The Love You Give

Meat and Potatoes

An hour later and dinner was being served. Ezra didn't want to be near the boys and risk another breakdown in front of Celeste and Jansen, so she told Marisol that she would help serve dinner and hang out in the kitchen with her since she had already eaten. Ezra told Celeste she wanted the Scotts to have family time just the five of them again and Celeste could tell it was something Ezra wanted, so she agreed. When the boys realized she wasn't having dinner with them they realized just how hurt she was. Jacob felt the worst of all and just wanted dinner to fly by so he could talk to his girlfriend. The boudin balls were a hit, which Ezra knew they would be. She plated the main dish and let Marisol serve it. She couldn't take looking into the three pairs of ocean eyes that were so emotive. Instead, she worked on dessert. Her mother's favorite, beignets.

"This food is amazing. She really is a good cook," Jansen said taking another bite of his étouffée. Celeste wanted to make conversation with her sons, but she couldn't stop eating long enough. "I'm going to be in the gym all day tomorrow," Celeste sighed as she took another bite. "How was school?" Jansen asked any of his sons. "Fine." Jace answered swiftly. "Did Ezra have a good day? Did she meet anyone?" Jansen asked wanting more than he was given. "It was fine for her too," Jackson stepped in. "At least one of us is in her classes. We're all in 4th period together. She made friends with the new girl from last year that moved here from Texas. Lara June...Lindsey Jean..." Ezra sighed as she opened the door separating the kitchen and the dining room. "Lucy Jane," she finished. "Her name is Lucy Jane and she's from Fort Worth," Ezra said to Celeste who she knew would know where that was.

"It's always nice to meet a fellow Southerner in this Yankee world. You're going to have to invite her over for dinner sometime, Ezra." Celeste smiled. "I'd like that." She said as she removed plates and placed dessert down. "Beignets!" Celeste cried happily. "I haven't had one of these since my last visit to Café Du Monde." Ezra smiled at her happy expression. "These are better," she said with a wink before leaving them to it. They all bit into the fluffy, doughy square and sighed. The powdered sugar got all over their faces and hands, but they didn't care. "This is incredible," Jansen said taking a bigger bite. "Was I the idiot that said she can only cook twice a month?" Celeste asked herself earning laughs in response.

"You did good." Ezra smiled as she helped Marisol load the dishwasher. "Thank you, Mari." Marisol could tell Ezra was down. Her once chipper disposition was replaced by a sullen one. "What's wrong, Estrella?" Ezra smiled at the nickname given to her. "Have you ever had a boyfriend do something so stupid that you wanted to punch him?" Marisol nodded. "My Carlos was a real tonto (fool) when we first got together. He was always doing things that he thought was best for us, but it just pushed me away." Ezra listened intently. "One day I had enough and told him we need to talk about our future and whether we would even have one. That got him to listen. We both realized there was a lot of things we hadn't defined in our relationship and a lack of communication that only time and effort would resolve."

Marisol wiped her hands and placed them on Ezra's. "You move fast, niñita (little girl). You move here for a few days and you already have a boyfriend." Marisol wiggled her eyebrows causing the girl to laugh. "Say what you need to say, but be sure to listen just as carefully. You two will figure it out." She gave her a kiss with her cheek before grabbing her things in the corner walkway. "Buenas noches, Estrella." Ezra waved her off before closing and locking the door. She went back into the dining room to collect the dessert plates and laughed at what she saw.

They were all in food comas. Happy. Full. Satiated. "You hated it!" Ezra said dramatically. "Are you crazy, little girl, that was the best dinner I've had in years." Celeste said with a smile. Ezra began piling the dishes but Jace stopped her. "We'll do this," he said with a small smile. "You go relax." She looked at Jackson and Jacob and relented. "I'm glad you liked it," Ezra said before giving Jansen and Celeste a kiss on the cheek. "Goodnight, Ezra," Celeste called out.