Desirous of Everything at the Same Time

Chapter Five

Bianca and Devon arguably conversed with my parents more than I did, so it came as no surprise to me that when we arrived at my house before departing for mine and Adeline's subdivision that they went straight to my kitchen to talk to my parents and I went straight to my bedroom. I searched my moderately sized room for any valuable supplies for our investigation. I retrieved my PVC imitation leather jacket that my vegan mother bought for me that previous Christmas from my closest and a college ruled notebook and ballpoint pen on my desk in order to transcribe mine and Adeline's conversations from the day prior. I packed all of the necessities for our research tightly into my backpack and threw it over my burly shoulders. I strolled into the kitchen to find Devon and Bianca sitting at the table, eating basil-tomato grilled cheese Panini sandwiches.

"Are you serious?" I asked, astounded that Devon and Bianca had already made themselves comfortable in my house when they were well aware that we were under time constraints. "Didn't you guys eat already?"

"You know I only have a few life rules I live by," Devon said while chewing on a sticky slice of Mozzarella cheese, "and one of them is never turn down food that has been offered to you."

"I hear that!" Bianca said, extending her closed fist to pound Devon's knuckles.

My Mother turned from the stove to look at me with her murky hazel eyes through her browline glasses: "Hey, Louis, I made you a sandwich too, if you want it." She was wearing curry corduroy pants and a brown t-shirt that read "You are what you eat, so don't eat anything that poops."

"Uh, no thanks, Mom, I'm okay," I replied.

"Oh, okay," she said, shifting her attention to my friends. "Would you guys like another sandwich before you go?"

Before Devon and Bianca could answer, I gave them a firm, familiar look that I had given them multiple times in the past that expressed "We should really get going!"

"Right," Devon said, deciphering my message and wiping his face with a rose taupe handkerchief. "Thanks for the sandwich Mrs. Warner!"

"Yeah, thanks!" Bianca added.

"It was my pleasure," my Mother said, sweeping a strand of dark hair behind her ear. "I will leave one in the refrigerator for you to bring to school tomorrow, Louis."

"All right," I replied, "thanks Mom. I'll see you later."

My Father entered the compact kitchen and leaned his tall and slender body against the ugly olive wall.

"Hey, if it isn't my favorites of Louis' friends!" my Father said, drying his hands with a French tea towel.

"Hey, Mr. Warner," Bianca said, standing up to greet my Father with a strong handshake, which Devon embarrassedly followed with a mere wave.

"Hey, honey," my Mom said to my Dad, "I made you a Panini sandwich. It is on the table waiting for you."

My Dad smiled and kissed my Mom on the lips: "No matter how hard I try, I will never stop trying to deserve you."

"Louis will never deserve you either, Mrs. Warner," Bianca said and I gently elbowed her in the spleen.

"So, Devon tells me you guys are driving to the outskirts of town?" my Mom asked while situating herself at the dining table with a biodegradable, compostable plate of homemade vegan Bruschetta. "What are you guys doing there?"

I looked at Devon annoyed as if to ask, "Dude, why did you tell her?"

Devon returned my stare with innocent eyes as if to communicate, "Dude, she coaxed me with delicious Panini sandwiches!"