Page 8 of Talk Turkey To Me
“Is it your mom?” Lily asked before she had time to even consider if it was any of her business.
Myles glanced at her then, “No, but thank you for asking. She’s actually doing well lately. It isn’t about her.”
“I’m glad.” She pulled her gaze from him.
“It’s the crew that was supposed to come in for the overnight shift and help me get everything prepared for tomorrow. Apparently they decided they should spend their day off in Bricktown for that fall festival thing and they were involved in a car accident trying to get back this evening.”
“Is everyone okay?” Her father asked before Lily could and Myles nodded.
“They’re a little banged up. Concussions, a few broken bones, but they’ll be okay.”
“Thank God.” Her mother whispered.
“They were lucky it wasn’t worse from the sounds of it but unfortunately for us that doesn’t help us tonight. They aren’t going to make it in so I’ll be on my own but I’ll do my best to get everything in order for tomorrow's rush.”
“Can you keep the current crew on to help? I don’t mind paying the overtime.” Her father frowned.
“No, sir. Jay has his kid for the holiday and Kim’s driving out to visit her daughter and son-in-law in the morning. I’d hate to ask them to stay and honestly the others would be in the way more than they’d be helpful. I can handle it. I just wanted to make you aware of the situation.”
“Well if you’re staying on overnight, the least I can do is stay and help you.” Her father offered and her mother all but hissed.
“Alan, no, you can’t pull an all-nighter. Not at your age.”
“I’ve done it before and I can do it again, Dana.”
“No.” Lily cut off the argument in a voice loud enough that all three of them turned to her. She shook her head, “If someone is staying to help it should be me.”
“What? No. Nobody needs to stay. That’s what I was saying.” Myles frowned.
“But you need help.” She countered. “You’re doing last minute prep for the biggest day of the year. You’ll be here all night if you try to do it alone.”
“Which is fine by me because that’s my job. You’re just home to visit your parents for the holiday.”
“Lily, honey, you don’t have to do this.” Her mother tried but she was more determined with every moment that passed.
This was her chance. She would show her parents that she could do this and they’d have to let her take over the restaurant. Her father had said she’d have to work with Myles so why not start now and prove she could handle him from day one?
“Your mother’s right. You only just got home and you don’t even know the menu.”
She narrowed her eyes at her fathers easy dismissal, “I know the menu better than anyone. I’ve made it with you every Thanksgiving for most of my life, Dad.”
“Well, it has changed some.” Myles inserted and she glared at him.
“I can handle it.”
“But Lil…” her father started again but she cut him off.
“As we’ve discussed already, this is afamilyrestaurant and I’m the only member of our family who can stay and help keep things on track.” She made sure she met her fathers eyes when she stressed the word family. She lowered her voice again, just for her father, “Let me do this, Dad. Let me prove to you that I can make this work.”
She waited as her parents exchanged a look and she expected more argument so she was surprised when her father only nodded.
“Good. That’s settled then.” She turned back to Myles before he could argue any more and possibly change her parents' minds. “I’ll run to the house and get changed into something not covered in lemon tart and then I’ll come back here and we can get to work. It shouldn’t take long.”
He looked annoyed but ultimately he could only shrug, “I’ll be waiting.”
And if those words sent a shiver down her spine, nobody had to know it but her.
Chapter Four
