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34
Barry opens the door before I knock. “Hey. I heard the bike.” He scurries to the stove. Something sizzles in a pan, and he fans the smoke with a dish towel.
“Uh, is that supposed to be dinner?” I ask.
He chuckles and looks over his shoulder. “It’s stewed beef. Don’t worry. I didn’t burn it.”
I look around as I walk over, noticing the studio is cleaner.
“Thanks for coming,” he says, filling two plates and bringing them to the small island.
“Sure. Smells good.” I sit on the stool and take in the beef and veggies before me. “Looks good, too.”
“Go ahead. Eat up.” He pours juice for both of us before sitting next to me.
The first bite is delicious, a burst of flavors. “It’s good.”
“Don’t sound so surprised,” he jokes and eats a mouthful. “My cooking has improved.”
“Hmm.” I drink a little and eat more. “So, how’s the job hunt?”
“Nothing promising yet. I’m sure I’ll find something.”
We eat without talking until he says, “You’re dating your cousin, huh?”
I freeze with the fork and snap my head to him.
He snorts. “You looked at her like she’s the air you need to breathe.”
“We’re just—”
“You don’t have to lie to me,” he says. “I’m the last one to judge.”
Staring at my plate, I tell him, “Mom wouldn’t support it, and neither would my uncle and aunt.”
Barry utters a low hum. “You’re kids. What you have will leave your system, and you won’t have to worry about coming clean.”
His words irk me. “Cassie won’t leave my system.”
Pausing with his drink, he squints at me.
“I’m serious about her,” I add. “I know what I’m feeling is real.”
After a moment, he nods. “Good for you. I’ve never had anything like that.”
“I know. My mother was a one-night stand who left me on your doorstep, and I saw you with numerous women as a kid.”
His shoulders slump. “Geez. I was a trainwreck. Sorry, kid.”
“It is what it is. We’re here now.”
We finish eating, and I stick around a bit to chat with him some more.
Truthfully, coming here and having dinner with Barry felt good. Perhaps we could build a healthy relationship in time, so long as he continues improving. And maybe Mom won’t be hurt when I discuss it with her down the road.
The house is already shrouded in darkness by the time I reach home. It’s after ten. I’m sure Mom is asleep.
Wanting to see if Cassie is up, I text her as I walk down the passage to my bedroom.
