“I’m going to give Zaza a bath before the electricity goes out and there’s no hot water,” Nicky advised, scooping up the child.
“Good plan. I’ll watch the soup.”
“No need. It’s on a low simmer.” Her bright smile just about knocked me off my feet. She headed for the bathroom.
Percy pointed at its mouth and then belly. I grabbed a box of biscuits and shook them. “Come with me if you want a snack.” While Percy appeared behaved thus far with the child, I probably shouldn’t push it.
With a pair of candles in hand just in case, I headed upstairs and placed the open box on the floor for Percy before I plopped in front of my computer. I began to write to the crunching sounds of my lizard munching. Seemed my hero Brett hadn’t just acquired a pet, but also come across a damsel in distress. My fingers flew as I sank into the story, and it wasn’t until the power flaked that I realized I’d been writing away for over two hours. Damn. Nice streak. I saved the file, made a copy then stood and stretched, the glow of my laptop screen illuminating the dark. Better preserve that battery. I lit a candle and slapped my laptop lid shut.
With the wax taper held out in front of me, I exited the room I used for an office and looked for Percy. I found the lizard nestled on my bed. “Should we go see if it’s supper time?” I asked.
My lazy lizard stretched, legs, tail, back arched, and finished with an unhinged jaw yawn.
“You walking, or want a ride?” I asked, crouching and extending an arm in Percy’s direction.
The lizard scampered to my shoulder for the ride downstairs where I found Nicky lighting candles and placing them out of the baby’s reach. Zaza followed her mom with a thumb in her mouth until she saw me. Or should I say, Percy.
“Dinosauro!” she squealed, lifting her arms while opening and shutting her hands.
Percy didn’t wait for me to put it down but climbed me like a squirrel until it hit the floor. To my surprise, the lizard grabbed a rubber ball from a small stash of toys and rolled it to the baby who giggled and chased it.
Was Percy playing fetch with the child? Wild.
“Did you have a good rest?” Nicky asked.
“Was working actually, and yes, it went well. Soup smells great,” I stated.
“Thank you. It’s ready and the bread should be just about done.”
Fresh bread? I’d not smelled it over the savory stew. Luckily, the stove ran on propane. We’d be able to cook until it ran out. Which could be soon, seeing as how I’d been due for a refill next week.
“You can bake.” Stated not asked.
She nodded. “My Nonna taught me. You’re in for a treat when I make her special pasta carbonara.”
I almost blurted out I couldn’t wait. A homecooked meal? It had been so long since I’d tasted one. I’d best enjoy it while I could. Once the storm cleared, Nicky would be leaving to start her new life and we’d never see each other again.
It bummed me more than it should have, which made no sense. We’d just met.
“Sounds good. I’ve got all kinds of packaged noodles in the cupboard.”
Her nose wrinkled. “That’s not pasta.”
The disdain brought an unexpected, rusty chuckle. “Spoken like a true Italian.”
“You will taste the difference when I make it,” she promised. A timer dinged and her smile once more blew me away. “The bread is done. Are you ready to eat?”
“Heck yeah.” Look at me, using a more PC version of Hell.
She slid on some oven mitts and pulled out a fat, crusty loaf of bread that had my mouth watering and Percy staring at her with wide eyes.
I retrieved some bowls and spoons for the stew as well as a cutting board for the bread. While she ladled, I sliced the loaf into thick, steaming hunks. Percy chirped and I crouched to hand over the crusty heel.
The lizard grabbed it and made a sound of appreciation at the first bite.
Lucky fucker. I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth in.
“Is Percy having soup too?” she asked when the lizard finished the bread and took to giving big eyes to Nicky next.
