“Learn the menu, taste the food, write orders clearly, give correct change, be kind. It’s that easy.” Elaine introduced me to the cook, her husband, Dane. “Kennedy is going to be asking for taste tests, D.”
“Zeen.”
I tilted my head and raised my eyebrows at Elaine. My straight locks swayed into my eyes.
She chuckled. “You’ll learn his little comments, soon enough. He’s from Jamaica and desires to keep his authenticity not only in his cooking, but also in his every way of life. Zeen basically means, ‘got it’, it’s slang for ‘seen.’”
Aprons hung on a hook behind the door between the kitchen and dining room. Most of them were covered in grease stains or hadn’t been washed in days. I pulled the cleanest one off the hook and tied it around my waist.
Complete with a notepad in one pocket and a pen in the other, my waitress outfit made me feel like I had a new purpose. My husband needed me to help save money for our future home and I was more than happy to help.
“Now, darlin’, I have a specific preference about how I wish you to wait tables; customer service is themost important aspect of this job. You must remain peppy and smile. If you desire great tips, never forget an order, always read your customer. Know what they want before they do.”
“Noted. When I served in Alaska, I took pride in getting to know my customers well. After only a short time, I could anticipate their needs.” It wasn’t a lie, but I obviously didn’t share the context.
“I chose Monday for your first day because it’s the slowest. Figured we could get to know each other a little bit. Be ready for tomorrow, though. Our lunch specials draw a good crowd.”
“Okay.”
“Dane! We need to test a Tuesday lunch special.” Elaine raised an eyebrow. “You hungry?”
I was. The food was different than anything I had ever tasted. I liked it. A lot. I wouldn’t have a problem authentically raving about Dane’s cooking.
The entire day, four sets of customers came into the store; because I didn’t have much experience with food, I shadowed my boss to learn the ropes.
By the end of the day, I didn’t have much more experience than when I started. Elaine was a great teacher, though. I feel like if anyone did want to place an order with me, I could have done a great job.
Chapter 17
Jake, age twenty-three—April 2008
NEIGHBORHOODSsurrounding south Dallas used to be filled with middle-class families living life to the fullest. In the past decade, things had changed. Before I moved to this strange city, I did a little research. On one of my last days in Talkeetna, I used the computer in the library—and the help of the librarian—to learn about my new home.
At one time, property around Fair Park, the site of the Texas State Fair, was highly sought after. When the real estate market crashed, values lowered and people who didn’t have much money moved in. Now, the area is home to those without jobs, without homes, without purpose. Sounded like I’d fit right in.
I found a cheap motel on the south side of town which reminded me of the place in Anchorage, drunk men and all. Five men stood in a circle at the other end of the building; their voices carried as they passed a bottle in a paper bag.
Sun beat down on the pavement, warming the space to an uncomfortable temperature. If I were in the crowd, I would have suggested going somewhere cooler. But I wasn’t.
I needed a place for the contractor to return a call and I hadn’t bought a cell phone because it was too expensive. The screen door slammed behind me, closing me into a small reception area of the motel.
“Hey, friend. What can I do for ya? You need a room? It’s fifty a night.”
The name tag on the man’s shirt read Quinn. “Do you rent out by the week or month?” Exhaustion took over and I felt light-headed. My eyes grew heavy, and a faint throbbing formed behind my eyes.
Quinn held my gaze; he must have been trying to determine if I would be a good tenant. “I’ll take four-fifty for the month. You pay up front. If you leave early, I’ll give you half back. I force you to leave, no refund.”
“I’ll take it.” Not knowing if that rate was more or less expensive than other places around, I jumped at the chance to have a warm bed. I would have preferred to compare prices but wasn’t in the best position to do so. Wandering from hotel to hotel didn’t sound like the best idea.
Quinn seemed glad for the opportunity to fill a room. “We don’t get many tourists or out-of-towners.” He grabbed a key off the wall and wrote the number inhis book. With his hand held out he continued, “It’s a pretty quiet place, most of the time.”
After I paid in advance for the room, I put on my nicest voice. “Do you have a phone I could use? I’m new in town.”
“Sure thing.” Quinn placed the receiver on the counter, nodded, and left the room.
A slip of paper with the contractor’s cell phone number had practically burned a hole in my pocket. I couldn’t wait to have a real job and a real promise for a better life. I dialed the number; it rang four times before voicemail took over.
“Hello. My name is Jake Knight. I was given your name by Oliver Moore in Talkeetna, Alaska. He said you had open positions, and I was hoping I could meet with you to discuss working for you. I’m staying in South Dallas for at least the next week. You can reach me at my motel.” I picked up a business card and rattled off the number. “Thanks. Hope to hear from you soon.”
