Back in the late 60's and the very early 70's I worked at the Red Carpet in Hutchinson, Kansas. I think I was there a total of 6 or 7 years. My mind does not retain dates well at all. The point was that I was not married to Duane any more and needed to work to feed 5 kids. I was cook, kitchen manager and baker. I decorated cakes as a side job for extra money. I also worked in the Bakery down on South Main. I did that at night.
Any way, if you know anything about restaurant work, you know that it all revolves around the cook. If the cook does not like you, the orders are slow coming out of the kitchen and might not look quite as neat as other orders, so it is a good idea to stay on the good side of the cook. My waitresses loved me. Any excuse for a holiday was reason to shower gifts on Lou. One birthday I was sent to Wichita to the Charlie Pride concert because I loved that man! Also that entailed a plethora of 8 track tapes being bought and delivered to my hand by my workers. I miss the 8 track players.
This morning I lay in my bed remembering those days. And I remembered that one birthday they gave me a 4 slice toaster because I had mentioned that my toaster no longer worked. It was a very nice toaster, all shiny and clean. As luck would have it I kept my empty freezer full of bread because that was more efficient than running an empty freezer. And bread was cheap. I think it was 5 loaves for $1.00.
I also had a live in babysitter. Her name was Janice and she was married to the boss's son who was in Viet Nam at the time. That is a whole 'nuther story. She was not the most ambitious person I had encountered, but she did keep the kids off the streets at night.
My regular shift was 5:00 AM-2:00 PM. Then I came home and had a nap and went to work at the bakery at 10:00PM-till the bread was all sliced and sacked. On Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday I came back to the restaurant and was back up cook, dish washer, salad girl, or whatever needed to be done. This one particular night, after I received the toaster, I worked backup. So I was there from 5-10 and then at the bakery until 11:30.
When I drug myself home, it was almost midnight. The house was dark and everyone asleep. I let myself in the back door and flipped on the light over the kitchen sink. My eyes fell on a plate full of toast on the counter. And then another! The whole counter on both sides of the sink was filled with plates full of toast. So was the kitchen table! And the stove! And the wash machine!
I was still staring at the piles of toast when Sammy came out of the bedroom rubbing his eyes. He came over and hugged me. Then the mystery was solved when he said,
"I made you supper! I ran out of butter, but I thought you could get some more tomorrow."
It is 50 some odd years later and I still remember the look on his face. He had made supper for him momma. He was so proud. I am not sure just how much toast he thought I could hold, but this was a bonding moment. He and I were alone in the half lit kitchen while his sisters slept and we ate dry toast in the middle of the night. Probably the best mid night snack I have ever had.
I do not remember what became of all that toast, but I am sure some where there were birds that enjoyed a feast. (At that time we did not know that commercial bread was not good for ducks, and crows and other feathered things.)
I kind of miss the good old days with the kids, but I rather imagine they are glad those days are behind them. But just for old time sake I think I will go make a piece of toast for my breakfast. I actually have butter!
Any way, if you know anything about restaurant work, you know that it all revolves around the cook. If the cook does not like you, the orders are slow coming out of the kitchen and might not look quite as neat as other orders, so it is a good idea to stay on the good side of the cook. My waitresses loved me. Any excuse for a holiday was reason to shower gifts on Lou. One birthday I was sent to Wichita to the Charlie Pride concert because I loved that man! Also that entailed a plethora of 8 track tapes being bought and delivered to my hand by my workers. I miss the 8 track players.
This morning I lay in my bed remembering those days. And I remembered that one birthday they gave me a 4 slice toaster because I had mentioned that my toaster no longer worked. It was a very nice toaster, all shiny and clean. As luck would have it I kept my empty freezer full of bread because that was more efficient than running an empty freezer. And bread was cheap. I think it was 5 loaves for $1.00.
I also had a live in babysitter. Her name was Janice and she was married to the boss's son who was in Viet Nam at the time. That is a whole 'nuther story. She was not the most ambitious person I had encountered, but she did keep the kids off the streets at night.
My regular shift was 5:00 AM-2:00 PM. Then I came home and had a nap and went to work at the bakery at 10:00PM-till the bread was all sliced and sacked. On Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday I came back to the restaurant and was back up cook, dish washer, salad girl, or whatever needed to be done. This one particular night, after I received the toaster, I worked backup. So I was there from 5-10 and then at the bakery until 11:30.
When I drug myself home, it was almost midnight. The house was dark and everyone asleep. I let myself in the back door and flipped on the light over the kitchen sink. My eyes fell on a plate full of toast on the counter. And then another! The whole counter on both sides of the sink was filled with plates full of toast. So was the kitchen table! And the stove! And the wash machine!
I was still staring at the piles of toast when Sammy came out of the bedroom rubbing his eyes. He came over and hugged me. Then the mystery was solved when he said,
"I made you supper! I ran out of butter, but I thought you could get some more tomorrow."
It is 50 some odd years later and I still remember the look on his face. He had made supper for him momma. He was so proud. I am not sure just how much toast he thought I could hold, but this was a bonding moment. He and I were alone in the half lit kitchen while his sisters slept and we ate dry toast in the middle of the night. Probably the best mid night snack I have ever had.
I do not remember what became of all that toast, but I am sure some where there were birds that enjoyed a feast. (At that time we did not know that commercial bread was not good for ducks, and crows and other feathered things.)
I kind of miss the good old days with the kids, but I rather imagine they are glad those days are behind them. But just for old time sake I think I will go make a piece of toast for my breakfast. I actually have butter!
2 comments:
I don't remember the toast but do remember a big toaster. Love you.
Love you, sonny.
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