Petit Monde (Rye Beaumont)

DINNER

Alexandria Anderson

   “By the way, aren’t you coming home yet?” I ask.

   “Our medical mission isn’t over yet, sweetheart, we still have two more days.” she replies.

   “Right,” I say rather flatly as I look down. “sorry.”

   “Why’d you ask, is everything okay?” she asks.

   “Yeah, it’s just that I spoke with Ryan earlier and he said that his Mom wants us to come over for dinner tonight.” I reply.

   “I wish I could come, I am really sorry, Alexandria.” she says in an apologetic tone.

   “Don’t worry about it, Mom, it’s okay.” I assure her, like always.

   “I gotta go, I’ll just talk to you later, okay?” she asks.

   “Okay, take care, Mom.” I say. “I love you, bye.”

   “You too, sweetheart, I love you.” she replies and ends the call.

   I sigh and just lay on my back, looking up at the ceiling. At around two in the afternoon, I take a bath and put on a pair of sweatpants and a plain cotton t–shirt before leaving for Asda. I just buy a couple things and drive back home to bake. As I was baking, I receive a text from Rye – saying that he was going to come over.

   “Watchu doing?” he asks, walking into the kitchen.

   “Oh, uh, I am baking cupcakes for your family.” I glance at him and continue to mix the batter.

   “You didn’t have to do that.” he says.

   “It’s okay,” I shrug, looking up at him with a smile. “I didn’t have anything for them when we went there last time so I just want to make it up to them.”

   A smile tugs at the corners of his lips, “So, what can I do to help?”

   “Um, could you please preheat the oven; 175°C, bottom and top heat.” I tell him.

   “On it.” he walks over to the oven and sets the temperature and time, whilst I continue to fill the cups with the mix using an ice cream scoop. “How’d you know how to bake?” he asks.

   “Mom taught me, it’s like our bonding.” I reply with a smile.

   “That’s really cute.” he mumbles, smiling as he watches me. “By the way, Shaun and Sammie miss you already.”

   “What made you say that?” I look up at him, the smile on my face unfaltering.

   “They keep on asking me about you whenever I talk to them, I am actually starting to get jealous.” he mutters.

   I smile and shake my head, “You are very lucky to have them, Ryan.”

   “Yeah, I know.” he says, as he looks down and smiles.

  I stop what I was doing and just look at him.

   “You know, I really admire you and your family; your relationship with each other is just..” I stop, as I think about the right word. “I just think it’s perfect; if I were you, I would probably have nothing else to ask for.”

  He smiles a little and walks towards me and puts his hand on my shoulder – pulling me closer to him.

  “I honestly don’t have anything else to ask for.” he says, making me smile.

  He ruffles my hair as he pulls away and I continue what I was doing. After putting them into the oven, Rye helps me clean up all the mess on the counter and puts them into the sink.