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“How long have you been working in restaurants?” asked Sara.

“All my life,” whispered the woman.

“I’m sorry, Millicent, I can’t hear you,” she smiled.

“All my life. I’ve worked in kitchens since I was seven.”

“Seven? Did you cook with your mother? Grandmother?” she asked the woman.

“N-no.”

“Millicent, I just need to be sure that you can cook. If you’re in trouble, if you need help, our team can help you with whatever it is.”

“I-I can cook something for you.”

“Alright,” said Sara. “This is the kitchen you would be in every day. Use whatever you like, and I’ll wait outside in the dining room.”

Sara, George, and Mama Irene walked out of the room and left the woman to prepare something for them.

“That girl is in trouble,” said George.

“I know she is, but I can’t make her tell me. What do we do about backgrounds? I’m concerned that if I tell her we need to do a background check on her, she’ll disappear,” said Sara.

“You let me handle that,” said Irene. “I’ll make sure it’s all good.”

An hour later, Millicent appeared with a plate of shrimp and cheddar grits with a side of cornbread. The three interviewers took a bite, moaning as it slid down their throats.

“That is delicious,” grinned George.

“I couldn’t agree more,” smiled Sara.

“You’re hired,” said Irene. “And it comes with a cottage right here on property.” George and Sara looked at Irene but didn’t defy her.

“A cottage? I can live here?” asked Millicent.

“You will live here, child. You will.”