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EmpressOfDarkness's blog: "Torn Part 3"

created on 08/02/2009  |  http://fubar.com/torn-part-3/b305072

Torn Part 3

Lisa and her mother went to the kitchen. Brian and Josh were still sitting at the island, munching on a bag of cookies they found in one of the cupboards.  

“Joshie! It's been far too long. Where have you been? What brings you by?” Mrs. Callington asked question after question, placing the bag on the counter and pulling him in for a hug. “You're looking well.”

“Thanks,” he said, watching Lisa. He winked at her and mouthed, “Pippy.”

Lisa rolled her eyes and turned from everyone, focusing on putting the groceries away. 

“You'll stay for supper right?”

“Well that depends on who's cooking?” Josh teased. Everyone knew that she was not very much of a cook. Growing up Brian and Lisa's father did all the cooking. If she would have gotten too close to the stove, fire alarms would go off mysteriously. 

“I'm cooking,” Lisa said, poking her head out from behind one of the cupboards. “We have an agreement. Mom doesn't cook, we all live.”

“I can't believe I'm hearing this from my own flesh and blood.” Mrs. Callington clutched her chest, pretending to be surprised.

“Right mom,” Brian added. “Like we believe you're shocked. Do you remember what happened for Lisa's birthday?”

“What happened?” Josh asked, smiling.

“This was the year before you and I met actually. The first and only time mom made a cake. Dad was out of town, some business trip. Remember Lisa?”

Lisa just nodded, her brother was so animated telling the story that she was afraid to speak. She walked out and sat at the island to listen. 

Josh looked around the table; he saw the faint glimpse of remembrance in the eyes around the room. The smiles he could tell were real. He was a little caught between jealousy at not being able to share in the memory and sadness. Yet, he kept smiling. 

“We still do not know to this day what happened. She said she followed the directions exactly from the book. She didn't know what she did wrong. The fire department didn't know either. When they arrived, she had almost burned down the whole kitchen. If dad hadn't called a cake order in when I had called him to tell him what mom was up to. Lisa wouldn't have had a birthday and the kitchen would have needed a remodel.”

“You make it sound so much worse than it was.” Mrs. Callington said, pushing away from the table. “It was only a little fire and the stove was easily replaced.”

The matter of fact tone she used sent Lisa, Brian and Josh into a fit of laughter so hard they had to clutch their stomachs. 

“Mom, we love you,” Lisa said, laughing as she tried to stand. “Really we do. You're awesome in every way. You just couldn't cook to save your soul.”

“But...”

“No buts, we all love you for everything you do. You not cooking, we love even more.” 

“You see what I have to put up with Joshie?” Mrs. Callington said, looking to him for support. 

“It's okay, I'll stay and they won't be able to pick on you.” Josh put his arm reassuringly around her. “I feel safe because I know you're not cooking.”

“Oh you! You're just as bad as they are!” Her eyes sparkled despite the tone she used. “If your sister is cooking, then Brian, you and Josh can set the table. Use the good dishes. We're celebrating!”

With that she slipped out of the room with a dramatic exit; cursing as she caught her foot on the stairwell. 

“That's mom!” Brian and Lisa said in unison. This sent the three off into another gale of laughter. 

“Just the way I remember it,” Josh said.

His tone made Lisa stop for a moment and look at him. He had a slight sparkle in his eye but there was something else too. She just couldn't quite put her finger on it. 

Josh caught her glance and looked away, unable to hold her gaze. 

“Good dishes are in the dining room. Out of my kitchen, I'm creating!” Lisa shooed them out and went to work on dinner. An hour later the aroma of fresh garlic bread brought the guys back to the kitchen. 

“Is it done?” Brian asked, heading to the stove. 

“No it's not.” She swatted him with her tea towel. “Now out! You're worse than mom for heaven sakes!”

Not much later, Lisa and Brian's father returned home and they all sat down in the dining room. Josh told a few stories about college and the courses he was thinking of taking. The conversation was light and easy. Lisa sat quietly and savoured the moment. She knew it wouldn't last.

When dinner was over and Josh had left, with promises to return soon, they retired to the living room and a quiet fell over everyone. It felt as if an unwanted visitor had showed up and parked themselves in the middle of the room. No one could think of anything to say. It was as if when Josh had left, he took the good mood with him.

 

to be continued...

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