Warren runs a hand through his hair and stares into the fridge. “Fuckin’ fuck,” he mutters and drops his head back before grumbling, “I don’t know how to do this.”
I shove my phone into my pocket. “Can I help?”
I know Gabe and Hunter and have been trying to get Warren to cook and be more confident with literally everything. They filled the fridge with pre-chopped vegetables and meat to help, but the anxiety rolls of Warren in waves and I step in.
“My grandpa taught me how to cook. Let me show you something?”
Warren nods, and I take the chicken and broccoli out of the fridge. “Have you ever made minute rice?” Warren shakes his head, and as I wash my hands, I nod towards the pantry. “Go look for the blue box that says Minute Rice. I’ll show you.”
Warren stands next to me a moment later with the box, biting at his lip as his fingers slowly run over the cooking directions. He struggles with reading still, and bullying at school was only part of his problems. Watching him with me in the kitchen, sounding out words to himself and reading the instructions out loud, is something I hope he’s shown Gabe and Hunter.
“Doesn’t sound too hard,” he finally says, and I smile.
“No, it’s really not. Why don’t you start that, and I’ll show you how to cook the rest to be ready at the same time as the rice.”
“Yeah. Cool.”
Watching Warren measure is painful in ways I didn’t expect. He’s trying so hard to make it perfect, and I know he didn’t have a great home life. Mine wasn’t great either, but at least I had someone to encourage me that the water was just fine and to pour.
“Can I just eyeball the amount of butter? Why would you boil butter?” He scrunches his nose, and I chuckle.
“It adds flavour to the rice. Like when you add salt to the water for your pasta. You can totally leave it out, though.” I motion for him to take my place and hand him a spatula. “I’m right here. Follow my instructions, and you can take the credit for cooking.”
He nods, and I lean on the counter, instructing him as he first cooks broccoli in the wok with water, then removes it and adds the chicken with a splash of oil. His rice water comes to a boil, so I dump in the rice and explain to just stir it and set it aside covered.
“You should be a chef, Rhett!”
“I’m a sous chef at best. I learned to do this by just trying, you know. Don’t be afraid of it. Making mistakes is how you learn.”
He’s quiet for a moment before he whispers, “I got in trouble for wasting food. My therapist says I’ll manage that better in time.”
The confession is unexpected, and he turns a shaky smile my way. I feel a sense of pride that he feels comfortable sharing with me, and I don’t doubt that he will turn into a fine young man that Hunter and Gabe will be proud to call their own.
“You will, Warren. You’re doing great.”
The door opens, and Hunter’s voice calls out. “Smells great in here!”
A tiny smile flits across Warren’s face, and I clap him on the shoulder. “Can you finish up with Hunter? I know he’d love to see what you’ve done.”
“Yeah, okay.”
Hunter enters the kitchen with a furrowed brow as he notices Warren at the stove. I dip my head towards Warren. “It’s under control. A simple chicken and broccoli with rice should be ready in about two minutes. Warren can tell you what needs to be done.”
Hunter claps me on the shoulder as I leave them to it. I don’t feel unwelcome here, but the timing to move out is perfect. It may take a village to raise a child, but they need to bond as a family, and it’s best if I get out of the way.
Tater follows me upstairs and watches as I pack a bag for the trip, and then remember I’d been chatting with Diamond before I ran into Warren.
Diamond:Found it. It’s a local TV station I can tune into online. Drive safe tomorrow, cowboy.
Rhett:Thanks.
After a shower, I slide under the blankets and invite Tater up with me. When I return after the weekend, I’ll be packing up my stuff and getting the keys to my house. There’s no other person I want to be with me when I move in, and it’s time I told him that.
Rhett:I know this is short notice, and you don’t have to say yes, but would you be able to join me when I get the keys next week? I’d like to celebrate the new house with you.
Diamond: I’d be honoured to be your first guest!
Rhett:I’ll let you know when I’m home. Good night, beautiful.
