Taco Duck and Malachi

Taco Dinner

Oh wow, sometimes you go to the supermarket and they have just what you need. Sometimes they have milk. Sometimes they have eggs. Sometimes they have bread. Today they had taco ingredients and that's just what Malachi needed.

He picked out taco shells, tortillas, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, limes, cilantro, and ground beef. He purchased them from a cashier at the front of the supermarket and drove home in his red automobile. At home, he carried the armful of groceries inside, unpacked the taco supplies from the brown paper bags they had been packed in, and began making dinner.

Tossing the ground beef into a hot frying pan, Malachi cooked it up with the taco seasoning he kept in the cupboard next to his stove. As the lovely smells of taco meat filled the air, Marvus the duck joined him in the kitchen.

Malachi grabbed a glass bottle of water from the counter. He swallowed a swig and offered it to Marvus, who also drank.

Returning the bottle, Marvus commented on the cooking. "Smells good. What are you making?"

"Thanks, Marv," said Malachi. "It's ground beef for tacos. The rest of the ingredients are over here on the island." He gestured to the granite-topped island in the middle of the room.

"Excellent," said Marv. "Tacos are the best, as I know you agree."

"They are."

Malachi wasn't sure what species of duck Marv was, but he had a white body with green tail feathers. A thick band of black encircled his neck and his head was an iridescent yellow. They had lived together as roommates for the past three years. It wasn't always easy. Sometimes they didn't get along. But drinking together had helped them bond. Mostly they enjoyed drinking water together, but every now and then they would get into the booze.

Today, Malachi had forgotten to buy any light beers at the supermarket. It would have been nice to have some to go with the tacos. Or at least some tequila if they were all out of beer.

Malachi shrugged and continued sifting the ground beef with a wooden spoon. Maybe next time. The tacos would still be good without beer.

"Hey," said Marv, "I'm going to go sit on the patio until the food is ready. Just call me when it is."

"Sounds good," said Malachi. "Actually, sitting outside for dinner sounds nice. It's a lovely day."

"It is. Good weather."

"In that case, I'll bring everything outside when it's ready."

"Do you need help with anything? Sorry for not asking. I can dice the onions."

"No, that's okay. I don't mind preparing tacos."

"Are you sure?" Marv looked concerned, as if he didn't believe Malachi.

"Yes, yes!" Malachi proffered a permissive smile. "Please go outside and enjoy the weather. This won't take long."

"Very well," said Marvus. "See you out there."

The duck waddled off to the back sliding door. Marv was about the size of a bowling ball, largely from eating so many tacos all the time.

Malachi patted his own belly. Marv wasn't alone in that.

In any case, the ground beef was soon cooked to perfection and Malachi drained the extra grease before shifting the meat to a large bowl. He then cut up the lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. He chopped the cilantro and sliced the limes into wedges. Lastly, he warmed a few tortillas and placed them next to the hard taco shells on a tray.

It took two trips, but Malachi managed to bring all of it to the back patio table, including the bottle of water. Was that everything? Marvus sat in a folding chair, eagerly eyeing the food as it arrived. Malachi poured a glass of water for each of them and they each drank a sip.