Prompted Shorties

What's Cooking?

Prompt: As your character watches the hibachi chef prepare their meal, something seems ... off. What is it?

Story:

 "Hey Brad, it's Carly. Uhm, you're probably busy, 'cause the phone keeps going straight to voicemail. Call me when you're free. Bye."

"Good morning Brad, it's the first day of school. My mom made tuna sandwiches for us 'cause she knows it's your favorite. Uhm, Okay. Call me. Bye."

"Brad, it's me, Carly. I'm calling again to tell you about this hibachi chef that cooks your food in front of you downtown. Maybe you'd like to get something to eat there? Call me."

"Braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad. I miss you. I wanna go home. I'm at the bar where we used to go get drunk together."

"I think I got home Brad. My room smells like gym socks. I'm getting kinda hungry. Wanna go to that hibachi chef I told you about?"

"Brad, It's Carly again. Listen, I-I miss you. I want to hear you say my name. Please call me."

"Hi Brad. You're still not answering your phone. I hope you pick up soon. It's me, Carly, in case you were wondering."

"Hi Brad, so I went to this hibachi chef that I keep hearing about today but it got closed. Turns out that there were a few people that got sick because of "bad cooking practices" – whatever that means – and people said that a customer died of an allergy reaction to their food, which she specifically told them not to make. How crazy is that?! Okay, call me. Bye. It's Carly, by the way. Okay, bye."

"Hi Brad. I've listened to your automated voice message at least sixteen times today. I, miss you. So much. Uhm. It's been tough without you. I hope you call me back."

"Hi Brad, it's Carly again. I don't know if you're getting this but-"

"Hello?"

"H-hello?"

"Carly?"

"Mrs. Pierce, hi. I'm sorry, I was just-"

"I know honey. I know. I sometimes call him just to hear his voice as well."

"I just miss him so much."

"You really meant a lot to him."

"..."

"Listen, Carly, it's his one year death anniversary in a few days. Why don't you come over for lunch? We're kinda planning a picnic at his grave. I think he'd like for you to be there."

"I-I uhm."

"It's okay to say no if you don't want to honey. We'll underst-"

"No, I'll go. I'll-I'll go"

"Wonderful! My husband knows this hibachi chef from downtown, maybe we can get him to cook something special for us."

"Mrs. Pierce?"

"Yes honey?"

"How about sushi instead? I heard of this great sushi place downtown, I'm sure you guys would love it."

"Sure. Sushi it is!"

"Okay."

"Okay Carly. Take care honey. See you in a few days."

"See you Mrs. Pierce."

"Good morning Brad, it's the first day of school. My mom made tuna sandwiches for us 'cause she knows it's your favorite. Uhm, Okay. Call me. Bye."

"Brad, it's me, Carly. I'm calling again to tell you about this hibachi chef that cooks your food in front of you downtown. Maybe you'd like to get something to eat there? Call me."

"Braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad. I miss you. I wanna go home. I'm at the bar where we used to go get drunk together."

"I think I got home Brad. My room smells like gym socks. I'm getting kinda hungry. Wanna go to that hibachi chef I told you about?"

"Brad, It's Carly again. Listen, I-I miss you. I want to hear you say my name. Please call me."

"Hi Brad. You're still not answering your phone. I hope you pick up soon. It's me, Carly, in case you were wondering."

"Hi Brad, so I went to this hibachi chef that I keep hearing about today but it got closed. Turns out that there were a few people that got sick because of "bad cooking practices" – whatever that means – and people said that a customer died of an allergic reaction to their food, which she specifically told them not to make. How crazy is that?! Okay, call me. Bye. It's Carly, by the way. Okay, bye."

"Hi Brad. I've listened to your automated voice message at least sixteen times today. I, miss you. So much. Uhm. It's been tough without you. I hope you call me back."

"Hi Brad, it's Carly again. I don't know if you're getting this but, I hope you're happy where you are right now. Okay, bye."

"Hey Brad. It's been a year since you've been gone and I've been trying to move forward but, I just can't seem to do it. You know? I know you think that I sound crazy right now, trust me, I do too. But, I just can't seem to accept that fact that you're dead."

"Brad. I know it's been years, I haven't heard your voice in a long time. I just called to tell you that I found someone, and I think that Jake is a good person. I hope you do too."

"Hey, it's Carly. I called just to tell you that I'm pregnant with twins! I am so excited and terrified at the same time. I'm kinda having a nervous breakdown but Jake is keeping it all together wondrously."

"It's me, Carly. Calling again, on your – I forgot how many anniversaries it is now, but yeah. – I hope you don't mind that we named our son after you, and Millie for our daughter. Just thought I should tell you. Okay bye."

"Braaaaaaaaaaaaad. I finally sent my kids off to college. I'm so happy, proud and sad all at the same time. Just. Uhm. Yeah. Bye."

"Brad, my eldest is getting married today. Can you believe it?! It felt like he was just a little boy yesterday, and now he's all grown up to this fine young man about to be married to this beautiful girl. I wish you were here to see this."

"Hey Brad, guess what? It's Millie's turn now! She's getting married tomorrow in – wait for it – Paris! Brad and I – I mean, Jake and I are hopping on a plane right now to go to Paris, isn't that wonderful? I guess rich people can have it all. Well, almost all."

"Hi Brad, uhm, it's uh Carly. Jake's gone. I-I-I don't think I can take it anymore."

"Bradley Pierce. It's been sixty years since I last saw you. I don't know if you've heard it up there but, I'm at the hospital now. I'm barely keeping it together. I got this sweet nurse to call you on your phone, she's so nice to me. Send my regards up there, and tell Jake I can't wait to see him."

"Brad. Braddd. Braaaaahhhd. Brahhhhhhd. Br-"