By Julie D’Aloiso
In the quaint town of Treeville, Ohio, the sunset cast a warm glow over ‘The Steak Place.’ Sisters Marsha Burch and Taylor Hughes, originally Deans from West Virginia, were the proud owners of this beloved local hub. As they prepared for another bustling evening, the tantalizing scent of steak sizzling on the grill wafted through the air, mingling with the aroma of fresh bread from Reinecker’s Bakery.
Marsha, her curly hair neatly tied into a bun, placed freshly printed menus from PostNet on each table. Taylor, her younger sister, set up the tables with a sparkle in her green eyes, placing cupcakes from T’Cakes on the dessert stand. Their husbands, Jeff Burch and Bob Hughes, were conspicuously absent, likely at their usual haunt, the Thirsty Bluegill.
The sisters had met their husbands at Graham College in southern Ohio, just a thirty-mile drive from Treeville. They lived in neighboring houses in the same development, a testament to their close-knit bond that extended beyond their maiden name, Dean.
Amidst the routine of the day, a shocking event sent ripples through the restaurant – Marco, one of their most talented sous chefs, was suddenly gone. His absence left a void not only in the kitchen but also in the hearts of the sisters and Mandy, one of their waitresses who had been dating Marco. Why did Marco leave so abruptly? The question hung in the air, casting a shadow of mystery over the otherwise ordinary day.
Across the street, there was a flurry of activity where a Chinese restaurant once stood before it closed during the pandemic. The San Diego Taco Factory was setting up shop. It wasn’t clear yet if they would be competition or simply another dining option for the residents of Treeville.
As the evening wore on, the mystery surrounding Marco’s sudden disappearance, along with the uncertainty about the new restaurant, created an atmosphere of intrigue. But for now, the sisters pushed the puzzling thoughts aside, focusing on welcoming their patrons and serving the best steaks in Treeville.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
