Chapter 53 A Warm Embrace
The silence had grown oppressive. Annabel sat on the couch barely comfortable on the plush cushions. She had a dizzying loop of thoughts. Her legs were stiff from sitting still for so long but she forced herself to stand up at last.
She entered the kitchen quietly. The air was heavy with the aroma of herbs and garlic. Fred hummed softly as he stood facing away from her.
Standing before the stove he was agitating a pan. He was dressed in a basic gray t-shirt. It was the first time she had seen him like that. At home. It was a startling and peculiar sight.
In sharp contrast to the jumble of her thoughts he appeared calm. With a spatula in his hand Fred turned at her silent entrance.
His eyes crinkled at the corners as a warm smile appeared on his face.
“Hey.” he said. He spoke in a soft low tone. “Look at what the cat brought.”
She smiled a little hesitantly.
“My hunger was growing.”
He turned back to the pan and said “Good. I was afraid I'd have to eat everything by myself. Its fortunate that you arrived at this time. You know I'm the greatest chef in the world.”
As she moved closer she questioned “Oh really? Because it appears to be pasta.”
His laughter had a deep sincere quality. “It's high-end pasta. My personal proprietary recipe. No one else can do it in this manner.”
Leaning against the counter Annel observed him. She started to feel less anxious as a result of him cooking and spending this brief everyday moment together.
He looked behind him. “Thank you for coming out here.”There was a slight silence. “Are you okay?”
“I am now.” she said quietly. “It was simply too much.”
“I get it.” He said without passing judgment. “Sometimes you simply have to leave the situation. Get away from the commotion.”
A tiny table in the kitchens corner was indicated by him. “The table is ready. Take a seat.”
While he was plating the food, she took a seat. A bowl of pasta with a deep red tomato sauce was placed in front of her by him.
She bit off a piece. The flavors were straightforward yet flawless.
“This is really good.” She remarked with a tone of sincere surprise.
He sat down opposite her and laughed. “Gastronome, what did I say?”
With a slight smile on her face she raised her head. “You gave the impression that it would be awful.”
His eyes gleamed with laughter as he declared “I would never do that. I can cook really well. This is linked to my ego.”
Annabel chuckled.
The sound was unfamiliar but it was pleasant. He smiled subtly as he watched her laugh. He had no idea he needed to hear the sound which sounded like a melody.
He nibbled at his pasta once more. When he said “Honestly I'm just happy its edible” his voice dipped to a low whisper. “Normally I like takeout better.”
Annabel smiled broadly. She jokingly remarked “I'll pretend I didnt hear that.”
With a strange sense of significance she twirled a forkful of pasta. As a physical counter to the chaos in her mind the food felt warm and cozy in her stomach.
The soft glow of the kitchen light and Freds silent presence brought back a sense of smallness. It was a fleeting moment of tranquility.
Her thoughts returned to the bar while they were eating. Victoria's face the harsh words the loud music.
She put down her fork.
“Fred?” she said her voice hardly more than a whisper. “Regarding last night I apologize.”
He shook his head. “Don't be. You don't need to say sorry. You must have been upset.”
“I simply was. I needed a moment to myself.” she clarified. “It was all very overwhelming.”
With gentleness he said “I understood that. You were able to avoid explaining. I only wanted to confirm your safety.”
A sensation of warmth swept across her chest. Someone seemed to genuinely care about her well-being for the first time in a long time without expecting anything in return.
Again he attempted to lighten the mood.
“In addition I was left to cover the expense. If for nothing else you could have stayed for that.”
Annabel burst out laughing once more.
“Oh you’ll be okay. After all you are the best chef in the world.You must also be gifted with numbers.”
“I have a way with many things.” He teased and his eyes regained their playful sparkle.
A relaxed quietness descended between them. The only sound they made while eating was the gentle clink of their forks. Slowly the tension Annabel had been carrying around all day began to release.
A silent bulwark in the storm was Fred’s presence. His throat was cleared. Even though the change in his attitude was subtle Annabel saw it right away.
He appeared more circumspect and serious now.
“Annabel.” he said slowly “...do you think you'll return to Carson's? After…Everything?”
She looked into his eyes. It was not a surprising question. From the moment she left that bar she had been asking herself that question.
“I don't know.” She had difficulty pronouncing the words. “I'd like to. I'm forced to. My life has not changed.”
Then she admitted “But I don't want to see her. Victoria. Not in light of her remarks. She might say more I fear.”
His face softened as he nodded. She was afraid and he understood.
“Although.” he stated “You'll have to face her eventually.”
it was not a requirement. It was an unspoken fact.
She looked down at her empty bowl and said “I know.All I need is a little time. Some room to reflect. Later I'll decide.”
“Okay.” he said plaintively. “That's alright. When youre ready we can discuss it. Let's just finish our dinner for now.”
Respecting her desire for quiet he picked up his fork and resumed eating. Annabel watched him with a wave of profound appreciation.
He refrained from pushing. He made no judgments. All he did was wait.