DURCHEINANDER Chapter Three: Till Death Do Us Part

 
Chapter Three
Till Death Do Us Part
Three Weeks Earlier / May 31, 2013
Melanie Hayworth and Thelma Reynolds were watching the sunset on the roof top of the café. The roof was decorated with planters of lush tomato and grape vines heavy with fruit.
"Ah, this is good brandy!"  Thelma inhaled deeply.
"I agree, but should we really be drinking while we sort through these applications?"
"We were sober when we decided Tommy Barton was the best cook.  Now all we have to do is check out his references. It's an all-night dining car. Let's see if we can catch the boss off guard."  Thelma said.
 
Thelma had a long conversation with Tommy Barton's most recent employer. Then she poured another brandy and enjoyed watching the people on the strand and on the beach.
"Don't keep me on pins and needles!"  Melanie leaned forward.
"Well, our Tommy is a marvelous cook. He's professional.  Always on time. Never gets overwhelmed.  It seems his one fault is that he is a bit of a ladies' man."
"Is that why he wants, or should I say "needs" to leave Texas?" Melanie shook her head.
"No wait.  That could be a good thing.  Good for business and good because he doesn't seem like the type your ex could easily intimidate, and you know Scottie is going to keep trying. The fact that he had 'Till Death Do Us Part' inscribed on your wedding bands AFTER the divorce was creepy enough.  His insisting you wear it is downright spooky. If you don't mind my saying so, I think that ex-husband of yours has gone off the deep end."

Thelma raised her glass. "Let's drink to our new cook and lady killer, Mr. Thomas Barton, to your divorce being final, to your buying out Scottie's half of this business and to this beautiful sunset!"
After the toast, Melanie took the phone and Barton's application.
"Hello, this is Melanie Hayworth in Hermosa Beach, may I speak to Mr. Barton?  Mr. Barton, are you still interested in working for us?"
"What did he say?" Thelma squeezed her head close to the phone.
"Sounded like he said, 'Yippee!'. We got ourselves a real cowboy!"

 

 ~ TO BE CONTINUED ~