AUTHOR'S NOTE: Many thanks to Braxton54, Bonnie Sveen Fan and Guest for reviewing; it's always highly appreciated and thank you anyone else reading.
At exactly seven-thirty on Tuesday morning, after his own breakfast, Brax is in the bedroom of his teenage brothers, giving them a hard poke to wake them up.
Kyle groans and wipes the sleep from his eyes as he sits up in his bed.
As tired as he still is from the previous day's work he knows he has no choice in today's matter and to avoid angering Brax further, responds by making a move out of his bed.
Casey on the other hand as usual, grunts and pulls the blanket and quilt up to his neck.
Brax huffs and takes the top of Casey's blanket and quilt and yanks them off his brother completely, throwing them at the end of his bed.
"Get up now. I don't have time for your nonsense today; from either of you!" Brax growls, glancing over at Kyle who is now starting to make his bed.
Kyle stares wide-eyed; he is trying so hard not to get on Brax's bad side and yet it was already starting and it was Casey's fault.
He is still mad at Casey for forcing him into his stupid plan that got him in serious trouble.
Kyle glares over at his super lazy younger brother.
"Casey, do not make me tell you again," Brax warns harshly.
"I'm getting up now, sheesh! It's too early for school holidays, anyway," Casey grumbles and rolls into a sitting position on his bed with a frown.
"Less of the attitude and you know very well why I'm getting you up at this hour. I want you both ready to come to work with me by nine," Brax informs sternly.
Kyle nods while Casey groans quietly but gets up to get organised.
"I'll see you both out in the dining room for breakfast," Brax concludes and leaves the bedroom with a huff.
"You know you could cooperate for once and not make Brax in a bad mood that he has to take it out on me as well," Kyle comments.
Casey huffs, "Mind your own business, Kyle."
He makes a face behind Kyle's back then proceeds to get changed into his black champion brand pants and navy long-sleeve top.
Kyle ignores Casey's comment and continues to make his bed.
Once Casey finishes getting changed he glances over at Kyle, who is flapping off any fluff and straightening his sheets in the immaculate way he likes it.
"You missed a spot," he spits sarcastically and leaves.
Kyle frowns and rolls his eyes at Casey's immaturity.
Kyle finishes and quickly changes into some navy track-pants and a red jumper and gives his injured knees a rub that are still sore from the previous day.
He then makes his way out to the dining table.
Casey is waiting impatiently for Kyle to arrive so Brax could finally dish up breakfast.
Casey gives Kyle a frown as the older teen takes his seat at the table.
"I've made porridge for you both because you've both got a big day ahead," Brax announces and spoons out the porridge into two bowls and places one bowl each, in front of Kyle and Casey.
Casey grabs the honey on the table and drenches his porridge until it practically turns yellow.
Kyle gets up and goes into the kitchen where Brax is cleaning out the saucepan whilst waiting for the kettle to boil for his cup of coffee.
"Can I please have some banana, pear, and almonds on mine?" Kyle asks timidly.
Brax gestures towards the fruit bowl and pantry as an 'okay' and Kyle grabs himself a handful of almonds and a pear and banana before also grabbing a knife from the drawer.
Casey rolls his eyes and grunts at Kyle's healthy eating habits when he sees Kyle cutting up the fruit to place on top of his porridge and the almonds.
"What?" Kyle retorts.
"I never said anything, Mr. Health freak," Casey argues.
Kyle huffs and takes a spoonful of his breakfast.
"At least I'm not a glutton," Kyle mutters under his breath; having seen Casey already finished with half of his porridge.
"I'm not a pig!" Casey snaps loudly.
"I didn't say you were!"
Brax huffs and walks into the dining room with his cup of coffee.
"I better not be hearing arguments, boys?" Brax warns.
"Kyle called me a pig!" Casey exclaims.
"I said you were a glutton. I'm surprised you don't have indigestion," Kyle bites back.
"Same thing!" Casey snaps.
"No, it's not, for one..." Kyle starts as Casey opens his mouth rudely at Kyle with his mouth full of chewed porridge.
"Enough! Kyle: keep your comments to yourself and Casey, slow down when you eat and mind your manners. It wouldn't hurt for you to have had some fruit with your porridge too," Brax comments and sits down at the table.
"I would have but I thought you wanted us to be in a hurry," Casey comments.
Brax decides not to take the bait of Casey's comment but instead silences him with an unimpressed eyebrow raise.
Casey gets up from the table and storms into the kitchen and grabs himself an apple in spite and angrily chomps on it as he stands against the sink.
Kyle finishes up his bowl of porridge and gets up to put his bowl in the sink.
He notices Brax has finished his coffee so takes his coffee cup.
"Thank you, Kyle," Brax says in a hard tone.
Kyle weakly smiles and is about to clean up Casey's empty bowl on the table when Brax stops him.
"Casey can clean up his own bowl."
Brax indicates for Casey to collect his bowl for cleaning.
Casey huffs and grabs his bowl.
"Goodie-two shoes," he grumbles, barely audible as he watches Kyle cleaning up his bowl and Brax's cup.
Just before eight-forty-five, Brax orders Kyle and Casey to his Ute and grabs his keys.
In typical fashion, Casey rushes out the door and waits in front of the passenger side, blocking any chance of Kyle to sit in the front.
Sighing in defeat, Kyle takes his place in the back seat and Brax makes his way to the restaurant, in his semi-cleaned Ute.
Kyle and Casey trail behind as Brax walks in.
One of his bartenders, Phil, is already there having opened up just moments earlier.
"Morning, Phil. You remember my little brothers: Kyle and Casey? They'll be here taking over from Leanne and Brett's duties for a few days," Brax explains.
"Yep; grown up quite a lot since they used to come in here and hang out in the back room," Phil comments, "Hope you boys know what you're getting yourselves into."
"Actually Phil, they haven't got a choice and on that note: as per usual, neither of you are allowed behind the bar. If at any time you need something you will see me or if I am not available you may ask Phil. I expect both of you to do as you're told. Obviously I don't expect miracles when it comes to the busy times but I expect you both to work hard; am I understood?"
"Yes Brax," Kyle replies.
"Yeah," Casey mumbles.
"Good. First I want the day's specials written on the blackboard, which you can do Kyle and the posters of the day's specials displayed around the restaurant, which you will do Casey, then Kyle you will be on table clearing, setting and cleaning and Casey you will be on dishes and be responsible for keeping the kitchen and amenities clean and mopped," Brax instructs.
"Dishes and mopping, but Brax..."
"No buts, I don't want to hear it!" Brax responds firmly.
He is well aware of some possible backlash over his choice of punishment but he knows Casey hates cleaning and doing dishes and Kyle is too shy, however more polite to not make a fuss in the presence of his customers if he was to clean and set tables, so found it fitting.
Brax guides the boys into the supplies room to get what they need and gets them stuck into work.
Kyle carefully copies down one of the posters with the daily specials onto the blackboard, whilst Casey mumbles to himself as he leans on the booth chairs, awkwardly sticking up the posters and becoming frustrated when his fingers keep constantly getting twisted in the sticky-tape.
Kyle timidly approaches Brax at the bar.
"Where do you want me to start?" he asks.
"You can start by setting up the tables all along the aisles with cutlery, napkins and one of these small vases with a flower," Brax instructs and shows Kyle the items.
Casey manages to finally get all the posters up but not without an angry huff as he glances over at Kyle all finished and talking to Brax.
"Just because you got an easier job," Casey grumbles to himself and trudges towards Brax and Kyle.
"Alright Casey, I've just gotten Kyle started, so follow me and I'll get you started on mopping first before the customers all start coming in and then you'll be on dish duty for a while."
"Why do you have to mop the floor in the kitchen if it's just going to get dirty?" Casey asks.
"Because it's the principle of correct hygiene practices for a restaurant so get to it please," Brax orders, leaving Casey with the mop and bucket to reluctantly clean the kitchen floor.
As Brax walks back out into the main part of the restaurant his phone buzzes in his pocket.
"Heath, what's up?" he asks as he answers.
"I just called to tell you I managed to book yours and my Ute in for detailing."
"I had it on my to-do-list, to schedule with that reputable detailer in Yabbie Creek. You better not have booked it in for some shabby unlicensed friend of yours," Brax replies.
"Ye of little faith, big bro; I booked it in with the one in Yabbie Creek: Nicholas's finest detailing. I figured you had your hands full dealing with the likes of Kyle and Case. Now the good news is: yours is booked for today while mine is tomorrow," Heath explains.
"Today: Heath, that's impossible! I can't take time away from work today of all days, to take my Ute all the way to Yabbie Creek and I can't rely on you as you work all day too!" Brax exclaims.
"Relax, I got it all sorted. I called in our mate, Jimmy from the River Boys; said he's happy to help out, just as long as he gets a little favour in return."
Brax sighs and raises his brow.
"What kind of favour?"
"Well he said that to make it worth his while he'd need fifty bucks, each Ute, for the petrol cost it would take him to drive up here from Reefton Lakes, and get a lift back and get a lift to the detailer to bring back the Utes," Heath explains.
Brax glances over at Kyle busily setting some of the tables and sighs.
The boys already owed so much money and Brax wasn't fond of the idea of making them owe another fifty dollars each, but decided they really needed to learn a hard lesson for the trouble they caused, even if it meant being in debt to him.
"Alright, did he say when he's going to swing by for my Ute? I can give him the hundred bucks then," Brax says.
"Said maybe around ten; that way, it can be done by the time you finish up and Jimmy can drop it back at the restaurant."
Brax looks at his watch and sees it was nine–forty-five.
"Alright then; thanks for sorting this out, mate," Brax says gratefully.
"No sweat. I'll catch up with you later, big fella," Heath replies and hangs up the phone.
Only a short few moments after hanging up the phone to Heath, Jimmy walks into the restaurant.
"Hey, Brax: my man! How are you doing? Heath told me what happened; geez that Ute of yours really looks a mess!" Jimmy announces.
Kyle flicks his head up upon hearing Jimmy's voice then quickly hangs his head in avoidance as soon as Jimmy yells out about the Ute.
It is bad enough he feels guilty over it, he doesn't need to be reminded.
"Hey, Jimmy; thanks for doing this favour," Brax starts and makes his way towards his River Boy mate.
"No worries, anything for a good friend and a little cash," Jimmy says with a laugh.
Brax humphs and gets his wallet from his back pocket.
"Still the quiet, studious Braxton, I see!" Jimmy comments and approaches Kyle, giving his hair a ruffle.
Kyle remains silent and Casey comes out of the kitchen area.
"I finished mopping!" he announces with a hint of annoyance and stands beside Brax.
"And how's baby Braxton; not giving Big Man B too many grey hairs?" Jimmy jokes.
"Hi Jimmy, it's more like he's giving me an overloaded headache from work," Casey grumbles.
Brax rolls his eyes.
"Comments to yourself, Casey," Brax warns.
"He asked," Casey quietly argues.
"I see you haven't changed either baby Braxton," Jimmy adds and pretends to spar with the unimpressed teen before reaching up and ruffling Casey's hair roughly with a laugh.
Casey huffs and sees Brax hand Jimmy two fifty dollar bills and his Ute keys.
Jimmy chucks the keys in the air and catches them.
"You boys are lucky Big Man B is such a good bloke and brother to you. Had I even tried messing up my brother's car the way you boys did, he'd knock my block off into next year. You must be going soft, Braxie," Jimmy says and playfully slaps Brax's arm.
Brax raises his brow and notices some customers enter the premises.
"Hardly; thanks again Jimmy, just let me know if there's a problem picking up my Ute this afternoon."
"Yep, will do; catch you boys later!" Jimmy yells and waves as he heads towards the entrance.
"Why was he taking your Ute and why'd you pay him?" Casey questions.
"He was taking it to the detailer for me and as for the money; Kyle could you come here a second, this concerns you too," Brax says and Kyle walks over to his brothers.
"Because of the time Jimmy is taking, to take mine and Heath's Utes to the detailer whilst we are unable to due to work, he requested a reasonable fee to go towards his petrol and that's where you both come in: you both will be paying for this fee, meaning an additional fifty dollars will be added to what I will be taking from your allowances," Brax explains.
"What: why? That's not fair!" Casey yells with a hard frown.
"Keep your voice down," Brax growls and matches Casey's hard frown; stopping Casey's complaining to not to alert any negative attention from customers.
"We already have our allowances stopped for like forever and now this!" Casey argues a little quieter.
"It is not forever and you both need to learn a lesson," Brax explains abruptly.
Kyle sighs sadly and nods; feeling ashamed that someone had to take time out of their life to do his brothers a favour.
"But..." Casey starts with a pout.
Brax shakes his head, cutting Casey off.
"No. I'm done discussing this. I have customers to attend to so both of you get back to the tasks I have set for you: now," Brax orders sternly.
Kyle quietly goes back to setting tables, whilst Casey storms off towards the kitchen.
With both teens busy, Brax returns back to filling in his orders for the bar stock.
A few hours later, Kyle is spraying down one of the tables and winces; the disinfectant is starting to make his grazed hands sting a little.
He gives them a gentle squeeze in an attempt to disperse the pain and in the process hears some ladies from an adjacent table call out.
"Oh: waiter!"
Kyle doesn't acknowledge the calling until they call again.
"Excuse me, young man!"
Kyle glances up and looks around, realising the ladies are bellowing to him and he looks at them.
"Young man, can you please show us the menu?" one of the ladies asks.
"Ah...Um...I'm not really a worker here...but I can get someone," Kyle responds, shyly and walks off.
Kyle heads towards the bar.
"Have you seen Brax?" he asks Phil.
"He went in there," Phil replies, indicating towards the stock rooms.
Kyle goes towards the stock rooms and finds Brax in the alcohol stockroom, writing down a list.
"Um: Brax."
"Kyle, what are you doing in here? You know the alcohol room is off limits," Brax says as he turns to see his younger brother.
Brax quickly shoos Kyle out of the room.
"Is there something wrong?" Brax asks.
"There are some women asking me for a menu and I didn't know what to do," Kyle confesses.
Brax sighs and squeezes Kyle's shoulder.
"Alright, thanks for telling me; I'll come and deal with it, but Kyle remember: no behind the bar and no alcohol store room: understand? I can't afford to get in trouble if someone from the audit organisations comes in," Brax explains.
Kyle nods sadly.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to," he mumbles.
"It's alright; come on. You can tell me who requires service," Brax encourages and gives Kyle a gentle shove back into the main part of the restaurant.
Brax grabs some menus and Kyle shows him who has called out to him.
Brax walks off towards the ladies.
"How are you ladies today? Sorry for the delay; we are a bit short staffed this morning. Here's your menus. I'll be back shortly to take your order and please feel free to order any drinks from the bar," Brax says as he smiles at the ladies.
Kyle continues on with his cleaning.
"Thank you, and can we just say: that young boy you have over there helping out with the cleaning..."
"Such a fine job he's doing," the second lady butts in and comments.
"Yes, but he has such lovely manners; a very polite young boy; though a tad on the shy side. You don't always see that kind of service in business in this day and age," the first lady comments.
Brax glances over at Kyle and nods.
"Thank you for the feedback. I'll give you ladies a moment to think on what you'd like," Brax smiles and walks away.
Ten minutes later, Brax approaches the ladies.
"Are you ready to order?"
"Yes, thank you. May I please have a chicken satay salad and roasted cauliflower and just a pineapple juice," the first lady requests.
"For me, I'd like the chicken fettuccine alfredo with a green salad and water, thank you, young man," the second lady asks.
Brax writes down their orders and smiles; it has been a long time since he's been referred to as a young man.
Brax approaches Kyle.
"Take this order into the kitchen will you please, Kyle, and give it to chef Henry," Brax instructs and hands a piece of paper to Kyle.
Casey turns his head when Kyle walks into the kitchen to give Henry the order.
Casey scowls, as his hands splash in the dishwater. He briefly removes them to see wrinkles forming from the water.
Glancing around quickly, Casey wipes his hands on a towel and sneaks out of the kitchen.