The two of them had opinions about the science fair project that they shared with each other, while Daniel occasionally interjected practical considerations like budget and the fact that he only had one car and it had a parking situation. Neither of them appeared especially interested in the parking situation. He didn't mind. He didn't mind in a way that he was beginning to recognize as significant the way you recognize something significant. It snakes sneaks up on you from a direction you weren't watching.
Monday morning came with a different kind of problem. Daniel was at work at 10:15 when Kevin Draper walked into the walk-in cooler. At the same time, Daniel was doing the morning inventory check. The door closed behind Kevin. The two of them stood in the cold air of the walk-ins surrounded by produce and proteins and the specific containment of a space too small for a conversation that needed to happen.
Kevin looked at him. Daniel looked at Kevin. Close enough, Daniel said. Kevin's jaw tightened. 'I didn't come in here to—' 'You've been talking about me for 3 weeks, Daniel said.
His voice was even. Completely even. We're in the same room. Say it to me. Kevin looked at the shelving then at Daniel.
People are talking. I know you started it. I said what people were thinking. What were people thinking, Kevin? That you got your position because of something personal.
That the reason she keeps coming here, keeps checking on this location specifically. She owns this location. Daniel said she owns 11 locations. She visits all of them. She visits this one more.
Daniel held his gaze. Is that a fact you've confirmed or a feeling you have? Kevin didn't answer. You applied for this position. Daniel said, "You didn't get it.
That had nothing to do with Miss Hayes personally. That was a decision Marcus made based on qualifications and track record 18 months before anyone drove down my street." He paused. You're a good cook, Kevin. Genuinely.
You're fast and you're consistent and you know your stations. That's real. Another pause. But you've been here 18 months and you haven't once volunteered to stay late when we were short staffed. You've never trained a new employee.
You've never looked at a problem in this kitchen that wasn't directly assigned to you and thought about how to fix it. Kevin's face was doing something complicated. That's what this job requires, Daniel said. Not just the cooking, all of it. He paused.