Queenie's Cafe

by SUE FINEMAN

  Back home.

  <>

  On Monday, Luke went to work in the Windsor Floors Vero Beach store. Earl introduced him to the staff as, “My boy, Luke.”

  Luke didn’t feel like Earl’s “boy.” He tried to make himself useful, although he apparently wasn’t really needed. Earl didn’t have enough business to justify the number of people working in the store. Employees were making work or standing around telling each other jokes. Everyone avoided Earl, especially the women, which Luke found strange. The whole situation felt strange.

  One day Earl summoned him to his office. “There’s an old friend of mine on the phone. Florence. She needs a favor and I want you to handle it. Line four.”

  Luke grabbed the phone as Earl disappeared out the door. “Florence? This is Luke. What can I do for you?”

  “You know Queenie’s Café on the highway in Kingston?”

  “Yes, I know it.” He was just there last week.

  “Queenie died and left it to Laura Whitfield, but it’s so rundown, she’ll never be able to make a go of it without some help. Me and some friends helped her get it cleaned and fixed up so she could open again, but the floors in that place are in awful shape.”

  “Is that right?”

  “She don’t have no money to buy new stuff. Your daddy said he’d do it for cost, if you’ll take care of it yourself. He said she could pay it off as she got things up and runnin’ again.”

  “Okay.” Funny, Earl didn’t seem like the generous type, especially with women. Florence must be a good friend.

  “Just tell Laura I sent you. She’ll understand.”

  “What does she need?”

  “New vinyl everywhere but the dinin’ area. That needs new carpet. That old stuff was shot twenty years ago.”

  “I’ll take care of it.” If she didn’t shoot him when she saw him coming. Well, this should be interesting. Spunky girl, standing up to Frank Fosdick that way. Laura Whitfield couldn’t be much over twenty-two or so, and she obviously didn’t like Frank or appreciate him trying to sell her business. If he held her loan and she couldn’t make the payments, he could foreclose, but he couldn’t force her to sell.

  It was nearly four when Luke left Vero Beach. He drove slowly when he reached the Kingston town limits, obeying the speed limit for a change. There wasn’t much to Kingston. Just a sleepy little town along the highway. A few businesses on either side of the road, a half-dozen streets leading to neighborhoods of modest homes, a couple of gas stations, a bank and a hardware store. One traffic light and one blinking light near the school. Grocery store, liquor store, drug store, real estate office, and a few other businesses on the other side. Just your typical small Florida town.

  He spotted the sign for Queenie’s Café down the street. He didn’t have a chance to get a close look the other day, when he was here with Frank. The place was in bad shape. Even the sign looked worn out. He pulled in the parking lot, turned off the engine, and stared at the building. The stucco looked like it hadn’t been painted in at least thirty years. The flamingo color was popular half a century ago, but this looked awful. The paint was blotchy and faded from the sun. Dirt streaked the lower half of the walls, turning to a muddy brown at the base. Maybe it looked better inside, but he doubted it.

  Was this place really worth investing in new carpets and flooring?

  <>

  Laura was making a list of staples to stock the pantry when she heard a tap on the front window. It was too soon for the health department inspector, but it wasn’t that same guy again. This was a nice looking young man in a white polo shirt and slacks. Wide shoulders, blue eyes, long legs, and a nice tan. Not the kind of customer who usually ate at Queenie’s. He looked a little familiar, but she couldn’t place him.

  She pointed to the CLOSED sign in the window, but instead of leaving, he tapped again. She unlocked the door. “Sorry, we’re not open today.”

  “Florence sent me.”

  “Florence?”

  He nodded.

  “Come on in.” She’d spoken with Florence on the phone yesterday, and she didn’t mention sending someone.

  “I’m Luke Windsor. I was here once before, with—”

  “Frank Fosdick,” they said together.

  “I’m still not interested in selling, Mr. Windsor. If that’s why you’re here, you’re wasting your time and mine.”

  “That’s not why I’m here.”

  She crossed her arms and tried to listen with an open mind.

  “I’m here on behalf of my father, Earl Windsor.”

  She dropped her arms. “Windsor Floors?”

  Luke nodded. “He said this was a favor for an old friend.”

  “What kind of favor?”

  “Special deal on new vinyl and carpet for the café.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t afford all that.” She couldn’t even afford to open unless someone loaned her some money. Billy Joe Redmond had bought Queenie’s old car, but the five hundred he gave her would barely cover the utility bills this month.

  “We’ll do it for cost and you can pay it off at whatever you can afford. Labor is free. I’ll install it myself, if that’s all right with you. I think we may have some window shades that would work well in here, too.”

  “Well, thank you, but I can’t afford new flooring. I don’t know if I can find enough money to buy supplies to open.” She still had the health department inspection to get through, permits to buy, food to stock, and other bills to pay. Before she could buy anything, she had to borrow money and get the café open for business.

  “Why don’t we get some measurements and then you can come to the store in Vero Beach and see what we have in stock? We’ll figure out what it’ll cost you, and then you can decide. I assume you’d want it done pretty quick.”

  She cocked her head. “Are you sure about this?”

  He had a nice smile. “Absolutely sure.”

  She couldn’t believe everyone had been so nice.

  He measured the floors in each room and the windows in the dining room.

  “I thought I’d make some new curtains for the windows,” said Laura. She still had the old sewing machine Queenie’s mother had used. It wasn’t fancy, but it worked.

  Luke took his sketches and measurements and started for the door. He opened the door and turned back. “Look, about the other day. When Frank called, I had no idea he’d try to force you to sell. Is he trying to repossess your business?”

  “No, I own it free and clear. I just don’t have any money for operating expenses.”

  “I’m off at noon tomorrow. Why don’t you come to the Vero Beach store late tomorrow morning and see what we have, and then I’ll take you out for lunch? There’s something I’d like to show you.”

  “Well—”

  He held up his hand, palm out. “I’m harmless, I promise. I’ll keep both hands on the wheel and I promise not to mention Frank Fosdick’s name even once.”

  She laughed softly. “All right. Around eleven?”

  “Perfect.”

  Laura’s smile stayed with her long after Luke left. Tomorrow, she was having lunch with a handsome man. He already excited her more than Corbin ever had, but that wasn’t hard. Corbin was more like a big brother than a love interest.

  <>

  Laura had never been in a flooring store like Windsor Floors. She was surprised by the huge selection offered. Luke’s father owned eleven stores in Florida. He even advertised on television. She walked around, looking at carpet and vinyl for the café and carpet for the motel. She wondered if they’d give her a volume discount if she did the whole motel at the same time. Who was she kidding? She couldn’t make payments on anything right now. Besides, she had to concentrate on the café. The motel needed a whole lot more than carpet before she could even think of opening it again.

  She spotted Luke Windsor walking toward her, smiling. “Laura, you came. I was about to give up on you. You’re in the wrong section for restaurant carpet.”


  “I know. The motel’s going to need new carpet, too, but I’ll have to get a loan to fix it up. I don’t have enough money to fix anything right now.”

  “That’ll change when you get the café running again.”

  “I sure hope so. Do you think your father would give me a discount if I bought all the flooring for the motel here?”

  “If he won’t, I will. We just won’t tell him about it.” His eyes twinkled. He was teasing her.

  “Will you install it yourself?”

  “That depends on whether I’m working here then.”

  “You don’t work here all the time?”

  “No, I’m just helping out while one of his people is on vacation.”

  “What do you do when you’re not here? Buy and sell property?”

  He laughed a little. “Not exactly.”

  “Well, that’s a straight answer,” she muttered. He was so damn sure of himself. Maybe that came from being the son of a wealthy businessman like Earl Windsor. It didn’t matter. After her flooring was in, she’d probably never see him again. A rich, handsome guy like Luke Windsor wouldn’t want to hang around a place like Queenie’s Café.

  He showed her several rolls of carpet. She picked a roll with a medium blue background and little yellow and pink flowers strewn over it. He rolled some out on the floor to show her. “This is pretty when you get it all spread out. It’ll look nice in there.”

  “Yes, it will. I’d like to paint before it goes in.”

  “Walls?”

  “Walls, ceiling, trim. The whole place needs it, but I’ll start in the dining area.”

  He stuffed his hands in his back pockets and cocked his head. “I love to paint.”

  “Aren’t you doing enough for me?”

  “When I’ve done enough, I’ll let you know. Now, about the vinyl. The bathrooms are small enough that we can use remnants, but they won’t match.”

  She shrugged. “So who’s going to know, except me, when I clean them.”

  “We’ll do the kitchen and storeroom in one piece.”

  “Will we have to pull up the old floor first?”

  “Yeah, it’s a mess, but we’ve got a man who’s really good at that. I’ll get him scheduled right away. When he gets all the old stuff up, we’ll install the new vinyl. The carpet goes in last.”

  “What’s this going to cost?”

  “Nothing for the remnants, and we’ll use a discontinued roll for the kitchen. That won’t cost much.”

  “If you keep giving things away, your father’s going to fire you.”

  “Do you think so?” He was playing with her and she didn’t like it. She didn’t fool around when it came to business.

  “Here comes Earl now. Earl, I’d like you to meet Laura Whitfield. She’s the one Florence told you about, the one with the little café in Kingston.”

  “Well, Laura.” He looked her over as if she wasn’t wearing any clothes, making her very uncomfortable. “Nice to meet you,” he said. Somehow, he didn’t seem like the good ole boy he portrayed in his television commercials.

  “It’s nice to meet you, too, Mr. Windsor.” She shook his hand and he held on a little too long. It was nice of him to help her out like this and she was grateful, but this guy gave her the willies. She tried not to shudder and yank her hand away.

  Luke and Earl had the same dark blue eyes, but Luke was taller, more handsome, his features pleasant. Earl was shorter and more solid, but it wasn’t their physical differences she noticed the most. Luke seemed open, warm and friendly, with a nice smile. Earl had a closed, hard look about him. His smile seemed phony and forced, and it never reached his eyes. Did she really want to do business with this man? No, but she’d be dealing with Luke, not Earl.

  “My friends call me Earl, Laura. Did you find some carpet and vinyl for the café?”

  “Yes, I did. As soon as I can afford it, I’ll be back to get new carpet for the motel.”

  “Well, that’s nice to hear. We ’preciate your business.”

  “And I appreciate what you’re doing for me.”

  “It’s nothin’, honey. Just a little favor for an old friend.”

  Luke asked, “Ready for lunch, Laura?”

  “Ready.”

  “We’ll take my truck, if that’s all right with you.”

  “Sure.”

  They didn’t speak again until they were on their way down the highway. He said, “My mother had a little place like Queenie’s Café when I was a kid. She worked her butt off in that place for over twenty years.”

  “So did Queenie, only she was so nasty she chased all the customers away.”

  “I’m surprised she didn’t chase you away, too.”

  “She did.” Laura didn’t want to talk about Queenie with this guy. “Where are we going?”

  “West Palm Beach. I have a friend who runs a restaurant there. You’ll like it.”

  “I’m sure I will.” It was a long way to go for lunch, but he was paying, so she didn’t say anything.

  An hour later, Luke pulled into the parking lot of a classy brick restaurant called Bernie’s Place. Inside, someone yelled, “Hey, Luke. Long time no see.”

  “Bernie, this is Laura Whitfield. She owns a little café in Kingston.”

  “Is that right? Come to check out the competition?”

  She smiled at the friendly jibe. “It’s just a little greasy spoon, nothing like this. This is very nice.”

  “Well, thank you, Laura. Let’s see if we can find you a good table.”

  When they were settled and Bernie retreated to the kitchen, Laura asked, “Does he own this place?”

  “He has a partner, but Bernie runs it.”

  “Seems like a very nice man.”

  “He is. His partner provided the financing to get it up and running.”

  Laura played with the frost on her water glass. “It must be nice to have enough money to help someone else like that.”

  He leaned forward, a serious look on his face. “It’s an investment, Laura. Maybe you should think of getting yourself a partner.”

  “I don’t know anybody who would want to invest in my property. Frank Fosdick wouldn’t even consider it.”

  “That’s because he thought he could sell it to me.”

  The waitress brought water and talked with Luke and Laura for a few minutes. Luke ordered crab salad.

  Laura smiled. She’d always wanted to taste crab. Instead of looking at the menu, she said, “I’ll have what he’s having.”

  “You won’t be sorry, honey,” said the waitress. “It’s real good.”

  Laura looked around the restaurant, seeing details others wouldn’t be likely to notice. Tables were arranged for maximum privacy without wasting space, and she loved the little built-in places to tuck away high chairs and tray tables. “Nice layout. Did Bernie design this himself?”

  “He and his partner. Bernie ran another place before, but he didn’t get a piece of the profits like he does here.”

  “Maybe I should consider that when I get the café running again. I’ll need to hire someone to run it for me while I work on the motel.”

  “Consider what? Getting yourself a partner, or giving someone a share of the profits.”

  “As if I had any profits to share.” She’d be lucky to break even.

  “You’ll have profits. Bernie didn’t think it was likely at first, but he’s doing fine now.”

  The waitress brought their salads and a small loaf of hot bread to the table. “Enjoy your lunch.”

  Laura took a bite of her salad. “Mmm, I love this dressing.”

  “My mother’s recipe.”

  Something smelled a little fishy here, and it wasn’t just the crab. “What’s your connection to this place?”

  “Bernie is a good friend and... I’m the silent partner I told you about.”

  Laura gaped at him. “You financed this place?” He wasn’t old enough to have that kind of money. Or was he? Frank thought he did or he
wouldn’t have tried to push her into selling.

  “It was a rundown little bar nobody wanted. Bernie bought it for a song. The location is great for this kind of restaurant.”

  She glanced around again. “This doesn’t look anything like a bar.”

  “It didn’t look like this back then. When I got involved, we gutted the inside and started over.”

  “That’s probably what I should do to the café, but—”

  “You don’t need to gut the café. It’s the right kind of business for that community. This kind of restaurant wouldn’t ever make money in Kingston.” He broke off a piece of bread and offered it to her. “I assume you’ll keep your prices low enough so the local people can afford to come in.”

  “Yes, that’s what I had in mind.”

  He buttered a piece of bread. “What else did you have in mind?”

  “Healthier foods, less grease, maybe a Sunday brunch.”

  “So you’ll need new menus.”

  “I need a lot of things. The roaches and rodents and ants destroyed everything Queenie had. I’ll have to start completely over.”

  He waited until they’d eaten some of their lunch before asking, “Would you be interested in a partner?”

  “I thought I’d get a loan and do it myself.”

  “You can do that. On the other hand, with a partner, you could do something with the motel, put a new roof on the café, buy new furniture, and fix things up like you want.”

  “For what?”

  “For a percentage of the take.”

  She shook her head. “There’s never been enough take to share.”

  “Why don’t you show me the motel when we get back and we’ll talk about it.”

  “I guess it won’t hurt to talk, but I’m not too sure about taking on a partner.”

  “It’s your property, so it’s up to you, but if I were you, I’d want the place to make enough money to live comfortably. You don’t want to work your tail off for nothing. With the motel in that condition, I don’t see how you can make enough to pay the expenses.”

  Taking on a partner was definitely something to consider. She had to get money somewhere and if the banks wouldn’t give it to her, what else could she do? Her bank account was almost scraped clean and Queenie’s account barely covered her suppliers’ bills.