Priorities

Sorry I've been MIA there's valid reason I promise. On Friday my best buddy Chef B. calls me up first thing in the morning.. actually a bit before ten which, for me is first thing in the morning. His stomach hurts... again. About six months ago an infection had sent him to the hospital he knows it's come back as he was warned it would. But, it's a Friday and I know without asking that the idea of him even considering not going to work is not worth mentioning. I do talk him into calling for antibiotics.

I got a text message right before dinner rush started, 'It fucking sucks to hurt this bad. I have a hundred and fifty covers tonight'. The next morning I get another phone call. This time B is just planning on going into the hospital. He figures he'll start out in the ER but, will be admitted. Here's the part that sucks. His plan is to wait until his kitchen is closed. Figures he'll go in on Sunday. I know again without asking that it's pointless to suggest anything else.

So, I made my own plan. I know that he'll be in the kitchen by noon and that his other white coats show up sometime around one. So, I got my hair straightened, did my laundry dusted vacuumed and then went to his restaurant, my plot was to talk to his sous chef, give him the heads up and tell him to at least attempt to make B. take it easy.

When I walked in the back door took one look at him pouring creme brulee into dishes hunched over looking green. He took one look at me sat on a milk crate and all I had to say was, 'Should I call your FOH manager or would you like to?' I called him explained the situation, called the higher up bosses and told them to send an extra body to cover the night shift. Talked to his Sous Chef and off to the ER we went.

Now, initially the conversation wasn't how bad he was hurting, where and how long it had been going on. Nope. As we were waiting for the doctor we're discussing covers, counts for the property and what early next week looks like in case he gets stuck there more than the two days that the restaurant is closed for. Were talking about his pantry cook, sous chef and whether or not they'll do the prep the way he wants it done.

A bit later conversation shifted to prior shifts, past holidays and Valentine's Day. After those conversations were exhausted we changed it up to reading dirty jokes on my new cell phone, commenting on all the medical personnel coming in and out. Things like, 'I bet she's a vegetarian' or, 'Wow! I Bet her whole wardrobe comes from Hot Topic'

To end the story Chef B. was in the hospital until a couple of hours ago when he was allowed to go home, under immense pressure. He had a theory that the nurses alerted security that they thought he was going to try to run away. He wasn't. Really. He was just spending all of his talking out loud daydreaming about being at home, or better yet, snowboarding on the mountain.

I think it's normal to have your priorities. We all do. I'm sure that if I had a goldfish feeding it every day would be on my list of things to do. I'm sure that a child, or dog, or yard that needs to be mowed would make time naturally in my life and become important. So, maybe it's just the mid twenties, professional restaurant workers without a family or other obligations that make their work environment damn important.

But, it's a little strange that first thoughts are about making sure that people are fed. There are thirty days a month, three meals a day so that's about 90 meals a month. We're responsible for one of them. If you put it that way, then whether or not that filet comes out perfectly isn't that big of a deal. But, making sure that the Restaurant goes round does seem like a very big deal. Even when my best friend could be facing emergency surgery. I understand and wouldn't expect him to 'call in sick'. I get the 'he's the boss' part of the equation messes with things.

As he was being discharged tonight the nurse said, 'Take it easy for the week.' I started to laugh under my breath. It's not going to happen. The closest he's going to come is bringing his crew in earlier to do most of the prep. A little sad, but true.