Beverly, Right Here by Dicamillo Kate

Author:Dicamillo, Kate [Dicamillo, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical, Young Adult, Childrens
ISBN: 9781536210989
Goodreads: 48842429
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Published: 2019-09-24T07:00:00+00:00

You’re getting good at busing tables,” said Freddie. “You could even wait tables if you wanted. I mean you should think about it someday. At some different restaurant. Not here. Because I am the waitress here.”

“Yeah,” said Beverly. “I know.”

“What I mean is you should think about dreaming bigger. You should think in a multi-road way. I took a seminar about all of that once. It was called ‘Dream Big,’ and that was what they taught you. To dream big and drive on lots of roads and not to ever settle. And right after I took the seminar, I got the job as a Living Darlene, and I could see that my destiny was coming true.”

“What destiny?” said Beverly.

“The destiny of becoming famous,” said Freddie.

“Right,” said Beverly.

The two of them were in the dining room of Mr. C’s, rolling silverware up in napkins. Freddie was smoking a cigarette.

Beverly was sitting with her back to the ocean. She couldn’t see it and she couldn’t hear it, but she could feel it back there, heaving itself up and down, glittering.

“Jerome dreams big. I mean, he didn’t take the seminar or anything. He didn’t need to. He just kind of does it naturally. He’s going to be rich someday.”

“Good for him,” said Beverly.

“Jerome knows a lot,” said Freddie.

“I bet he does,” said Beverly.

“Look,” said Freddie. She tilted her head back and blew cigarette smoke up in the air above their heads. “You can be all snotty if you want to. What I’m saying is that you have to have a dream. If you want to get stuck here busing tables for the rest of your life, then go right ahead. Be my guest. You and broken Charles and grumpy old Doris and Mr. Fish Manager will be very happy together, I’m sure.”

Mr. Denby came walking toward them. He was smiling a big smile and wearing a tie with a green octopus on it. Beverly couldn’t tell for sure, but it looked like the octopus had nine legs.

“Freddie,” Mr. Denby said, still smiling, “do you think it’s a good idea to smoke as you roll the silverware?”

“Yes,” said Freddie. “I do.”

“I’ve been thinking,” said Mr. Denby. “What we need to do around here is smile more, all of us.”

“I smile a lot,” said Freddie.

“We’re in the hospitality business, after all,” said Mr. Denby.

“I thought we were in the fish business,” said Beverly.

“I’ve noticed that if you smile a lot, people will tip you more,” said Freddie. “Can I just point out that Doris and Charles don’t ever smile?”

“They’re not in the front of the house,” said Mr. Denby.

“And also,” said Freddie, “I guess they just don’t have that much to smile about.”

“Right,” said Mr. Denby. He ran his hand over his head. He smoothed down his octopus tie. He cleared his throat. “Yes,” he said. “Okay, well, I’m ready to open the door. Freddie, put out the cigarette and let’s start the show.”

“What show?” said Freddie.

“The fish show,” said Beverly. “Duh.”

At the end of her shift, Beverly was waiting for Mr.

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