Guess we’re all born to be what we are.
As Ethan walked into the kitchen, she couldn’t help but wonder what he was born to be. He seemed so comfortable at the Potters, but somehow she didn’t think this was his every day type of living. Tonight when the Potters went to bed would be the perfect time to get to know him better. The problem with her asking him questions was the fact he most likely would ask some of his own. She didn’t want him knowing the truth as to why she was here. He seemed very protective of the Potters, and for good reason too. Roy and Mabel were good people. It wouldn’t go over well if he knew she had been here to take it all away from them. He probably wouldn’t forgive her. I’m not sure I could even forgive myself.
She’d be gone in the morning and no one would ever be the wiser. All she needed to do was to go to bed early tonight as well and she wouldn’t need to worry about a slip up.
They all sat around the table with the satisfied, yet overfull look. Roy said, “Mabel, you really outdid yourself tonight.”
“I can’t take all the credit. Kollette was a big help,” Mabel said.
Kollette looked over at Ethan who appeared to be trying very hard to hold back a comment. She couldn’t blame him, not after her horrendous attempt at breakfast.
“It’s amazing what you can do with someone showing you each step of the way.”
“Give me a week Kollette, and I’ll have you running the kitchen here, never mind helping me,” Mabel added.
“That might be a stretch,” Kollette chuckled. Because I’m not going to be here.
“You’d never believe it, but Mabel could barely make coffee when we first got married. And now she’s the best cook in the county. Did she show you her blue ribbons that she won at the county fair?” Roy asked.
“No she didn’t,” she replied.
“Yup. Four years in a row. Then she stopped,” Roy said.
Kollette turned to Mabel and asked, “Why did you quit?”
“I had only done it because I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. After a while, I didn’t need to prove to myself or anyone else. I just wanted to cook for Roy because that’s what really made me happy.”
Awe. Can you two get any cuter?Kollette wished she could find someone who would look at her like Roy did Mabel. Someone that she could love like Mabel did Roy. It was something you’d see in a movie, but never think that it could really happen. Guess it does. At least for some people.
“Why don’t you and Mabel go and relax. Kollette and I can do the dishes and clean up,” Ethan stated.
Roy looked at her and said, “Are you okay with him volunteering you?”
She smiled at him. “Of course I am. I actually planned on doing the same to him.” That wasn’t totally truthful, but she was going to offer to help. But now she was going to be alone with him in the kitchen. Their choice would be to work in awkward silence or somehow talk without actually saying anything.
Roy and Mabel got up and while holding hands Mabel said, “Thank you so much. It’s been a long day and I think we’re ready to call it a night.”
“You’re welcome and thank you again for letting me help you cook today. I had…fun.” She really had too. Mabel was a good teacher, but she wasn’t a miracle worker and that’s what it was going to take to make Kollette a cook.
When she was alone with Ethan she decided to take charge. “I’ll wash and you can dry.”
Ethan didn’t move and said, “Or we can sit for a few minutes and enjoy another piece of pie with a cup of coffee this time.”
Kollette rolled her eyes. “I can’t believe you can even think about eating any more. I ate so much my ribs hurt.”
“Mabel makes the best pie. I have to eat it while I can.”
She crossed her arms and asked, “You don’t believe I made it?”
Ethan smirked. “It wasn’t…crunchy,” he teased.
She couldn’t help herself but laugh. “Maybe it’s all in the second piece,” she warned. “Should I get you coffee or are you ready to do dishes?”
“Since you put it that way, I guess I’ll get the hand towel.”
It didn’t take long for the dishes to get washed and put away. Mostly because Ethan knew where everything went. “I have a feeling this isn’t the first time you’ve cleaned up.”
“I try to help as much as I can when I stay,” he said.