“I’ll keep it a hunnit with you about earlier today. I was going back and forth with the realtor who kept pushing back the closing date.”
“Of the restaurant?”
“No. I bought my childhood home. I haven’t been back there since the night my father murdered everyone.”
My eyes widened. “Wow. That’s heavy.”
“I know, right. I was just trying to get shit done, y’know? My family lost the house to the bank shortly after everything went down, and I had some good memories before….”
“Yeah, I get it,” I spoke to cut him off, “you don’t have to explain yourself. I think it’s dope that you were even able to purchase something so special to you. Do you have plans for it yet?”
“I don’t know. A part of me just wanted to repurchase it from the bank because I could. Like, I was taking back a part of me or something, y’know? But then I’m like, I got the bread, so why not renovate it, and rent it out to a family that needs it.”
I bobbed my head. “I get it. Seeing as you’ve already done the first thing, I think you can do both. It doesn’t mean you have to do it right away. Take your time with it and do things how you want to do them. That’s the only way you’ll get the outcome you want.”
“Wise advice from a wise woman.”
I cheesed. “Thanks.”
"Can I offer you a drink?"
“Sure. Nothing too strong, though. I don’t wanna be slurring my words when I leave here.”
He smirked. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
I took my seat at the bar. “So, what’s on the menu tonight?”
“I’m deciding between crab stuffed shrimp and jerk chicken taquitos,” he said before taking a sip of the 1942 in his glass and passing me mine.
“Damn. Both of those sound amazing. I’m going to need something on my stomach if you expect me to finish this glass,” I admitted, holding my rocks glass in the air.
“Say less. I’ll go get the food.”
While he was away, I pulled out my notebook and recorder to have everything set up and ready for his return. He returned with two small plates, forks, and the prepared food.
“Okay, so we’re starting from scratch now, okay? Damn all Naomi’s questions. You’re officially being interviewed by me and answering my questions now. Are you ready?”
He nodded. “As long as you can eat and ask your questions at the same time, that’s cool.
“Great. Any questions before we get started?”
“You think you can get to know everything about someone in a few hours?”
“No, but if you ask the right questions, you may be able to learn enough,” I answered.
“How do you know when’s enough?”
“Well, if you spend enough time with someone, it won’t take long for you to learn what you dislike, but if they’re interesting enough to keep you around, you’ll want to keep learning so much about them that it’ll never be enough.”
“What do you think about me so far?”
“I’ll let you know at the end of the night,” I informed him with a chuckle.
“Bet. Aight, we can start.”
I pressed the record button.“Chef Elijah Stone, you’re back in your hometown of Seven Pines, making your culinary debut as chef and owner of Seven Stone. Do you feel like you’ve made it? Is this the happiest moment of your life?” I asked him.
"I wouldn't say this is the happiest moment of my life. I don’t know if that’s happened yet, but I’m grateful for the opportunity.”