Terry and Gene 11

The gallery was closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays so Terry spent Wednesday morning shopping for dinner ingredients and Wednesday afternoon cleaning. When five o'clock rolled around she took a shower and dressed in a floor length navy blue sundress and her work shoes since she would be standing while cooking.

She made a pitcher of iced tea and waited for him to arrive.

At five forty-five, there was a knock on the door. She straightened her dress and looked out the peep hole. There Gene was in all his glory. She took a deep breath and opened the door.

"Hi," she said, smiling.

"Hi." He looked around as he came in.

She had the living room dimly lit with candles. Only the kitchen light was on.

"This is my space," she said, opening her arms. "The bathroom is down that little hall and to the right. This is my living room, kitchen and," touching the breakfast counter pass through, "dining room."

Gene looked at the paintings that she had on her walls.

"Are these by the same guy that did mine?"

Terry nodded. "Sometimes I buy his work direct. Some he's given to me. I used to be his favorite customer." she said with a bitter laugh.

Gene turned around with a little frown. Terry glossed over it.

"Come have a seat," she patted one of the bar stools. "And I'll start cooking."

He was still frowning when he came to sit down.

"I have iced tea, mineral water or milk." He had drunk mineral water at Franco's, so she had bought some.

"Mineral water," he smiled at her now. She poured him a glass and poured herself some iced tea. Then she set to work.

First, she started the Alfredo sauce, because it had to cook on low and she started water boiling for the fettuccine. The broccoli was already in the steamer and the chicken was marinating in the refrigerator.

"This Alfredo sauce isn't authentic, but it's yummy" she said as she put the ingredients in the pot.

"I don't think anyone besides my mom and sister have ever cooked for me."

"Really? I like to cook." She took a red, green and yellow pepper out of the fridge and scrubbed them in the sink.

"Why all the peppers?"

Terry shrugged. "I like the colors. Also, they each taste a little different." She seeded them and cut them into strips. She gave Gene a couple of each color to try and kept a couple of each out for herself, too.

"The red and the yellow ones are sweeter, kind of." he said.

She nodded. "The green ones are immature red peppers, I think."

She had already turned on her cast iron skillet. She poured in a little olive oil and swirled it around. Then she put in the peppers and let them cook a little. She put the chicken, which she had pounded thin, in the skillet as well. She stirred the Alfredo sauce, dropped the pasta, and set the timer on the steamer.

She could feel Gene's eyes on her, but she couldn't look at him for fear that she would get lost and forget what she was doing.

Everything was done at once. She plated the food, put the pots in the soapy water to soak and refilled their drinks before seating herself next to Gene.

"That was amazing," he said, smiling at her.

"Well, thank you," she said, feeling her cheeks redden.

They chatted about nothing much during dinner. Terry cleared their plates and brought out chocolate chip cookies and milk for dessert.

Gene laughed, obviously delighted in her choice of dessert.

"I can't remember the last time I had this, either," and he laughed again. Terry smiled. This was almost too good to be true.

After dessert, she asked him if he could stay for a while or if he had to go.

He looked down at her and smiled. "No. I can stay, but where's your bathroom again?"

"Down the little hall and off to the right. Let me wash up these dishes quick and I'll show you my garden."

Terry washed up the dishes and set them to dry in the drainer. Then she realized that Gene wasn't back yet. She frowned and walked toward the hall. She saw that her bedroom light was on. Her heart thudded wildly as she walked toward it.