Off London went, happily pulling out all kinds of pans and cooking utensils. She even hummed as she went into chef mode.
"Please don't take me into account. Simple works, and I promise you, I'm not a picky eater. Besides, you're here when you don't have to be."
"We're here because we want to be," she corrected her, hands on both hips. Isn't that right, Cairo?"
London issued a grin, calling him by his birth name. She figured if Starlah could be the one, she might as well collect the breadcrumbs she dropped before she headed back to Cedar Spike.
"Yeah. Uh, what she said," he quietly echoed. "And Moms makes the best breakfast burritos, even fried eggs, sort of like small versions of omelets. Her shrimp and grits are good, too."
"Oh, I can whip them all up. Swift's just giving hints as to what he wants, Starlah, but I'll be happy to do it. Take a seat, and Cairo?"
"Man, Mama," he drawled. She was having too much fun with his government name. He wasn't too fond of it because, growing up, the kids would call him "Egypt" the country.
"Make yourself useful and bring out the carafe of freshly squeezed orange juice. I made them from oranges I brought from the farmer's market earlier this week." London looked at Starlah. "Do you care for some?"
"Sure." Star clasped her hands between her thighs as Swift followed his mother's instructions. She smiled when he immediately washed each glass he'd pulled from the kitchen cabinet.
When he poured her glass and gently set it in front of her, she caught a whiff of his scent. Even sweaty, Swift smelled divine, awoody, citrus smell, coupled with the sun. Her skin felt warm as his eyes washed over her.
"Thank you."
"Anytime," he offered when his mother cleared her throat. "Yeah, Mama?"
"Don't, 'yeah, Mama' me. Get the shrimp out and wash them. I have the seasonings already on the counter. Then the bell peppers and onions."
"I can help," Starlah quickly offered. Swift smirked since he'd just heard her mention she wasn't that great of a cook. "I mean, I'd like to… if that's okay."
"Starlah, this is your home. Of course, you can help. Swift knows what we need."
London flicked her hand, urging him to clear the counter space for them to get busy with their meal preparation. Within minutes, he and Starlah had washed and seasoned the shrimp, then cleaned and diced the bell peppers and onions. Once they were done, he went for the grits, then passed them to her.
"Oh, okay?" Swift flashed a grin because many people thought cooking grits was simple. It was, but the kind of grits his mother made were far from simple.
When Star started to read the label, he stood next to her, smirking.
"What?"
"I thought you were a country girl. Since when did you all need instructions?"
"Swift?" his mother shrieked.
"I'm just teasing, but pay attention because the next time, you're preparing grits."
He extended his hand, accepting the container of grits before he pulled out milk, garlic-flavored butter, and two eggs.
"Eggs?" Star asked, confused.
"It gives the grits a yellow color, and milk slightly changes the texture. Pull up a chair and watch."
"Okay then, son. I see you."
London smiled, nodding her head at the way her son naturally catered to Starlah's questions. Her innocence, even the awkward display around him, was a sight to see. Without even realizing it, London then slid the remaining ingredients to him, including flour, baking soda, water, and egg yolk, to make the wraps for the burritos.
Starlah took the lead on the bacon while he fried the crumbled sausage. Once Swift diced the tomatoes and Starlah grated the cheese, breakfast was done. Within an hour, they grabbed hands to say a prayer over the full spread of what they'd created on the kitchen table.
After Starlah's second burrito, she spewed out a gush of wind and sat back. Her eyes glanced at the half bowl of shrimp and grits she'd partially eaten. They were so good that she almost picked up her spoon to finish it off.
"I'm so full."
