“No.”
“Then don’t act like I’m feeding you cow stomach or something.”
“People actually eat that?”
“They sure do!” Collin pipes up. “It’s pretty good.”
“You can keep the cow stomach all to yourself,” I tell him.
“Your loss. When can we eat?”
“Grab some bowls out of the cabinet and I’ll dish it out for you.”
Collin wastes no time in doing that, further causing Daisy to laugh with his antics. I’d love to say he’s being this goofy just to cheer her up, but he’s like this with food every day. He’d even run me over to get to a plate of food. Especially food that smells this good.
She waits for him to take a bite and is rewarded when his eyes nearly roll back. “Hot damn, woman, this is delicious!”
“So you don’t mind the tofu?”
“Huh?” His spoon pauses midway to his mouth. “What the fuck you mean, tofu?”
“Is it good?”
“Yes.”
“Then don’t question it. Just eat and say thank you, Daisy, for cooking me a meal that took hours to make.”
“Thank you, chica, for slaving over aFlintstoneera pot to cook me a meal that is delicious.”
She reaches over and pats his cheek. “That’s better. Now, take your food and go eat. I need to dish out enough for the two you to have leftovers for a few days before I let the hoard at it.”
I step back so she can do just that, eating my own bowl of tofu stew. Honestly, it’s delicious. I’d never know tofu was in it. The spices sort of hide the flavor and the texture is creamy so I can’t even complain. I will gladly eat my tofu every day if it tastes like this.
Once she’s done, she puts the containers to the side to cool. I know enough that you shouldn’t put hot food in the fridge. I may burn food, but I can help in the kitchen here and there.
“Jenny?” she calls.
Jenny looks up from the couch.
“Can you put these in the fridge when they cool please?”
“Sure can. Are we ready to eat?”
Before she can say yes or no, I go fill my own bowl back up. Put together a bunch of athletes and food goes fast.
Laughing, she nods. “I guess.”
“Come on, let’s go upstairs. I think we both need some peace and quiet. Jenny, is it cool if Collin sleeps on the couch?”
She nods and stands, the rest of the hungry crowd doing the same. I take Daisy’s hand and steer us to the door leading up to the attic. She’s so quiet it worries me. It’s not until we’re upstairs and I’ve locked her bedroom door that she seems to relax ever so slightly. I pull her with me toward the bed.
“Eat,” she says and detaches herself. “I need to use the bathroom.”
I frown after her. Her voice is off. It’s empty, hollow. I don’t like it, but I let her go.
Kicking off my shoes, I sit down on the bed and eat while I watch the bathroom door. She’s in there for so long, I finish my food and am considering being one of those people who barge in when she finally opens the door. She looks so small and vulnerable standing there.
“Come here.”
