by Ali Spooner
“I will let Merry know you approve,” she said with a grin. “What brings you to Bogalusa?”
“Just visiting for a few days,” Cadin answered. “I take it this is your place?”
Emma’s face beamed with pride. “Yes, I’ve had it for about four years now. My husband was killed in action overseas, and his benefits aren’t enough for my daughter and me to live a decent life on,” she said. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be boring you with this.”
“I’m sorry for your loss. Your story isn’t boring either, so don’t worry about that. I take it that was your local health inspector?” she said to change the subject.
“Hank, yes, he’s a real sweetheart, but if the state inspector shows up we’ll both be in big trouble. He’s given me about as much rope as he can spare.”
Cadin was about to speak when the door chime sounded again. A younger version of Emma walked in carrying an armload of books. Cadin looked at Emma. “She has to be yours.”
“Hey baby,” she said to the teenager. “Cadin, this is my daughter Meagan. What are you doing here so early?”
“Nice to meet you,” the young woman said. “Coach is sick so we didn’t have practice today.”
“What sport do you play?” Cadin asked.
“Volleyball for our high school team,” she said.
“Meagan helps me before and after school, and on weekends,” Emma said. “She’s a great kid, wants to be a teacher one day.”
“Oh yeah, what would you like to teach?”
“High school math and science,” Meagan answered. “I graduate this year and hope to be able to take a class or two at the community college until I can afford to go to LSU one day.”
A pained look crossed Emma’s face. “Maybe I should buy two lottery tickets today,” she said.
“What’s with the lottery tickets?” Meagan asked, confused.
“Hank came by today,” she answered. “I don’t know how much longer we can go without making some upgrades.”
“Why don’t you go ahead and use the money you have saved up to help with my college? I love you, Mom, but five thousand won’t get me far, but it may keep the diner open longer.”
“There’s no way I’m using that money,” Emma said. “I’ll figure something out.”
The smile grew on Cadin’s face. “If money wasn’t an issue, what would you do here?” she asked.
Emma looked dreamy for a few minutes and Cadin waited for her to answer.
“Get a new coffeepot for starters,” Meagan said. “I get burned on that one at least once a week.”
“To do it right, we’d probably have to close the place down, gut the interior, and start fresh with new flooring, counters, furnishings, and equipment.”
“Any idea how much that cost would entail?”
“Probably fifty thousand at a minimum,” Emma said with a sigh.
“Who is a good contractor in the area?”
“Johnny Dubose, I went to school with him.”
“Would he treat you fairly?”
“Yes, he would. He’s been offering to help me for a year or so, I just don’t have the money.”
Cadin grew thoughtful for a moment. “What time do you close up tonight?”
“We stop serving at seven and usually get out of here around eight.”
“Do you think you could give Johnny a call and see if he would agree to meet with us at eight?”
Emma cocked her head at Cadin’s request. “I could, but there’s no use in it, I can’t come up with that kind of money.”
“Yes, you can, but you will have to trust me, a total stranger. You have nothing to lose, but much to gain by setting up this meeting.”
“What do you mean?” Emma asked.
“Something better than buying a lottery ticket,” she answered cryptically.
She smiled and pulled out a twenty-dollar bill to cover her meal and the pie slices, intentionally not answering the question. The ideas were still forming in her head and she wasn’t ready to share her plan. She also handed Emma her business card. “I need to find a hotel, but call me to confirm you have the meeting arranged.”
“Two miles down the road there’s a fairly new chain hotel. You can probably find a room there.”
“Thanks, I’ll check it out,” she said, and turned to Meagan. “May I give you an assignment too?”
“Sure,” Meagan said.
“When you have some down time, make a list of the items you and your mother would like to replace. That will give us some information for our meeting with Johnny.”
“That sounds easy enough.”
“One last thing,” Cadin said. “What’s the special tonight?”
Emma chuckled. “Fried pork chops, greens, fried okra, and corn bread.”
“Great, I’ll see you around six.” Cadin started to turn away, but stopped. “Would you have some equipment catalogs you could loan me?”
Emma looked at her for a moment with a look of suspicion. What do I have to lose but a few worn-out catalogs, she thought to herself as she eyed the woman and then smiled. “Several,” Emma said. “Hang on, and I’ll get a few.”
Meagan waited until her mom had left the room. “Can you really do this? And why would you? You don’t know us, it doesn’t make sense.”
“Not everything in life makes sense.” Cadin smiled. “To answer your question, yes, I can, and I’ll tell you how later, but right now I need a room and a shower.”
“Awesome,” Meagan said. She flipped open a notebook and started making notes.
Emma returned moments later carrying a small stack of catalogs and handed them to Cadin. “Here you go.”
“Thanks, I’ll see you two later,” she said before leaving the diner.
They watched the stranger walk to a motorcycle and then exchanged a look and a shrug of their shoulders. Emma looked at her business card. “A lawyer from Atlanta, what in God’s name is she doing here?”
“I guess we’ll find out in a couple of hours,” Meagan said with an excited grin.
“I guess so,” her mom answered and walked toward the kitchen, leaving Meagan frantically scribbling notes.
†
Cadin rode to the hotel and checked in. She noticed a business center next to the front desk and asked the clerk, “Can guests use the Internet here?”
“Yes, ma’am, the business center is open until eleven each night.”
“Great, thanks,” she said and carried her bag to her room, tossing it on the bed.
She had a few hours to relax until it was time to return to the diner. She grabbed the stack of catalogs Emma had given her and settled into a recliner to peruse the selection of equipment.
As she flipped through the pages, she jotted down notes on the hotel notepad. The dollar total quickly added up to nearly forty thousand. Was the diner worth sinking fifty thousand or more into? She didn’t have to think long to determine the answer. Yes, it most certainly was. She smiled to herself. One other item she wanted to check, but she would need the Internet to do some research, so she grabbed the pile of catalogs, the notepad and walked to the elevator.
Emma called just as she stepped off the elevator. “Johnny will be here at eight,” she said, the excitement evident in her voice.
“Great, I’ll see you soon,” Cadin said.
She used her room key to open the business center and sat at a computer. After a few short keystrokes, she pulled up the website for LSU. College tuition sure had increased since she had graduated. She calculated a four-year, prepaid tuition would cost ninety thousand dollars if paid in full. Otherwise, it would cost over one hundred twenty thousand dollars. She printed out the invoice and contact information, folding it in quarters and slipping it into her back pocket. The physician’s personal payment would be due in a few short months, on the anniversary of Missy’s death. It wasn’t hard for her to determine the use of the money. His actions had ruined one life and it was fitting that he would pay to establish another young woman’s fut
ure.
Back in her room, she pulled out fresh clothing and took a quick shower, her excitement growing by the minute. Cadin dressed and walked to the foyer where a large roadmap hung on the wall. Baton Rouge was only a few hours away. “Time for road trip,” she said, and whistled a happy tune as she walked out to her bike.
†
She parked her bike and walked into the crowded diner. It wasn’t a four-star restaurant, but the small diner certainly brought in the crowd. Emma smiled when she looked up to see Cadin waiting for a seat behind two couples. Meagan was busing a table while Emma took orders from a family. She spotted an empty seat at the counter and asked the couples ahead of her, “Would you mind if I take that seat at the counter?”
“Heaven’s no,” one of the men said. “As long as you don’t order the last of the pork chops,” he added.
Emma heard his exchange. “We have plenty, Harvey,” she said.
Cadin walked past them and sat beside a young man who was thoroughly enjoying his meal.
“Hi,” he said when she sat next to him.
“Hey, that looks delicious.”
“It’s so good I’m thinking of ordering seconds,” he said.
“Whoa, where’s Emma, I need to get an order in ahead of you,” she teased.
The man grinned at her and wiped his hands before offering one to Cadin. “Johnny Dubose.”
“Cadin Michaels,” she answered as she shook his calloused hand. “I believe we have a meeting later.”
“Pleased to meet you,” he said. “Emma didn’t give me many details, but she sure sounded excited.”
“I hope after tonight things will be clear for all of us,” Cadin said. “Are you very busy right now?”
He smiled. “My crew just finished a major job, and we have two weeks before our next project starts. Some of the boys are going fishing for a few days.”
“How many men would you need to gut the flooring and equipment here?”
“I’d have more than enough. It would take a few days though, so Emma would have to close.”
“Would the town starve if she closed for a few days?” Cadin said as she looked at the crowd.
“No, but you wouldn’t know listening to her customers. Most of these folks eat here several nights a week,” Johnny said. “I guess they’d have to fend for themselves. Me included,” he added with a grin.
Cadin nodded to the stack of catalogs. “I’ve got a fair estimate on the equipment costs, but I need to know the construction costs, if you’re interested in a project.”
“You bet I am,” he said. “Emma’s a good woman and a hard worker who deserves a break.”
“I have every intention of providing that for her,” Cadin said.
Johnny gave her a warm smile. “I find it refreshing that a total stranger would even offer her the chance to save her business. What’s in it for you?”
“That my new friend, you will have to wait until closing to find out,” she said as Emma arrived to take her order.
“I see you’ve met Johnny.”
“Yes, I have. We’re already talking about you,” Cadin said.
“Ha, juicy stuff I hope,” she said. “Do I even need to ask what you want to eat?”
“No, ma’am, that special sounds and looks perfect for me.”
“Okay, one special, with a glass of sweet tea, coming right up. Are you up for seconds, Johnny?”
“You must be reading my mind,” he said.
They watched as she walked into the kitchen, then Johnny turned back to Cadin. “What kind of flooring did you have in mind?”
“Whatever you think is best, something relatively maintenance free and durable.”
“I’ve got some commercial grade samples out in my truck that I’ll bring in when things slow down a bit.”
“What do you think about this counter? Pre-fab or custom built?”
“I can build her a beautiful counter and it will last much longer than any pre-fab counter you can buy. I’ve got a carpenter that will love the task.”
“I’ve noticed most of these companies are in New Orleans. Is there anyone local?”
“Not that can get the items we need quickly. I’ve got trailers and men who would love a trip to New Orleans to pick up the pieces we need. That’s going to be our best bet. To expedite shipping would cost and arm and a leg, and would be an unnecessary cost.”
“What about bathrooms?” she asked.
“Have you seen them?” he asked with a grimace.
“No, let’s go look while we’re waiting on food,” she said.
They opened the ladies’ room door first and peeked inside. “I see what you mean.”
“The men’s is even worse. I think the urinal would qualify as an antique,” he said with a grin.
“Um, I’ll take your word on that.” She grinned back at him. “Add the bathrooms in for a full remodel.”
“Cha-ching,” Johnny said with a boyish grin. “What kind of construction budget are we looking at?”
“I don’t know yet. That will be up to you to come up with.”
“I’ll start working on some figures when we finish eating,” he said as they walked back into the dining room as Meagan delivered their plates.
“Enjoy,” she said and went to bus more tables as couples continued to come through the door for the next half hour.
†
Cadin finished her meal and surveyed the room while Emma and Meagan raced to serve the guests. She followed Emma to the kitchen and asked, “Do you mind if I look around a bit?”
“Not at all, make yourself at home. This is Toni, she’s our evening cook,” Emma said.
“Thanks for a great meal then,” Cadin said. “I’ll stay out of your way. I just want to look around.”
The dishwashing machine and deep fryer looked fairly new compared to the other equipment and the small walk-in cooler was new. The tile flooring was in good shape with the exception of a few areas that needed new grouting. “Not too bad,” Cadin said to herself.
Johnny had a notepad and was furiously writing notes so Cadin sat and allowed her eyes to survey the room. Her eyes landed on the booths lining the back wall. The upholstery appeared heavily worn and Cadin surmised they would cost more to re-cover them than they were worth. She was curious if Emma would want to purchase more booths or go strictly with tables. It would increase the seating capacity in addition to making the diner more modern looking.
†
When the last customers had left, Emma locked the front door and turned over the Closed sign. Meagan and Toni busied themselves with the cleanup as Emma joined Johnny and Cadin.
“What a night,” she said, taking a deep breath. “Do y’all want to move to a table so you can spread out?”
“That’s probably not a bad idea,” Johnny said.
“Did you and Meagan have a chance to work on a list of equipment?” Cadin asked.
“Yes, we did,” Emma said and pulled a folded paper from her apron.
“Let’s start with the furniture here. What would you like to do?” Cadin asked.
“Use these old booths for a bonfire for starters,” Emma said, much to Cadin’s relief.
“That’s what I was thinking too. If you went with tables only, you can drastically increase your seating capacity.”
“Those old monsters are almost impossible to clean under too,” Meagan chimed in from behind the counter.
Cadin pushed the stack of catalogs over to Emma. “Let’s start with tables and chairs then. Pick out what you’d like. Johnny, may I have a few pieces of paper?”
“Sure thing.” He tore off several sheets from his notepad and handed them to her as Emma started looking through the catalogs.
“Nothing red please, Mom, I’m sick of red,” Meagan said.
“What color then, sweetheart?”
“Something blue would be nice.”
“Take a break and come look at these,” Emma said.
Meagan dropped the cleaning clot
h she was using to wipe down the tables, and came over to stand behind her mother. “I like those,” she said, pointing out the exact tables Emma had been returning to as she flipped through the pages.
“That was easy enough, now how many tables and chairs?” Cadin said as she wrote down the page and item numbers of the tables and then the chairs they selected to match. “Is there a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter that could use these tables and chairs?”
“Yes, to both and they would probably love to have them, but you’re talking about replacing all of them?”
“Yes, all new to match. You probably need to order a dozen extra chairs for spares.”
“Cool,” Meagan said and returned to cleaning.
“Finish wiping things down and I’ll mop in the morning,” Emma told her daughter.
“I’ll come in early and help you, Mom,” Meagan said.
“Thanks baby,” Emma said and turned to see Cadin watching them with a smile.
“Johnny, can you bring in those flooring samples for us to look over?” Cadin asked.
“Yes, thanks for reminding me,” he said.
“Let’s take a look at your equipment list, while he’s outside,” she said.
A new coffeemaker in large letters topped the list. “I see what Meagan’s first choice is,” Cadin teased. “Has she picked one out?”
“She certainly has,” Emma chuckled and pointed it out for Cadin, who added it to her list.
Johnny returned and placed a bundle of floor tile samples on the table. “Any of these will work well for both here and the bathrooms,” he said. “I’ve already included some water saving toilets, a urinal, and new sinks on my list. I’ll do some rough measurements while you ladies pick out the tile.”
“Wow, so many choices,” Emma stated, a bit overwhelmed.
“Well, I think it’s safe to rule out any reds,” Cadin said.
“Yes, I’d have to agree with that. Something with some blue in it to pull out the table coloring would work.”
By the time Meagan finished her cleaning they had it narrowed down to three choices. “Which of these do you like?” Emma asked.
Meagan chuckled. “Any of them would be better than what we have.”