“Chill,” I say. “You didn’t mention dinner. Did you eat?”
“Oh, yeah. I had some chips and salsa.”
“That’s not dinner.”
She shrugs. “I didn’t trust myself with the stove.”
“Get up,” I say.
“What?”
“Get up.We’regoing to make you dinner.”
She stands hesitantly then walks toward me. “We are?”
“Yes, I’m going to teach you how to make yourself dinner because chips and salsa are not a meal.”
I turn and walk back into the kitchen to start clearing a small space on the counter, so we have a place to work.
“I can do that,” she says, following after me.
“We can organize the pantry later. Now,weare going to make you a grilled cheese.”
“Grilled cheese? Is that supposed to be more nourishing than chips and salsa?”
“Anything would be more nourishing than chips and salsa.”
“Not true. Salsa is essentially fruits and vegetables.”
“True, but grilled cheese is delicious. Have you ever made one?”
She shakes her head, and her cheeks turn pink.
“Okay, grab some bread, butter, and cheese. The more types of cheese the better,” I say, taking out a pan from one of the cabinets, setting it on the stove-top, and turning the burner on. She collects the items and sets them down on the counter. I smile when I see she pulled out cheddar, gouda, and pepper jack.
“What’s the first step?” she asks.
“Take out a slice of bread and then put butter on one side.”
She follows my instructions, spreading a thin layer of butter over one slice.
I chuckle.
“What?” She smiles.
“You’re going to need more butter.”
“More?”
I nod. She adds more to the slice, smoothing it over the surface. “Good, now place it butter-side down on the pan, and be careful because the burner is on.”
She does, and the butter sizzles against the hot surface. I continue walking her through the steps until the entire sandwich is constructed and it’s ready to flip.
“Okay, this is the fun part. Pick up the pan, flick your wrist, and flip the sandwich over to the other side.”
“Ha!” she laughs. “You really think I can flip a sandwich in a pan? I’m the world’s worst cook.”
“What if I help you?”
