Page 71 of Between Two Shores

“I agree,” Lachlan added.

Beth smiled and hitched her laptop strap, then they all made their way to the baggage claim area.

Twenty minutes later, when Lachlan had no reason to stay, he reluctantly said goodbye to Beth. An emptiness hung in the pit of his belly. Although, she’d stayed at his parents’ house, he’d spent every spare minute he had with her. Beth would be busy this week, putting her life back together. He promised to accompany her to face her community and answer any questions people might have about Bipolar and what had happened with Nick. He’d studied a myriad of personality disorders and mental health illnesses. While working alongside a psychologist, one lady diagnosed with Bipolar told them she was healed sixteen years ago and no longer needed medication. Her folder of legal action and incident reports said otherwise. Would Nick admit he needed help? Could Nick convince Beth to give him another chance?

Lachlan dismissed the thought and rolled his luggage bags into warm sun rays. He gazed into the crisp blue skies. Good morning, Australia.

Bayside Manna worked like a Navy ship. Chris had worked in kitchens around the world and must’ve merged the best systems and structure ideas to create a seamless flow in the back of house.

Lachlan zipped the rosemary needles from its stem, then rubbed them into the oil-coated lamb shank. He didn’t mind starting as line cook this week. It had been years since he’d worked in a commercial kitchen. Chris had done him a favor by sponsoring him to work in Australia. Once other opportunities opened, he could change direction then. But that’d only be viable if a relationship with Beth developed.

“Order up!” Kyle called through the server window.

Emily, a waitress, swished past Lachlan’s back carrying a pile of dirty dishes. She stacked them next to a junior at the wash station.

The noise level became hectic. Kitchen hands chopped produce, the grill sparked and spit dangerous obscenities, waiters buzzed in and out like wasps to a nest, and two chefs barked continuous orders.

Lachlan was more than happy to stay out of the way and focus on the mundane task of prepping meat. His second shift was almost done. What would Chris have in mind once he went full-time?

Another rub of rock salt and Lachlan added the aluminum tray to nine others lined against the white-tiled splashback.

He called over to Marcus. “Chef, twenty lamb shanks here, ready for the oven.” It astounded him how Chris had trained troubled youth into award-winning chefs. Marcus, only eighteen, had won the Golden Chef’s Hat award last year. Impressive.

Marcus ordered a kitchen hand to take the meat for roasting. The young chef towered over everyone in the kitchen and could pass as a wrestler. The neck tattoo added to his authoritative dominance. When they’d chatted earlier, Marcus seemed like a gentle giant. He’d professed Chris as a father figure. Maybe Lachlan would eventually build friendships and impact the lives of Australian teens in a positive way too.

Chris burst through the swinging doors. “Right, lunch rush is nearly over. How’s dinner prep going?” He glanced at Lachlan.

“Twenty lamb shanks are slow cooking. How many more do you need?”

Chris strode toward him, his black beret slightly off-center. “Another forty.”

Lachlan blinked. “Bayside must be doing well.”

“I’m talking to my head chef, Samuel, about branching out to the northern suburbs. Kyle and Marcus can go with him, and I’ll take on more apprenticeships here.” He gripped his shoulder. “There’s plenty of work for you if you want it. Line-cook is only temporary until you get familiar with how we do things here.”

“Good to know.” He grinned. “I’ll take care of these shanks.”

Chris moved to another station, inspecting stock levels. Kyle approached Lachlan, packets of raw shanks in his gloved hands. He heaved them onto the stainless steel counter.

“You finished the last lot pretty quickly. How long have you been working in kitchens?” Kyle leaned his skinny frame against the edge.

“I haven’t for eight years. I’m a qualified chef but changed career paths. It’s great to have this trade as a backup.” He unloaded the meats. “What’s your story?”

“That’d take a long time to tell. Cassie believed in me and landed an apprenticeship here when I was fifteen. That’s before Chris swept Cassie off her feet.” He chuckled. “One day, I’ll run my own restaurant. I have a five-year savings plan.” He pushed off from the counter. “Gotta keep moving.” Kyle nodded in Chris’s direction. “Catch ya, later.”

Lachlan could imagine Kyle being a scallywag at fifteen. The ginger hair and freckles added to his charm and ambitious ways. Youth Connect must have some great testimonies. Friday, he’d pop in and check it out. Beth volunteered that day, so maybe he could take her to lunch during her break. Cassie seemed open to him offering counseling services for the interns. Opportunities were starting to unfold. Who knew what his life would look like in six months?

Chapter Twenty-Six

Beth

Beth poised at the edge of her seat, spine stiff, and hung on Cassie’s every word.

“As humble as this may be, teens can learn from our mistakes. We are mentors, but it doesn’t mean we never fail or stumble. They will feel encouraged by your story if you turn it into a life lesson.” Cassie gave a gracious smile. “You’ll seem more human. They place mentors on pedestals sometimes, and that’s not healthy either.”

Beth took a sharp breath. “Maybe you should explain the situation. Your words have more weight.”

Cassie gathered papers on her desk and placed them to one side. “I think you’re old enough to handle this one on your own. Their hearts are like sponges. They aren’t like some judgemental adults.” Cassie winked.

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