Flaws, Flames, & Flashes

V.

^Omar Ramirez

__________

The day had gone by pretty quickly and besides the fact that I had tones of papers to turn in, worksheets to complete, and books to read, I was ready to go home. I might have taken almost the whole week off but, either way, I am completly exhausted.

I walked out of seventh and headed towards my locker. Gisele had stopped me during lunch and asked me to wait for her there so we could head home together.

When I finished placing all my things in the correct location - the books I didn't need for homework I placed in the top shelf and the ones I needed I stuffed in my bag - I closed my locker and waited.

After about thirty minutes, when the hallways were almost completely empty and the only sound came from a group of teachers in the distance who decided to sit in the hallway along the wall in a semicircle and gossip about their students, Gisele shows up.

I pushed myself off of the locker and walked towards her, down the hallway.

"I'm sorry. I made you wait. My locker wouldn't budge and some guy had to help me with it. I'm sorry." She pivoted to walk side by side with me and we started towards the front doors. Her hands in the pockets of her blue cardigan.

"It's okay. You have your car right? Mines at home, Brandon drove me here today."

"Yeah, I do." We walked out the front doors and in the direction of the parking lot. There were a few cars still scattered around but, at the far right, closest to the outside basketball court, there was one car that was eye-cathcing. A prominent red Ford Mustang. Red like the vibrant color of recently cut roses. Those that attract your attention no matter what's around them, you can put yellow daffodils or even white tulips next to them but, the red roses will always stand out amongst the rest.

"Hey, this way. I parked it on the other side. The lot was packed this morning. I was late so, it was expected." She fumbled in her purse befofe taking the car keys out. "I know I said we should go to my place but, lets go to your house instead. I was thinking and forgot that the buildings next to my apartment are still under construction and their still making that really loud sound with that really big machine and its super annoying."

***

Gisele parked her Toyota Prius Hybrid outside my house and we walked in. I cooked some fried shrimp with some left over cornmeal, an egg, some milk, and salt. We dipped them in mayo-ketchup and here and there, in between bites, we made meaningless conversation.

"A, have I ever told you what an amazing cook you are?" She got up from the bar stool and placed her plate in the sink.

"No. I don't think so." Smiling at Gisele, I got up from my seat and placed my plate on top of hers.

"Your mom taught you well. She must be proud of you." We walk out into the living room and I turn the TV on while Gisele sits at one end of the couch.

"Yea, she taught me everything I know about 'the kitchen'. When her and my dad were still married, we used to cook all the meals together during the weekends. From breakfast to lunch to dinner, and during the week, after school, she never started dinner till I got home. When we were in a fight or just mad and didn't want to talk to one another, no one would eat becasue she would never do anything in the kitchen unless I was there with her." Smiling at the memory, I plop myself down an the opposite side of the couch, across from Gisele.

"That's so sweet. How about your dad though? Would he ever cook with or for you guys?" Gisele grabbed the remote control from the coffee table and searched the guide.