Page 40 of Shar: A Woman Alone

“Old Sourdough is getting real bitter lately. He’s here allthe time that he needs to be, and as he’s now the only cook, that’s a lot. Icook as much as I can to help, but I’m only just fast enough to keep up on aslow day. We don’t open such long hours as we used to because we can’t coverthe shifts anymore. The last month has been hard, as we’re just as busy becausethe regulars have adjusted to our shorter opening times. We have the samenumber of customers mostly, but in fewer hours.”

“Why haven’t you said anything to the guys that check thebooks once a month?”

“Since Bank stopped coming himself two months ago, the otherguys just take the money and run, so to speak. They said they were only here tocollect the cash and then went. We told ‘em we needed more staff, and they weregonna pass it on to Bank, but we ain’t heard nothing from him.”

Taking my phone from my pants back pocket, I put a callthrough to Bank, and leave it on speaker.

“Hey, Shar. What’s up, girl?”

“Me and Crack are at the diner. Did you know they are shortstaffed? And also, that the books haven’t been checked for the last couple ofmonths?”

“Oh, fuck. Gunner mentioned that to me and it totallyslipped my mind.” Bank sounds pissed with himself.

“Which bit Bank, the staff or the books?” I ask, looking upat Madison to make sure she can hear his tone of voice.

“Both, dammit. Sourdough is gonna kick my ass when he seesme. I’ll get my ass over there tomorrow and try to make my peace with him. Hey,they haven’t lost Madison, have they? She is worth any three servers on herown.”

Seeing her blush, I give her a wink and tell Bank that he’sin luck, she’s still there and holding the place together. Ending the call, Ishove the phone back in my pocket and sigh.

“Well, that explains that. Madison, can you let Sourdough,that’s a hell of a name, know that Bank will be out tomorrow and to make himsuffer for his neglect?”

“Sure thing. I’ll get your coffee first. He’s liable to turnthe air blue when he finds out Bank forgot. He had a high opinion of Bank.”

Watching her walk away, I think we could have just averted acrisis here. Before I say anything, Crack speaks up. “I think we need to getthe brothers out here one weekend and give this place a fresh coat of paint,and also, it wouldn’t hurt to have some meals out here, too. Maybe we couldshut the kitchen down one Sunday or something and all eat here. Bring Lira,too. Would be good for her to eat something she didn’t have to cook. What doyou think?”

“There are times, Crack, when you amaze me. Every so often,your brain raises itself from your pants and makes an appearance. That’s a damngood idea,” I say, smirking at the shocked look on his face, but I know he isseeing it as me joking around with him.

“Dammit, Shar, that’s not fair. When do I ever think with mydick?” Crack is grinning broadly as he responds.

Madison almost drops the coffees as she reaches the tableand hears Crack's outburst. Crack, on the other hand, blushes bright red andthat has me howling with laughter. I never thought I’d see the day Crackblushed!

Once we’ve enjoyed our special of steak and a baked potato,we head back to the clubhouse. As soon as we’re back, Crack goes straight toBank’s office and I head to my room to let the special settle.

After a quick freshen up, I stretch out on my bed andreflect on a busy day. Hearing my phone ping, I check and see a message fromMia. It states that she is seeing a therapist for depression and that Ishouldn’t worry. She’ll text or talk soon. Don’t worry! I think I see Stitch’shand in this, if I’m honest, and that probably links back to me. As long as itdoes her good, that’s the main thing. I’ll check with her if I hear nothingwithin a couple of days.

Knock knock on the door and I almost tell them to fuck offand leave me in peace, when I hear Zara’s voice. “Shar! Have you got a minute,please?”

“Come in,” I call and wonder what’s happened now.

“Sorry to bother you, but Dad isn’t around, or I would haveasked him.”

“Not to worry. What’s up?” I’m hoping this is somethingsimple and not a father-daughter thing that I shouldn’t be getting involved in.

“I’ve got two women interested in the manager’s position forthe salon. I don’t know either of them, but they both know Thomas. That’s howthey heard about it. One has rung Trip. I didn’t know Thomas had Trip’s number,and apparently neither did Trip. He wasn’t happy, I can tell you, when thiswoman called him and said Thomas had given her the number. I have to call herback when it’s convenient. The secondone cameby the compound and asked about the position and left arésuméfor me to look over. It looks like shehas experience and even had her own salon for a while. I’ve made a couple ofcalls to the references on herrésuméand they both had positive things to say about her. What do you think?”

“What does your gut tell you, Zara?” I watch the gears inher head turn and smile. She wouldn’t be a good poker player with me.

“I think contestant number one should have asked Trip for mynumber and spoken to me directly, rather than waiting for a callback, or askedhow else I could be contacted. I would chase something if I wanted it badlyenough. Contestant number two has done exactly what I would have done. Given asmuch information as directly as I could, and put a face to the name, too. Joelwas on the gate and he said she looked professional and like she knew what shewas doing. He said she looked businesslike and not necessarily straight out ofa beauty salon, which I liked.”

“You know, Zara. I think you have your answer, and by usingyour own judgement, too. I’m very proud of you, you know that? You are notgoing to be a pushover, that’s for sure.”

Beaming at me, she hops off my bed and skips to the door.“Thanks, Shar,” she calls as she disappears. The door shuts softly and I letout a sigh. Peace at last.

CHAPTER 20

Sharp

I don’t normally eat breakfast, just grab a coffee and gostraight to my office, but today I’m curious to see how Josie and Lira getalong. I know Lira took some shit from Wendy and Lizzie, but I’m not sure howfar Josie went along with it. I don’t believe she is quite the innocent shewould have us believe, but if the leopard has changed its spots, I’ll go alongwith it.

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