Page 79 of Once a Hero

There, he admitted it. There were evenings when he made do with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich only because he had no time to cook or even get a takeout. Work could take over his life, like it had the last three years.

He couldn’t help it. He liked to work.

“I like PBJ. Comfort food,” Beatrice said. “What’s your jam?”

“Blueberry.”

“Strawberry for me.”

“What’s your bread?” The microwave pinged. Beatrice took her food out and handed Jake the unlined paper plate that he could cover his bowl with.

He put his chicken pot pie in the microwave. “Wheat or whatever I have.”

“I prefer sourdough or sprouted bread—like Ezekiel bread.”

“Fancy.” Jake said. He opened the refrigerator and looked inside. “What do you want to drink?”

“Water, please.”

“Mineral water or plain?”

“Mineral.” Beatrice stirred her food. “Still a bit cold. I’ll put it in after yours.”

Jake wanted to offer to take his dish out of the microwave so that she could put hers in, but maybe that was too much work. Two more minutes to go, and she could wait.

“Is there anything stronger than water and soda? My eyes are about to close on me.” Jake laughed. “I need some caffeine.”

“Or a nap if you feel sleepy. Just saying.”

“I don’t want to miss out on our meeting with your brother.” It was the truth. “Do you think he will postpone the meeting so I could get some shut-eye?”

“I doubt it.”

“I figured. So where can I get some tea or coffee? Regular, preferably.” Jake looked around.

Beatrice pointed to a cabinet near them and then to the coffee maker. “There’s a button on it where you can get hot water.”

“Would you like a cup of tea?” Jake asked.

“No, thanks. I only drink loose leaf tea and they don’t have it onboard today.” She waited for Jake to take out his plate from the microwave.

“So why didn’t you ask for it?”

“Well, here’s the thing with caffeine. It keeps me awake. It gives me a false nothing that I am able to keep going, when in reality, I need to be resting or sleeping if I’m tired.”

“I know what you mean.” Jake swapped out the plate and put hers back into the microwave.

Just then the plane shook a bit.

“Turbulence?” Jake said just before the Captain came on the PA system apologizing like it was his fault the turbulence happened.

“Do you fly a lot?” Jake had guessed the answer himself, but he wanted to make small talk with Beatrice to keep her engaged.

Beatrice nodded. “I’m tired of it, to be honest. What wouldn’t I do for a home-cooked meal at the house.”

“The call of work is strong.” Jake put two tea bags into a ceramic mug and poured hot water over it. He stirred the water, pressing down the tea bags to get the tea out.

“It’s waning for me. After we turn Molyneux over to you—or the FBI since you don’t have your badge—I will retire from the field.”

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