Chapter 139
"Well I guess that could work too," Monic mumbled into the phone, sounding unconvinced but attempting to be positive.
"Okay, are you making the sauce, or do you have an instant packet of it?" Monic asked. I looked through the cupboards, sure that I saw a bolognaise sauce packet somewhere in them the other day.
"Aha! Got you!" I yelled when I finally found it.
"Everything okay there, Case? You sound like you're chasing a rat that's hiding in your cupboards or something." Monic voiced her concern and I laughed.
"No, I just found that sauce packet. It's an instant one," I told her and she muttered a ‘thank God'.
"Hey!" I called out, offended. "This hasn't been so bad," I defended myself.
"No, correction, it hasn't turned out bad. I don't want to be the one you can blame when your cooking skills shows its disastrous trait," Monic said.
"Okay, Case, there should be simple instructions on the back of that sauce packet. Just follow whatever is written there and try not to hurt yourself. I have to run but I'll get back to you on that promise you made me about giving me anything I want." Monic was, what I'd like to call, speed-talking before she hung up on me.
I sighed in defeat. I didn't know why I was so hell bent on getting her to help me cook. I didn't even like cooking that much. I mean sure, it could be fun when done with friends but it was never something I've wanted to do for the heck of it.
I tried to continue telling myself that it was definitely not because it reminds me of the good times I had with Adam was trying to teach me how to cook safely. It was hard not to think about him when everything seemed to lead my thoughts to him. It was like he was everywhere. It was honestly infuriating. I bet he didn't have this problem. He's probably thinking about where he's going to take that Kiara girl for their date.
Without noticing it, I've sawed the top of the sauce packet off with a knife. I was lucky that I didn't cut my finger while carelessly zoning out. I ignored the jagged top of the open sauce packet as I tried to find the instruction on the back. Apparently, it did not have instructions since it was a ready to serve kind of thing so I took out a huge bowl to put the noodles in.
Monic forgot to tell me when to take the spaghetti out. Lucky for me, I've always loved food so I was familiar with what the spaghetti is texture should feel like.
When I felt that it was soft and gooey enough, I took out a sieve and set it on the sink. I turned off the stove and got two napkins to grip the pot's handles with. I tilted the pot to let its contents flow out into the sieve. The water passed through the tiny holes and I watched with satisfaction when the noodles flopped against one another, growing into a pile of gooey strands.
I took the sieve and transfer the noodles into the bowl I've wiped clean before pouring the sauce on top of it and mixing it. The spaghetti's color turned into a shade of red.
I remembered that I bought some instant mini meatballs the other day that just needs some microwaving and since I've microwaved without destroying anything so far, I decided that it would be a nice topping to the spaghetti.
When the food was ready, I was pretty proud of my work since the kitchen was still intact, the fire alarms and sprinklers didn't go off and the food looks to be quite edible. I pat myself silently on the head before setting up the table for 3.
Before I could head up to call my parents to have dinner, they were already at the kitchen door, looking surprised and worried.
"Case, did you make those noodles?" Dad eyed them warily and I rolled my eyes at how untrusting he was―not that anyone could blame him. Mom hit him on the arm, being the supportive mother that she is. She took a seat on the dining table and took some of the noodles, putting it on her plate.
"Well I guess we don't need to go out for dinner then," Mom smiled at me before looking at Dad. She gave him the look, silently telling him to sit his bum down and take some of the food. Dad grumbled under his breath before complying.
I wasn't expecting much from them, they knew how horrible of a cook I was. I guess Mom trusted the food I just cooked more since she knew that Adam taught me how to cook briefly.
We ate in silence and I was proud that my dad didn't turn green for once. I felt like he had something to comment about the food but I felt my mother's feet move under the table. Dad ended up giving me the sweetest smile I've ever seen him give anyone before.
"So sweetheart, how's everything going with the Jones'? Have you visited them lately?" My mom asked.
"Oh yeah, I actually cleared things up with Adam. We're not back together, mom. But we're okay," My mother's face fell when she heard that I wasn't back together with Adam. I actually think that she was more disappointed than I was.
"Well, Jerry and the kids are doing great. I think you guys remember Maddison? She was Bryant's girlfriend." Both of my parents nodded. Bryant introduced Maddison to them the after asking her out. Since she was the first girl he actually brought home. My parents actually liked Maddison, she was polite and sweet before that night happened.
"Well, Preston is seeing her right now," My dad coughed loudly a few times before apologizing. My mom gaped as they processed the information. Jesus, if this was their reaction to Preston seeing Maddison, I'm kind of scared to see how they'd react to Adam seeing someone else. Not that I had any stake of claim on him, he' was his own man and he can make his own choices.
"Um, that's wonderful, dear!" My mom recovered, a small smile on her face. "I'm happy for Preston, Maddison's a lovely girl." My dad nodded along, having nothing to say.
"How's that Adam kid?" My dad asked finally and I gulped hard.
"Well yeah, about that. I actually visited them yesterday and bumped into his girlfriend." I trailed off, trying to mumble the word girlfriend as inaudibly as possible while still getting it out there.
This time, I think my dad choked on his noodle. He started beating his chest and coughing loudly. I quickly rushed to get him a glass of water. My mother was quiet. She had a sad look on her face.
"Oh sweetheart, are you okay?" I shook my head at her, giving her an honest answer for the first time today.
"I know it's my fault for letting him go, mom. But I never thought about the possibility of this happening. I guess with everything that has happened, I never imagined the thought of having to see him with someone else." I replied honestly. I could see it in my parents' faces that they were sorry for me.
"Oh, Casey. If you still loved him, why did you walk away?" My mom asked softly, wrapping her arms around me as she stood up and came around the table to comfort me.
I shrugged my shoulders meekly, burying my head on the nook of her shoulder. I couldn't tell them the whole story. It'll kill them to know that I've been hiding this big of a secret from them for so long. Maybe I'll tell them one day, when all of this is over and I'm done with it for good.
I looked at the empty seat beside me, immediately thinking of Bryant. It had been years and I still missed him. Even though I couldn't remember his different types of smiles, or the sound of his laughter in detail anymore, I could still remember the warmth that would surround me when he hugged me.
What would Bryant say if he was here right now? Probably that you're an idiot.
