Page 121 of Loving Kai

Luke came in for the meeting at eight and helped them close down, then Gentry got four beers and a pizza and brought it all to a table.

“Have a seat.”

Abe dropped into a chair and opened one of the bottles. “Is this a hostile takeover?”

“No. Quite the opposite, actually.”

“You’re not going to ask me to buy you out, are you?”

“No. This is somewhere between those two things.” He opened a beer and took a drink. “I think it’s time you and I took a little more time for ourselves and our families.”

Abe leaned back in his chair. “Oh. So, two days off a week?”

Gentry turned to Maggie. “You also deserve more time off.”

“I like the sound of that.”

“I’ve been talking to Lucia about working some shifts.”

“Lucia?”

“Yeah. She’s going a little stir crazy sitting at home while the girls are at school.”

Abe glanced at Maggie. “So, Lucia would be taking some of Maggie’s shifts?”

Gentry held up a hand. “Only if Maggie is willing to work in the kitchen part of the time.”

She smiled. “You want me to work in the kitchen?”

“Yeah. What do you think?”

“Yes. Will I get a raise?”

“Of course. I’m not sure it will make up for the tips you’ll be losing, though. So, think about that.”

“Well, honestly, the tips are a little bit unpredictable. I have good days and bad days. Will I still have some shifts on the floor?”

“Yes. I haven’t quite worked out a schedule. But with you and Luke helping out in the kitchen, that gives Abe and me the chance to take two days off.”

Abe took a slice of pizza. “Can Maggie and I have our days off together?”

“At least one for now.”

“Okay. I guess that works.”

Gentry looked at Luke. “I don’t know how much you want to work. But would having a set schedule help?”

“Yeah. Then Dad will know when I’m available.”

“If you could cover some of the closing shifts, then Abe and I could get home earlier and spend time with the kids before they go to bed.”

“I can do that.”

Gentry took a breath. “Okay. This is great, right?”

Abe looked at him. “Why now?”

“I see you hauling Kai back and forth to Mom and remember what it was like with my boys. How it still is. I don’t want you to miss out on as much time as I did. We can afford to take some time for ourselves now.”