The spicy aroma of Frankie's chili pasta reached me even before I got to the bottom of the stairs. The air downstairs had gotten colder, the air conditioner no doubt being turned up a notch by Frankie. I shivered, and thought about going back to my room to get a sweater, but the risk of missing the evening news prompted me to endure the low temperature.
"You came back early?" Frankie asked, coming out of the kitchen with a white apron and a plate of pasta. She glimpsed at me with bleary eyes, before sitting down heavily and putting the plate on her lap.
"Yeah, I was feeling a bit off and tired."
"I told you to take the day off." She pat the space on the couch next to her and motioned for me to sit down. "Come take a bite. I was craving something spicy cause everything is bland to my tas
