HoP: Chapter 6

HOUSE OF PANCAKES: WILLOW CREEK

Chapter 6

Eliza had a depressing look on her face. She had it in her mind that Bob was trying to be nice about the whole restaurant idea, but is going to find any excuse not to go along with it. She knew Bob. Now he has bad news to share. Something else now to try and change her mind. She won’t have any of it. Steve Harvey inspired her to jump and that is exactly what she is going to do. And she’s going to jump with her husband even if she has to push him.

“What’s the bad news? Is everything okay?” She asks Bob in a sarcastic tone.

Bob didn’t pick up on it.

“Boss has permanently moved me to Mixologist. I won’t be home for dinner unless we start eating early now.”

Eliza just stares at Bob. Bob looks back. No words cross for almost a minute.

Then Eliza says, “That will work. We can discuss more of the restaurant idea during dinner before you go to work.”

“You’re okay with this?” Bob asks.

“I don’t like it, no. I have enjoyed our late night dinners. But we need to change. Change is good.

Bob was confused. He knew that she knew he wouldn’t be happy with this new job. He is not a people person. He caught on when she said he could run the kitchen and she would take care of the front if they opened a restaurant. The only people he would really have to deal with was the chefs and wait staff. She was being considerate of his feelings. We need change she says. What change is she doing Bob thought to himself. He was getting a little angry.

“Well, I don’t like it.” He said. “My boss sprung this on me during my training. Then throughout the night all I thought about was…The secret to Mixology is proportion. How much sweet juice? How much sour juice? Does this troubled patron want Bob’s advice, or just for someone to listen? Is this a real job, or just something people do for money until they find a real job?”

Eliza was taken aback by his comment.

“You can’t quit your job now.” Eliza quickly says.

“I didn’t say I was quitting. You’re wanting to make changes, but all I see is me doing the changing. I’m not a people person. Being a Mixologist means being a people person. I didn’t like being a Caterer either, but at least I could find a way to be alone sometimes. I can’t now. I am stuck behind a bar. And you think this is good change for me? What changes are you doing, dear?”

Eliza puts her fork down on her plate and gets up. She walks away and goes upstairs. Bob finished his breakfast in silence. He knew he upset Eliza, but he needed to cool down before going after her. When he was done, he left his plate on the table and went upstairs.

He knocked on her door and opened it. She was sitting on her bed. He could tell she had been crying. He sat down next to her.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you. It’s just that I really don’t like this new job position I was forced into.”

“Can’t you ask them to move you back to your catering position?”

“It’s not that easy. They already filled it.”

“So what are you going to do?” Eliza asked.

“I’m going to stick with it. It’s all I can do. I’ll keep my eyes open for another spot to transfer to. I just need you to know I’m not happy where I am at. This change is not for the good.”

“I’m sorry, too. I know you don’t like working for Make A Dish.” Eliza says thoughtfully to Bob. “Maybe you should look for another job. Something that will make you happy.”

“This job inspires me to cook, though. And I know you love my cooking.”

Bob manages to get a smile out of Eliza.

“I’ll tell you what.” Bob says. “Why don’t we go looking at potential spots to open a restaurant tomorrow after breakfast. Today’s been a rough morning on the both of us. We should sit home and relax.”

“Okay.” Eliza responds.