When Winter Came

Chapter four

The next day was much of the same. Wake up, tea and toast for breakfast, a walk to work before opening up and milling around for 9 hours. Dom assumed the lack of customers was because of the recent snowfall, people shredding up the powder while it lasted. Although a chance for the excitement turned up at a lunchtime text.

Arron: tonight's the night Dom

Dom: for what?

Arron: chuckie cheese night with MOOSE

Dom: Any idea about times?

Arron: Moose said we should meet at 10 at the ski lodge.

Arron: So get your ADVENTURE ON

How is he a functioning human being...

Dom: You recovered from a fortnight ago?

Arron: almost. I cant feel my face when I sniff glue.

Dom: kk. See u there

He cut off the conversation, turning his phone off as he finished off his shift. In his head recipes went over in his head to do. Listing off the options he decided on a potato lasagne, picking up a bag of cheddar cheese on the way home. 

His brain itched for a change of routine. As he began to cook he felt his shoulders relax into each knife cut. He sliced the potato with precision, each like strips of foil to work with. He got out a bag of spinach he had wilting in the fridge and with everything out he began to layer the only dish he had. He made a scale pattern with the cut potato slices on the bottom, adding a thin layer of tomato sauce on top, followed by handful of cheddar cheese. 

He felt himself breath out, a small smile on his face as finished up the simple dish. He put it in the oven with a seasoning and more cheddar cheese. He put everything away and gave the place a quick wash, taking pride in the near spotless state of the kitchen.

On his phone he set the timer to 10 minutes and turned on the free cable TV. An advertisement for a pre-owned cars in the middle of nowhere chirped on.

 A man with a potato head and a cheap suit pointed at repainted cars with a false excitement, not-for-profit music singing in the background. The volume changing at every side swipe transition of the advertisement; or infomercial at this rate. 

It was going as long as it could.

Beep beep beep

He turned off his buzzer and got the lazy lasagna out. Not hesitating to get himself a slice, the rich scent of tomato sauce wafted up his nose. The tendrils of steam emitted from it; dancing at him to get more. 

He ate slowly, savoring the combination as long as he could. Dom didn't often have time to cook himself dinner. He wished he could more but he had to save up.

He checked the clock on the wall to see it was around time to head out. Dom grumbled, procrastinating with every grain in his head. He could be late and have another serving of potato lasagna. With a reluctant sigh he look at his phone, knowing what would happen if he put it off. He finished up his food, giving a quick clean and packing the remains away into a plastic box. Allowing it to be a mess.

 He got his winter coat and gloves and thought 'Camera?? Nah, better not document more illegal activity.'

Dom wandered out the door and down the snow filled stairs all the way to the forest. Just outside the crosshatching of trees, he spotted a brightly colored jacket with tight jeans. Yup, that's Arron.