"Sorry." He stepped back like a student who'd made a mistake.
I changed the diaper efficiently, gently patting Leo to calm him. Kholod asked carefully, "Could you teach me how to change diapers?"
"Why should I teach you?" I sat on the couch with the baby. "The all-powerful Kholod Morozov doesn't know how to change diapers?"
"I really don't know how to take care of children." He said quietly. "But I want to learn."
"Then figure it out yourself."
The next morning, he showed up on time with breakfast ingredients.
"You actually cook?" I raised an eyebrow.
"You barely ate anything yesterday." He insisted. "For Leo's sake, you need to take care of yourself."
I considered it, then finally let him in.
"Put it in the kitchen."
"Okay."
He went into the kitchen and started clumsily preparing breakfast.
I sat in the living room with Leo, listening to the sounds from the kitchen.
"Noelle, how do you like your eggs?" He poked his head out.
"Whatever."
"Should I fry one for you?"
"Sure."
Soon, the kitchen filled with sizzling sounds and the aroma of eggs.
But then—
"Shit!"
A curse, followed by the smoke alarm's piercing shriek.
I carried Leo to the kitchen doorway and saw Kholod frantically waving a towel, trying to clear the smoke.
The eggs in the pan were burnt black.
"What are you doing?"
"I..." He looked at me sheepishly. "The heat was too high..."
"So you turned the eggs into charcoal?"
"Sorry..."
I walked over, turned off the exhaust fan, and opened the window.
"Forget it. I'll do it myself."
"No, let me." He insisted. "Noelle, I'll get it right."
