Sequestered with the Murderers by Dr. Tanner (best books to read for self improvement .TXT) 📗

younger version of her. She was five feet three inches tall, with a small body frame, caramel-colored skin, salt and pepper hair, and small facial features. She had survived domestic violence and divorced her husband, who had tried to commit bigamy while they were separated. After all that she had been through, she found an unquantifiable amount of happiness in taking cooking classes and being the head chef in my restaurant.

“It was wonderful. Gam and I both needed that break.”

“Good to have you back.”

“Good to be back. How have you been?”

“I’m good. I lost seven pounds.”

“Congratulations. How did you do that?”

“I am eating better. Range always eats healthy food, so I am following his diet.” Range is Aunt Clove’s boyfriend and has been a remarkable positive influence in her life since the day they met.

“Keep it up, Aunt Clove. You look positively radiant. So what’s been going on around here?”

“Thank you very much for the compliment. I feel radiant. Now to business, first, two of the waiters have been butting head over a racial slur. I want to send the whole team to a workplace diversity training seminar. I just want to run it by you to get your input.” Aunt Clove is completely in charge of the wait staff, but she always wants my input on staff matters. I totally support her in what she wants to do and have told her she does not need to run these things by me, but she does anyway.

“What does the seminar offer?”

“The brochure says the course facilitates constructive intergroup communication and interface, helps reduce prejudice and discrimination, and educates people who are unalike from each other on how to work effectively.”

“Is it taught at the community college?”

“Yeah, in the evening. I just need to work out a schedule for each to attend.”

“How long is the seminar?”

“Four hours.”

“Why don’t you arrange for the seminar to be taught here? It could be taught early one morning. This way, all the staff can attend together.”

“I don’t know, Vett. That’s going to be expensive.”

“If you think it’s needed, then the expense is worth it.”

“Okay then; I’ll look into it.”

“What’s next?”

“I want to add lamb chops to the menu. In the last two months, we’ve had several requests for them. And remember, during the Christmas season, we had a few requests. So I have been seriously thinking about it. I would add them to the dinner menu to see how they go over. It will be a delicious addition.”

“I’m fine with that. I’m sure you have recipes lined up?”

“I do, and I have already tested a few of them at home.”

“Aunt Clove, you are slaying it in your inimitable way. I support you in anything you want to do.”

“Well, wait until you hear what I have for you next?”

“Oh, no, what have I gotten myself into,” I said teasingly.

“We have three wedding rehearsal dinners on the books. One is in June, one is in September, and one in October. Have you thought about getting a bigger facility? There is no room at this location to expand. I know we can book more events if we had a larger banquet type room dedicated to special events separate from the dining room.”

“Yeah, I thought about it for a while now. I would love to have a bigger office, too. This room I’ve turned into an office was never meant to be one. The original layout showed this room as storage. However, I don’t know if this is the right time to expand. This is a huge step.”

“I know it is. We are growing by leaps and bound and need more space to ensure more growth. We are at capacity.”

“I’ve seen this coming for quite some time. Our growth has really surprised me. I owe it all to the wonderful chef you are.”

“And to your excellent business acuity.”

“I tell you what, let me talk to our accountant about this. Also, I will ask Dimma to find out what real estate is available. I’m not saying yes yet. I’m just putting some feelers out there. Okay?”

“Okay, it’s a deal.”

“We’ll talk more about this once my feelers come back.”

“That works. The last thing I want to show you is a picture of little Chloe. She has gotten so big since you saw her last.” Chloe is Aunt Clove’s first and only great-grandchild. She was born on Christmas day last year. Gam and I got married on Christmas Day 2004, so Chloe being born on Christmas day naturally drew me to her.

“Oh, she is so cute, and look at those chubby cheeks. What are they feeding this child?”

“Everything she can get her hands on. She is beginning to favor Dottery, don’t you think?” Dottery is Aunt Clove’s oldest daughter, and Dottery’s son, Reed, is Chloe’ father. Reed and Chloe’s mother are living with Dottery. This is not a happy arrangement for Dottery.

“Absolutely, she does. Tell Dottery I’ll call her tomorrow to set-up a time to visit Chloe.”

Just then, the phone rang.

“Excuse me for a minute Aunt Clove.”

“Hello.”

“Hi, Vett, it’s your Aunt Grace.”

“Hi, Aunt Grace. How are you? Can you hold for a moment?”

“I’m all done. I didn’t have anything else,” Aunt Clove said, getting up out of her chair, walking toward the door. “Tell Grace I said hello.” Aunt Clove closed the door behind her.

“Aunt Grace, how are things?” Aunt Grace, who was turning seventy-eight on April 30th, is my father’s only sister and youngest sibling. A few years ago, I was instrumental in helping to find her long-lost love. They were forced to separate as teenagers because Aunt Grace was the granddaughter of the well-to-do farmer, and her love interest, Shep Mettis, was a hired hand. Her parents and my Great Aunt Hannah did not think he was good enough for her. Shep was found living in Greensboro, North Carolina, and they were married on Christmas day 2003. I modeled my wedding a year later after their beautiful wedding and incredible love story.

“I am well, Vett. I’m calling because Shep and