Chapter 8

1 0 0
                                    

Chapter 8: Removing Her Past

In the front room watching the game with Olivia, Cory slowly begins to learn more about the team.

"Are they playing a really good team, huh?" Cory asks, not knowing much about the landscape of college football.

"A nobody team from Idaho, but they're playing like hog shit. C'mon, carry the damn ball!" she screams, flipping off the players on the screen out of frustration. Cory's getting a kick out of it even when Mr. Rose enters the room and carries on with his wife.

"C'mon y'all. Can't beat 'Bama down the stretch if ya play with a trough full of slop!" he yells, turning Razorback red in the cheeks.

He remembers that Cory is still in the room; Mr. Rose finally introduces himself.

"For heaven's sake, I'm sorry, son. I'm Dewey, but everyone calls me Wane. It's a pleasure to make ya acquaintance, young man."

Cory looks and nods as he reintroduces himself as well. "Well, as you know, I'm Cory. Nothing special to call me, other than Core."

Wane chuckles and waves him toward the kitchen, sensing he would rather spend time with Tara.

Once he's out of the room, Wane looks over to Olivia with a smirk on his face. "You was, right, nice kid. I like him already. Maybe this Yankee town ain't gonna be that bad after all."

Olivia slaps him playfully on the knee. "Yeah, it'll work out for the best, I think."

They return their attention to the TV, yelling at the referees again for what they see as a missed penalty.

"Hey there, hot stuff, need a hand?" Cory asks at the edge of the counter.

"No, just take a seat at the table and talk to me," Tara orders as she keeps her eyes on the skillet sizzling with four oversized pork chops.

"Can do, honeydew!" Cory takes a seat and stares at her.

Tara is hustling around, checking on her rolls in the oven and stirring the variety of vegetables boiling on the stove.

"Smells amazing!" Cory says, taking in a whiff of it all.

"Thank you, sweetness. Hope ya actually enjoy it, since it's gonna be like nuttin' you had before."

She keeps up the hasty pace and is asked questions as she continues to add seasonings and spices.

"What's that you're adding to it?"

"Well, I've melted down some butter and sprinkled in some garlic powder, rosemary, seasoning salts, and ground pepper—with just a hint of lemon pepper seasoning. It makes the pork taste a lot better, if you ask me."

Cory pops off without realizing it. "I did ask, so yeah, it sounds as good as it smells."

She scoffs and snickers as the butter pops in the skillet.

It takes her roughly ten minutes finish cooking. She picks up two plates to plate each dish in a fancy matter.

"Would you care to take these to my parents and then come back to get each both a beer, please? You don't know how much I would appreciate it," Tara pleads, using a hand towel to wipe her brow.

"I think I could manage that."

Cory struts up, pecking her on the cheek as he clutches the plates in his hands, walking back into the living room. He announces out loud to get their attention, "Food is served, compliments of the house chef."

Wane and Olivia laugh as they take their plates from Cory's grasp.

"I will be right back with your drinks," he says as he scurries away.

Escaping RiverCreekWhere stories live. Discover now