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“I’aze “I’ll make a new one”

I tossed the plate on the counter next to hiht the first time”

“Yes, Chef,” he ain “It’s just that we’re understaffed I’ two stations, Chef”

Anger boiled up inside ot in his face “Look at ot two hands, two eyes, and you can handle two goddamn stations”

“Boss, please Ever since Gloria left, we’ve been short-handed”

He was right, of course, but there was nothing I could do about it tonight I’d already chosen a new chef to join the teaade yet I didn’t want the off in the meantime

A new chef tomorroouldn’t help them today

“You’re right,” I said “Gloria’s not here, but you are Noe’ve got a packed dining rooive a dah-quality food we serve every night So, I need you to focus and get the job done Can you handle that?”

He nodded “I think so”

“You think? If you can’t do it, tell ht the fuck now I’ll take over your stations, and you can give Sergio a hand washing dishes I’ll ask you again, can you handle it?”

The threat of busting hilared at me like I’d just run over his mother “Absolutely, Chef I can handle it” His voice was strong and steady, a coo

“Don’t let me down Period”

He turned back to his stations with a renewed energy The pan sizzled as he dropped a fresh steak in Danny was back And this hy I was so hard on my crew

Sure, he was beyond pissed atall kinds of terrible things on ood It ht just to proveand throw it back in my face

If I were a betting er he wouldn’t mess up another meal for the rest of the dinner service