June 1921
Kurt
When Beiste returns to Westerville's, Kurt signals her over to the table in the corner, where he's sitting with Blaine and Elliott. They are taking a break before the dinner service, shooting the breeze.
Beiste sits down next to Blaine. "Hi, pumpkins, I've got some rather interesting news."
Kurt perks up and rubs his hands together. He knows that Beiste has just met with a few staff from Healy's Tavern for coffee. "Do tell."
"It's what we had thought - the Healy brothers were behind the meat delivery mix up and the anonymous tip-off to the city health inspectors."
"They are just jealous that Westerville's has been such a success. Did you find out anything about how the tavern is doing?" Kurt asks.
"Harry said that the business is hanging by a thread. They've lost a lot of customers since we opened. You will never believe this, but Tom Healy stopped by the coffee shop, and invited me back to the tavern. My curiosity got the best of me, so of course I went with him. When we arrived, John was waiting for us."
"What did they say?" Kurt asks.
"They said they are going to introduce a special lunch menu for Monday through Thursdays, with more limited options but discounted prices."
"If they're struggling to fill seats, that could help them," Blaine says.
"There is no easy way to say this - they offered me the job as head chef. They would dump Gordon in a heartbeat. John said I would receive a substantial amount of cash for each cook I bring with me from Westerville's. I told them I would think about it."
Blaine lowers his head and bites his lower lip. "Are you really thinking about it?"
"Absolutely not, snookums. Do you really think I would leave you in the lurch with your trip to Europe coming up soon? I have every intention of staying here for a very long time. Besides, the clowns upstairs need me to keep them on the straight and narrow."
Elliott stands up and shouts, "Why, those dirty rotten scoundrels! I know some guys from Jersey that can teach them a lesson. Leave this to me. It's better you know nothing about it."
Blaine shakes his head. "An eye for an eye? No, we are better than that. We can't look for revenge every time the world wrongs us. Healy's Tavern isn't going to shut down anytime soon. It's got a solid reputation, and it's in an excellent location. There is plenty of room in this city to have both restaurants. We just need to figure out how we can coexist peacefully."
Kurt places his hand on Blaine's thigh and can feel the tension course through his body.
Blaine continues, "Kurt and I leave for Germany in less than a month. It wouldn't feel right to leave with all this going on. We've got to sort this out immediately."
"Perhaps you should have a word with Hiram? He knows a lot of people on the city council. They might know how this could be quickly resolved," Kurt suggests.
"I don't want to involve Uncle Hiram. LeRoy has agreed to do the food ordering and manage the ledgers while we're gone. I don't want them to think that the restaurant is a mess, because it really isn't. We'll go speak to Tom and John to see if we can sort this out like gentlemen."
Beiste stands up. "That sounds like a sensible plan. I've got a few things to do before the dinner shift. Let me know if I can help in any way."
"Thank you, Beiste," Blaine replies.
"I've got to go, too," Elliott says.
Once Elliott and Beiste have left, Kurt rubs Blaine's back. "I'm really proud of you. It would have been easy to let Elliott deal with it the Jersey way, but we're taking the moral high road. Meeting with the Healys is much better. It's exactly the sort of thing that our fathers would do."
Blaine takes Kurt's hand and squeezes. "Please tell me that you'll go with me to meet the Healys. I could sure use your support."
Kurt nods. "We'll go Saturday after the lunch service."
Saturday, two days later…
Kurt checks the seating plan, jotting down the time the last table was filled. He'll need to go outside to the queue of people to give them an estimate of when a table will free up. Beforehand, he goes behind the bar and pours himself a glass of water.
He recalls his and Blaine's meeting with John and Tom Healy earlier in the day. Blaine was very clear about wanting a truce to this rivalry and suggested ways that they could work together. For example, Blaine offered to send diners their way if they were overbooked. Blaine also gave them some ideas on how to improve their special lunch menu without additional costs. John and Tom made the right noises - there were assurances that there would be no more incidences in the future.
Kurt doesn't trust the Healy brothers as far as he can throw them. He has the beginnings of a plan if there is one more incidence. Hopefully, it won't come to that, but he still needs to be prepared.
Once he's finished his glass of water, Kurt signals to Elliott that he's going outside. He's surprised to see that the queue wraps around the corner. Starting with the party closest to the door, he provides them with an estimated time when a table will be available. He then hands out business cards and explains their reservation system. The crowd marvel that regular people can make a booking, especially for an important occasion like a birthday or anniversary.
Kurt's ears prickle when he hears someone say, "Someone told me that they serve their customers heated-up food from the day before."
He can't figure out who made the comment but needs to squash the rumor quickly. "I'm a co-owner of the restaurant, and that simply isn't true. At the end of each night, any prepared food leftover is given to the staff to bring home to their families. The next day, Chef Anderson prepares each dish using the freshest of ingredients."
"I heard that there are rats in the kitchen," a fellow says before he quickly walks away.
Kurt laughs it off. "Chef Anderson has very strict standards in the kitchen. Only a couple of days ago, the city inspectors gave us a clean bill of health and hygiene. I would be happy to show it to anyone."
Kurt remains outside for another 15 minutes, reassuring customers that these are unfounded rumors. He even jokes that a nearby restaurant must be planting them because they don't like the competition. Fortunately, everyone is satisfied with his answers, and no one leaves.
While Kurt is the picture of calmness when talking to customers, inside, his blood is boiling. No one but the Healy brothers knew that the city health inspectors came to investigate rats in the kitchen. In spite of their reassurances earlier today, they are still sabotaging Westerville's.
The rest of the dinner service runs smoothly. Once the last diners have left, he locks the door, and performs his normal closing procedures. As usual, he finishes work before Blaine, so he gets himself a drink and sits down to think while he waits for him.
This tomfoolery with the Healy brothers must stop! They have already tried it Blaine's way, and it clearly didn't work. He threshes out his plan on how to deal with it quickly and discreetly. It's not perfect, but it will certainly be effective.
Kurt decides not to reveal his plan to Blaine. It's not that he wants to go behind his back, but Blaine has had to deal with everything so far and still produce hundreds of meals for their diners. As the war crime trial date nears, Blaine hasn't been sleeping well. He doesn't need the added stress of learning that there are unfounded rumors circulating in the outdoor queues.
He wants to prove to himself that he is worthy of having his name on the ownership papers. Every day, he deals with problems that arise during the meals discreetly but effectively. He can deal with this one as well, at least with a little help.
June Dolloway is sitting in a Chippendale chair in her parlor and barely glances at Kurt, who has just arrived. "I was quite surprised when my butler told me that you wanted to see me. I would offer you a drink, but you won't be staying long, will you? Where is Blaine?"
"Blaine doesn't know that I'm here, Ma'am. I need your advice on a little problem."
"Keeping secrets from each other now? I'm intrigued. Trouble in paradise?"
Kurt pinches his thigh, trying to keep a civil tongue with the elderly lady. He explains the situation with the Healy brothers, setting out their recent sabotage attempts. Mrs Dolloway listens carefully, interjecting with questions when she wants something clarified.
When Kurt has finished, Mrs Dolloway says, "I understand your predicament. Tell me, why is Blaine not here to tell me about this himself?"
"Blaine doesn't want to involve the family. He feels that everyone has been so supportive of the restaurant in their own way. Quite frankly, he's too proud to let Hiram know that there are problems."
"But you're not too proud?"
"I assure you that I'm very proud, but I'm also practical enough to realize that the recent meeting Blaine and I had with the Healy brothers didn't accomplish anything. I think that you might know how to deal with this matter graciously and discretely."
Mrs Dolloway adds, "And quickly. Now, tell me your ideas. I'll see what I can do to improve them."
Kurt gives an outline of what he thinks might work, and he knows the exact moment that Mrs Dolloway realizes that it includes her.
"Yes, I can see how this situation would need my special talents. A veiled threat made by me would be quite effective. I already have one or two ideas."
She sets out a course of action, and Kurt is impressed with how she intends to deal with the Healy brothers with low-key vengeance. He wishes that he could be a fly on the wall during that particular meeting. "I think I'll pay Healy's Tavern a visit tomorrow."
Kurt stands up. "I can't thank you enough, Mrs Dolloway."
"There is no need to thank me. I'm doing this for Blaine. You did the right thing in coming to me. I can be quite a formidable ally."
Kurt leaves the townhouse, whistling as he walks down the street. His chat with Mrs Dolloway went better than expected. He appreciates that they may never learn to like one another, but he can settle with her being a formidable ally.
He stops home to change clothes before going to Westerville's. When he checks the mailbox, he's delighted to see a letter from his father. Once inside the townhouse, he begins to read.
My dear Kurt,
I'm pleased that the opening of your new restaurant went well. When you are at Westerville Abbey, Mrs Hummel and I want to know everything, no detail too small. We are so proud that you are a co-owner of a successful restaurant. It's a very good idea to hire a photographer so that we can see it as well. It's hard to imagine what the old wagon wheels and sickles look like on the walls.
May I ask if the photographer could take pictures of Finn, Rachel, and Carole? Mrs Hummel has been quite melancholy lately. She tells me that she's going through the change of life, but I suspect it has more to do with her never having seen her granddaughter. Some recent photographs of her family will cheer her up, or at least I hope so.
Can you believe that England is in the middle of a drought? It hasn't rained for 91 days, and I've read that Kent's landscape is filled with parched yellow fields. Before each meal, we pray for rain so that Westerville's farmers can plant for the autumn harvest.
It's hard to believe that the next time I'll hear from you will be face-to-face when you arrive at Westerville Abbey. Please do take good care of Sir Blaine in Germany. It will be an ordeal for him to face his enemies again.
Godspeed.
Father
Kurt is glad that he's already arranged for Elliott's cousin to take photographs over the next few days, including Finn, Rachel, and Carole. His father must think he's mad to put old farming equipment on the walls. He really can't wait until he's back at Westerville Abbey, spending time with his father.
One week later…
Kurt is in the office when he hears the front bells ring with someone entering the restaurant. When he goes down the stairs, he sees Blaine with June Dolloway.
"Granny, what a wonderful surprise! To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"Do I need an excuse to see my grandson? I rather fancy a glass of your delicious iced tea."
Kurt wonders if Mrs Dolloway has come bearing any news about the Healy brothers. A week has passed since their meeting, and there have been no further efforts to sabotage Westerville's. Silence is golden.
Kurt greets Mrs Dolloway. "Good afternoon, Ma'am. Let me get you seated, and then a glass of iced tea will be coming right up."
Kurt hurries to the bar area, and sets out a pitcher of iced tea with three glasses on a tray. When he returns, Blaine and Mrs Dolloway are deep in discussion.
"I'm leaving for Newport tomorrow. I'll be there until the end of July, and then it's off to the Hamptons for August. I won't get another chance to see you before you leave for Europe."
"What an exciting life you lead," Blaine remarks.
"Honestly, it's our version of the London season. I could never understand why the Season is held in London when it can get so stifling hot in the summer. We Americans have the right idea of spending July and August along the coast."
Blaine chuckles, "Yes, I agree with you."
"Is everything going well at the restaurant?" Mrs Dolloway asks.
Blaine replies, "Everything is going swimmingly well."
Kurt elaborates, "We have queues of customers every night. Our reservation book is filled for the next six weeks. We've created a special menu for the Fourth of July. Behind the scenes, everything is going very smoothly."
Mrs Dolloway smiles. "I'm pleased to hear that. It's important that all is going well behind the scenes. Blaine, in all the times that I've dined here, I've never tried the Napoleonka dessert. Is it possible for you to bring me a sliver?
Blaine stands up. "Absolutely. Kurt, would you like a slice, too?"
Kurt shakes his head. He has to be careful not to indulge in too many sweets. He wants to always see that lustful look in Blaine's eyes when he undresses at night.
Once Blaine has disappeared into the kitchen, Mrs Dolloway asks, "I trust that there's been no further attempts at sabotage from the Healy brothers?"
"Absolutely none," Kurt confirms. "Did things go according to our plan?"
"I'm pleased to report that it went better than expected."
June Dolloway adjusts her boa before entering Healy's Tavern. She is wearing an sienna-colored couture suit, a hat is adorned with matching dyed feathers, and her most showy jewelry. She has to look the part of a high-society grand dame, after all.
When she enters Healy's, a waiter tells her that the restaurant is closed. "Do I look like someone who would eat here? No, I want to see Tom and John Healy."
Several minutes later, the owners appear. "Mrs Dolloway, what a great honor."
June shifts the boa off her shoulders, and Tom leaps forward to catch it. "What can we do for you?"
"I have a rather delicate matter to discuss with you."
John stutters, "Y-yes of course. Let's sit down."
Once they are seated at a table, June says, "I have such fond memories of dining here. When my grandson became the head chef, I gave glowing praise of the tavern to my many friends. I'm on the board of the Metropolitan Opera with Marian Hylan, the mayor's wife. After my recommendation, the mayor began to frequent this establishment,. I believe he still holds a number of private events here, am I right?"
"Yes, Ma'am," John replies.
"I've heard through the grapevine that Westerville's has had a spot of bother recently - order mishaps, city health inspectors, malicious rumors, and whatnot. Tonight, I'm going to a gala at the Met Opera. While mingling with my friends, including the mayor's wife, my former praise of Healy's Tavern might turn into something else altogether. I doubt they will want to patronize your tavern after that."
"You wouldn't!" Tom cries out.
June arches one eyebrow. "Wouldn't I?"
"Lets all calm down. I think we can work things out," John proposes.
June extends her arm and looks at her painted fingernails. "It's quite simple. If my grandson tells me that everything at Westerville's is running smoothly, I won't whisper a word. However, if I hear news that there has been a mishap, and I get even the slightest suspicion you've had a hand in it, well…"
"You will not have to worry about that, Mrs Dolloway. I assure you that there will be no future mishaps," Tom replies.
June stands up. "Very good. I want to be perfectly clear. There is room for plenty of successful restaurants in the city, but those that sabotage others will be destroyed."
With heartfelt emotion, Kurt says, "Thank you, Ma'am, for meeting with the Healys. I'm forever in your debt."
Mrs Dolloway takes a sip of iced tea. "There is one thing you could do for me."
Kurt grimaces. Surely she would not ask him to break all ties with Blaine.
"Don't worry, Kurt. I'm not asking you to move to Siberia. I want you to look after my grandson while he's in Germany. Blaine puts on a brave face when talking about the upcoming war crime trials. However, Rachel has confided to me that he's deeply troubled by nightmares. I might not like it, but Blaine will need your support to get through the ordeal."
"Blaine is the love of my life, through thick and thin. I will be by his side, supporting him any way he needs it, especially during the trials in Germany."
"Very well, then."
Blaine returns to the dining room with the Napoleonka dessert.
Mrs Dolloway takes a small bite. "Oh, this is quite delicious. I thought that the Poles only knew how to cook cabbage and sausages."
She dabs her mouth with the napkin before reaching for her handbag. "Are you still planning to return to New York before Labor Day weekend?"
"We return on August 15th," Blaine confirms.
"Here are your tickets for Rachel's opening night in "A Dangerous Maid". I'm expecting Rachel will be famous after her Broadway debut. "
"Thank you very much, Granny," Blaine replies, accepting the tickets.
They say their goodbyes to Mrs Dolloway, and Blaine promises to write to her while they are in Europe. Kurt collects the Broadway tickets to place in the office safe and is shocked to see that they are both next to each other in a prime seating location. The last event that she invited them to attend, Blaine sat next to his granny in the orchestra section, while Kurt was at the very back row of the upper balcony.
Perhaps there is a truce with not only the Healy brothers but Mrs Dolloway as well.
Two weeks later…
Kurt stretches while admiring his handiwork. He has packed two trunks for their trip to Europe. Even his father would be impressed with his skills. When he hears the front door open, he races down the stairs to greet Blaine.
Kurt is shocked to see dozens of parcels from Macy's and Bloomingdale's in the entrance way. "I thought you said there were only a couple of things that you needed to buy?"
"I might have gotten carried away," Blaine sheepishly admits.
"You look exhausted. Why don't you bring everything into the living room and relax? I'll make us tea, and then you can show me what you have bought."
Ten minutes later, they are sitting in the living room, and Blaine unwraps a rather large box from Macy's. Inside there is a train set, dolls, children's books, teddy bears, Crayola crayons, and coloring books.
"You know that England has toys, right?"
"I bet they don't have Crayola crayons," Blaine counters.
"What else did you buy?"
"Some new discs for Cooper, Chanel No. 5 perfume for Quinn and my mother, and Cuban cigars for my father."
"Anything else?"
"A baseball cap for your father, an American cookbook for Mrs Sylvester… Let me think what else..."
Kurt bursts into laughter. "I do love you, Blaine. Always thinking of ways to make others feel special. I've been packing all afternoon, and there isn't room for all these purchases. We'll have to buy another trunk."
Blaine smiles brightly. "There is a new one on the doorstep."
Once they have carried the new trunk into the townhouse, Blaine sits on the starting step of the staircase and rubs his back. "Shopping is more exhausting than working in a kitchen."
"Why don't you take a bath?" Kurt suggests.
"Only if you'll join me."
Soon, Blaine is relaxing against Kurt's chest in the bath. Kurt wraps his arms around Blaine and closes his eyes, taking in the delicious chamomile scent.
"It's hard to believe that we'll be aboard a ship in six days," Blaine says.
"It's hard to believe that we are prepared for it. The two main trunks are packed, Beiste and Elliott have proven that they can manage the restaurant without one of us there. LeRoy is set to manage the orders and receipts. Elliott's cousin has delivered the photographs from the recent sessions. I think everything is ready."
"I'm so relieved that there haven't been any more incidences at Westerville's. There was no need for threats or heaven forbid, Elliott's thugs from Jersey. We sat down like gentlemen and worked it out civilly."
Kurt squeezes his arms around Blaine. "You are a very clever man, sweetheart."
There is no need to tell Blaine that the nonsense only stopped when his granny had given the Healy brothers a veiled threat. That will be Kurt's and Mrs Dolloway's secret. Besides, there are more important things for them to focus on, like Blaine's impressive stiffie poking out of the water.
Author's notes
Many thanks to my fantastic betas - Fearlessly, Lilyvandersteen, Dblmalfunction. I made the last-minute edits and performed the final proofreading by myself, so all mistakes are mine.
I'm HKVoyage on Tumblr.
Next up: Kurt and Blaine set sail for Germany.