Parents

Chapter 8 Breakfast R

We were both so tired that we slept soundly until his alarm went off. He told me to stay put and kissed my forehead as he climbed out of bed. I hissed a bit as he pulled the sheet over my bare back. He whispered an apology and told me to sleep. I cuddled his pillow and swiftly fell back asleep.

I showered, dressed and headed downstairs. I met her mother in the kitchen and greeted her with a hug. "Good morning, Mom. What's for breakfast?" I walked to the fridge and opened it. And started rambling off the contents of it. "We have eggs, sausage, bacon, ham and chipped beef, all the ingredients for biscuits, pancakes, waffles, crepes, fresh fruit, fresh veggies, cottage cheese, greek yogurt, oh chicken too." I had my head in the fridge. I stood, closed it and looked at her. "We could make anything breakfast. I have potatoes too."

"Wow. Fully stocked. How about biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, and fruit?"

"Sausage gravy?" I grinned like a fool.

"Yes. Both Lizette and Jeff love it made from scratch."

"Me too. So I would cut the fruit and put it back in the fridge to avoid cross contamination then work with the meat, gravy, and eggs. I wonder if we make gravy the same way. Sound like a plan?" I hoped that was all that needed to be said and we could just get to it. My stomach growled at us as I was filling the kettle for Lizzie's tea.

"Sounds good. I could make biscuits if you want to do the gravy or vice versa?"

"Vice versa, please. I'd like to learn your skill at gravy. Lizzie raves about it. I want to be able to give her as much of a taste of home as possible when I cook for her."

She reached out and put her hand on my cheek. "That's so sweet of you, dear. Of course, I will share my recipe."

At some point, while we were busy moving about the kitchen preparing breakfast her dad joined us. I gave him a small glass of orange juice and the three of us chatted while her mom and I cooked. He was quiet as her mom taught me how to make gravy her way and I explained what was special about my pans. We worked just as well as Lizzie and I typically do in the kitchen. I asked her if she wanted to go and wake Lizzie while I put the plates on the table. I was relaxed and sharing control in a way that made me feel really good.

"I have honestly never met a man that obsessed with his pans, but I get it." She laughed. "Let me go wake my daughter." She headed upstairs to do just that.

I was startled by my mom waking me up. It was usually Avi, and I usually got a snuggle or two. Mom did help me put some aloe on my back before I pulled on a t-shirt and pajama pants and joined everyone for breakfast. Together they had made my favorites and my eyes welled up with tears. I went over to Avi and wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my head in his shoulder.

I put my hand on the back of her head when she put her head on my shoulder to avoid touching her sunburn. It was apparently pretty bad. "You okay, Love?"

I sniffled. "This is just so sweet and I am going to miss them when they go." I did my best to pull myself together.

I really wanted to rub her back or touch her cheeks, but the sun can be so wicked sometimes. I put my forehead to hers used both hands to run hair that wasn't out of place behind her ears. "I know, Sweetie. I will too. It's going to be alright. They'll be back for a visit before you know it. I promise. Let's enjoy the time we have." My stomach growled? "Let's eat, Babe. I'd like to take a look at your back a little later, okay?"

I nodded. "Okay. It all smells really good and just like home." I blew my nose and headed towards the table to sit and eat.

While we hugged and talked I spied her parents standing holding each other and smiling. As we all took our seats her mother asked, "Do you guys do that all of the time?"