When I'm done, I slide off the bed and into the robe."What are you cooking this morning?"
"Nothing."
I stop and look at him, shocked.
He chuckles."Maria left us breakfast burritos."
"I think I'm going to really like Maria."
He holds my hand as we thread our way back to the kitchen."I might need some colored tape to help me navigate through the house."
"Just ask Alfred."
"Is he always listening?"
"Yes."
"Is he always watching?"
He laughs."Yes."
"I'm feeling kinky pleasure knowing that."I giggle.
When we arrive, the coffee is brewed."Ah!That smells wonderful.Alfred, thank you for the coffee."
"You're welcome."
I hand Aurei his cup after he takes the food from the refrigerator, then I slide onto the barstool to watch him heat our meal."Are you always going to wait on me like this?"
"I don't know.Do you want me to?"
"I don't know."I ponder that thought and feel a sense of nurturing come over me.As he slides the delicious smelling meal under my coffee, I tell him."I think I might take cooking lessons."
"Maria can teach you the basics.I'll ask her."He smiles at me.
"Tell me about Maria, please."I eat in silence as I listen to her story."She had a rough start."
"She's like a lot of people.They just need a break and chance to make good on their dreams."
I realize the way he said that and being the kind of man he is, in the position he is in, that he is paying it forward."You have an outreach program, don't you?"
"Yes."
"Hmm."I study him, and he tries to ignore me, paying close attention to his burrito."You run a homeless shelter too."
"Affirmative."
"For veterans?"
He nods as he takes the last piece of burrito and drags it across his plate, cleaning the sauce.
"And?"I ask, waiting while he makes a show of opening his mouth wide, plopping it in, and chewing nice and slow.
"I fund a private gang task force too."
My heart melts."You're a good man, Maximus Aurelius Moore."
"Yep."He reaches for his coffee.Taking his plate, I go into the kitchen and load the dishwasher."You?What are you involved in?"
