When one business opportunity closes...

"Griffiths, I know this is hard and all..."

The voice of my current manager came out, trying to speak calmly as I was starting to prepare for closing. I knew what he wanted to say, I saw the notices earlier when I was in the back office. Business, wasn't doing great. This little hole in the wall diner was on life support for a while. In this modern era, food deliveries were easier then before and big chains took up a lot of focus in the eyes of the masses.

I put down the rag in my hand back in the bucket and exhaled, wiping a bit of sweat off my forehead as I stood up to look my manager in the eyes. "Boss, I get it. It's hard all over, you're going through much worse."  I said as I  knew the vulturous repo men may be salivating on what they can get after ripping his entire life's work apart. 

This story happened way too often, or maybe I got too used to it? A bit cynical of me, but I find fast food, repulsive.  Sacrificing quality for profit shouldn't be the aim of the culinary industry. It's smaller places like this that feel better to me, quality food made by people who care about what they present beyond minimal standards. But sadly it's just harder to compete, bigger names often suffocate out the smaller ones. 

"If there's anything I can do to help, please just, let me know. If I may ask, how much time do we got?" I asked hoping things would be at least manageable so that I could prepare my next steps. Though seeing his crestfallen expression, I felt the answer was clear.

"We'll be closing up for good after tonight. You've been exemplary, I will gladly give you a good reference for the future, and I got more then enough in the sale to pay you enough for two weeks..." He said as I could guess from that who the buyer was, it was a big coffee chain that wanted to renovate over this place. I can't blame him though, passion is no substitute for finance.


"That fast?" I said gritting my teeth, seemed he wanted to go out quietly. This was his pride and joy for nearly fifteen years and now he's just, checking out like that?! It felt wrong to just let the place fall like that. An insult to the regular customers and the kitchen itself, almost like not giving a funeral to a loved one. I could tell he sensed my anger.

"Myles, please, your passion was your strongest trait but, be realistic. For all my talk, this place has gone downhill. It's a different era. I do appreciate your passion, this is how the story ends." He said as I would feel my fingers clench, I didn't like this one bit, but there was nothing I could do. Once again I found a place to be passionate about, poured everything I had only to watch it go down the drain again. Feeling powerless yet again.

"Myles..." He said snapping me out of my inner rage.  I felt like I was reaching the end of my rope with the world but in the end I knew flying off the handle couldn't solve anything, but this rage always felt too strong for me. It took me a second to get recentered, overstimulation was a common problem I faced in my life, it wasn't easy to control but took a great deal of discipline.

"Right, sorry, I, shouldn't have snapped. Thank you for everything sir. You were one of the best bosses I had, thank you. It was a pleasure working with you." I said as I held out my hand to shake his, removing the nitrile glove to shake his. Resetting to a more professionally appropriate demeanor.

"Likewise, I have an early meeting. I'll send you your last pay later on. Can you close up one last time? Also, inventory will probably be tossed so take whatever you want." He said shaking my hand with a firm grip, feeling his handshake reminded me that he started out not far from where I was, working hard and tirelessly. But seeing where he was now, it did make my heart ache a bit. 

"Goodbye." He said as he started to head out through the back door.  I felt shock hit me immediately, waiting until I would be sure he was gone before starting to tremble, the loss of something I put pride and effort into, the fear of once again being jobless, the stress of trying to find my next fix it almost made me break down in tears. Pitiful right?

I glanced at my reflection in a mirror, seeing myself again, tired. I wasn't handsome, average at best. Slightly on the tall side with neck length hair, a bit messy but still tied back into a short ponytail. dark blue eyes staring back, looking tired and exhausted. Wearing my dark sleeveless chefs jacket, the top few buttons undone at this point in the evening, the weight of knowing what was to come again for my life hit me hard.

Part of me had to wonder if the spark was gone, I still felt the immense passion and pride for my field of study, but wondered if the time for true chefs has come and gone.

I walked behind the bar and continued to prepare cleaning up, regardless of the world, if I left, I was going to leave on a note to be proud of. My inner turmoil seemed to blind me as I didn't notice the door opened at first, a soft voice breaking the chain in my mind.

"Oh, hello... I know your sign says your closed soon, but... I, haven't eaten in a while and I need something... is it okay to order?" A voice came as I turned to look at a young woman, appearing close to my age of twenty five, probably a few years younger. Her coat soaked from the rain outside, wearing a beautiful denim dress underneath. Blonde hair a bit wet from the rain despite her hood. She was on the petite side, trembling a bit from the cold and hunger. It was late and I did not want her to walk around hungry in the rain. 

I did want to at least close this place on a good note, serving one last meal would be as good as anything I could ever ask for. I gave this girl a soft smile and gestured for her to take a seat at the counter, grabbing an unused dish towel and offering it for her to dry herself off a bit.

"Not at all. Please." I responded with a soft smile, it was a personal motto to never let those who need something go hungry if I can help it.

I grabbed a menu for her to read, I couldn't help but wonder if she was a model or something given her looks. I thought I saw a street blocked off for a movie or something, maybe unrelated. "Take your time, last day of business so I'm in no rush." I said as I let her get settled in.

"Food's gonna be tossed tomorrow anyways, order whatever you want, no point in charging." I said as I really didn't like the idea of making her pay for it, she seemed as if she came from far off, I wondered if she was running or something but kept those thoughts to myself. I prepared to give her a minute while I started to prepare to keep cleaning a bit.

"If that's the case... Can I ask for something off the menu?" She asked suddenly as I would glance at her. "Depends on what you want." I responded, curious as to what she was asking for. 

"I want, your something of your specialty. If I am imposing, the least I can do is let my gracious host shine." She said smiling at me. For once I started to get a bit excited inside as someone out of the blue was asking for my own specialty dish! This started to get me excited for the first time in a while. Someone wanted to see what I could offer, my own talent. Even if it meant nothing tomorrow, that was tomorrow's concern.


"Yes ma'am, coming right up." I said before reiterating the mantra I've repeated since my days in Culinary School. "It's a good time for a meal." I said as I didn't recall the last time I said those words, at least not without as much pep in my step as I would prepare myself to serve this customer...