Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 70429 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70429 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
“Kirk!” He snapped his fingers, looking around angry as hell. “I know you been takin’ too many smoke breaks, you damn walkin’ chimney.” He pointed to a man in the corner who was looking sheepish as he sliced into a carrot.
“It helps my stress, boss. It’s just been busy in here lately, and I can barely keep up.”
“You better get you a fuckin’ nicotine patch, birth control patch, cabbage patch, sour patch kids, some type of patch, if you can’t get a hold yourself. We all got stress! I do my part to make sure you have the least amount possible from me. I pay you good. Full benefits package to boot. You even get a discount on food to feed yo’ families. I can’t do much else ’cept breastfeed you, ’cause you’re acting like a big baby. So, put on ya big draws and roll wit’ it. Tasha,” he spun around in the opposite direction, “I see you decided to drag yo’self in here after pretending to be at death’s door. You got one mo’e time to call in sick!”
“Huh?! I was sick, Legend! I just came here to get my check.” The skinny, short woman stood there with a silk bonnet on her head and a look of pure anguish across her face.
“You right, ’cause you must be sick in the head to think I’m believin’ any of your crap. My wife’s friend saw yo’ ass at the club.”
“What club?! Couldn’t have been me.”
“How many Tashas you know work at Legendary Desires, have a tattoo of a swan on their neck, and the name Quenero on their titty that e’rebody can see?! It was you.” Legend pointed in her direction, and the woman looked damn near mortified. Caspian smirked and shook his head. This sure was entertaining, if nothing else. “The Chicken Shack was the place to be, huh? Talkin’ ’bout you had the flu or covid on the phone. More like the Bird Flu. Cluck cluck. Said you were sippin’ NyQuil all day is what you said… more like rum and Coke at the bar.”
“I wasn’t at no Chicken Shack club, Legend.” She smacked her lips and rolled her eyes. “I shouldn’t even be here. I got pink eye!”
You ’bout to have a pink slip if you keep fuckin’ around with me. Clock in, Pinky and the Brain. Time is money!”
The place erupted in laughter as everyone scattered to their stations. Legend walked around his crew, smacking their backs in a gesture of encouragement, laughing and talking with them. He even jumped in for a moment, slipped on gloves, and plated some food.
“Oh, hey everyone. I almost forgot he was standin’ there, he was so quiet. Ol’ creepy Norman Bates ass … Check it.” Caspian rolled his eyes. “This strange man is my good friend, Caspian. I want y’all to bring him a basket of brisket, smothered pork chops, pepper cornbread, rice and beans and some sweet potato casserole, okay? A large Coke, too. Bring me some collard greens, honey cornbread, and baked chicken, please.”
“Got it!”
Legend escorted Caspian out of the kitchen into the main eating area. The place was packed. Wall to wall patrons happily eating, wiping their grease and sauce covered fingers onto thick white napkins. Babies laughing and crying to a background of instrumental rap music. Only a few tables were unoccupied. It smelled so good in there, his mouth salivated to the point he had to tap the sides of his lips to keep from drooling. Nothin’ beat home cookin’. Caspian couldn’t help but smile, proud of his brother, as they went to a table and sat down.
“Legend, this place looks great. I see you even have a little store type area. You’ve outdone yourself.”
“Thanks.” The man grabbed the pepper shaker on the table and polished it up with a napkin.
He takes pride in his place. That’s good. I’d expect nothin’ less. This is a far cry from prison life.
“I read the restaurant reviews online. You and Desiree are killin’ it. I like how diverse the menu is, too.” He picked it up, appreciating the colorful, cool design, and flipped through the glossy pages. “Soul food. Puerto Rican fare. Even Italian. It’s amazing, man. Hell, you even have a few German dishes.”
“Melanie designed the covers.” Caspian’s lips curled at the mention of her name. He’d had a crush on Melanie when they were children. Legend had put a stop to that fast. “Yeah, people need choices, and sometimes you gotta give somebody what they’re used to, so you can warm them up, make them feel comfortable to try new things. Kinda ease ’em into it.” A waitress brought over their cold colas.
“I called Axel when I landed. He said he’d swing by tonight. English sent some flowers to me yesterday. That was nice.” He took a sip of his drink. It felt good going down.