“Kier’s a sweet boy. He probably didn’t want to hurt your feelings. Are there eggs here? Let me teach you my French toast recipe. It’s easy.”
“Okay.” I said, stepping aside as she made her way around the kitchen. She searched the cabinets, pulling the ingredients out one by one. I watched her for a moment before reaching for the eggs.
“So, Sibley, tell me a little bit about you, and crack those eggs into the bowl.”
I tapped one egg on the side of the bowl, letting it fall in. “Ms. Theresa, you are putting me on the spot. I don’t know what to say.”
She smiled casually. “Beat the eggs and tell me whatever feels most natural.”
The whisk moved in my hand as I thought about it. “I’m the youngest, between my sister and me. I love fish… haven’t been snorkeling yet but that’s on my bucket list. I work in media marketing. Love music, birds, and I LOVE traveling, and I don’t know what else.”
She gestured toward the ingredients without interrupting. “Half a teaspoon of vanilla and banana extract. Just a dash of cinnamon.” She added, handing me measuring spoons, “Media marketing is different. What’s your favorite genre of music?”
“Can’t say I have one. I listen to everything,” I said, adding the ingredients. “From Bon Jovi to B.B. King.”
“Now what do you know about B.B. King?”
“The Thrill Is Gone. My grandmother used to play it.”
“Actually, Sibley… you haven’t said much about your family outside of your sister.”
The whisk slowed in my hand, loss was still a sensitive topic. Grief is something that sits just underneath the surface untilsomeone brings it up. Then the flood of emotions follows which is why I avoided that topic with Kier. I took a deep breath hoping to contain myself then I continued.
“My parents died when I was sixteen. We stayed with my aunt for a few years, but for the most part it was just us. My sister and I have somewhat of a complicated relationship.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Losing both parents; that couldn’t have been easy.”
“No easier than Kier losing his dad at an early age,” I replied. “What a blessing it was that he still had you.”
“He told you about that?”
“He did.”
A brief silence fell between us. I wasn’t sure what she was thinking. And for the first time since she walked in, I realized I was paying attention to that.
“That’s pretty much it,” she said, nodding toward the skillet. “Dip the bread and place it once it’s hot.”
I followed her lead, placing the slices down carefully while she continued speaking.
“Sister relationships can be tough,” she added, putting ingredients away. “But there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for mine. However at some point, I had to choose myself. I do understand Sibley, choosing yourself isn’t always simple.”
“No, it’s not.”
“I’ll say a prayer for you both. It will get better.”
I glanced over at her, offering a small smile. “Thank you, Ms. Theresa.”
We worked in silence for a moment before I flipped the French toast.
“You did good,” she said after tasting it. “Try it.”
I took a bite and agreed. “It’s really good.”
The elevator doors opened and Kier walked in with an older male. His presence brought me relief, hell a sigh of relief. I’dbeen somewhat holding my breath in his mothers presence. Him showing up made me feel like I wasn’t being observed anymore.
“Is that my mama French toast I smell?”
Kier tossed his keys on the island and kissed his mother on the cheek. “You haven’t been here a full two hours, and you’re already cooking.”
