Having a job that frequently requires me to work until around eleven or later due to my company having a large client base overseas, I'm lucky to have a lady that is very understanding about it all. She knows that when I take my turn working a month of late shifts that I adjust my entire day so I can stay in the routine of getting up and going to work, then having the evening; even if the evening doesn't start until around midnight. Since she has her own website development company and works primarily from our home, she also adjusts her days so we can be together.
On the last night of my midnight month, I was certainly looking forward to turning that shift over to one of my competent employees. Having finally completed negotiations and securing a substantial contract, I sat back and took a few deep breaths, closed my eyes for a few moments, and was planning on how to close another negotiation we had been trying to secure for several months.
Before long I stood and headed to the restroom. I heard the phone ringing as I approached the door, but decided to leave the service handle it.
Returning to my office, I called the service to check on the call.
"Thank you for choosing 'It's Our Call'. This is Julie. How can I help you, Sir?" was the greeting from the girl answering my call.
"I was just checking on that call a few moments ago. Any message?"
"Yes Sir. A lady called and requested you meet her at 'Le Entree' as soon as you're off work."
I grinned widely. I knew exactly who it was. We had found this place one night several years ago. It was our kind of place - the owner had a very good sense of humor, which I thought was evident by the name he chose for his eatery.
One would think it was an upper class restaurant because from the street it had all the quiet sophistication required. However, when you opened the second set of doors you encountered when entering, you'd discover it was actually just a good old fashioned diner that was open 24 hours. I recalled when I asked him why he named it Le Entree, he chuckled and said it was to see the faces of the uppity snobs before they turned tail and ran when they realized it wasn't a fancy place to show off their success.
"Is there anything else, Sir?" I heard Julie asking on the phone.
"Uh, no, thanks Julie," I stammered as I returned from my trip down memory lane.
"Have a good night Sir," she said as the connection was terminated.
Still holding the receiver in my hand, I mentally ran back down that magical lane so I could enjoy all the countless hours Brittney and I had spent there. Eventually, as is always the case, reality was forced upon me as my assistant came in and asked me a question about the project he was working on. I supplied him the answer and asked if he'd lock up. I was calling it a day.
"No problem," he said. Gary had the drive and ability to make me know he'd be there long after he need be. He was a hell of trouper and damn good at his job.
"We'll see ya later," I said as I walked past him. I patted him on the upper arm as I passed and paused. "Gary, for heavens' sake, go home. Now! You've put more than your share of hours in here this month." "Yeah. I will," he replied with a chuckle. I knew as well as he did he'd not go until he felt comfortable with the amount of work he finished. Shit. He worked more than any two of my other employees did combined.
It took little time before I arrived at Le Entree since there was almost no other traffic. Walking in the door, I was greeted by Hank. He was a heavy set man, around my age, and was also the chief cook, bottle washer, janitor, cashier, and server. He was the owner, naturally, for those who don't understand the amount of work and dedication involved in owning a restaurant.
"Evening, Art!" Hank pleasantly greeted me with. Approaching quickly, he was soon shaking my hand as he expressed his delight in seeing Brit and me dining together tonight. "I have seated your delightful lady in your suite." "You're a trip, Hank!" I said through my laughter. He was great! Our 'suite' was a small table in one corner of his dining room that he'd put a privacy panel around when we'd stop in unless we requested him specifically not to.
We had requested Hank and his wife, Judy, to sit down and take a break with us one of the first times we had stopped there. They politely refused, but when Brit and I team up on someone, they soon surrender.
Our friendship grew instantly and the four of us had done a lot of things together over the years. It soon became where we were almost like family.
As I stepped around the corner of the privacy panel, I saw Brittney looking over the menu. I stood there silently for a few moments, staring at her simple but exotic beauty. Long, soft, dark hair, the most enticing eyes I had seen, a pretty and undecorated face. (She seldom wore makeup now, after many years of me trying to convince her she didn't need it)
