Catering With Benefits (3) - An Appetite for More - 6. Is It a Lesbian Thing?

A few days later, Tristan and Snowy arrived for lunch. After greetings, Craig went to the kitchen and Justin joined Tristan and Snowy. “Tristan, are you still alcohol free or will you join us and have a glass of wine?”

“I drink a little these days, not as strict as I used to be about that.”

“Or other matters either, I have noticed.”

“OK, I’ve relaxed my standards.”

“I don’t think you’ve relaxed your standards, but the contrary, you’ve raised your standards to allow Snowy into your life.”

“Alright, I used to be a dickhead when I was a soloist, I get it. Happy now?”

“Good man.” replied Justin as he poured four glasses of wine, then called Craig to join them.

“OK guys, go out onto the patio and take a seat at the table. Justin, will you help me take out the lunch?”

“Sure thing.”

Over lunch they got to learn more about Snowy and in turn shared some of their stories and especially the brief history of their business.

Snowy told them, he grew up, mostly in Goulburn NSW. His mother moved he and his sister there to be close to his father when he was jailed for corporate fraud when Snowy was only seven years old and his sister four. His mother raised her children as a single parent while her husband was imprisoned and continued to do so even after his release, as he deserted the family only a few months after being re-united with them. The years in prison had not prepared him for a return to fatherhood and the love between him and his wife simply faded away due to their separation. But the family of three was by then well established in Goulburn so they stayed on as his mother wanted her children to finish their schooling without the disruption of moving again. Snowy only left when he needed to transfer to Sydney to take up study at Ryde. His mother and sister remained in Goulburn.

During high school, Snowy took up body building as a follow on to his earlier interest in martial arts which he started in primary school. Many partners of prisoners move their families to Goulburn when their husbands are imprisoned there. In Snowy’s case this became known at school and he was bullied because of it. This prompted his mother to enroll him in self-defence classes and it was an interest Snowy maintained until he discovered body building. He maintains his interest to this day and is president of his college’s gym club.

When Justin asked, “How many guys did you take down with Karate chops?” Snowy replied,

“Not one, I only had to strike an attack pose and they would walk away.”

“But you could have if you need to?”

“Of course, but the intent is to avoid a fight, and if that can’t be avoided then you just disable your opponent not injure them. But, they didn’t want to risk it, I guess.”

“Super! The power of brain over brawn.”

“Yes, I wasn’t heavily built in those days, in fact I was a scrawny kid, but it’s not about muscle in Karate, it’s all about technique.”

“...and scaring the shit out of the would-be bullies.”

“Yeah, that works too.”

“Now Justin, I want to know more about your business and especially how you started waiting topless. Tristan tells me it’s a great story.”

Justin related the story of the red wine incident and Craig told how he started the business while he was still nursing and overheard a conversation between some young doctors.

“So you used to be a nurse Craig?”

“Yes, I trained straight after graduating from high school and worked at St. Vincent’s hospital for about 10 years.”

“Yes, that’s where we met,” said Justin. “I was a patient and Craig was my nurse.”

Then Tristan remembered how they met and asked, “Please tell Snowy how you two met, it’s even better than the red wine story.”

Craig and Justin shared the telling of the catheterisation story and Snowy had a great laugh. When he managed to stop laughing he said, “You guys really have some great stories, I think it would be fun working with you two.”

“Yes we have had some fun times since we met and some difficult times as well.”

“Would it be rude to ask about that?”

“No, you have been honest with us about your father so I should be the same.” replied Justin.

“Oh what happened to your father?”

“He was jailed last year, for murder.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to...”

“It’s OK, I said I would be honest. He killed someone from my past. When I was in high school I was caught sucking off the school handyman. My dad was told, but it was kept from my mum. When she found out months later she confronted my dad about it and after an argument he threw me out of the house, because I was gay and he is very homophobic. Anyway, last year he came across Sam in a toilet at Parramatta. He must have snapped and bashed the guy. Sam died from the injuries and my father was caught on CCTV.”

“That must have been awful for you. How did your mum take it?”

“Naturally she was devastated at the time, but she’s recovering now and has actually moved to this area, so she can be close to Craig and me.”

“You said he threw you out of the house, so did you go back?”

“No, I never went back to that house and have never spoken to my father since. I used to live with my aunts and my cousins until I moved in with Craig.”

“I don’t know what to say Justin, that is all so sad, and I thought I had it bad.”

“I’m alright with it now, thanks to Craig and his family’s support. They have really been wonderful to me and my mum.”

Sensing the mood was becoming sombre, Tristan tried to change the direction of the conversation. “So have you guys heard that Snowy is having dance lessons?”

“Yes, you told me and I’m glad you reminded me.”

“So you’ve also heard that I am thinking of doing stripping work?”

“Yes, I’m sure we can find some way to exploit your talent in that area. You know, now that same sex marriage is legal we are hoping to get a lot of work from the gay community. Also, as I am spending more time on management duties I need someone to replace me sometimes.”

Craig sought to temper Justin’s enthusiasm. “Tristan, what production are you working on at present?”

“The company does not have a current project for me so I am just surviving by giving dance classes. That’s what we do between productions to keep the company running.”

“That’s disappointing.” said Justin.

“But I have been putting all this free time to some use. I’ve been planning a production of my own.”

“With your favourite choreographer.”

“No, I’m choreographing it myself.”

An excited Justin said “Tell us about it.”

“Its’ going to be very contemporary and totally different to anything staged in this country before.”

“Wow, will it be staged by the SDC?”

“No, I won’t even offer it to them, I don’t think it is their thing so when I think it’s ready I plan to stage it myself.”

“That’s a big plan Tristan.” said Craig “Are you ready for that?”

“I believe I am. I’ll have to get a backer to help with finance. I’m confident but I don’t want to say too much about it yet, except to say, it’s going to be very sexy with an all male ensemble.”

“Hush Hush, I get it. We’ve got something big coming up ourselves.” offered Justin.

“Oh really, what’s that, a new fundraiser function for the foundation you’re involved with?”

“Justin, we shouldn’t be talking about this yet.” admonished Craig.

“But Tristan’s my best friend, why can’t I share with him, he’s told us about his plan.”

“Ok, but it’s very early days and will involve some confidential negotiations, so I wouldn’t want our intentions to get out.”

“Let me tell them Craig.” After a nod from Craig, Justin continued. “We might be buying a restaurant, but keep it to yourself.”

“Have you found one yet?”

“Yes, but we haven’t spoken to the owner yet so it’s hush hush also.”

“That sounds great.” said Snowy “Maybe I could get an apprenticeship there.”

“Hey slow down, all of you.” said Craig.

“Well maybe a casual job.” added Justin.

***

Charlie was thrilled to accept the invitation to dine at Craig’s and secretly relished the thought that he had been right all those years ago when he saw a future for Craig in cooking.

“Charlie, I may be speaking out of turn here, but are you aware the owner wants to sell the restaurant.”

“Oh yes, Poppy made sure Warwick told us as soon as he made the decision. But how did you know and why are you asking?”

“A friend of mine, who was nursing the owner at St Vincent’s found out directly from him and passed the information on to me when he heard we were looking for a commercial kitchen.”

“So this catering business of yours is doing that well.”

“Yes, we have been very successful and continuing to grow.”

“You know, when we first met and you showed a flare for cooking, I knew you were a natural, but I dismissed it as wishful thinking. Knowing how much effort you put into your nursing studies, I thought you would stay at it forever. Apart from the interest in cooking there must have been something that made you chuck in a steady career and go into the uncertain world of catering.”

Knowing that Craig was prickly about this question Justin sought to change the direction of the conversation. “Charlie, did you say the owner is called Poppy?”

“Yes, it’s only a nickname that his grandchildren gave him, so when he opened the restaurant he named it in honour of them and it goes with the French theme.”

“I thought it was a flower.” countered Justin.

“Well it is of course and that’s why it has a French connection.”

Justin looked confused so Craig said “I’ll explain later about Flanders Poppies.”

“No, hang on, I get it now. That’s why we wear poppies on Remembrance Day.”

“Yes” answered Charlie, “Now tell me Craig are you really interested in the restaurant?”

“We are, but it’s early days and we have to consider a lot of things, not the least being its profitability and finance.”

“Well I wouldn’t leave it too long to speak to Poppy. Once it goes on the market I think they’ll be a lot of interest.”

“It’s really that good?”

“Yes, it turns a good profit for Poppy and his family.”

“Would you consider taking it over yourself?”

“I did think of that... for about five minutes... and then realised my interests are really in creating the best possible dishes and seeing them cooked to perfection. I don’t need all the worry about staffing and cash flows and all that management stuff. Managing two sous chefs and a few assistants is enough for me.”

“So, I wouldn’t be treading on your toes if I did go ahead with this?”

“Not at all my man, and for what it’s worth, I think you’d be good at it?”

“But how would you feel about working for me?”

“Do you mean would I leave if the business was sold?”

“No, I mean how would you feel about working for someone you trained, but has far less experience than you?”

“Craig, you know I respect you as a hard worker, a quick learner and someone who is willing to give your best to anything you try. I would love to work for you. And it can’t hurt for you to have someone who is already on your side when taking over. Kitchens can be very competitive environments.”

Craig was a little overcome by Charlie’s words, so Justin stepped into the silence. “I think we’re all going to love working to together Charlie. I’m really excited.”

“So, tell me Justin, what is your line of work, do you cook also?”

“No, at least not professionally; I can manage day to day at home, but that’s all. I’m a waiter.”

“Oh that’s nice.” Charlie said disappointedly.

Then it was Craig’s turn to rescue Justin. “I should explain Charlie, Justin is more than a waiter. He is an equal partner in our business and his unique waiting skills have greatly contributed to the success of our business. In fact, Justin is what sets us apart from the average caterers out there.”

“As you can imagine, I’ve worked with a lot of waiters over the years. No offence intended Justin, but apart from being efficient, polite, attentive and service oriented what else is there to waiting?”

“I shall put it this way Charlie. Most of our clients, until recently have been women.”

Charlie looked blankly at Craig and said “So.”

“Should I go and change?” asked Justin.

“No, I think I can explain it. Charlie, when women are in women’s only company they behave differently.”

“Oh, I get it. Is It a lesbian thing?”

“No!”

“Then I’m still not getting it.”

“They have a few drinks and drop their inhibitions.” Charlie still looked confused so Craig picked up his phone and searched for the picture he took of his Gran accepting a drink from Justin. When he showed it to Charlie he asked “And grown, adult and even senior women go for this?”

“It’s the reason for our success. That’s why we’re called Catering with Benefits.”

“Well, I’ll be buttered on both sides, who would have thought. I know those Chippydales, or whatever, are popular with hens nights, but I would never have thought of combining that with good food. I must have spent too many years locked away in kitchens.”

“You must come and see us sometime Charlie.” said Justin.

“May I ask, if you buy the restaurant would this be the type of service you will be offering?”

“Not on a regular basis.” answered Craig.

“But we may do special nights. Wouldn’t we Craig?”

Craig did not answer, but Charlie added “I’m in, how can I help you boys get the restaurant?”

“First thing, we need to talk to Mr Prentice and see how much he wants for it.”

“I’m pretty close to Poppy, he poached me from my last position and I helped him get the business off the ground, so I may have a bit of sway with him. I want you boys to get this but at the same time I don’t want to see him short changed, so I’ll try to help both sides. Fair enough?”

“Thank you Charlie.”