Watch, Wait, Take

Chapter 14. Fat Sam's

We entered the restaurant ‘Fat Sam’s’ a waitress took us to a table. Once I was sat down, I could look at the decoration and layout of the restaurant. The walls had a deep burgundy on them; the wall lights looked like torches of fire but it was just a very realistic electrical light. There were photos on the walls of a man in a white chefs tunic and white apron, black trousers and black chefs shoes. The tall white poofy chef’s hat looked ridiculously thin on his head. In some photos he was holding an uncooked pizza on a wooden board with a long handle in front of the oven tilting the pizza to show the camera and smiling widely showing his teeth. In other photograph he was spinning pizza dough on his hand, flour caught mid air spinning off the dough, all the chefs concentration was on the dough in his right hand the photo was taken from the left of the chef, just below his shoulder the photo ended, it was a close up photo, the chefs rosy cheeks and thin black hair made him look very picturesque in this photograph. There where flowers in the centre of the tables, just a single rose in water, a pure white table cloth, and bright red cloth napkins. The lighting was dimmed and was a yellow tone.

The waitress came back with our menus and a drinks card. She was wearing all black with a white material napkin neatly folded into a rectangle and poking out of her black half napkin she had tied round her waist. No doubt there was also a bottle opener, pen and small notepad in there for taking orders.

The menu was burgundy colour leather with gold lettering on the word ‘MENU’ at the top. I opened the menu to find the rest of the pages where encased in a think wipe-able see-through plastic. I looked straight at the Pizza’s and decided pretty quickly on a simple Peperoni on a Chicago Style base, for my main. Looking at the starters I was drawn in by their Mini Caesar salad, I had a nose at the desserts and they did a Nutella and Mascarpone Calzone that I wouldn’t be able to resist.

The waitress from earlier came back over, fished in her apron for her pen and notebook and took our order for drinks and the food.

Lauren and I chatted the whole evening. The restaurant got busier and busier, the volume increased but we where still able to hear each other ok and it just added to the atmosphere.

“How’s your food so far? You enjoying that Chicago pizza as much as you hoped?”

“The food is great! Great place to choose, thank you! No the pizza isn’t as good as I had hoped, it’s much, MUCH better! How’s your pasta?”

Lauren tipped her head back and laughed, we where having a good evening, we got on really well, and we had lots in common and had the same humour.

“The carbora is amazing! Best I have tasted. So Emma, how did your job hunting go?”

“It went ok, I’ve only applied to waitressing things so far, like cafes, bars, restaurants. Just somewhere to start, so I have an income to get a place to stay, then I will look for beauty therapy jobs. That’s what I’m qualified for.” I picked up my glass of chilled white wine and took a sip, hoping she would take the bate.

“Oh, wow! Me too! Maybe you could come and work for me, I’m opening soon and I’m looking for one more person to work there. Do you have your portfolio with you in the hotel?”

“Yes, I have it with me. I would love to work for you! You should take a look at my portfolio sometime, see what you think”

“Sure! Maybe tomorrow round 9am? We can grab some breakfast at the MacDonald’s near by and take a look? Call it a job interview?”

“That would be amazing! My first job interview here” I smiled enthusiastically at Lauren.

“Hopefully your last. Don’t for get your portfolio.” She beamed at me, here eyes twinkling in the light.

We laughed and joked for the rest of our meal. After picking up the check which we split, we slowly strolled back to her car in the parking lot and drove the long was home, Lauren was being like my tour guide, pointing things out explaining them to me, showing me where things where, there was even a bit of history in there too. She showed me the spot where she was going to open her salon. She showed me a place I could get a second hand car. We where still talking when we pulled up to the hotel.

“I had such a good night tonight, Lauren. Thank you for picking such a nice place and coming with me. Makes a change not eating on my own, for a change.” 

“Not a problem, it was a pleasure! Next time why don’t you come to my place and I will cook us a meal there?”

“That sounds great! And when I get my own place I can cook for us!” I laughed.

“That would be lovely! I will pick you up tomorrow at 9am”

“Great, thank you. If you text me as you are leaving I will be outside when you get here.”

“Ok, see you tomorrow, love. Good night.” She smiled sweetly at me.

“Goodnight Darlin’” I twanged back at her and shut the car door; I walked swiftly to the hotel lobby door, in my own little world.

I can’t believe I twanged at her, my southern accent had made a reappearance, I suppose I had worked hard to get that accent; I will just have to work even harder to get rid of it.

“Hi, Emma. Had a good night. How are you enjoying your stay?” Joe gave me a start, I hadn’t noticed him there, I was too busy thinking to notice.

“Hi, Joe. Yes very nice thank you. I was wondering could I extend my stay here another two nights, I haven’t started looking for an apartment yet, it’s taking longer than I thought.” I sighed at him.

“No problem, I will sort it all for you now.” Joe replied clicking on the computer and clicking away on the mouse, the printer whirred into action. I got my money out and payed, scribbling my signature on the paper; at least I’m ok for the next few days. I need to get an apartment; tomorrow that’s my goal.

“Thanks, I payed Lauren the other day for a late checkout, is that still valid now I have extended my stay?” I asked Joe.

“Yes, Emma, its all still there.” Joe smiled at me.

“Thanks, Joe. Right I’m going to go crash out in bed, I’m exhausted after my busy day. Have a good night.” I turned towards the elevators and started to trip up to my room.

“Thanks, Emma. Goodnight.”

After reaching my room I got ready for bed and lay exhausted but happy on the bed. Well hopefully that’s my job sorted, apartment then car next.

My mind wandered to Lauren, and now I’m misleading her and being deceitful. I’m doing what I have to, to survive, I reassured myself. I rolled over and searched YouTube for videos on how to wax, massage and do nails. I need to find a way of practicing these. I used one of my pillows in the room to practice the massage movements, waxing and nails was proving more difficult to practice. I fell asleep watching an Indian head massage routine.