grinned wolfish at his friend, “we’ll do our bes’ to make it t’roo ‘da show mon frere but you know ‘ow ‘dese t’ings go, sometime’ a man ‘e can’ ‘elp ‘imself, eh, oui oui?”
The four friends laughed again, happy to be together yet relieved the evening would soon come to its end.
Though all in attendance had been well fed, and the restaurant remained filled with good cheer, the hour was growing late. As the drinks continued to pour the atmosphere was undergoing a subtle change, and the abstainers sprinkled among the crowd would soon with relief depart.
The hard partying sure to follow would create a story told separate from that of the grand opening.
It would be known by few among the crowd of attending celebrants.
Wayne entered the dining room from the kitchen.
He tapped Rene on the shoulder and moved to stand beside him, motioning for the two young chefs to stand next to himself and his partner. He nodded to Rene as the chefs arranged themselves. Wayne prepared to gain the room’s attention.
“Ladies and gentleman can I have your attention please!” he said, using a loud and commanding voice he reserved for such occasions, “Please friends, please give us one more moment of your time!”
He waited as the room quieted before continuing.
“Thank you!” he spoke with pride filling his voice, “May I present Monsieur Rene Lemieux, namesake and owner of ‘Rene’s at the Marlene’“
The dining room erupted in applause as the crowd spilling in from the lounge soon filled the space separating the tables from the booths.
Wayne gave a slight bow and gestured to his partner.
Rene stepped forward a pace before speaking.
“T’ank you mon frere an’ t’ank you to everyone for attend’ang our gran’ open’ang,” he said.
He spoke in a halting voice, with the emotion of the moment thickening it and his natural arrogance replaced by the charming humility known only to close friends.
“An’ I would like you to acknowledge along wit’ me tonight,” he said with what sounded like real pride, “ma’ partner ‘ere at ‘Rene’s at the Marlene’ an’ ‘da operations manager of ‘da place beside’ ‘dat, mon frere Wayne Stevens, wit’out ‘oom we would not be ‘ere tonight. Please mes amis, give an’ han’ pour mon frere Wayne!”
The overfilled room again erupted in applause, with people now standing and cheering as the two partners stepped toward each other to embrace. Rene waited until the room quieted and he recovered himself before continuing.
“I t’ank you all for be’ang ‘ere tonight as we take our firs’ step’ toward ‘da realization of a dream,” he said, “wit’out you ‘dis would not be possible an’ for ‘dat we are ver’ grateful an’ we applaud your support.”
He and Wayne and the two chefs clapped. They were at once joined by the service staff scattered about the room. As the crowd surrounding them joined in the applause, he nodded and waved to the room for quiet.
“We are ‘ere now an’ we ‘ope ‘dat you ‘ave enjoy’ your firs’ of what will be many meals wit’ us,” he took a deep breath before introducing the chefs, “an’ we are proud to introduce you to our chef’, who are responsible for ‘da excellen’ meals dat we serve’ ‘ere tonight an’ ‘oo will be serv’ang you in ‘da future ‘ere at ‘Rene’s’. Ladies an’ gentles’man, please, a han’ for our chef, Mr. J.D. Dryer an’ ‘is sous chef Mr. Ron White.”
The room erupted in applause again as the two young chefs, their faces reddening as the applause grew, bowed to the people surrounding them.
“T’ank you mon ami!” Rene said to the two young men with a wide grin, “Now get ‘da ‘ell back into your kitchen, eh! Tabernac!”
The chefs waved to the crowd and laughed at Rene’s harsh wit as they withdrew to the kitchen door. Ron was soon out of sight and dealing with his final order while J.D. stood in the entrance.
“I am go’ang to finish by say’ang ‘dat I am proud to offer you our ‘ospitality an’ our bes’ effort’ as we move forward,” Rene spoke as the applause quieted.
Sincerity filled his voice and the people in the room remained spellbound by the performance.
“ I ‘ope ‘dat you will make our place a regular stop an’ ‘dat you will spread ‘da word on our be’aff, because wit’out your support our dream will not survive.” Rene spoke with disarming honesty, “T’ank you agin mes ami for be’ang ‘ere an’ I look forwar’ to see’ang you all again soon! Now I ‘ave ask’ mon frere Wayne to say a few word’ so please ‘ang on, eh? Oui oui!”
The crowded room now flooded with applause and even a few cheers for the restaurants’ namesake.
Wayne stood with a grin on his face as he waited for the noise to calm, enjoying the moment and thrilled by the simple words of his partner.
No matter what he said next it could not match Rene’s sweet humility.
Despite the knowledge he was without care as the sound of clapping echoed from the walls surrounding them. The grand opening was a success and the people in attendance remained enthralled by his partners’ simple and plain spoken words.
Wayne was now drunk and convinced his dreams would come true.
As the applause continued and Rene waved to the friends surrounding them Wayne thought again of the tall chef. He wished somehow he could have been with them to enjoy this; their first and what was sure to be their best night.
In the moonlit twilight surrounding Pasqua Lake the coyotes yelped to the vast emptiness of the Saskatchewan prairie.
The lights of the Aurora Borealis danced in silence above them. With bellies full their offspring wrestled for the skeletal remains scattered among the spruce and poplar trees of their home. The victorious pups then snarled a warning to their brethren to keep away from a hard-won prize.
They growled deep in their young chests and worried the remaining flesh from the well gnawed bones.
END
TFP
Thorsby, Alberta, Canada
July 12, 2016
Copyright © 2016 by T.F. Pruden
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
T.F. Pruden spent a lifetime learning to write f
iction while earning a living in a variety of occupations. Widely traveled he is a chronicler of the obscure captivated by the never ending search for independence. ‘Grand Opening’ is the second novel he has published. Of Métis descent he lives in small town Alberta with canine companion Mr. Koko in western Canada.
Also by T.F. Pruden
A Dog and His Boy (1519283407 Amazon, 2015)
Synopsis:
A gripping wilderness adventure tale, a tragic sins of the father story, and a tender ode to friendship. T.F. Pruden’s debut novel ‘A Dog and His Boy’ is these and more. The richly layered account transports the reader to a world too real to be imagined where life alternates between ironic humor and compelling tragedy. A poignant coming of age narrative, it confronts the gritty reality of a broken home and alcohol abuse with lyrical precision.
Selected review notes for A Dog and His Boy:
A literary novel characters are multifaceted, insightful, and flawed, and the climax is devastating...light in tone, tactful, and balanced...a uniquely modern, pioneer-flavored tale of growing up in a harsh, wild environment under a father who cares, but doesn’t know how to show it. —4/5 Stars, Into The Writerlea
The author is a master at detailed description...an excellent and very sad story on many levels...should appeal to readers with an interest in human psychology.—3.5/5 Stars, Julie’s Book Reviews
For additional information see the author at
https://tfprudenthewriter.blogspot.ca/
Table of Contents
Part One: the Gamble
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
Part Two: Ante up
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
Part Three: Laying a Trap
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
Part Four: Early Losses
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Part Five: Small Winnings
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
Part Six: Rising Stakes
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
Part Seven: Placing Bets
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT
Part Eight: Cards on the Table
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY TWO
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Also by T.F. Pruden