“Oh, you don’t need to worry about that, girl.”
“I need to do something since someone woke me up,” I said, pushing myself out of the chair. “And whatever is in that cup will take effect faster without food.”
“Maybe that’s the point.”
“Really?” I said, placing a hand on my hip and looking at him.
“I have my vices when I need them,” he sighed. “But make whatever. I’ll eat it.”
“That didn’t answer my question.”
“You don’t need to go out of the way to make me food, Scarlett. I’m good with just a microwave dinner or something.”
“Fine. Mac and cheese with tuna fish in it.”
“Are you out of your mind? That sounds disgusting.”
“What?” I asked, squinting my eyes at him. “You can’t diss it till you try it.”
“Fine.”
“Good.”
With a determined nod, I went about making the yummy goodness. Putting the stove on high after putting a pot of water on it, I readied the milk and cheese mixture. I added the can of tuna fish after I drained the water from it into the milk mixture. Using a fork, I stirred it all together in a measuring glass. I even snuck a few bites of the meat into my mouth as I waited.
When the water was boiling, I added the noodles, stirring them around. When the noodles were tender, I drained the water out of the pan, then added the cheesy mixture. My mouth watered at the smell as I stirred it all together, letting the butter melt.
Hope came running into the kitchen, meowing like crazy. I sat down the empty tuna can, letting her clean up the scraps.
Deeming it perfect, I scooped a huge glob into my bowl and filled Collin’s half way. I sprinkled the top with some pepper and placed it in front of him.
“If you make me sick from this, I’ll never let you cook for me again,” he said, eyeing the bowl like it was going to jump up and bite him.
“Just try it,” I laughed.
I shoved a huge bite into my own mouth, my eyes closing as the goodness of it all. Lisa had been the one to teach me this meal. It was easy, simple, and good. It didn’t take much work on those days I was too sore and tired to do much of anything.
“Here goes nothing,” he muttered before taking a tiny bite. He chewed it slowly. “Not horrible. But I think I can live without eating it ever again.”
“Fine,” I said. I was more pleased about the fact that he’d at least tried it.
“Or I’m just drunk enough to eat it and not care,” he shrugged. He then got up to go to the fridge. He came back with hot sauce and put enough in to most likely cover the taste of the tuna in the meal.
I burst out laughing, unable to help it. He simply gave me a dull look before shooting me a happy smile and shrug.
After we were finished eating, Collin took care of the dishes. I ended up eating way too much, but I didn’t care. It was nice to feel full.
Two months ago, I wouldn’t have even considered the feeling of being full and content. I had gotten so used to always being on the edge of starving..
“What do you say we watch a movie?” he asked once everything was cleaned up.
“Sure.” I hadn’t watched a movie in…well, I couldn’t remember the last time. Lisa and I would sometimes have one playing in the background as she helped me to clean up one of Alan’s many messes, but I had never been one to pay attention to it, having so many other things on my mind.
“Go see what Dominic and Zevon brought back the last time they were out. I’m sure they bought a few.”
“Okay,” I said.
Once in the living room, I looked through the small pile. None of the movies caught my attention.The Purge. Fast and Furious. 007.And a few others I had never even heard of.
