Needless to say, I don’t eat everything.Mostly it’s due to the dislike of the texture, other times I simply hate the way it tastes or smells.The spaghetti he wants to make, and I sure as hell like to eat, needs to be prepared the right way.
Taking a deep breath, I ball my hands and ask, “Gloves?”
“Under the sink,” he replies without asking why or looking at me like I’m an idiot for talking for the first time to him again in the three days I’ve been here.
I grab a pair of gloves and put them on.Turning to Sable, I see him holding the ground beef in one hand, sweet peppers in the other.Snatching the ground beef from his hand, I place it on the counter and check the cabinets for a large plate.
Once I have a plate, I check the ground beef by slowly squashing it on the plate and remove all hard chunks.I try to look at Sable from the corner of my eye.He’s watching me, but at least he doesn’t ask why or is annoyed.The first time Linus saw me do this he...I close my eyes and shove down the memory.
“Mercy,” Sable rumbles.
I blink a few times and turn my head his way.
“Large chunks of veggies or do you want to throw everything into the blender?”he asks with a straight face, and without even a hint of mock in his voice.
Bringing my hand up, I leave little space between my thumb and forefinger.
“Tiny chunks?Got it.”He simply turns and starts chopping.
I stare at him for a few heartbeats while I try to let my mind jump to the fact why I didn’t pick the chopping.I could be holding a knife to try and escape.Instead, I’m making sure the ground beef is checked before using it.Returning to my task, Sable and I work side by side.
“I meant what I said about the medicine if you need it,” Kujo rumbles.
My anger gets the better of me when I snap, “I don’t need it.”
It’s the most I’ve said in a long while and I instantly regret it when Sable hisses.Glancing his way, I see the blood and become furious.
Snatching a clean kitchen towel, I cover Sable’s hand and snap at Kujo, “Your fault.”
“My fault?”Kujo growls.
Sable sighs and pushes the towel away.“It’s only a small cut.Can you grab the first aid kit?It’s under the sink in the bathroom.”
Shooting a final glare at Kujo, I rush off to the bathroom.Dammit.Every time I’ve talked more than a few words these past three weeks someone either got hurt or killed.No joke.Every.Damn.Time.Stomping back into the kitchen, I open the first aid kit.
“I’ll stitch him up,” Kujo states and steps closer.
Deciding to ignore both of them, I focus on making the spaghetti sauce.A moment later the chopped veggies appear in my line of sight, and I keep going.Doing this task calms my nerves and by the time the food is done, I’m feeling somewhat at ease.
Sable puts the pots on the table and each of us fills our own plate with spaghetti.We’re about to eat when I start to freak out and glance around me.Noticing the TV, I stalk over and put some background music on.
Kujo snickers.“Your mother couldn’t stand silence while eating either.”He turns to Sable.“It’s the noise.”
“Makes perfect sense.Damn, can you imagine having no background sound when you’re sitting at the table with Brute?The fucker has his mouth wide open when he chews.”Sable shakes his head and starts to eat.
Kujo chuckles and bobs his head before focusing on eating.I release a sigh and am glad they stopped talking.After a few more heartbeats everything stays the same and I can finally eat as well.I’ve never sat comfortably at a table with others while eating dinner.Only with my mother, but never with anyone else.
The food I prepared with a little help from Sable was great and when we’re all finished it’s Sable who stands to grab the plates to do the dishes.
“Does Otto know you’re here?”Kujo suddenly asks.
I have nothing to hide and it’s why I shake my head.
“Did you run off?”
I bob my head this time, because it’s the truth.
“Will he come looking?”
