Page 87 of Single-Minded
Daniel’s father wears chef’s whites, the traditional black-and-white houndstooth pants, and a toque blanche. He looks like Daniel, thirty years older. He’s still lean and strong, not quite as tall as his sons, his own dark hair peppered with gray. Daniel’s mother is slender and elegant. She wears classic red lipstick, and has on a chic black dress and heels, covered with a full-length white apron. His grandmother, a stout woman in her seventies, wears a long black cotton skirt and a white chef’s coat.
Daniel’s grandmother grasps my arms with both her hands, and kisses my cheeks. “Cher,you and my Daniel have created a beautiful restaurant. I wish you much success.”
“Thank you.” I smile. I’m not sure that she knows that my part ends after tonight, but I don’t want to spoil the mood.
“The detail is magnificent,” says Chef. “You and Daniel had quite the vision. I never believed old Archer’s boat could be turned into such a showplace.”
“I think Daniel always knew,” I say. He beams with pride.
Genevieve pulls me to the side as Daniel converses with his father and brother. I feel instantly at ease with her. Like Daniel, she has the talent of making you feel you were a lifelong confidante.
“This place is so much Daniel, such a tribute to our family history. You’ve truly captured Daniel’s raison d’être.”
“Thank you,” I say. “That means a lot to me.”
“I love the magnolias outside,cher,” she says. “So beautiful. They reminded me of the sixty-five-year-old magnolia tree we have in our yard at home.”
“Daniel spoke of it often,” I say. “It felt important to him.” A wide smile lights up her entire face.
“Did you see the picture of the two of you?” Genevieve whispers in my ear. I nod, surprised she noticed it. She smiles a dreamy, faraway smile. “He’s very sentimental, my son. Steadfast. He has the gentle soul of an artist.”
It’s clear she adores him. And who could blame her?
“There will be no restaurant if there’s no cook in the kitchen,” announces Daniel’s grandmother, Miss Georgina. “Come now,chers,we’ve met Daniel’s young lady, we have work to do.” She hugs me tightly and disappears behind the kitchen door. Chef smiles at Daniel, and kisses him proudly on each cheek.
“You must try the tropical-Cajun lobster,” he says to me. “It’s a revelation. My son is a great talent.”
“All right, Chef’s had too much cooking wine again.” Gabriel laughs loudly; Daniel and his father join in.
“Be still my heart, is that the sublime Miss Genevieve Boudreaux?” says Carter dramatically as he enters the bar area.
“Carter, so glad to see you,cher!” says Genevieve, embracing him warmly. Chef and Gabriel encircle Carter, patting him on the back and greeting him like a beloved relative.
“Meet Darcy, she’s my plus-one tonight,” announces Carter. “But don’t worry, y’all, I haven’t switched teams on you.” The Boudreauxs greet Darcy, and Carter makes introductions all around.
“What do you think of Alex’s work? She and Daniel make a great team, no?” says Carter.
“Boudreaux is a jewel,” says Chef. “In fact, Genevieve and I want to discuss a new restaurant project with Alex. We saw those red binders all over today, and the level of detail, right down to the flow of guests and server traffic, is truly impressive.”
“What can we say?” jokes Gabriel. “Chef loves his seating charts.” He’s hilarious. I can see why he and Carter hit it off, and why Gabriel and Daniel are so close.
“It’s seven, Chef, we’ll be opening in thirty minutes,” says Daniel.
“Are you ready, son?” asks Chef. Daniel nods, and Chef hugs him tightly.
“We’re so proud of you,cher,” says his mother. She holds him close and kisses him on each cheek. Chef and Genevieve hug me too, and then disappear behind the kitchen door. I marvel at how warm and supportive they are.
“You’re taking the door,” says Daniel to Gabriel. “Brenna will shadow you tonight.”
Gabriel nods. “Mother is supervising dessert prep and then she’ll join me up front.”
Daniel hugs his brother wordlessly.
“Don’t worry,cher,” says Gabriel. “If it’s a fiasco, we have enough liquor to keep us all tanked for a week.”
“Comforting.” Daniel smiles.
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