"It's fine." He closed the door behind him, something unreadable in his expression. "You didn't have to do that."
"I wanted to. You've done so much for me, and I can't—I don't know how to repay that. This was the only thing I could think of."
He was quiet for a moment. Then he walked past me toward the bedroom.
I held my breath.
He stood in the doorway, looking at the made bed, the organized closet, the shoes lined up in a row.
"You folded my clothes."
"I put them in the dresser. I tried to guess which drawer—I'm sorry, I should have—"
"Stop apologizing." He turned to look at me. "It's fine. It's more than fine. It's..." He shook his head slightly. "No one's ever done that before."
I didn't know what to say.
"Did you eat?" he asked.
"Oatmeal. For lunch."
"That's not enough." He moved back toward the kitchen, opening the fridge. "I should teach you to make something real.There are eggs and some vegetables—" He pulled out a few items. "Omelet. Simple, but actual food."
"You don't have to—"
"I said I'd teach you." He set the ingredients on the counter. "Come here."
So he taught me.
Step by step, he walked me through the process. How to crack eggs without getting shell in the bowl. How to whisk them properly. How to heat the pan, add butter, and wait for the sizzle.
"Now pour the eggs in. Slowly."
I did.
"Good. Now let them set for a second before you start moving them."
I waited, watching the edges turn opaque.
"Now—gently—push the edges toward the center. Let the runny part flow to the sides."
I followed his instructions, concentrating on not messing up. The eggs folded over themselves, transforming into something that actually resembled food.
"Cheese now. Just a little."
I sprinkled cheese on one half, then folded the other half over, as he had shown me.
"Now slide it onto the plate."
I did. It wasn't beautiful—slightly lopsided, a little brown on one side—but it was recognizable. An omelet. Made by me.
"Not bad," Vance said.
"Really?"
"It's edible. That's what matters."
I stared at the plate. This imperfect omelet that I'd made with my own hands.
