Page 29 of Finding Yesterday
“Now get busy cleaning and filling the ketchup bottles. I want them to shine.”
“Yes, sir,” I mumble.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
IT’S BEEN Along week of becoming an expert in refilling condiment containers, polishing silverware, and napkin origami. When I walk in the door ready for my shift of pure joy, Pops says, “The bathrooms need tending to.”
“Wait.” I put up a hand. “No way, sir, drawing the line there.”
He walks up to me and studies my face. “Really?”
“Really. There are cleaners for that. I know because I’m here working late when they show up.”
He narrows his eyes. “If you wait until the end of the day to clean the bathroom, what happens to the ten, twenty customers who find it a mess before close?”
“I give them a discount.” I lift my chin. I had done that a few times at Tangz, which worked out just fine.
“What about the ones who don’t complain to you?” He scowls. “You know that restaurant ratings are often based on the cleanliness of the bathroom?”
“Of course I know that.” I fold my arms. “I ran a highly rated restaurant in Atlanta.”
“Then you know the importance of getting bathrooms cleaned quickly. Or maybe you don’t. I saw some reviews of Tangz that mentioned a dirty restroom.”
Eek, so he did see that. That was just a couple of times.
“Now get to it, Poppins. Men’s bathroom.”
“Yes, sir.”
I’ve propped open the bathroom door with the mop bucket as I begin cleaning up the mess of paper towels and toilet paper on the floor. The garbage can overflowed, and everything just went downhill from there. But that’s nothing compared to the toilets. I haven’t started on them yet, and I’m already scrubbing my hands clean.
I’m staring at the urinals as though they’re ceramic ghouls when I swear I hear my brother’s voice.
Great, now I’m hearing things, probably from all this bleach.
“Hey, Chicken Little.” I turn to see Nate’s head poking through the open door. “Fancy meeting you here. In the men’s bathroom.” He laughs before popping his head back out the door and telling someone that his “sister’s in the can.”
I scowl, pointing the mop handle at him. “Cut it out, Nate, I’m not in the mood. And why are you here?”
He throws his hands in the air as he grins. “I came to see you at work! I wanted to compliment the chef.”
“That’s sweet, but I’m not cooking today.” I wipe my forehead with my arm, careful not to let any of my hand touch my face.
“I see that.”
Banjo Randy pops his head in the door. “Well, I gotta say, this is one strange restaurant kitchen.”
“Hey, Banjo Randy.”
“I’m sorry, but I think we’re gonna need to report you, baby sis. This has gotta be some health violation, preparing food in the bathroom.”
Banjo Randy barks out a laugh. “Good one, Moony.”
Everyone in Blue Vine loves Nate and calls him “Moony.” I don’t know how he got the nickname, but it’s my brother—I’m sure it had to do with him baring his naked butt.
I narrow my eyes. “Careful, Banjo Randy, or I’ll add some of the seasonings I find in here to your meal.”
“Seriously, Claire, I gotta pee, badly.” Nate looks around. “Can you leave?”
