Eggs, bell pepper, jalapenos, milk, and biscuits now cover the counter beside the stove. The only thing I need now is a bowl. Pulling it down I crack a few eggs inside and mix it with a dash of milk. In a small skillet I mix together the bell pepper and jalapeños, sautéing them until they are soft.
I set them aside until I need them. Pulling open the drawer by the coffee pot, I grab two pods and set them next to the pot. I don’t want to start it just yet. Cold coffee is not my jam. I place the biscuits on the cookie sheet and slide them into the oven.
With all of that done, I prepare the larger skillet for omelets, and start cooking. Lost in making breakfast, I startle when arms wrap around my waist. “It smells delicious.”
“I hope I didn’t wake you.” Quiet isn’t my strong suit, especially when I’m not used to having people here so early in the morning. It didn’t affect much when Lisa lived here. That woman could sleep with a freight train blowing its horn in her ear.
“Nope. I woke up before my alarm. It’s normal.”
“That’s good. I was trying to be as quiet as possible.”
“You were.” She lets go of me, and moves toward the coffee pot. “Is this for this morning?”
“Yeah, I was waiting until you got up to start it.”
She opens the top and sets a pod inside, starting the brew. “I’ve got it. But please tell me you have creamer.”
“In the fridge.” I point toward it with the spatula. “I wasn’t sure what you liked so I have regular, and a couple of flavored ones.”
“You really do think of everything.” She grins and gets the creamer.
“I wanted this weekend to be perfect.”
“Oh, it has been.” She hops up to sit on the counter by the sink. “I’m kind of bummed to go back to my other job today. I enjoy my job, but it doesn’t give me the same rush working at the bar does.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m able to help people with problems they have with their accounts, but I don’t get to know them on a personal level like I do here. It’s different when you’re seeing someone face to face.”
She’s right. It’s one of the reasons I don’t think I could ever work an office job. I like interacting with my customers. Knowing they are happy, or have someone to lean on when they need it.
“You could always come work here full time.”
She’s shaking her head when I glance over my shoulder. “No, I can’t. I need to be able to be there for the kids’ sports. And I can’t do that if I ‘m working nights.”
“Angie and Carlos have always been very flexible. Especially now that Carlos has a family of his own.”
“Yeah, but if they make concessions for me, they have to do it for everyone.”
“They already do. Angie has always tried to keep things family oriented. It’s why we’re open during the day so people can enjoy lunch or an early dinner with their families.” I move the last omelet to another dish. “They even let me take off when I need to for my brother.”
“I’ll think about it.” I’m not sure if she’s saying that to keep me from talking about it, or if it’s because she really will think about it. I’m of the firm belief that if something brings you joy, especially in occupation, you should do it. “Let’s eat so I can get ready for work. The drive is a lot longer from here.”
She hops off the counter and grabs the plates from the table to load them up with food. I pull the biscuits out of the oven and pull down another coffee cup to make mine. I watch as she adds french vanilla creamer to her coffee and adds sugar. Apparently, the creamer doesn’t add enough sweetness. To each their own.
We don’t talk much while we eat. Both of us in our thoughts, or mentally checking off the tasks we need to accomplish for the day. Once we’re finished, she jumps in the shower, and I clean up the kitchen.
I’m in the room changing into my running clothes when she comes in wrapped in a towel. A replay of yesterday morning runs through my mind, but in reverse. “How am I supposed to focus for the rest of the day if you come in here with nothing on?”
“Think about it until the next time we see each other?” She smirks and grabs her clothes off the bed. “I can’t take much longer, I’ll hit traffic as it is.”
“Grab what you need from the bag, and I’ll load up your car while you finish getting ready.”
“Thanks,” she breathes a sigh of relief. Throwing everything aside from what she’s wearing today into the bag she hands it over.
“I’ll be right back.” With the bag in hand, I rush to the kitchen and start another cup of coffee. I’ll switch it over to a travel mug she can take with her.
Grabbing her keys off the counter, I get her other bag full of items she bought yesterday and head to her car. It doesn’t take long to load it. She travels light. Once I’m back inside, I transfer the coffee into a travel mug, and add her creamer and sugar.
