Genisha Morton

Always Open!

CHAPTER ONE “A New Restaurant in Town” “It looks like someone’s opening a new diner and it’s open 24/7. I suppose that’s what we’ve got to look forward to these days. No one wants to cook at home anymore.” Darton wasn’t impressed and he wasn’t willing to accept any new changes to his small town. He liked it the way it was and didn’t appreciate newcomers changing what he was used to. “Papa, I think it’s a good idea for people who work late or the overnight shift and need something good to eat. Not everyone is lazy, it’s just the world is changing and working Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm isn’t the norm anymore. Just wait Papa, you’ll see it’ll be great.” Nancy tried to convince her grandpa to accept change and how it’d be good for them. “Hogwash, things were better before all these changes started coming.” Nancy shook her head as she drove up in the driveway. There’s no way now she was going to tell her papa the new diner was hers; he wouldn’t understand. “Ok, sir let’s get you inside and get you a good meal. You are hungry because you get grumpy when you’re hungry.” Papa obliged. “You think you know somebody and I’m not grumpy. I’m just stating facts. A 24/7 diner, what’s next automatic meal makers like they got on the Jetsons?” Nancy covered up her chuckle so he wouldn’t fuss at her for being disrespectful. “Papa, all change isn’t bad. I promise this’ll be good for all of us. It’ll also provide jobs for those who may not have a high school diploma or college degree. So many people can benefit from this restaurant.” Darton went to get washed up for lunch. He loved his granddaughter’s cooking. It reminded him of his wife’s. She used recipes that was handed down from one generation to the next, what he didn’t know is that Nancy added a little piece of what she learned in culinary school to them. She knew she couldn’t tell him because he wouldn’t eat it on a count that he didn’t handle change very well. “Ok Papa, you’re favorite for lunch today. We have chicken parmesan with a garden salad and of course the ever-flavorful iced tea. For you, half and half because you don’t need a lot of sugar.” Papa couldn’t wait to get at it. “I’m the Papa you know, I know how much sugar I need and don’t need.” He took a sip of the tea and gave a thumbs up. “Papa you forgot to say grace.” In humor, Papa looked up and said “Grace.” Nancy gave a stern look as to say it wasn’t funny. “Alright, alright, I know I always taught you to ask God to bless the food.” He then proceeded to say his grace before he ate. Nancy was growing tired and not sure how much longer she’d be able to take care of her grandfather. She was physically becoming tired and not able to keep up her strength. He kept her so busy, she hadn’t been able to go to the doctor to find out why she was so tired. After lunch she went upstairs to lie down for a while. “Papa, I just need a nap and then I’ll be back. She looked over some paperwork for her restaurant and fell asleep with the papers falling on top of her face. She was beyond exhausted due to running her Papa everywhere he had to go. Darton followed suit and took a nap himself. He hated that she spent so much of her time taking care of him instead of enjoying her life. “God bless my granddaughter with a good life and a husband that will take care of her. I’ve lived a long time and I’m ready to come home. She needs to be free to live her life and she’s not going to leave me alone. I ask you to get us some help or take me home with you. In Jesus’ name I pray amen.” Darton fell asleep in his favorite chair. Nancy had a dream, and, in her dream, she had a family and they were incredibly happy. It wasn’t that she didn’t want a family, she just felt like she didn’t have the time or the money.