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“No bacon?” I ask.
Her amused gaze raises from the cutting board to connect with my disappointed one. “No bacon today. Just trust me. I promise you’re going to love everything I make for you.”
“Okay,” I agree.
I watch her add the pile of vegetables to the pan along with some olive oil before she cracks three eggs into a bowl. She removes cooking utensils from a black canvas bag and lays them out on the island. Plucking one from their midst, she vigorously whisks the eggs.
“You brought your own tools of the trade,” I observe.
She smiles. “I wasn’t sure you’d have everything I need. It was easier to come prepared. Not having to search through your drawers saves me time.”
I like the thought of her searching through my drawers—and I don’t mean the kitchen ones.
“That makes sense. My sister made sure I had the basics when I moved in. She insisted we go shopping and loaded up the cart with stuff I’ve never used.”
“Yeah, I noticed your pan is practically brand new.”
I rub the back of my neck. “I don’t think I’ve ever used that one.”
With a small curved spatula, she moves everything around in the pan. “This is ideal for me. I brought some cookware in case you don’t have everything I need, but I left it in my van for now.”
“How often do you go to clients’ homes to cook for them?” I ask.
“This is the first time.”
“Really?”
“Yep. I have clients I provide weekly meals for, but I make everything at my place. Aside from that, I do mostly catering for parties and different events.”
“Sounds like a lot of work,” I say.
She nods. “It can be, but I love cooking.”
“Did you go to school for it?”
“No. My mom taught me.” Her lips curve as if she’s lost in the memories for a moment. “I went to college for marketing and joined a firm after graduation. It’s only in the past year that I left that job and decided to take a chance on a new career.”
“Good for you. It’s like that saying:risk big, win big.”
“Yeah, I felt like I was becoming one of those people stuck in the endless loop of being at the office sixty hours a week. I’d go home to eat and sleep and then go right back in the morning. I had no social life whatsoever. By the time the weekends rolled around I was too exhausted to do anything.”
“What made you decide to go for it?” I ask.
“My thirtieth birthday was approaching and…” She pauses, shaking her head. “I don’t know. It just seemed like such a significant number to me. It gave me a sense of urgency that if I didn’t do it now, I never would.”
“Are you happy you made the career change?” I ask.
“Absolutely,” she says with conviction. “I miss the steady paycheck and health insurance, but I don’t miss the relentless pace or the monotony of being at the office day in and day out.”
“Do you miss interacting with other people?”
“Yes and no. There were a few coworkers I really liked, but there’s always the bad apples too. Now I don’t have to worry about who’s sucking up to the boss to get the new client, and I don’t have to be nice to people I don’t like. Ass kissing and being polite to jerks aren’t my strengths.” She titters, and I find myself smiling along.
“I can’t imagine working a corporate job. I’d go crazy if I was stuck in an office all day. I need physical activity to keep me sane,” I say.
She pauses the vegetable stirring, pointing the spatula my way. “I think it’s safe to say, you found your place in life.”
“Yeah, at least for now. I plan to play hockey for as long as I can.”
