Chapter Six

The next morning, I woke up bright and early, ready to show off my culinary skills. Going downstairs, I found Mrs. Hall getting things ready in the kitchen to make breakfast.

“What are you doing up so early?” She questioned, puzzled.

“I was wondering, after breakfast, could you bring me to the grocery store?” I ask cheerfully. “I wanted to make dinner tonight.”

Mrs. Hall’s eyes lit up as she continued hopefully, “Of course! But why don’t we just spend the day together? We could go out, have a great time for a while, then go shopping.”

“That sounds great!” I replied, becoming thrilled about the idea of spending the day with Mrs. Hall.

After everyone woke up, Mrs. Hall made breakfast, and then we all ate. The both of us tried to hurry the men along so we could go have fun.

“Are you going to have off today dad?” I ask, excited to cook for everyone.

“No, I have to go back to the construction site.” He replied gloomily. “What have you been up to? I feel like I haven’t seen you in days.”

“Nothing much. Just spending time with friends and all,” I replied, saddened, wishing my dad could have the day off. “Are you going to be home for dinner?”

“I should, why?” He questions curiously.

“I’m going to cook for everyone. I was hoping you would be here,” I continued positively.

“I wouldn’t miss it!” My dad replied becoming excited, getting up to grab his things for work. “And congratulations on passing your classes.” He said, hugging me.

When everyone was finished eating, I ran upstairs to get ready. Then Mrs. Hall and I grabbed our purses and headed out the door.

“So, what all do you want to do today?” She asked, getting in her car.

“Grabbing some coffee sounds like a good idea,” I replied yawning, starting to feel sleepy from staying up late and waking up early.

Mrs. Hall giggled. “That does sound like a good idea.”

We listened to the radio, singing high-pitched and off-key while dancing in our seats to the café. We were having a fun time, even though we only spent ten minutes in the car.

“This is my favorite café.” Mrs. Hall remarks as she pulled into a parking space.

The café was small, with not a whole lot of customers, which was perfect. Large crowds are always distracting. I never really liked large crowds. The outside of the building was colored… an interesting mustard yellow color. The entrance was on the corner of the front wall, with a huge window, running half the length of the building beside it. A small “open” sign was brightly lit. It wasn’t a place that I would necessarily think of going to, nor did it scream “café,” by its appearance.

Walking inside, it was dimly lit with ceiling fixtures coming down, extending from long poles from the ceiling over each table, but there was plenty of light entering the storefront. The floor was made of mahogany wood, along with the tables and counter. There were light fixtures on the walls as well. The walls were an off-white color, which brightened the place up a little and also held decorative coffee-themed portraits.

Near the front of the store, as well as in the back corner, big comfy, mismatching chairs sat around coffee tables. These spots were taken by other customers who were reading books while drinking their coffee and eating their deliciously bought treats.

There were a few other people inside, working on their laptops, reading a book, or visiting with one another at the tables, but it wasn’t as crowded as other coffee shops. It was relatively quiet, except for the smooth jazz playing over the radio inside the café, which wasn’t to my taste, but Mrs. Hall really seemed to enjoy it. The ambiance inside the room was very soothing, which did not help my exhaustion.

Mrs. Hall and I ordered our coffees with a cinnamon roll and then sat down at a table, near the entrance of the store.

“So what were you thinking about cooking for dinner?” Mrs. Hall questioned, picking at her cinnamon roll.

“I’m not sure…” I replied, taking a sip of coffee. “What does Liam like?”

“Oh, you’re making it for him?”

“Well, it’s kind of a thank you for helping me study,” I say, taking another sip of coffee, trying to hide the fact that I am blushing.

“Well, he’s not picky. But I don’t think he has a favorite dish. As long as it has meat in it, you should be all right.” She says smiling at me.

“But there has to be something that he prefers more.”

“Hmm…” Mrs. Hall begins to think. “He likes beef and chicken the most.” Taking another sip of her drink, she looks at me, “Does your coffee taste all right?”

“Yes, thank you,” I reply with a smile, still debating what I should make Liam and the whole family.

“Do you really enjoy cooking?”

“I do. My friends and dad love my cooking, but I am a bit nervous about what you all will think of the food. It’s easier when I’m just cooking for them.” I respond with an anxious chuckle. “I’m definitely feeling the pressure right now.”

Mrs. Hall gave me a warm smile. “Don’t worry so much, dear. I’m sure we will love whatever you decide to make.”

After our coffee, Mrs. Hall took me to get manicures, then out to eat lunch, and then we stopped by the grocery store to find the ingredients they needed for dinner.

Back at home, we bring the bags of groceries to the kitchen and soon begin preparing the food.

“Mrs. Hall, you don’t have to stay and help me, you can go relax.”

“Nonsense!” She replied. “I’m enjoying spending time with you! You know I’ve always wanted a daughter, and now I practically have one willing to cook dinner! I’m not going to miss that.”

“But I’m the one who’s supposed to be cooking…”

“Oh, I’m only here to help.” Mrs. Hall replied happily. “You’ve been my helper since you moved in, so let me be yours for tonight.”

After helping me peel potatoes to make homemade mashed potatoes, I put them in a pot full of boiling water and then started cooking steak on the stovetop for each family member, while Mrs. Hall chopped up vegetables for the salad. While the steaks were cooking, I strained the potatoes and then started to mash them, seasoning them along the way. Once the steaks were finishing up, I started working on the gravy after putting some rolls in the oven.

“It smells delicious in here.” Mr. Hall greeted, walking into the kitchen.

“It’s all Bree.” Mrs. Hall states, receiving a peck on her cheek from her husband.

“I can’t wait to try some!” He replies eagerly.

“Then go wash up, it’s almost ready!” Mrs. Hall states merrily.

Lastly, I worked on dessert. A recipe that came straight from my mother’s recipe book, peach cobbler. Taking out a baking dish, I pour the caramelized peaches into it. Then I create the crust that goes on top with a pinch of cinnamon sugar. While the dessert was baking in the oven, Mrs. Hall and I set the table.

“Everyone is going to love the dinner, Bree.” Mrs. Hall encouragingly.

Soon everyone was at the table eating their salad before moving on to their steaks with mashed potatoes and gravy with the rolls sitting in the center of the table.

Mrs. Hall took a bite of her steak. “Oh my God… Bree this is amazing!” Her eyes lit up from excitement. “It’s not burnt, dry, or chewy… It’s juicy and full of flavor!”

“Even mom can’t make steak this delicious,” Oscar replied, a look of disturbance washed over him. I can only imagine it is because he paid me a compliment.

Mr. Hall dug into his plate, letting out a few mmm’s here and there in approval, along with my father.

However, Liam didn’t show any emotion, whatsoever, which put a damper on my mood. But there was always dessert! The peach cobbler should cause him to react!

“Bree, you are going to make a lovely wife one day!” Mrs. Hall continued her praise. “You could even be a chef.”

“People would be lined up for miles to have a taste of your food.” Mr. Hall states.

“Thank you,” I responded, showing my gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Hall and Oscar for their kind words. Getting up, I grab everyone’s plates and brought them into the kitchen, setting them in the sink. I grab the peach cobbler, smiling before heading back into the dining room. As I walk in, setting the cobbler on the table and taking my seat, my father was in the middle of telling a story.

“When Bree would come home from school, every day she would immediately start preparing dinner for us. No matter how much schoolwork she had, or how bad of a day she had, she always made sure there was a delicious meal on the table. Those first meals were a bit of a shocker, but she grew better each time she cooked.

“She would wake up early to make me breakfast and pack me some lunch before even considering cooking herself breakfast and packing her lunch. My Bree took care of grocery shopping too.” Tears started to form in his eyes as his voice became sad.

I could feel my face growing hot as Mr. and Mrs. Hall gushed over the story.

“I don’t know how she did it being in school and taking care of me. Her grades were probably my fault, for her always fretting over me and taking care of the house while I was at work.” He grabbed Bree’s hand. “Ever since her mom passed away when she was four, she made sure to take good care of me. Thank you, sweetie.”

I smile, feeling embarrassed, looking down at my plate. I didn’t think cooking a meal would make my father emotional.

“Aww… You have such a wonderful daughter, Tyler.” Mrs. Hall says.

“Truly beautiful, inside and out.” Mr. Hall commented.

My vision started to become blurry from the tears that started to form in my eyes from the amount of embarrassment I felt at that moment. I unwillingly glance up for a second, catching a glimpse of Liam, noticing that he was staring at me with… is that empathy? No… it couldn’t have been, I must have been imagining things. Right?

After we all finished our meals, Mrs. Hall and I cleaned the dishes as the rest of the guys got the living room ready for family movie night.

“You did such a great job at dinner tonight!” Mrs. Hall gushed.

“Thank you,” I replied.

“What’s wrong?” She questioned, sensing something was bothering me.

“I know everyone enjoyed their dinner, but… Do you think Liam did?” I question, feeling down.

Mrs. Hall giggled a little. “Don’t worry about him. That unkind oaf wouldn’t ever compliment a four-star chef.” She says, hugging me. “Now, let’s go watch a movie!”

Following Mrs. Hall into the living room, I stood uncomfortably in the entryway as I wondered where to sit. Mrs. Hall took a seat with Mr. Hall and Oscar on the couch. My father was sitting in the recliner. The only available seat was next to Liam on the sofa.

He sat with his arms crossed on his chest, a look of annoyance already displayed on his face. The crease that was always present when he was irritated was visibly exposed on his forehead.

My heart raced as I hesitantly took the seat next to him.

While the movie was playing, I wasn’t paying much attention to it as I was more concerned about sitting next to my crush. I could smell his cologne, a wonderfully earthy scent. My hands started to sweat as I fantasized about him.

But my focus soon swiftly changed to the TV when someone let out a blood-curdling wail. My eyes soon focused on the television that featured a man, wearing a burlap sack for a mask and was murdering people.

“Is this a horror movie?” I question nervously with my hands covering my eyes.

“Yeah…” Liam’s stone voice responded.

Oh no… I can’t stand horror movies. What kind of family decides to watch horror movies together?

I wanted to look away, but my eyes were transfixed on the television, as I stared between my fingers afraid of what would happen next. I don’t want to see what happens next… Oh God, what’s going to happen next?

The music was winding up, suspense eating away at the viewer. Suddenly, the man with the burlap sack over his face, appeared on screen, seemingly from thin air. Scaring the life out of me, I let out a yelp before burying my face into Liam’s shoulder.

“It’s just a movie.” He responded with aggravation rising in his voice.

“But it’s a scary movie!” I yell in his arm, tears starting forming in my eyes.

He lets out a sigh of frustration. “Seriously?”