Page 31 of Four Letter Feelings

“Thank you for making sure my son doesn’t either starve to death, or live off ramen noodles, Jeremy.”

“No sweat! I enjoy cooking – I just don’t advertise it, y’know? I don’t want people to expect it. I cook, Age cleans, and he pitches in for groceries, I don’t mind.”

“Good. We didn’t raise a free-loader. I’m glad to hear he’s pulling his weight.” Cindy tipped her chin towards the bag of food. “So… what did you bring?” she asked, clearly curious.

Jeremy smiled, he knew his cooking was good and it was always something he had been proud of but he never considered himself creative until he learned to really cook during his time in Europe.

“I have stuff to make some au gratin potatoes,” he answered, pulling Tupperware boxes out of the bag. “A butternut squash bisque, my ultimate Brussel sprouts with bacon, beer, maple syrup and mustard, an apple pie, and ingredients for dough for Gougères, it’s kind of like a French cheese bread and goes really well with champagne, which Pim brought as his measly offering.”

Cindy blinked, and blinked again, disbelief written clearly across her face. “You’re kidding me, right?”

Jeremy felt a blush creeping across his cheeks. “No ma’am. He really did bring champagne.”

She laughed. “No, not that… well, actually, yes that now you mentioned it. I’m guessing that was your idea, Jeremy? I meant the spread of food you’re going to make; it all sounds incredible!”

“Actually,” AJ answered, seeming a little put out that his mom assumed the champagne was Jeremy’s idea. “The champagne was my own doing thank you very much. Let it also be said that there’s nothing he has cooked, that I have eaten, that wasn’t delicious, Mom. He’s got a real talent. I keep telling him to drop out of school and open a restaurant, but he won’t do it as a career. Just for, and I’m quoting this now, ‘funsies’.”

“It is fun,” Jeremy insisted.

“Where did you learn to do all this? And please ignore my son’s terrible advice to drop out of school, that isn’t a smart thing to do. By all means finish your degree and then open a restaurant. It seems you certainly have a flair for food.” Cindy said, gesturing at the plastic boxes lined up in front of her on the counter.

“Europe during my year out.” Jeremy shrugged. “I’ve always wanted to learn. I love food. I mean, who doesn’t? But I love creating something out of nothing, it’s very satisfying and aside from playing hockey and improving my game, I wanted to come back having achieved something, y’know? I mean, I worked on my French and Spanish a little, but not as much as I expected to, I didn’t want to learn German or Italian and I love to eat. It just kinda made sense.”

“And it’s delicious!” AJ agreed with a nod. “Though you’re not usually this bashful, Jer. Where’s all that confidence you’re usually brimming with?”

Jeremy glared at AJ. “I’m on my best behavior for meeting your family, Pim. I’ll ramp up being a cocky ass over time.” He winked.

“Oh God.” AJ rolled his eyes and groaned while his mom chuckled.

“Well, you didn’t trail mud through my house, you brought an impressive spread of what I’m assured will be delicious food and you’ve been keeping my son alive in the dorms – so far, so good Jeremy.” She smiled as she turned her attention back to peeling the potatoes.

“Told you she’d barbecue you for the mud thing. Do you need any help, Mom?”

Cindy looked stunned.

“Wait, what?” AJ’s sister, Ana, entered the kitchen. “Pim wants to help you in the kitchen? Are you sick, Pim? Do you want to poison your friend?”

“Oh, no, I wasn’t volunteering, I was volunteering for Jeremy to help her.” AJ clarified. “Though Jeremy can attest to the fact I’m getting pretty good at playing sous chef when he cooks.”

Jeremy snorted.

“Hey Anabanana,” AJ said, pulling her in to a hug.

“Ugh. Don’t call me that, Pim, you know I hate it.”

“Oh good, I’m glad you weren’t offering to help, AJ,” Cindy said. “I don’t really have time for your help. I love you, God knows I do, but a trip to the Emergency Room the night before Thanksgiving isn’t something I need right now.”

Jeremy chuckled. “Dude, were you really that bad? You don’t seem that bad, but I guess you spend most of your time ‘tasting’ what I’m doing rather than actually using kitchen equipment or being in a position to set the house on fire.”

“Shut up,” he mumbled in reply. “I’m not that bad!”

Jeremy watched as Cindy’s eyebrows raised in disbelief.

“Oh, no,” Ana replied, shaking her head, her voice sounding incredibly sarcastic. “You’re not that bad at all!”

Both Ana and Cindy broke down into giggles. “You must be Jeremy,” Ana managed through her laughter, holding out her hand.

“That’s me, and I’m going to take an educated guess right now and say you’re Ana.”

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