CHAPTER 9

Throughout its thirty-eight years of glorious existence, Giant Crab Restaurant has always pride the quality over quantity with the freshest and best-tasting seafood in Myrtle. It has garnered awards in town for being the best seafood buffet. It's not just about being an eat-all-you-can type of seafood restaurant. The word freshness has literally been seen not only on the buffet but also to the place itself.

Having the advantage of overlooking the intercostals waterway, the restaurant has projected a unique feature-like Fisherman Wharf Village with its eye-catching designs. There is the fifty-foot lighthouse patterned after the one in Nova Scotia, a forty-foot waterfall and a lazy river wrap around the entire village. The center of it all, however, was the humongous crab perched just above the entrance, leading the way to the heavenly banquet. He's known as "Tommy" but Mavis calls him Mr. Krabs just like one of the cartoon characters in Spongebob Squarepants show.

It only took them few minutes going to Giant Crab since it was on the same highway as St. Andrews. Yet, the time to get there seemed longer than usual. It was as if an angel of silence was with them in the car that neither Landon nor Lea was able to open up a conversation. Both were hesitant to ask the other, being cautious on the words that would come out from their mouth. It was only Mavis whom could be heard inside the car.

That is why, upon taking their seats at the restaurant; Landon decided to break the ice. They sat in the non-smoking area, which was near to the kids' corner that has hamburgers, pizza, chicken fingers, corn dogs, hot dogs and fries. Such were the kind of buffet that most kiddies wanted but not for Mavis. Growing up having a father that is a chef ignited in him the value of culinary dishes. The only thing that he craves for around that section is their frosty milkshakes.

"This is among the oldest but best seafood restaurant in Myrtle," Landon remarked.

"We used to go here after going to the church," Mavis added as he sat next to Lea instead of his dad.

"Locals used to say, 'Let's have a seafood heavenly banquet after partaking at the heavenly host,'" Landon added

Lea just smiled.

"I hope you like seafood but if you're a meat lover, they also have some variety of meat dishes," Landon said.

"I do love seafood," Lea contentedly answered.

"That's great then. You should try their Oysters Rockefeller. It's a must taste."

"I will keep that in mind from a chef's perspective." She then turned her attention to Mavis. "How about you? What do you suggest?" she curiously inquired.

"Crab! Crab! Crab! That's the most obvious best dish here like Mr. Krabs."

"Who's Mr. Krabs?" She turned her glance back to Landon seeking for clarification.

"Krabby patty? Krusty Krab? Restaurant owner under the sea?" Landon gave hints but Lea still couldn't grasp. "Spongebob squarepants? One of the characters on who," he finally revealed.

"Oh Spongebob!" Lea glanced at Mavis. "So you're fond of watching Spongebob."

Mavis nodded. "I love Mr. Krabs, Spongebob and Patrick."

"A lot! He even memorized the theme song," Landon added.

"Oh really? Can you sing some lines then?" Lea requested.

Mavis shook his head.

"He doesn't sing in crowded places. He's about shy in terms of singing," Landon enlightened.

Mavis loves to talk even with strangers as he developed himself with talking with the guests of the hotel. However, he was still shy in showcasing his talents in dancing or singing. There were a lot of times were people literally begged him to sing a rhyme song since his mother, Theresa was a great singer but he was always fast to decline them. Mavis grew up hearing lullabies before sleeping as Theresa would so him one or two songs after reading him a story.

"Come on even just line of their song? Please!" Lea begged.

Mavis shook his head again without hesitation while Landon was just smiling knowing it would never happen, not in the past and surely not at the moment.

Lea leaned closer to Mavis and held his right hand. She afterwards started singing, "Who lives in a pineapple under the sea Spongebob squarepants..."

After some few seconds of silence, "Absorbent and yellow and porous is he Spongebob squarepants," Mavis sang as well.

Both Lea and Mavis sang the remaining verses, loud enough that the nearby tables where silently listening to them. Landon on the other hand did know if he was shocked because Mavis, finally, sang or because of how angelic was Lea's singing. Either or, he knew that he was impressed and the other people as well as they cheered and clapped when Lea and Mavis were done singing.

"I knew you could do it. You're a great singer!" Lea happily praised Mavis whom gone silent after realizing that he just sang while the nearby customers where listening to them.

"Wow! Just wow! You did great!" Landon beamed.

When the hype started to normalize, Landon innocently asked, "If you don't mind me asking, why were you not with your friends? Aren't they enjoying the sand and boiling heat of the sun at the beach?

"Dad, she's supposed to meet someone." Mavis quickly answered and then turned to Lea. "Am I right?" he raised.

"I was supposed to," Lea clarified.

"Did something wrong happen?" Mavis worriedly asked before Landon could even react.

"Not really. I was actually looking for someone. I went to the Hall of fame with the hope that I may find more leads there. Unfortunately, I found nothing," Lea sadly explained.

Landon sensed some desperation and emergency in her tone. "May I ask if what are the things you currently have as a lead?"

Lea didn't answer. Hesitation was holding her back. She has always been the type of a person who never wanted to disturb others. If there were things she wanted, she would do it alone.

When she was about to gamble on letting someone know her plan, "Excused me Mr. Bolton!" a restaurant waitress dressed like a pirate interrupted her. "You may now start," the waitress informed them.

"Thank you!" Landon smiled at her and then shifted his looks to Lea and Mavis. "Let's go?" he invited.

As they were getting ready to roam around the buffet area, Landon instructed Mavis that he should stick with him. Instead of listening, Mavis held Lea's right hand and said, "I would go with her."

Before Landon says a word or react, "It's alright. He could come with me. It's the least that I can do for inviting me here," Lea added and smiled.

Landon didn't pursue anymore on what he was about to say. After all, Mavis has always preferred other people to roam around Giant Crab than to be with his dad. Landon was more conscious of the food that Mavis takes than others. He is more meticulous than Mavis' mother. He knew it has to be the reason why Mavis has avoided him whenever they are at Giant Crab or in any other buffet restaurants. It was some that became a habit being a chef himself.

Giving in to Mavis' desire, Landon just reminded Mavis to behave and never give Lea any headaches on the things that he wanted to have.

Landon was the first to return to their table. He got some mussels, clams and his much-loved crab legs. Most of them were from the steamed bar and were must peel-and-eat seafood. Such were the cuisine that he habitually has whenever he visits Giant Crab. They have the peculiar taste that Landon has always wanted to replicate but couldn't even being a well-known chef.

While waiting for Lea and Mavis to return, Landon heard a voice greeting him, "Well, hello there Mr. Bolton!"

Landon turned around and saw Mr. Kimmels. Landon stood up and was about to greet Mr. Kimmels with a handshake when one of the restaurant managers whispered something on Mr. Kimmels.

Landon and Mr. Kimmels have been good friends. Rather, Mr. Kimmels has a close tie with Landon's father. They started partnering in some business ventures before Landon' father took the risk of going out of Myrtle and test his surviving instinct at the center of all business competitions, New York. Landon had known Mr. Kimmels ever since he was still a kid. His father used to bring him at the Giant Crab just like what he was doing with Mavis. His father used to stay at the smoking area with Mr. Kimmels and chat for hours while Landon, as a kid, would enjoy himself tasting the variety of dishes.

"It's nice to see you again, Mr. Kimmels," Landon said and stretched his hand.

"The pleasure's all mine, Mr. Bolton," Mr. Kimmels responded while receiving his hand. "I hope you would enjoy your stay," he added.

"Certainly!"

"Don't let me hold you then," Mr. Kimmels said his goodbye and walked to the next table.

As Lea and Mavis returned, Landon noticed the curious face of Lea on the identity of Mr. Kimmels. Without being asked, "That's Mr. Kimmels. He's the restaurant owner and also owner of other shops at Market Commons," he informed.

Lea just nodded and both she and Mavis took their seat.

"I'm sorry. I went ahead of you," Landon apologized.

"It's us who should be apologizing for taking time in choosing," Lea corrected.

"So, what did you get?" Landon curiously asked while staring at their plates.

"I got some chicken." Mavis answered.

"Ah Feta Chicken. Great choice!" Landon smiled at Mavis and turned his attention to Lea's plate. "I see you found the ever-famous Crab Imperial," he added.

"I noticed that many have been lining up waiting for it."

"I suggested that!" Mavis proudly said.

"Mavis really was helpful. He knew the best dishes," Lea patted Mavis' shoulder. "He actually suggested the things that I got."

"Oh really now?"

Landon already knew it. Mavis has a keen eye on the best. He has developed them as time goes by. It started with meals then stretched to others things like flowers and even sometimes to good hearted people.

"Let's dig in then before they get cold," Landon suggested.

After hours of enjoyable chatting and pleasurable eating, they didn't notice the passing of time. They have covered many topics ranging from their backgrounds to the personality of Lea's friends. It was almost around three in the afternoon and Mavis was already drowsy since it was already passed his siesta time. They then decided to call it a day since they would again be having dinner at night with other friends.

Landon took the liberty to drive Lea back to the MTL Palace. Since they had been more acquainted with each other, their discussion continued on their way to the Palace with Mavis was taking a nap while his head was on Lea's hips. Surely, both would agree that they have great time with the company of the other.