Kate Fleur's Love Soup

6. Flavours of Deception

I woke up to the sound of Margaret humming in the kitchen.  I followed the irresistible aroma to the kitchen, my stomach growling in anticipation. Margaret was busy at the stove, her face flushed with concentration.

"What are you making?" I asked, my eyes widening as I took in the sizzling pan. "The smell...oh my god!"

Margaret turned around, a triumphant grin on her face. "Okay, so today's menu is pastrami hash with runny fried eggs!"

I wrinkled my nose, unsure. "What is that?"

Margaret chuckled. "I know you haven't tried it, that's why it's today's breakfast. Just trust me, it's too delicious."

She slid the perfectly cooked dish onto the countertop where I was sitting, and my eyes widened at the sight. The combination of crispy pastrami, golden-brown potatoes, and runny eggs looked unlike anything I'd ever had before.

I hesitated for a moment, but Margaret's enthusiasm was infectious. I picked up a fork, took a tentative bite...

And oh, wow! The flavors exploded in my mouth, a perfect balance of salty, sweet, and savory. I couldn't believe I'd gone so long without trying this!

"Marlo, this is incredible!" I exclaimed, taking another bite.

Margaret beamed with pride. "Told you, didn't I?"

As I savored every bite, Margaret asked, "So, as you slept early yesterday and we couldn't talk much, tell me, how's life going?"

I didn't stop eating, my mouth full, and said, "Arggh, I don't want to talk about my life in front of this delicious...pastrami hushy...no, hashy...what is it?"

Margaret chuckled. "It's pastrami hash with runny fried eggs, Kate!"

I nodded, still eating, "Yeah, that's the one..."

Finally, I put down my fork, took a sip of coffee, and sighed. "Well, you see, I don't know how my life is going. It feels like my life is going too fast without me in it, and I'm lagging behind. When I try to catch up with it, I discover more ridiculous and unbelievable things about my life along the way, and it seems like I can never catch up with it."

Margaret's expression turned reassuring.
"Everything will be fine, Kate. Life just puts you in a tight spot where you don't know what to do...but every problem has its solution. Sometimes it reaches you too early or too late, but it will reach you no matter what!"

I smiled, feeling a sense of hope, and started eating again.

Margaret's curiosity got the better of her. "So, who all did you see? Did you see all your boyfriends?"

I replied, "Really, your questions didn't finish?"

Margaret grinned mischievously. "Of course not! I just started it, and I'm so curious to know."

I sighed, shaking my head. "Well, I just saw three of them. The first one I saw was so dramatic...it felt so fake to me...arghh, what was his name...Henry! Henry is his name."

Margaret's expression turned fiery. "What? He was there? You should have kicked that idiot's ass out as soon as you saw him! When you were in a coma for four months, he was seeing another girl! How dare he?"

She smirked, her tone still incredulous. "But you aren't less, either. He might have only had two girlfriends at a time, but you have...well, it's good that you didn't kick him."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised by Margaret's outburst. "Seriously, Margaret?"

Margaret's smirk grew wider. "I'm just saying, Kate. You have a collection of your own. Anyway, who did you see then?"