Call Me Hurt

Chapter 11 - Hurt

For the next couple of months, Helena and Rikki helped with EJ's applications to culinary schools, and for the first time in a long time, she started cooking again. Not for survival this time, but simply because she enjoyed it. Ellen didn't ask questions as to why we suddenly had so many meals in the fridge, and at the same time, EJ wasn't ready to tell her. But as soon as the applications were sent, she knew it was time, no matter how unprepared she was for the inevitable fight with her mother.

"So, what do you think? How does it taste?" EJ asked.

Rikki stabbed their fork into the crispy piece of chicken and put it in their mouth. They were silent as they chewed, looking up as if they were trying to find the right words.

"It tastes like chicken." They finally replied.

EJ rolled her eyes. "Yes, I know, it's karaage. How does it taste?"

"Chicken-y?"

"I mean does it have too much ginger, or not enough sake, is it too dry? I need details, Rikki. I thought you were supposed to be an expert."

"Hey, I was just born into this career. I know how to eat the food, but I'm the worst person when it comes to feedback. Why do you think I didn't make a speech at the gala? I'm terrible with words."

"Well, I still need your help. It's such a common meal though. I don't want to make the judges something too simple."

"I like the crispiness, and the chicken is nice and moist. But you might want to go bigger. Nothing fancy, but something that you can show off a bit."

"Way ahead of you, Rik." EJ said, turning back to the stove.

"Oh my god, that smells so good!" I said, taking a large inhale of the chicken katsu she had sizzling in the frying pan. "It's times like these I wish I was able eat."

"And here I was about to offer you a bite." EJ replied in her thoughts as she stirred the mixture.

"Remember, they're not expecting you to be Julia Child. If you could already cook something complicated, then they'll have nothing to teach you." Rikki said, shoving another forkful of the crispy chicken in their mouth.

"Helena did say she was a fan of my chicken katsu, and she was usually harsh when it came to judging our dishes in high school."

"You need a second opinion." Rikki replied and then turned in the dining room chair to face the loungeroom. "Ellen, come try EJ's meals!"

EJ couldn't gage what kind of mood Ellen was in that day. She didn't seem comfortable having someone else in her house. She wasn't drinking, but she had been lying on the couch watching movies for hours. EJ hoped all of this meant that she was just having a relaxed day and not a bad day.

"It smells amazing, baby girl." Ellen said as she made her way into the dining room.

When she sat down, I placed two bowls in front of her: one with the karaage, the other with the chicken katsu. Ellen took a whiff of both of them before digging into the chicken katsu. She let out a satisfied sigh as soon as she took the first bite.

"Oh my god, that's so good." She said with a full mouth. "It's so juicy, and the soup complements the seasoning really well."

"See?" EJ said, turning to Rikki. "Feedback like that."

"Why do you need feedback? Are you cooking for someone?" Ellen asked, almost too distracted by the two meals she was shovelling into her mouth.

"Yeah, it's for..."

EJ stopped herself and dug through her brain for a decent lie. She didn't want to have this conversation yet, especially in front of Rikki, but she knew it had to be talked about.