A Perfect Fluke

Four

Rosie's waffles were indeed the best. The old woman was an expert. They were crunchy and had the perfect texture. I found myself itching to try to copy the recipe, with my own additions for the blog, of course.

I asked her about it, mentioning that I'd be featuring the restaurant as a sort of introduction, and she was elated to hear about the free promo. With my phone, I took some decent shots and saved a few ideas for the upcoming article.

While we drove back home, Liam stopped on the hardware store and got the little thing for the faucet. I insisted on paying, and after a five-minute discussion, Liam let me. When we walked outside of the store, I asked him if we could stop at the grocery store as well.

"Why?" He cocked his head to the side, looking wary.

I laughed at him. "I can cook!"

"So you say..."

His skeptical tone made me feel like I had to prove myself. I took another approach. "Noah, do you want to make cookies?"

Noah's eyes lit up. "Chocolate chip cookies?"

Smiling, I leaned closer to him. "How about double-chocolate chip cookies?"

His smile widened. "Those sounds so much better!"

An easygoing grin drew on my face as I straightened. "So, supermarket?" I asked Liam raising an eyebrow.

His eyes narrowed a little, but Noah was really excited, so he couldn't say no. "The real kind, right? We're boys. We need full fat, normal flour and such."

I tried not to crack up at that. "Deal."

We got the necessary ingredients to make the cookies, and while we drove back to his house, I thought about Noah's Mom. There were a few pictures on the living room, but I didn't dare ask either of them about her. She was beautiful though.

I'd also seen a few snaps of Caiden, but he looked so different. Too pale and thin. It was heartbreaking. I'd studied his picture for a long time, trying to decipher what was going on through that head of his, why would he thought about leaving me his restaurant, but I came up with nothing. Caiden was a mystery.

Making the cookies with Noah was so much fun. Liam had to run down the road for an emergency with the neighbor's dog. He was a little unsure to leave us alone, but we were halfway through, and Noah was so happy, that he didn't have much choice but to go.

We finished the cookies and cleaned up the mess we made before sitting in the living room with a warm batch on a plate.

"Uncle Caiden was right," Noah said as he reached out for another cookie. His mouth was smeared with chocolate already.

My stomach churned uneasily. "What do you mean?" I tilted my head, watching him as he bit on the cookie.

"He always said that you were funny, and that you'd make cookies with me."

My eyes slid to Caiden's picture. "How would he know that?" Biting my lip, I stood up to take a closer look at the photo.

"He said you were really nice," Noah added with a mouthful.

Oh Caiden. My vision blurred from the tears that pooled in my eyes. "Could you tell me more about him?"

Noah finished his cookie. "He was funny, too." He cleaned his hands on a napkin. "He told me that Mommy would take care of him. I know she does."

The world seemed to slow down in that moment. Noah was so young and he already lost his mom and Uncle. With a sad smile, I sat beside him. "I'm sure they're having like, a slumber party."

He grinned at that. "That sounds fun."

"Yeah," I exhaled slowly, ignoring the tightness in my chest as I added, "It does."

Since we weren't really hungry, —and I felt bad for letting Noah eat half a dozen of cookies— I made a quick salad for dinner.

Liam came back as we finished setting the table. Noah spent all dinner talking about everything and anything, gesturing with his hands, as I sank into my seat more and more. He suggested a walk for Loki after dinner and I stayed home to clean up the kitchen. I was too embarrassed to go with them. First, I break the kitchen and then I induce Noah to a sugar rush.

I was just finishing the last plate when the back-door opened. Noah stepped inside, yawning. Thank God. Liam sent him to bed. He trailed behind Noah to tuck him in and I couldn't help but follow Liam with my eyes until they disappeared.

Sighing, I poured myself some coffee and walked outside. I sat on the steps, enjoying the countryside. Crisp night breeze teased my cheeks, the sound of crickets chirped on the distance and the stars twinkled on the horizon.