Destiny's Fates

Chapter 14

“Beep! Beep! Beep!” I open my eyes and find Cherry staring me in the face. She smiles and sticks her tongue out to the side. “Yip!” Cherry says, then goes in for the licking. I laugh, and gently push her off me. “Okay Cherry, I get it.” I roll out of bed and walk to the back door and let Cherry out. I scoop her food into the bowl and fill up her water dish while she is outside, then turn my focus to my coffee pot. By the time I am done setting up the coffee, Cherry is scratching at the back door. I open it, “Come on in. Breakfast is served.” I wonder if I was dreaming. There is no way yesterday was real right? I open the fridge and see the leftover pizza sitting there on the middle shelf. Guess it was real after all. While Cherry eats, I head to the bathroom and turn on the shower. I look in the mirror. If last night was real, and the guys are coming back today, then I need to wear makeup. My eyes are so puffy. Groaning, I quickly strip and step into the steaming shower. “Hot!” I yelp, adjusting the knob to cool it down. Now I am awake, and maybe a little singed. “Google, Play Shower Mix!” 90’s music fills the air as I soak my hair, then start scrubbing it with shampoo. Derrek would be a good husband but would be gone a lot in the summers. I would probably have to move back to Washington though. He doesn’t want kids, at least he didn’t in 7th grade. Granted, it has been 9 years since he said that. Maybe he changed his mind. Rinsing the shampoo out, I slowly work conditioner into the tips of my hair. James is now in Boise, which isn’t too far away. The clinic has been wanting to expand their practice. I could be one of the first to work at the new clinic there. He is a Detective though, so that means long hours and the increased risk of him dying. Does he want kids? Finished cleaning my hair, I turn around and stick my face under the water, then apply my face wash. Then there is Chris, the Doctor to be, who has already set up a potential rotation here in town. We could live in this house since I own it and it is already paid off. It is a 4-bedroom, so there is plenty of room for the 2 kids he wants. Then it wouldn’t be quite as strange, I would still be in my space. Done washing myself, I quickly shave and turn off the water. Opening the shower curtain, I glance into the bedroom. Cherry has apparently decided that she is still tired, since she has laid down on the bed again with her eyes closed. “Cherry, are you going back to bed?” Her ears don’t even twitch. Laughing, I go into my closet. What do I wear? They didn’t really see me dressed up yesterday. I guess jeans are always a safe bet. Finally dressed in skinny jeans, a plain grey blouse, and my little black booties, I head back to the bathroom. I should probably text the guys first, just to make sure they are awake. Then I can fix my hair and my face.

I grab my phone and unplug it. Hey, do you guys want to come over for breakfast? I can make eggs, bacon and hashbrowns, and then we could make a game plan for door-knocking. I text Chris and James. I should have asked Derrek for his number before he left last night. Can you spread this message to Derrek please? I add to the message to Chris. Bringing my phone with me to the bathroom, I set it on the counter and then attempt to brush my hair. Two minutes later my phone buzzes, and I glance down. Sounds great Doll! Be over in 10ish. I glance back at myself in the mirror. Okay, some concealer for those bags and I can call it good. I quickly apply deodorant and some perfume. “Google, stop music.” Heading back to the kitchen, I open the fridge. I really need to go shopping tonight or tomorrow. I pull out the eggs and bacon. Turning on my skillet, I put 4 pieces of bacon on, and then c***k my last 5 eggs into a bowl. I quickly beat the eggs with a fork, and add some tap water, salt, and pepper. While the bacon starts cooking, I set the table. Plates, forks, and napkins all in their proper place. Is this going to be weird? I mean, we all ate dinner together last night, but that was super informal. We were focused on trying to find my 4th Fate. I open the cup cabinet and grab 4 mugs. I put them on the table, turn arounds and open the fridge. I only have rhubarb jelly; I hope that is okay. I glance back at the bacon, and then quickly walk to the front door. Cherry follows me. I unlock the front door, and Cherry jumps. “No, we are not going to a walk Cherry.” She shoots me a nasty look, almost as if saying “Why not?” I head back to the kitchen and flip the bacon. I hope everyone likes somewhat crispy bacon. Opening the freezer, I pull out the bag of hashbrowns. Pulling the deep-dish frying pan towards the front of the stove, I turn on the burner to high, add a pat of butter, then dump the last of the hashbrowns into the pan. I turn around, almost tripping over Cherry, who has her nose in the air smelling the bacon. “You will get a piece if you sit under the table while I cook Cherry.” She runs under the table and sits down, and I open the cabinet and pull down a plate. Lining it with a double layer of paper towels, I carefully lift the bacon out of the skillet and onto the plate. I put 4 more pieces of bacon in the skillet, then open the microwave and put the plate inside to keep the bacon warm. The second batch of bacon cooks a lot faster than the first. I put the second batch on the plate and dump the eggs into the bacon grease. Flipping the hashbrowns, I hear the doorbell ring. “It’s unlocked” I yell out, scrambling the eggs. Cherry wines but holds her position to earn the bacon. James walks in, followed by Derrek and Chris.

“Wow, you actually learned how to cook since High School Doll.” James grins. I turn around and face him. Flashback to Sundays in high school, he still looks good in jeans, a button up long-sleeve, and a tie. Almost like a preacher would wear.

“Oh hush.” I say, grinning. “The eggs and hashbrowns are almost done. Go ahead and take a seat, and I can bring it to the table here in a minute.”

They all sit down, and I open the microwave to grab the plate of bacon, then grab 2 potholders and put them under my right arm. I take one strip off the plate and leave it on the counter for Cherry, then I grab the coffee pot and take them to the table. I set the plate down, and the potholders, and then fill up all 4 mugs with coffee. “Chris, the sugar is in that pottery in the middle of the table. Let me grab you a spoon.”

“Don’t worry about it Des, you have your hands full.” Chris stands up and walks to the silverware drawer. Always the professional, he is again wearing khakis and a polo, but this time the shirt is a light blue. He also looks good, and I am pretty sure he wore that shirt during one of our presentations in Organic Chemistry. He grabs 3 spoons, and then sits back down.

I put the coffee pot back on the counter, I grab the pan of hashbrowns with my left hand and the pan of eggs with my right hand. Walking to the table, I set them down on the potholders. “Breakfast is served.”