"Hey Assholes," Little Tony blurted, hoping to get a response from the staff in the kitchen.
They did not flinch. Little Tony looked at his list and then the list of orders hanging and yelled out.
"Four Crab cakes, Pan Seared Salmon, Ribeye, Tuna Tartar, Roasted Beet Soup, Duck with Frites and ..." He hesitated for a moment, "and...and, oh you guys will LOVE this. The burger".
With a sinister smile, Tony continued "This particular burger has special instructions - the guest wants to remove the beef and add the portobello mushroom. Not onion or tomato, no ketchup or mustard, but BBQ sauce. And instead of the bun, the guest would like extra lettuce."
The kitchen at Cimizes was a well oiled, focused, high functioning machine. Each staff was well trained and disciplined. One of the busiest kitchens in the city, yet completely spotless. Normally, no one would pay attention to Little Tony, but that bit about the burger caught Marvin's attention.
"Fuck, why didn't you recommend the salad?" Marvin said as he hurriedly approached the bench. "we discussed this shit; you guys can't continue to accept customized orders."
"The table had cougars with big tits. I couldn't say no to big tits," Little Tony said nonchalantly as he walked away.
Marvin looked at the lists and tried to understand the order. He really hated it when guests customized the menu.
"Joe, fire up the salmon, Ribeye, and the duck. Reo, Crab cakes!" Barked out commands.
In unison, Joe and Reo replied, "Yes Chef!"
This was Joe's second job and he had spent 3 years at Cimizes. Joe got into the restaurant right after culinary school and he was quite lucky to get it. Most students don't make it into the big leagues until they have 5-7 years' work experience under their belt. But Joe is gifted - he emanates all the characteristics of a world-class chef.
"Reo, I am going to the walk-in, need anything?" Joe glanced at Reo as he wiped his hands ready to go into the cold storage.
"All good Joe." Reo replied politely.
The cultured Japanese young man was always cool, even under extreme pressure.
To get to the walk-in, Joe would have to pass the doorway that leads into the corridor. The first door on the left in the corridor had access to the basement. Joe acquired his ingredients and returned to his station hurriedly. The sequence of ingredients required for each item started to appear in his mind. This was all muscle memory for Joe, yet, he kept a little note pad with all the steps. His work was always perfect.
****
Working in the kitchen meant that Joe did not have normal hours. When most people are waking up, Joe is asleep. When most people are eating, Joe is working. So, when the kitchen finally closed and everyone headed home, most people are already on their second dream. This did not bother Joe, he was happy. The work was exciting, and he felt like he accomplished something at the end of the day.
Joe lived in a small unit on the third floor of a 4-story building. There was a coffee shop at the ground level and the building was minutes from the subway. Joe exited the subway, made his way to the entrance of the building and up the stairs to his unit. As Joe unlocked the door, his phone vibrated. It was a text message from his mom.
"Sweetheart, don't forget, Angie lands on Thursday morning. Her flight number is AC1212 and it is terminal 1. She has your address and she will make her way to you. Please try to be up and make her something to eat."
There was a follow- up message right after this one. "DONT FUCK HER IMMEDIATELY ;)".
Which was followed by "Love, Mom <3 <3".
Joe placed his chef knives bag away and kicked his shoes aside. He was home. It was not a big place, but it was home. He was so far away now from his parents, so he made sure to make this spot his sanctuary. He walked over to the fridge, grabbed a beer, and headed over to the sofa. It was crazy hot outside so, Joe took a big gulp of cold refreshing Sapporo, then looked at his phone.
"Ok, I will check her flight and make sure I am up to welcome Angie," Joe typed a response to his mom.
"I wouldn't worry about fucking Angie. Last time I saw her, she seemed more into you than anyone else." Send.
He scrolled through his phone and selected a message from Bianca.
"I am home." He typed. "You coming over?"
He then selected another message and started to type, this time a group chat called Bonanza.
"I could see if I can take the week of the 12th off. But I can't stay for the whole week. I want to take a few days and see my Parents". Send.
Response from Bianca, a picture. The photo was of someone lying down with their knees up, feet planted and legs part. There was a head between the thighs. Joe could not make out who it was. There was a note underneath the picture "You should come here instead".
Joe chuckled. Bianca got impatient and found someone else. "Looks like you are busy. Maybe another time."
He kept scrolling and clicked on a message he sent just before he left the restaurant. The message was read by the receiver but did not have a response.
The message read "I will be home in 20 mins."
Joe sighed. Perhaps it will just be alone time tonight he thought.
Joe sat on the sofa and flipped through the channel while drinking his beer. He landed on Basketball highlights from the previous night. Watching sports live was a luxury for him. Joe was just about to get up to go to the washroom when he heard the creaking steps outside.
"Wonder who could that be," He thought
Knock Knock Knock. Not hard thumping knocks. Light and nervous.
Joe opened the door and there stood a petit girl. Petit to Joe because he was 6 ft 190 pounds and she was maybe 5'5 at max, with perky breasts and short curly hair. Although she was short and petit, she had a big butt - you could tell by her hips. She was not smiling. She took one quick look at Joe and looked away quickly, looking down. She folded her arms to her chest. Both lingered for a moment in silence.
