A Child's Haven - 14. Chapter 14

I invited Tony and Abe to go with me to Aldo’s for dinner. I wanted to get their feedback on the meeting and discuss a few other plans.

As soon as we sat down, Aldo came over to chat. “Mario tells me your kitchen is almost done.”

“Not quite, but it’s coming along. I now need to hire a cook, Mrs. Jenkins has assumed the position of Head Cook, but her job will be planning, ordering, and training. I could use a cook to help with cooking and training. Do you know anyone?” What Aldo didn’t know was that Mario asked about the job.

“What kind of cook do you want, a professional or someone who knows how to cook something and needs to learn more.”

“I don’t want a chef from some culinary school. I want a good old fashion home cooking cook. The kids will never appreciate fancy cooking.”

Aldo took our orders and went into the back room. He returned with a large platter of spaghetti and meatballs. The smell went right to my stomach. As soon as the plates were placed, it was like a mad rush to get some. Mario came out with garlic bread. I swallowed my mouthful of spaghetti, “How are you doing, Mario? This food is fantastic. I think your dad should deliver this for Saturday’s dinner.”

“Did he ask you about you hiring a cook?”

“Yes, I told him I wanted to cook and not a chef. Did he say anything to you when he went in the back room?”

“No, just that you were here.”

“How do you think we should approach this? I could ask you if you knew anyone, and then you can approach your dad. Do you want to try that?”

“What can I lose? Wow, you guys really liked that spaghetti?”

“It’s delicious, and the sauce is the best part. Who cooked the sauce?”

“It is an old family recipe. My grandmother taught me, and I follow it to a tee.”

“Well, you got to come and work for me even if I have to buy this pizzeria. Go and tell your dad that I want enough soup and sandwiches for 110 people to be served at 1 pm. And at 6 pm, I want spaghetti and meatballs for 120 people. I want some extra the next day, for me.”

“How are you going to keep it? Your refrigerators are too small.”

“Not the ones in the cook shack.”

“You got the fridges up and running?”

“As of today, they are cooling to temperature as we speak.”

“I’m going to ask my dad if he throws me out, you’re going to have to adopt me.”

Tony and Abe were listening to our conversation. I wondered why they didn’t say anything until I looked at the bowl of spaghetti. There was only one serving left, and the way they were eyeing it, I better get it and fast.

I watched Mario and his dad head for the back room. I listened to see if I could hear anything, like a yell or a scream. But nothing, then Mario came out and was smiling. “That must have gone well. It looks like you have a cook, Brad.”

I didn’t want to push the button, so I paid our bill, took a doggie bag, and kept slapping Abe’s and Tony’s hands away.

When we entered the dining hall, everyone looked nervous. “Jeff, what’s going on?”

“The police showed up and said they were looking for a kid who stabbed a man on Main Street. They are up on the second floor now.”

“Where have they looked so far?”

“They finished the basement, and now they are on the second floor.”

“Ok, the next time, I’ll give you a cell phone, so you can contact me if this happens again. Have all the boys been counted, anyone missing?”

“No. according to Beth’s roster, they are all here and have been all night. The back door is locked, and the only way out or in is through the front door.”

“I took out my phone, called my dad, and then called Officer Murray. In five minutes, I heard the siren, and so did our visitors. They came running down the stairs, Jeff put his foot out, and they tripped and fell on their faces. By this time, Officers Murray and O’Shea showed up.

“Officer Murray, it’s good to see you again. These officers indicated that they were looking for a kid with one of our shirts who killed a man on Main Street.”

As the men started to rise, Officer Murray flipped a handcuff on the man as Officer O’Shea did the same to the other man. “These men aren’t police officers; they are both wanted for selling drugs and using kids to deliver it. I suspect they lost their kid and thought he might be here.”

“Well, Officers, it seems to me you deserve a recommendation.” Just then, dad showed up.

“Officer Murray and Officer O’Shea, this is my father, Dan Williams.”

“How are you, Judge Williams, sorry to have to meet you under these circumstances, but we have breaking and entering, posing as a police officer, unauthorized search, and a wanted poster for selling drugs.”

“Well, gentlemen, I guess I’ll see you in court.”

“Dad, when did you become a judge?”

“About two weeks ago, you’re so busy with this project we hardly see you.”

“I know, and I feel bad about that. You’ve always been my sounding board. But you’re right, this place takes up a lot of my time, but I love it. Look at these kids. A few months ago, they were sick, skinny, hungry, and had haunted eyes. Look at them now, and they are no longer sick, they have put weight on, they’re not hungry, and have a safe place to sleep. I know I’ve missed a lot of dinners with you and mom, but this is where my heart is and where I want to be. I hope you can understand that.”

“We do, and we’re very proud of what you’re doing. These kids look at you with love in their eyes. What more could a man want. Your mom and I consider every one of them as our grandchildren.”

I looked at my dad with tears in my eyes; I was so lucky to have this man in my life, hugging him, “I love you, Dad.”

Well, I’ve got to go. I have an arraignment to attend. Winking at me, Dad left.