Motivation of Memories: The Second Book of the Labors of Love Series

Bad News

Prince's POV

I really do hate to see her like this. After the MRI, Dr. Andrews said she does have a concussion but it's extremely mild and she should be fine in a week. Her instructions are the same as before and that's what she's upset about. I've been trying to calm her down and give her other things to do but, she's not having it. He told me she would be irritable but, this isn't what I expected.

"Genevieve, I'm not gonna let you mood in this room all week."

"Then take me home so, I can mope in my own room all week." She hasn't gotten out of bed since we returned from the appointment yesterday. Not for water, not for food, not for anything. Ronnie checked on her throughout the night and she never even went to sleep.

"We can talk about you going home over breakfast. Will you join me this morning?" With her arms crossed over her chest she looks like a giant toddler. Her face is full of anger but I know she's hungry. I can hear her stomach at the door. "Would you be happier if I let you cook?" She looks over at me for the first time since I walked in. After glancing at her growling stomach she caves. Slowly, she removes the covers from her body, stands from the bed and walks over to me.

We walk slowly to the kitchen. Once inside, she leans against the counter.

"What do you want to eat?"

"What can you make?"

"I can make a lot of things. Tell me what you want and I'll tell you if I can make it."

"What're you in the mood for?"

"Something warm with some protein."

"Bacon and eggs?"

"Eh. I had that a few days ago."

"I was gonna have Susan make shrimp and grits. Does that work?"

"That could be good."

"You've had it?"

"Baba went on a trip to the south when we had first moved. He tried all kinds of food we had never had down there. It was one of his favorites for a long time."

"Here, I'll help you set up." I walk around the kitchen pulling everything I think she'll need for a tasty shrimp and grits. She looks over the counter and picks up each item before searching through the cabinets. I watch as she opens each one pulling out extra ingredients. She checks the drawers for utensils grabbing knives and big spoons. Then, she goes to the fridge and grabs some produce.

"Need any help?" I offer from the other side of the kitchen.

"Take the tails off the shrimp and put the tails in a bowl." She pushes the bowl of fresh shrimp my way without looking up from the onion she's started dicing. Standing at the sink I remove each tail and like she asked I put the tails back into a bowl. Every now and then I look over and see her cutting more things. Another onion, a bell pepper, some celery, a carrot. At the stove, she heats some olive oil before returning to her vegetables.

At this point, I've finished with the shrimp. She grabs the bowl of tails and tosses them into the pot before adding the thicker pieces of vegetables. She stirs them around with a spoon for a while and I watch over her shoulder as they cook. The shells blush a bright pink and the vegetables begin to soften from the heat.

"Fill this with cold water, please." She passes the bowl back to me and I fill it to the top with water before bringing it back. She pours it carefully, not spilling a drop, over the vegetables and tails. She heads back to the counter and begins to add seasonings to the pot. Once satisfied, she covers the lid partially and turns up the heat before sitting at the island.