The older woman looked up, smiled, and thanked him twice. While Able was setting another plate in front of an older man, he turned to the woman who owned the tearoom and said, “I didn’t think we’d be this crowded tonight. If I’d been allowed to get here sooner, everyone would have been served a lot sooner. But Mr. Smite wanted to keep the shop open as late as he could.” He reached for another plate and said, “And we didn’t have one customer all day. It was a complete waste of time.” Carl clenched his fists and shook them. “How dare he speak about me this way? I’ve been good to him. The man has no work ethic whatsoever. I should fire the lazy bastard on the spot, right now. It wasn’t a complete waste of time. He finished the zebra chair on time so I could have it in the front window on Christmas Day.” Helena laughed in Carl’s face. “You can’t fire him now. He can’t even see you.” Then she pointed to Able. He was serving dinners fast, moving his arms with such speed he could hardly catch his breath.
