Another month went by and things were worse than ever. Still holding her head up high, she spent hours standing in free food lines. She had gotten behind on all of her bills, and no one knew how bad she was doing, not even her family and closest friends. One day she reached her breaking point. She fell to her knees in tears for she felt burdened down. She stayed there praying. “I will deal with today because it’s a new day and it brings new things.” She told herself this each and every day. Even if things didn‘t appear to be getting better, she had the faith that they would someday.

          She considered going back to her previous job, but it didn’t provide the flexibility she needed as a single mom, and with a new baby. She was a Consumer Psychologist and her position was quite demanding. She decided to take an independent sales job, working for a motor club. This allowed her to work around the kids’ schedule and keep the baby with her most of the time. She didn’t have the income she was accustomed to having. Nonetheless, she was doing quite well and most importantly, she was finally making ends meet.

          About nine months later, she decided to put her talent to work and became a contract chef while she continued her position as an independent salesman. For the next two years, she worked as an IC, an acronym she came up with for independent chef. She was known as one of the best, if not the best, chef in town, turning down numerous job offers.

          One day, she decided to treat herself to an expensive lunch while the girls were at school and the baby was in half-time pre-school. She made reservations at A’ Palace and dressed up for the occasion. Liah was sitting in the restaurant waiting for her food. After waiting for twenty-five minutes or so, she went to the waitress to complain.

          “Excuse me, may I ask what is taking so long for my lunch to be served?” She made an effort to be polite.

          “The chef quit,” she was told.

          “You have got to be kidding me. You all have a lot of people here. What are you going to do?”

          “Well, we still have the sous chef. He’s good, but he doesn’t know all of the ins and outs just yet,” the waitress explained.

          “Where’s the person in charge of this restaurant?”

          “In an important meeting across town—unreachable.”

          “How convenient,” Liah said sarcastically. “Which way to the kitchen?” The waitress pointed to the doors to the kitchen, and Liah boldly walked through them.

           “Hello, everyone! My name is Liah Mathis. I’m your chef for the day.” Everyone looked apprehensively at Tina, the dining manager.

          “You heard her,” Tina said, looking at the Liah, with an instinctive confidence in her ability to head the kitchen. We need a chef and now we have one.

          Liah nodded at Tina in appreciation before addressing the others. “Okay, guys, let’s get moving before we have an empty room. Now, who’s my sous chef?” she asked looking around.

          “That would be me,” a well-groomed man said, stepping forward. He was about six feet tall, seemingly in shape, dark hair, and fairly handsome.

          “Okay. And your name is…?”

          “Louis. My name is Louis. Are you really a chef?” he asked unbelievingly.           “You look more of the business type.”

          “Looks can be deceiving, Louis. Let’s get to work,” Liah said.

          “Alright, boss,” he said in compliance.

          “Don’t call me that, Louis.”

          “Okay… Ms. Mathis?”

          “Liah will be fine,” she told him.” She fell right into delegating. Everyone liked her right off the bat. Although she was in charge, she was exceptionally easy to work with. Everyone was served and sent compliments to the chef. Some ordered food to go, and the waiting staff even made better tips. Liah thanked everyone for working with her, and they thanked her for saving their hides. “You guys are awesome, but I have to go meet a client now,” she explained. “Louis, I took the liberty of jotting down a few important tips for you. And I made some extra sauces for you to help out with the evening crew. You guys have a good day.” They all thanked her again and she turned to leave after giving Louis her business card.

          As Liah was walking out of the kitchen, Bob Rogers, the owner, a tall, average-built, salt-and-pepper head—older man and Percy Thompson, the manager, an average-height and fairly slim man, with light-brown hair were coming in. “Who was that leaving out of this kitchen?” Bob asked.

          “That’s the woman who just saved this restaurant,” Louis said.

          “What do you mean? And where is Jared,” Percy questioned in confusion.

          “First of all, Jared walked out a minute before the lunch rush,” Louis interjected. “And second, Liah was a customer who sat for thirty minutes waiting for her food. She was gracious enough to take over Jared‘s duties once she found out he walked out on us. She came in, introduced herself, and took over the kitchen,” Louis explained.

          “And you let her walk out?” Bob asked in disbelief.

          “What was I supposed to do? She’s not on the payroll,” Louis said.

           “Who exactly is this Liah character?” Percy asked.

          “That doesn’t matter,” Bob stated. “She saved my restaurant. We’ll make her our permanent chef.”

          “Well she did leave me her card. But she already has a job and she just left to meet a client.”

          “I don’t care. Where’s the card?” Louis handed Bob the business card. He passed it on to Percy and adamantly insisted he call her. “And offer an incentive…a company car…with a sign-on and yearly bonus. Whatever it takes.”

          “Well, call her! What are you waiting for? You never know who else’s kitchen she might stumble into and save. And Percy!”

          “Yeah?”

          “Make her an offer she can’t refuse.”

          “I’m on top of it,” he said, dialing Liah’s number. He called, but was unable to reach her, so he left her a detailed message.

          Liah got the message, but decided to make them sweat and returned their call a day later. She reluctantly scheduled an appointment the following day, although she wasn’t sure if she would be interested. After all, accepting an hourly job meant that she would probably be doing the very thing she detested, punching a clock and committing to work for someone else. She didn’t really need a job, even if it was a good-paying one. She was doing well financially. Most importantly, she liked her freedom and flexibility, working on her own terms and time. “Why should I give all that up,” she asked herself. “Hmm. This could be one of those chances in a lifetime, though…”

          The next day she arrived for her interview about ten minutes early, thinking that she was meeting with Percy, only. When she walked into the office, Bob Rogers was there as well. “Hello, Mrs. Mathis,” I’m Bob Rogers. I owned this establishment. I’m very pleased to make your acquaintance. Thank you for taking the time to meet with us.”

          “Please to meet you as well. I think,” she responded kindly.

          “No worry, I’m just here to make sure you get what you want.

          “Good afternoon, Mrs. Mathis, I’m Percy Thompson. I’m the manager. Thank you for meeting with us on such short notice.”

          “No bother, shall we get started?” She was eager to begin the meeting.

          “Yes…indeed we shall,” Mr. Thompson replied. She handed Mr. Rogers her résumé and some letters of recommendation. While he looked them over he said things like, “hmm” and “impressive.” “You seem to have an exceptional track record, Mrs. Mathis. All of these recommendations are from people in high places. I see that you’ve catered for countless special occasions all over town.”

          “That‘s right,” she responded, with a nod of the head.

          “Percy,” Mr. Rogers called in his deep voice.

          “Would you like to take a look?” Percy asked, misinterpreting Mr. Roger’s address.

          “No, I believe we’re ready to make her an offer.” And indeed they were. They offered her an outstanding monthly salary, a new company car with an exchange every two years, a sign-on bonus after ninety days, plus a yearly bonus.

          “Impressive,” she said, but she was in the negotiating zone. “Mr. Thompson…Mr. Rogers,” she responded modestly.

          “Please, call me Bob,” Mr. Rogers broke in.

          “And call me Percy, please.”

          “Well, Bob and Percy…this is a very kind offer, but I do quite well working independently, and I enjoy my flexibility.”

          “And you can still have your flexibility,” Bob interjected hastily.

          “All you have to do is look at these figures and say yes,” Percy told her. She looked but showed no indication of being blown away by those figures.

          “It was a pleasure talking to you both,” she said politely as she stood. “I will get back to you in a day or so. You have a wonderful afternoon,” she said and walked out, leaving them both somewhat dumbfounded.