Ham & Chaz-2
344 Words
THE DAY ROLLED THROUGH with just enough breaks that we got our own meals in between. Jean showed up regularly, often riding up with someone's delivery truck with more supplies.
Both of us got frazzled from working in the humid heat. And I had to take my “quick-counts” for “centering” myself often – just keep going on an even keel. Hami seemed to deal better with it than me. But she got to smile at the customers and seeing them smile back. Of course, I was focused right on the hot grill, while my bandanna kept my brow sweat wicked to the side and out of my eyes.
All I could see most of the time was the next order and the last one going out.
And Hami's cute backside every now and then.
But mostly my mind had to stay on what I was cooking and my supply of hamburger and cheese. For our menu was simple. It had burgers and cheese in different combinations. And we never had any complaints.
By our long lines, we didn't have much competition, either. Jean had understated how much we were needed. We were on our feet for most of that day. Hot, sweaty work with few breaks.
Finally, after sunset, the lines quit. Before then, there was no shutting them down. People just kept coming. Some said it was the first meal they'd had in days. Most paid in cash, but we also accepted the local version of government welfare cards. Our truck had some sort wi-fi connection that was locked down within an inch of itself. It took care of their payments somehow.
All Hami and I needed to do was just keep everything moving.
What helped was the intermittent showers that cooled everything off. The hungriest stayed in line, but that line shortened to the few who could stand under our awning. Hami and I could take a break during those showers and clean up inside the van a bit. Then the rain would let up, the line would stretch out again and we'd get going on their requests.
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