Cole & Jamie

Epilogue

"Now Jamie, once the potatoes are fork tender turn off the boiler and drain the water."

Harriet stood over my shoulder waving her hands over the stove top. I'd successfully made mashed potatoes more times than I could count now, but none of those times had bred much confidence in my Godmother. Whenever I was tasked with cooking them for Sunday dinner Harriet still gave me the same lecture about the potatoes.

And every time I say. "I've got it, Harriet."

Over the past few months, Cole has been helping me learn my way around the kitchen. It has not been an easy task but he's been patient and more than willing to teach me. And I've found that I actually enjoy cooking when I don't have someone screaming about how I'm going to kill them with an undone chicken breast (something I have never done). No, Cole never yells, he just gently guides me to the right thing.

It's been a nice bonding activity.While we cook he tells me all about his past and I tell him about mine, his is a lot more interesting.

"Okay, well, you just keep an eye on it, because if you're not watching it they'll get too soft and the potatoes will be runny," she reiterated before going back to her own chopping on the other end of the counter.

"She's got it, Harrie! Stop nagging her," Mama shouted across the room. She stood at the open backdoor her apron still spotless. She wasn't doing much cooking today. She was too busy directing Cole and Julian on where to put her new patio furniture.

She's been keeping them busy.

Cole was the first to volunteer to help her, and somehow, maybe against his will, Julian got roped in. From my understanding they were just supposed to move some benches into her garden and suddenly it's become a whole renovation.

This project has brought out a side of Cole I never knew existed. He has a real talent for building things and an eye for interior, in this case exterior, design. I should have known just from how his house was designed. He has some of the most beautiful furniture pieces I've ever seen. It's good for him to find new interests outside of his current work. He likes to stay busy. And Mama loves to give him work.

I just wish she would encourage him to wear more sunscreen when she does it. There is only so much Aloe can fix.

I could hear the tiny feet hitting the floor before I could feel the tiny hands pulling at the bottom of my dress. Michelle yanked at the hem of my dress to get my attention.

"Mimi, can you pour me some juice, please?" she asked, her lips stained a bright cherry red. I didn't bother to ask what she had eaten. I'm sure if I looked in her pockets I'd find a candy wrapper or two. It wasn't hard to guess who gave it to her either. I know for a fact Cole keeps candy in his pockets so he can give them to her.

I couldn't help myself I squeezed her round cheeks. Ever since she started Kindergarten, I can't help but want to squeeze her every time I see her. It won't be long before she won't let me anymore. "Since you asked so nicely."

I saw Harriet cut her eyes at me as I took ten measly steps away from the stove to pour Michelle a glass of apple juice. "I'm still watching the potatoes," I announced.

"Hmm," she huffed. She scraped her veggies into a bowl and marched into the backyard with Mama.

I rolled my eyes. Talk about being a control freak in the kitchen, it's just potatoes.

Michelle bounced up and down impatiently as I poured her juice. So much sugar before dinner probably wasn't a good idea, but her parents were here they can worry about that. I snapped on the lid and sent her on her way turning my attention back to my potatoes.