Chapter 4

A Chapter by mamachansensei

   Conrad looked up from his cookbook when his house announced a visitor. Detective Laurette was standing on the porch. “Thank you house let him in.” He left the cookbook and the kitchen to greet his visitor. “Good evening Detective Laurette. Welcome to my humble abode. What brings you here?”
   Dana smiled at Conrad. His straight blond hair cascaded around his face. He wore glasses he hadn’t worn earlier. His dark green pull over and jeans were covered with a frilly apron with “Kiss the cook” across his chest.
   “I just came to check on Ben,” Dana said tripping on Ben’s skates as he stepped into the house.
   Conrad turned toward the living room. “Benjamin!”
   Ben sauntered into the room. “I told you before, When someone calls me Benjamin it feels like I’m in trouble.”
   “You are in trouble. Remove your skates from the entryway. It’s impolite to injure guests.”
   Ben picked up his skates. “He’s not a guest, he’s just a scarlet flic.”
   Conrad looked bewildered. “A What?”
   “A cop.” Dana interpreted.
   “A what?” Ben asked.
   “A flic.” Dana interpreted again.
   Conrad smiled. “Communication is going to be fun isn’t it?” If you’re here to see me we’ll have to visit in the kitchen. Dinner’s almost done.”
   Dana followed Conrad into the kitchen. “Do you always keep your place this tidy”
   “It’s easier to find things if there put away properly.” Conrad pulled the cookbook toward himself. “I’ll read the ingredients you grab them from the refrigerator.”
   Dana opened the refrigerator door. “Ready.”
   Conrad pushed up his glasses. “Celery, apples, whipped topping, mayonnaise, and the walnuts are in the freezer.”
   Dana held the fresh foods under the sonic sterilizer. “The kid seems to be comfortable here.”
   Conrad pulled a bowl out or the cupboard and utensils out of the drawer. “We’ll see. He seems content enough.” Conrad handed Dana the salad. “Put this on the table.”
   Dana marveled at the prepared salad in his hand while Conrad quietly cleaned the kitchen counter. He grabbed hot mitts and put them on his hands. “Will you be staying for dinner?”
   “ Thank you. I will.”
   “Will you ask Ben to come to dinner?”
   Dana walked into Ben’s room. He lay on the bed with earphones in his ears. Dana could hear his raucous music blaring into the boy’s ears. Dana removed an earphone. “Time for dinner.”
   “What are we having?”
   Dana bopped Ben on the head. “Just be thankful there is dinner. You could be on the streets or in an orphanage.” Dana grabbed him by the arm pulling him off the bed. Then pushing him toward the door made him wash for dinner. “I’m not a toddler flic!” Truth be told Dana didn’t know what dinner was either.
   Conrad looked up as Dana and Ben came into the dinning room. Dana had Ben by the back of his collar. Ben was trying to twist enough to punch Dana. “ Ah-ah! I could arrest you for assaulting an officer.”
   “ Gentlemen,” Connie shouted above the noise, “ Please sit down.”
   Ben and Dana stared at each other as Conrad bowed his head and said grace, then dished out the Shepard’s pie onto plates.
   Ben watched as a plate was set before him. “ What is it?” Dana elbowed Ben.
   “ The closest I could get to Shepard’s pie. Try it.” Conrad placed salad dishes at each place. He seemed to be oblivious to he body language in front of him. Dana took a bite of the “ Shepard’s pie”. He savored the bite of vegetables and peppery gravy. Then he nodded his approval. “ Why aren’t you eating kid?”
   Conrad smiled at Dana, “ Thank you for joining our little family this evening Dana.” Dana blushed and looked down at his plate.
   “ Thank you for having me.”
   Ben watched Dana, puzzled by his odd behavior. Then he stopped as he was bringing a forkful to his mouth. He put the fork down, and kicked Dana in the shin, “ Pervert!” he whispered.
   Dana elbowed Ben and then rubbed his shin.“ Shut up kid!”
   Conrad frowned at Ben. “ If you’re finished, get in the shower.”
   “ Shower?”
   “ Shower. You know that stall in the bathroom that you stand in naked. Press the button, and it will emit sound waves for cleaning the body of germs, dirt, and bacteria that causes odors.”
   “ I KNOW what a SHOWER is! Its just that I don’t see why I have to take one!”
   “ Thou art Boy! Thou stinketh! Now go!” Ben stomped out of the room grumbling.
   Dana rose from the table as Conrad stood. “ I’ll help you clean up Conrad.” Conrad grabbed his plate and Ben’s also.
   “ Thank you. And my friends call me Connie.” Dana grabbed his plate and all the silverware.
   “Do you consider me your friend?”
Conrad turned away from the table. “ Of course.”
   Dana blushed as he followed Conrad to the dishwasher. Dana handed Conrad dishes as he placed them in the washer. Then he watched Conrad clean the remaining dishes and put them away. Afterward, Conrad put the Shepard’s pie in the refrigerator, and looked at Dana. He wore a strange expression on his face,
“ What?” Conrad asked.
   Dana smiled and approached Conrad. “I was looking at your apron. I think I will.” Dana braced his arms against the refrigerator with Conrad between them. He kissed him.
   Conrad noticed many things simultaneously: the warm, gentle pressure of his lips, the peppery smell of his breath, the press of his body against his own. Dana whispered into Conrad’s ear, his lips almost touching him, “ Good night Connie.”
   Conrad watched Dana’s back leave the room and heard house say, “ Good evening sir.” Then the door closed.
   Conrad covered his mouth, “ What the hell?! Why did he?! Did he think I was?! Why did I?!” Conrad looked down and then noticed his apron.
   Kiss the cook. That explained that much at least. . .
   “ Connie! Where’s the towels? I’ve dead skin powder all over me.”

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