Business over women my ass.
No, that’s just a compromise. I’m not losing focus on my priorities. The club is above all else. This is just, um, a one-time setback.
No big deal.
None.
I step into my warm and inviting kitchen, the light of the woods outside invading the whole room.
Fucking beautiful place.
“Hello, sir,” says Larry, eyes wide, his white blouse immaculate, just like his hair and beard, rolling a dough for what looks like bread.
“Hi, Larry.” It’s been a while since I've seen him here in the morning. I step to the fridge and open the door.
“Do you know where Mia's list is?” I rasp as I look at the content of the fridge, so fucking full, the fresh ingredients almost spilling out of it.
“Yes, sir, I’ve printed two lists,” he points his flour’s covered hands to the side of the fridge, “and here, I keep this one with me, easier to move it around when I need to check.” He points to another one next to his dough. Larry’s been with me for years, he was my father’s cook and became mine right after dad passed away. Grateful to have him around, especially now. Kindof man who used to sprinkle pieces of advice to me when I was hanging out in the kitchen as a teenager wearing my first bruises from fighting with other teens for shits I couldn’t even grasp. The old man always kept a protective eye on me, so it was only fair for me to do the same now that I was prez.
“Thanks.” As I close the door, I take the list from under the magnet.
Favorite foods: fruits (except bananas) and vegetables (no potatoes), nuts (except cashews), non-fat dairy products and lean proteins, green tea.
Food to avoid: carbs like pasta, rice (except sweet potatoes), fat (except avocado, salmon), soda and any form of processed foods.
Wow. That’s a fucking lot of rules.
Running my hand in my hair, I notice Larry grin from the corner of my eyes.
“That’s quite the challenge you gave me, son.” He shakes his head with a smile. Now and then he likes to call me that and I let it slide. He saw me grow up and I get that calling me sir all the time isn’t always natural to him.
“Yeah, I know, but you’re doing great, Larry. I appreciate it.” I pat his shoulder for the first time. He nods briefly and I wonder if I got it wrong or if his eyes are getting watery or some shit.
The old man clears his throat, rolling the dough with intensity. “Mrs Malone's favorite foods are all in the first and second level of the fridge. I’ve come to notice Mrs Malone is rather fond of strawberries, yogurt, and oats.” He glances back and forth between me and the fridge with his brows up. Not very subtle, but I appreciate his help because he knows a man like me would rather get driven over than asking for help.
I nod and take out the ingredients before putting them in a bowl for her. Trying to display the strawberries in a way thatwould be nice while Larry glances at me, biting the inside of his cheek.
I’m so fucked, don’t I know it.
“Hey, Larry,” a sweet voice comes out of the hallway as Larry’s face erupts in a large fucking smile like he just won the lottery. “How’s the hydrangeas? Did you plant them with Dolly?”
I shake my head to the old man, wondering what the fuck this is about.
“We did, Mrs Malone. She really liked them, thank you for asking,” he says softly, his cheek flushed.
“I’ll, um, I'll go cut some herbs in the garden,” he stutters, wiping his hands and rushing to the door leading to the garden in the back of the house. Mia is moving around like a fish in water, rising on her feet to grab a mug. I step toward her and get it for her, my fingers brushing hers as I give her the mug.
“Thank you,” she murmurs, a little smile appearing on her face. “He had a date with a certain Dolly. They met at a gardening convention, it’s a whole thing and I’m living vicariously through him,” she says.
“Gardening? Really?” I furrow my brows.
“Yeah, I know. Lar is a super sweet guy, just had to learn to get to know him better. Now we’re besties!” She giggles, grabbing a green tea bag and putting the kettle on.
Lar?
How come I’ve never noticed this about him? And how come my wife makes the old man blush like a teenager?
Maybe I’ve underestimated Mia’s effect on my life.
