Read Online 1 Catered to Death by Marlo Hollinger - Free Book Online

him reach the conclusion that he’d ingested enough calories for a small family to survive for a week on. But since that kind of a comment would also fall under ungracious and unprofessional, I kept my mouth shut and began to clean up what I could without making Simpson feel like I was turning the lights out on him.
    “Well,” Simpson said after all but licking the bottom of the seafood casserole, “that was quite a lunch. You are a marvelous cook, DeeDee. I think you’re in the right field. You’re going to make a killing as a caterer.”
    I instantly forgave him for taking forever to eat. “Thank you.”
    “Any more of that casserole hidden away somewhere?”
    “No,” I lied. I had stashed a portion for the receptionist and as pleased as I was by Simpson’s compliment, I wasn’t going to give Ruth’s food to him. It went against my grain to exclude someone just because they were an hourly employee as opposed to a salaried staff member. It seemed so....outdated.
    Simpson’s round-cheeked face fell. “Too bad. I really liked it.”
    “Perhaps I can cater a party for you,” I suggested. “I’d be glad to make my seafood casserole again.”
    “Excellent idea. My birthday is coming up and I really should have a dinner to celebrate. Do you have a card?”
    “I sure do.” I pulled a card out of my pocket and handed it to him.
    Simpson read it and grinned. “You really should change the name of your company to ‘Steve and DeeDee’s Catering.’ Your name is a positive hoot.”
    “Well, Steve doesn’t help me with the catering,” I pointed out. “Besides, younger people haven’t heard of Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme.”
    “I’m only thirty and I’ve heard of them,” Simpson pointed out.
    “Maybe you’re right then.”
    “Or how about if you call your business ‘DeeDee’s Gourmet?’” Simpson suggested. “Get it—it’s almost Eydie Gorme. Do you get it—gourmet—Gorme?”
    “That’s cute,” I agreed. It really was and better than Classy Catering.
    “It’s adorable,” Simpson assured me. “Oh, well, I’ve always been one for ideas but not so much one to carry them through.” He tossed his napkin down on the table and got to his feet. “Now I should get going.”
    “Yes, you said you have a meeting this afternoon.”
    “I do indeed.” Simpson sighed. “I wish I were going camping like our fearless leader. There’s nothing I’d like more than to be out in the wilderness, away from all the stresses and annoyances of everyday life.”
    Unable to picture Simpson sitting in the woods next to a campfire, I simply nodded. I liked talking to him but I was anxious to get the room cleaned up and my equipment put away. It was almost three o’clock and I wanted to get home so I could start Steve’s dinner.
    “Unfortunately, I have to meet with an irate parent who wants to know why her darling is failing my English class. I never should have become a teacher. No one ever told me that the parents are a hundred times worse than the kids. I’ll call you about my party, DeeDee.”
    “Oh, I hope you do,” I replied.
    Simpson waved good-bye and I began to clean up. Cleaning up was much less stressful than setting up had been and as I worked I hummed to myself happily. My first catering job had been a success. Maybe not a standing ovation kind of success but the Eden Academy staff seemed to like the food and I hadn’t heard any complaints except from Junebug and I had the feeling that she was the kind of woman who always found something to complain about.
    First I stowed the leftovers—and there weren’t many, another good sign—in the coolers. Then I put the used linens into a laundry bag and then I put the dirty plates, silverware and glasses into another cooler. When the table and side table were cleared, I wiped everything down, leaving the room looking better than it had when I’d first gotten there. Looking around slowly, I realized that I felt like I’d just run in a