The Reporter

Chapter 12: Pancakes

I didn't even remember that last night I gave him my phone number. I started to reply back, but then put down my phone on the couch. I was here with Danielle and didn't want to deal with this crap yet.

I walked back over to Danielle and sat on the couch. "Who was that?" said Danielle taking a sip of poland spring water.

"Nobody. It was just work," I lied.

"Ah, work always trying to get you to do stuff for them on your days off," she chuckled to herself.

I couldn't stop thinking about Harry's text. Do I tell him what he said? Do I lie and never see him again? Somehow I knew that would never happen. I had a yearning in my stomach to see him although I would never admit it. It reminded me of the Chinese legend that there is a red rope that ties you to the one you love and it can never be severed even by the sharpest of knives.

"What's wrong?" Danielle asked.

I snapped out of my little thought bubble. "No, nothings wrong. Want to make pancakes?"

"Wow, snappy. But sure!"

My father always had the best pancake recipe and he would make them every Sunday for me. That is until he died from cancer when I was 13. My mother and father were like one person. So when my father died my mom just shut down. She turned from a bubbly amazing mother to a totally out of it mean mother. She became an alcoholic, would disappear for weeks on end, and would constantly insult me. Ever since I left for college she hasn't tried to contact me.

I finished mixing the batter and started pouring it in the pan. It sizzled when it hit the pan.

Danielle was sitting at my island on one of the stools bouncing up and down like a child, "I want chocolate chips in mine! And make mine mickey mouse shaped!" I rolled my eyes at her and plopped her pancake down on her plate with a slap.

"Thank you!" She took a bite of it, closed her eyes, and moaned really loud.

"Stop it!" I said.

"What? It's really good!" We both laughed.

When we were done with breakfast I helped Danielle pack up her bag to leave for Rutgers to go see her boyfriend Joshie.

"I'm going to miss you so much!" Danielle said standing in the open door frame with car running. She jumped up on to me and gave me a hug making me almost loose my balance.

"We'll text every day!" my eyes getting wet.

"Aww Chris, don't cry!" She gave me another hug and started walking to her car. "I love you, gurl!" She called out before driving away.

"Luv you too, bye!" I said and I waved as she drove out of sight.

I sat down on the couch feeling very lonely and depressed. I needed go out somewhere. I remembered the text from Harry and replied: meet me at Hudson Cafe and we'll talk.