THE HONEST CHECK
"Deliveries go through the back, sir."
Leon Haverty stopped just inside the front doors of Ninth, one of the fourteen restaurants in the Haverty Dining Group, and looked at the young man who had delivered the greeting.
"I'm not delivering," Leon said. "I'm eating."
The host's eyes traveled from Leon's scuffed brown boots to the faded work jacket hanging open over a plain gray shirt. He took in the worn canvas at the elbows, the careful repairs on the jacket's zipper, and the absence of a watch that could be seen from across the room. His expression changed by fractions. It was not an obvious sneer. People who worked in expensive restaurants learned to make judgment look like efficiency.
"Lunch here costs more than your boots," the host said.
Leon studied him for a moment. "You'd be surprised what I can afford."
The host's smile became thin. "Name?"
"Haverty. Table for one. Booked last Tuesday."
The young man typed something into the reservation system. His fingers slowed when the surname appeared on the screen, but he did not look up. "Haverty," he said. "Funny. Popular name around here."
"Is it?"
The host did not answer. Behind Leon, a couple in their early sixties entered the restaurant. The man wore a navy suit that fit perfectly, and the woman carried a small designer handbag by its handles. They had not reached the desk before the host's whole manner changed.
"Mr. and Mrs. Avery. Good afternoon. Your window is ready."
"Wonderful," Mrs. Avery replied. "We have a meeting at two, so we appreciate the timing."
"Of course. Right this way."
The host led them past a row of empty tables beside the windows, where late-morning light lay across white tablecloths and polished glassware. Leon watched them sit. Their server appeared almost immediately, placed water glasses before them, and began describing the specials before either of them had opened a menu.
Leon looked back at the host.
"And my table?"
The young man checked the screen again, although Leon had already seen the reservation listed there. "Table twenty-two. This way."