Chapter 8
Gage
My alarm has me stirring at ten o’clock the next morning like it usually does after a late shift. It’s tough to shake off the sleepiness after such a restless night, playing out my conversation with Celeste over and over again. The fact that I proposed last night blares at the forefront of my mind like a giant neon sign. I peer blearily at my phone to turn it off, but wake the fuck up right quick when I see Celeste sent me a text earlier. I almost drop my phone in my rush to read it.
Celeste the Mess
Casanova, I think we can pull this off and help each other. Want to talk through it more later? I have a shift today but I’m done just before the dinner rush
My heart starts pounding so furiously that I’m worried a rib will crack. The images of last night flash through my mind once again, from the dazzling smile I put on her face, to the feel of her against me when we hugged. I startcrafting my response right away, hoping she’ll see it while she’s on her break or something.
I think we can pull it off, too. I’m off today, what would you think of coming to my house for dinner after your shift? I’ll cook. You can see where you would live, it might help or hurt your decision, depending on what you think of it
I get started on my morning routine with breakfast for the birds and myself so that I’m not fixated on my phone looking for a response. Hermes starts stirring and fluttering in his cage as soon as he hears my feet hit the stairs like he always does. Daisy gives a couple of sleepy chirps.
“Breakfast time,” Hermes declares.
“That’s right, Hermes, it’s breakfast time. Are you hungry?”
“Want a pistache,” he tells me in that lovable croak of his.
“No, you get breakfast first. Then you can earn a pistachio later if you tell me five things, ok?”
“Trick for snack.”
“Later, Hermes, it’s breakfast time, ok?”
This is what happens when my parrot is as smart as a three year old. I open up both of their cages and they come right to me. Hermes is in his favorite spot on my shoulder while Daisy burrows into my hair while I putter around the kitchen. Once I have their breakfasts ready, they devour it in their designated spot, then come back to sit on me and hang out with me while I eat some cereal. Hermes keeps up a pretty steady stream of words he likes to say and commentary on what I’m doing.
“Dirty dishes,” he says with his whole chest while I wash up breakfast. It usually only takes me repeatingsomething three or four times for him to identify it correctly and say it. Both he and Daisy play with some of their favorite toys and have fun flying around a little. I start to stress clean just in case Celeste says yes to coming over, with Hermes helpfully letting me know it’s paper towel in my hand when I rip off a piece to wipe the counters.
“There might be a beautiful woman called Celeste coming over later, Hermes,” I tell him. His face is shrewd, I can see the wheels turning as he processes these new words. He’s never learned words in one try, so I don’t think he’ll repeat it. It’s just good to talk to a living being who talks back when I’m alone here with my thoughts.
It’s around lunchtime when I hear back from her.
Celeste the Mess
That’s not a bad idea. Can I bring anything? Just shoot me your address and what a good time would be.
Don’t worry about bringing anything but yourself. Do you have any dietary restrictions or allergies? Would 7 be ok?
That works. I’m allergic to shellfish but everything else is fair game. I’m not picky
I’m on it. Prepare to be amazed by my cooking prowess
I’ll be on pins and needles with anticipation all day
I snort at her sarcasm, then remember something important.
Wait, do you mind birds? I have a parrot and a sun conure. They’re well trained and well behaved but they can get noisy
I don’t mind them at all. Pets are better than most people
So true
See you at 7 Chef Casanova
See you then
