Consequences

Not Seen... But Heard

Not Seen... But Heard

The kitchen was a mad house tonight, everyone in the San Clemente area knew when The Jade Court had their special summer entrees. Every night has been booked. Every night was busy. And every night Rae got home later. But as always, Rae worked well under pressure, the only sweat she would be breaking that night would be the result of being close to the stove and the ovens. She tried to keep the summer recipes simple and light, but it had to be seafood. From Lobster Bisque to Asian Chili Garlic Prawns as appetizers, to Baked Pineapple Salmon and Broiled Lobster Tail with Brown Butter, Rae had the summer in the palm of her hands. Everyone in the kitchen had a job, and even though Rae ran a tight ship, there was usually no room for error.

The kitchen was like an active circus. The stations trying to accommodate the the wait staff during their entries and exits from the kitchen. Each station, dedicated in their own way, but keeping the fast paced flow. The first station was appetizers and salads, the second was the main course entrees, and the third was deserts. Rae had at least two sous chefs in the kitchen with her at all times. But nothing left the kitchen unless it was cleared by Rae. She had convinced the owner that it was a necessity to hire two sous chefs. It also enabled Rae to take off work without worry of coming back to a nightmare of a kitchen.

The owner, Russ Mitchell was from the Wisconsin. He was an English teacher for twenty five years, until he retired. With a witty sense of humor and flamboyant demeanor it was difficult to not love Russ. The day she applied for the chef position, it was clear that this was new for him, owning a restaurant by the beach. They talked about his retirement, his mom passing, the memories that he had with San Clemente, and his dream of running a great restaurant. He had remembered that his family had taken a trip to San Clemente when he was a child, and it was one of his happiest memories. Rae will never forget her favorite piece of humor that Russ had given during her interview, “My brain cells, skin cells, and hair cells continue to die. But my stubborn fat cells seem to have eternal life.” That was Russ. There was a shyness about him, and that he had been keeping something bottled up inside. Rae had a feeling that Russ was just afraid to say it out loud that he was gay. He blurted it out one night, during the celebration of their grand opening. He laughed, he cried, he blushed, but he couldn't stop emphasizing how he felt comfortable with Rae and that it was so easy to just say it. He had told her how difficult it was, trying to live a life that wasn't for him, and trying to be something he wasn't just to convince his family that everything was fine. But Russ never forgot everything that Rae had said to him that night, “Russ, you are in the perfect position to get there from here. Owning our stories can be hard, but not nearly as difficult as spending out lives running from it. I am so proud of you Russ! It's not about being a new person, but becoming the person you were already meant to be. I feel honored that you were comfortable to tell me,” and with those words Russ NEVER wanted to lose Rae to anything or anyone.

Her sous chefs, or team members, were gypsy twins, Roma and Duke Boyash. Their family fled from Hungary and traveled the countries of Europe before locating and settling in California. They were a handful at times, arguing under circumstances like siblings would. Roma was stunning. Her long dark brown hair was thick, and would cover her like a blanket. You would be hypnotized by her pale hazel eyes which overshadowed her dark caramel complexion. If her eyes didn't get your attention, then her plump pouty lips and her soft angelic cheeks that framed her round sweet face. But she could also reel you in with her personality and not just her beauty. She looked like an angel, but it would always be suggested to never get on her bad side. On her five foot three inch frame, you would think that she would be a push over, but she had a fire that burned inside. That was a Boylash trait of all the women in their family.

Duke, her brother, was incredibly handsome. The moment you look into his ice blue eyes, you lost all track of time and space. His dark caramel complexion only emphasized the blonde in his tight curly brown shoulder length hair. Even his facial hair was highlighted and speckled with blonde highlights on his chin. He came from a long line of men who worked, his sculpted body was not hidden under his tight shirts that he would wear on his six foot four inch frame. And his mesmerizing smile accented his rugged jawline and cheek bones. He was extremely charismatic with the women, and even some men. It was challenging during every situation in telling him the word “no”.

Russ had informed Rae that this evening was going to be a special one, a food critic would be in attendance, and he was depending on her to keep focus and hit one out of the park for all of them. Getting a sensational review from the local critic only increased the restaurant's chances for free advertisement for the tourists that visit San Clemente during the vacation season. Rae just smirked at him, and confidently said, “I got this.” Some of the wait staff had started to gossip about which patron at the restaurant it could possibly be as the night moved about, in its speedy rhythmic active pace.

The night moved quickly, and Rae was completely focused, that it until she heard, “You don't need to tell me how to cook Roma!” She turned to see Duke looming over Roma holding up the wait staff from the entry and exit. “You guys! With how busy we are right now, you have two choices, we either evolve from this and keep a move on with work, or we repeat the same fight you both have every night and hold up the food going out to the patrons.” Roma gave Rae a look that a toddler would give a parent when they didn't get what they wanted. “I'm sorry Roma. This is just not the right time to tell Duke that an even amount of spoonfuls of strawberry preserves on the plate for the cheesecake will achieve the flow of how the kitchen will work tonight. Although I agree, even is always the way to go.” Duke released a huff before turning around and walking back to his station. “Rae, again you take her side!,” Duke continued to decorate the plates as the wait staff waited patiently to take the plates. Rae took a moment, wiping her hands and walking over to Duke at his station. Standing at his side she leaned her head on his arm, “Sometimes we just need to breathe. We need to trust one another. I have to tell myself everyday that you don't always need a plan... trust others, and everything will fall into place. You both complete me in this kitchen, and I wouldn't be able to function without our dysfunction. I just know that you are not the Boyash twin with the fire inside ready to erupt.” She leaned up and kissed his cheek. Glancing up at him, she was catching a smile beginning to curl at the edges of his mouth. “I trust you Duke,” she said as she gave him a little hip check and heard him laugh. “I know. You are our family Rae, you gave us a chance when no one else would. And we will never forget that. I'm good, now you go... get.” He elbowed her away and gave her a quick wink before Rae refocused her attention back at her station.

One of the wait staff barged into the kitchen exclaiming that they had figured out which person in attendance was the critic. Even though there was no worry really, since everyone that evening had raved about the food. Russ came in, and wanted Rae to head out to the table to introduce herself, and to check with the critic to see if he or she would disclose their opinion. Rae walked out of the kitchen briefly and made her way over the a portly older gentleman seated at booth. “Good evening sir”, she blurted out. The portly man glanced at her over his black framed glasses and gave a smirk. “Just asking if the service and food have been satisfactory for you this evening?” The fact that he had not said a word, his expression had not changed, and that he was now giving her a look of distain, Rae swallowed and was preparing for the worst. “Well...”, the critic started out, but as Rae saw the smile gleaming from ear to ear, she zoned out on all the words. The expression was enough for her to know that they were going to receive an astounding review. “Are you okay dear?” the critic asked. Rae smiled, “I'm glad to hear that. If there is anything the staff can do for you this evening, please to not hesitate to let us know.” As she turned, Russ was standing by the doors to the kitchen, and as he saw Rae imitate hitting a home run, she could see him jumping for joy. As she made her way back into the kitchen everyone wanted to know exactly what he had said, but Rae just looked at everyone wide eyed, “I have absolutely no idea. He was looking at me initially with a faceless expression, and I zoned out completely. He smiled... and I just felt relief when I saw him smile.” Everyone looked frustrated as Rae sat down still carrying that blank expression on her face. One of the wait staff entered into the kitchen, “He left me a huge tip!!!” Everyone focused on the mousy young girl as she waved the check around in the air. “He wrote on the back that the dinner was fantastic, that the service was outstanding, and that he hoped us the best in the busy future we will have.” A small smile crawled onto Rae's face, as she leaned back into the chair.

Rae rarely would agree to have Avery have guys stay over the night at the house, at least for Rae's sake, her peace of mind, and the quietness to enjoy sleep. But Rae remembered that she had mentioned that to Avery before she had left that morning. She realized that most likely when she was going to arrive home she would have to listen to them the entire evening humping like rabbits. “Rae, what's wrong? This should be a happy moment. Why do you look like you were just hit by a sack of potatoes?,” Roma inquired. Rae took a deep breath and explained the situation. “Would Avery give the benefit of the doubt and behave?”, Roma asked. Rae thought to herself for a moment, shaking her head, she lowered it in shame, “Nope, they will be keeping me up all night.” Roma leaned in and gave her a hug. “You could always crash at my place,” she heard Duke say behind her as she felt his hands starting to rub on her shoulder. “I appreciate that Duke, but I'm still trying to etch out of my memory the last time I stayed over...” Rae felt her cheeks flush with blood and become pinkish in color as she remembered seeing Duke walking around his apartment naked, and hearing his d**k slapping back and forth on his thighs. It wasn't a bad thing to see, but because she thought of Duke and Roma like a brother and sister, seeing his c**k flying freely that day, made her a little uncomfortable. “Well, the offer still stands for you,” he said with another wink.

As two in the morning rolled around, everything in the restaurant was cleaned, and it was finally time to head home. Hopefully due to how late it was, that Avery and her “flavor” would be fast asleep. As she opened the front door, it was almost too quiet. The patio doors were open a bit and filled the room with a nice cool breeze. Rae tip toed into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of red wine that was opened on the counter. Looking over at the sink, she saw all the dirty dishes still cluttered and filled to the top. Sitting at the counter all she could smell was the sauteed onions and fried shrimp aroma from her white double-breasted jacket. Her hands reeked of fish and seafood. That tended to be the worst stink to remove out of them all. She walked to her room, showered quickly, and changed into some much needed comfy clothes. She was still surprised to exit her bedroom and still hear no movement in the house. Headed into the kitchen, still tired as hell, she decided on the easiest thing to have, a bowl of cereal. Just as she sat herself down at the counter... THUMP! THUMP!! THUMP!!! “Oh GOD! Yes Baby, Mommy likes it there!” Rae looked over to the stairs and lowered her head. THUMP! THUMP!! THUMP!!! “f**k Yeah! Right there! Make that p***y yours!” Rae let out an uncomfortable sigh, and took her bowl of cereal to her room. It was going to be a long and noisy night.