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“Why did we use lard now?” Beth asked.
“It’s easy to digest, natural and there was no olive oil.”
Jessica saw some of the oil dropped down to the hotplate. It sizzled but nothing else happened. Jessica was sure when the meat got on the grill it would absorb all of the heat and the juices from the steak. There was a pop or two from the aluminum foil, but Beth and Jessica leaned back to give it another look.
Beth looked at Jessica. “Are you sure we should do this?”
Jessica waved her fears off. “Why don’t you clear a place for us outside?” Jessica suggested it to Beth.
“Okay, I just didn’t want to leave you alone,” Beth said cautiously.
“If you are really that nervous, we can go outside together and get a table or two together. This is going to slow cook.”
“Jess, are you sure?”
“Don’t worry, I have this. Despite what he may say, I know what I am doing.”
“Ah, I sense this has to do with tall, dark and judgy.”
“I don’t know if he’s really that bad or not. What I know is we are all under stress and it’s times like this when people show off their true selves.” The steak wasn’t done, it would take a while.
“Hey, the steak needs about twenty minutes, why don’t I help you with outdoors, setting up an eating area for us?”
The both of them walked out to fix the eating area. “So, what did he say?”
Beth knew her too well. “I don’t think it’s what he said. It’s just his attitude that is so infuriating.”
Jessica turned toward the main entrance of the Shell. She could hear some sizzling, but steaks dripped all the time. The hot plate thing wasn’t so bad after all.
“Do I come across as someone who knows it all?”
Beth stood up and laughed. “I hate to say it but most times you do know it all. You research everything twice. If someone says something and you don’t know it, I can tell because you are so silent. I can see you itching to get to a computer.” Beth walked over and patted Jessica on the shoulder. “Remember in school, we called you curve killer. Did Brian question your smartness today?”
“Well, he didn’t question it, but he did bring my deductive reasoning skills to light as if they weren’t up to snuff. I never thought I was touchy about it, but I realize that I am.”
Beth brushed off some imaginary dirt from her shoulder. “Well, I think he’s a bit too full of himself.”
“You know what, I agree with you. I mean just because he has looks doesn’t mean he’s all that.”
“Well, I will say the man definitely has looks,” Beth sighed. “But we all know how pretty men lead to nothing but trouble. They are entitled and arrogant.”
Jessica knew Beth was talking from experience. Jessica heard the sizzling of the steak and sniffed the air. It was getting a good crust on it. She’d go check on it in a minute.
“Beth, you’ve only been around pretty men in your business… There might be attractive men not in the business who have some type of moral compass.”
Beth nodded and fixed up some more items. “It’s true, miracles do happen.”
Jessica knew that Beth had been through some rough experiences. Beth never spoke about those bad experiences. Jessica never pushed her, either. She knew whenever the time was right, Beth would tell her what she needed to say. Fixing the outside eating area had been a great idea. Jessica could really smell the steak now. She wasn't sure why she was so hesitant to do this anyway. She knew she was a competent woman.
“You know love is out there for everyone,” Jessica said.
“That is funny coming from the person who rarely dates. Hey, where did you find the lamp? It looks like it’s from the seventies with that flickering,” Beth said as she walked by her.
Jessica was about to say she wouldn’t be surprised when Beth’s words registered with her.
Lamp?
Jessica turned toward the Shell. There was a flickering and crackling.
