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The other two times someone knocked on my door today were pleasant surprises, so I decide to answer.
“Just a minute,” I holler, as I throw on the terrycloth robe. I glance at myself in the mirror and realize no amount of makeup can hide the ravages of a day of tears. Oh well. It is what it is. This is me in all my glory.
I open the door to find Slade, to my surprise. I was expecting the sweet lady from earlier, not the owner himself. He studies me for a moment and sees more than I want him to see.
“You’re looking much better,” he comments.
Seriously? Oh yeah, after yesterday, he’s right. “I’m not the Bride of Frankenstein anymore, you mean.”
“That’s accurate.” Slade grants me a crooked smile.
I don’t smile back, but inside I want to roll on the floor with laughter. One day I will. Not today, though. I don’t mention I’d even scared myself. Some things are better left unsaid.
“You haven’t left your room all day and I figured you must be hungry.” He hands me a few Tupperware containers filled with a well-balanced meal, if first glance serves me right. “I can’t promise it’s anything amazing. Same thing me and Joss had. Breakfast is my specialty, but it’s better than nothing.”
His thoughtfulness, his sympathetic tone, make me want to burst into tears. I swallow hard and suppress them as I set the containers on the small dining table in my room.
Control, Marin. Keep it under control.
“So, you’re the breakfast in bed-and-breakfast?” I need to keep things light.
“I am. I love cooking breakfast. It comes from making breakfast every morning with my dad. He used to be the breakfast in bed-and-breakfast. Taught me everything I know. Did you know there’s one hundred ways to cook an egg? Poached, scrambled, fried, boiled, pickled, omelet, quiche, frittata, soufflé…”
I hold up my hand. “Okay, Forrest Gump, I get the idea.”
My words earn a small chuckle. “It’s lunch and dinner that stump me.” He rubs his chin. “To be honest, I don’t enjoy making lunch and dinner. I do it only because I gotta eat. Breakfast is where it’s at.”
“It’s because it includes bacon.” I force my lips into a fake grin.
“So true. Love to wake up to the smell of bacon cooking. One of my best childhood memories,” he reminisces.
“Bubbles, breakfast, bacon, and beach facts. You’re a man of hidden talents.”
“Livin’ the dream. Who else do you know that blows bubbles for a living?” He imitates my earlier fake grin.
“You’re the first. I didn’t know it was a possibility when it came to career choices, so I missed that train.”
“Should be part of every university’s curriculum.Bubble Artistry.Just saying.”
I offer him a courtesy laugh.
“How ya feelin’?” he asks.
I shrug. “Would you believe me if I said I’m fine?”
“That would be a huge N-O,” he says with swagger.
“You’re right. I’m not fine, but I will be.” My control is my best friend. I’m proud of myself for not blubbering on his shoulder.
Slade nods. “Good enough. Did the blue man try to contact you?”
“No, he did not. And I promised myself I wouldn’t answer if he did.” I scoff with disdain, even though I know I’m not fooling Slade for a second.
“Hold strong. He doesn’t deserve you.”
I fold my arms and lean against the doorframe. “It would be nice if he was trying to call though, just so I could ignore him, you know?”
“I get it. Somehow highly satisfying.” He pulls out his phone. “How ‘bout I call him? I’ll tell him he’s an idiot for losing you.” His eyes lock with mine. “Then I’ll thank him because his actions sent you my way.”
