“It was no problem.”
“I’m going to help my aunt clean up.”
“Take your time.”
I head down the hallway back to the kitchen. I stand there and survey the puddle of chicken soup all over the floor, stove, counter, and wall. I put the empty Tupperware container of soup into the sink, grab a roll of paper towels, then check the cupboard under the sink for cleaning spray. I grab a bottle and start wiping down the mess.
When I finish cleaning, I see there are a handful of dishes in the sink. I rinse them and load them into the dishwasher. I can hear the water running in the bathroom. Kendall’s and Christina’s voices float down the hall. I can’t make out what they’re saying, but I hear them laugh a couple of times.
I grab my phone out of my pocket and order soup from a small restaurant just a few minutes away. A few minutes later, Kendall appears in the kitchen. She’s pushing her aunt in her wheelchair.
“Sorry again, anak. I was feeling so good earlier today and didn’t think I needed to be in my wheelchair just to heat up some soup. I thought I could do it standing up on my own just fine.” She lets out a heavy sigh. “I was wrong.”
“It’s okay, Auntie,” Kendall says gently.
“I ruined your date though.”
Kendall’s cheeks flush as she laughs, clearly flustered. “Auntie, it wasn’t a date. We were meeting for book club.”
She looks at me and raises her brow.
“Yeah. Book club,” I say.
Christina looks between us and laughs. “Is that what you kids are calling it these days? ‘Book club’?” She chuckles, then glances over at the kitchen. Her eyes go wide. Kendall has the same reaction a second later.
Kendall looks at me. “You cleaned?”
“Yeah. Sorry, I hope that was okay.”
Christina laughs. “Liam, you never have to apologize for cleaning our kitchen. Thank you.”
“Yeah, thank you,” Kendall says, her voice soft.
I tell them it was no problem right as the doorbell rings. I walk over to answer it and thank the delivery guy when he hands me the bag of food. I walk back into the kitchen and set the soup on the counter.
“I, uh, didn’t want you to be hungry, so I ordered you some more soup.”
“Oh goodness, Liam.” Christina reaches over and grabs my hand in hers. “That is so thoughtful of you. Thank you.”
“It was no problem at all.” I smile down at her as she squeezes my hand.
I glance at Kendall, who’s staring at me with an unfamiliar look in her eyes.
She blinks quickly before walking over to one of the cupboards. “Here Auntie, let me get you a bowl.”
Christina wheels herself to the kitchen table. Kendall sets her up with a glass of water and a bowl of soup.
I should probably head out and leave them alone. I pull up the rideshare app on my phone and request a ride back to the pub so I can get my car. The app says a car is nearby and will be there to pick me up in three minutes.
“I’m gonna head out,” I say to them.
Christina smiles at me. “Liam, I can’t thank you enough for all of your help tonight. You are an angel.”
Emotion swells in my chest at the sincerity in her voice and her gaze.
“It was no problem at all. Really. You’re okay?”
She smiles. “Good as new.”
