Текст книги "Slider "

Автор книги: Stacy Borel

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“What baby are we talking about?” Donna chimed in.

Ugh, way to go Keegan. This wasn’t a subject I wanted to talk about. Especially with all these people, let alone Turner listening. I knew as soon as we were alone, he was going to ask me questions. He was reading me right now.

I glanced around the table and all eyes were on me. “I had a patient a couple weeks ago give birth to a premature baby. I sometimes go check on it.”

Donna’s eyes softened. “Oh my, that’s very sweet of you.”

“Well, it wasn’t quite that simple. The mom was an addict. She ended up abandoning him the same day she gave birth. Seriously, it was terrible. I’m telling you, had I been the delivering nurse that day, I would have given her a piece of my mind.” Keegan was getting riled up. I wanted to slap her for divulging so much.

“When was this?” Turner asked.

I didn’t give him my eyes. I didn’t want to. He’d see exactly what talking about the baby did to me.

“It was the day after the wedding.”

“I don’t know how a mother could just leave their baby like that.” Donna had tears in her eyes. God, this subject needed to be changed quick. “It was a boy?”

I nodded.

“Do you know what’s going to happen to him when he’s strong enough to get out of the hospital?”

This was a question that plagued me more and more as the baby grew stronger. I honestly didn’t know what would happen to him, but I could only assume he would go into the state’s care.

“I’m not certain. But there are a lot of adoptive parents out there that would love to have a newborn baby. Just don’t know what kind of long term effects he will have from everything his mother was on. So it could be a tricky case.”

Turner touched the small of my back. He was giving me comfort when I didn’t even realize I needed it.

“So, yeah, great dinner time convo,” Macie piped in, clearly not wanting to talk about this any longer. Thank God, I could hug her. “Donna, I’m going to start cleaning up, is that okay?”

All of the attention that was on me, shifted to her.

“Sure, darlin’. I’ll help.”

Macie shook her head. “No, it’s okay, I don’t mind. You made a fabulous dinner, you deserve to relax and enjoy your boys.” She stood up and grabbed the plates nearest to her. When she walked out, Dodger stood up and followed. I knew I wasn’t the only one that would like to know what was going on with those two.

“So, are we having dessert first or are we heading out to the field?” Wrigley asked, stretching his arms above his head.

“I vote field,” Paul said.

“I second that,” Camden replied. “What do you want to do. babe?”

Keegan put her hand on his. “I’m fine either way.”

Paul rubbed his hands together. “Looks like it’s game time.”

We all got up from the table and made our way to the garage.

The guys packed everything up, and Keegan went back into the house to get Macie and Dodger. Turner led me to one of the golf carts and sat down next to me.

“You going to play on my team?”

I raised my brow. “I don’t know. Are you any good?”

“You’ve seen me play before, Annabelle.”

“I wasn’t paying that close attention.”

He rubbed his chest with his fist. “Ouch! My ego has been struck.”

I playfully shoved him. “No, it hasn’t, hush.”

“And here I thought you were staring at me the whole time.”

I leaned in close to him. His eyes watched me like a hawk. “I’ll let you in on a little secret, though.” I spoke even quieter, “I did watch you during dinner.” I winked and faced forward, hoping we would leave soon.

Keegan stepped outside looking frustrated and ready to hit something. “Macie isn’t coming. She said she isn’t feeling well and is going home.”

Donna started to get off the golf cart. “Does she need someone to take her home?”

“Dodger is telling her he’d take her, but you know her. She’s fighting him tooth and nail and is refusing to be near him.”

Speaking of, Dodger came out of the house, slamming the door behind him. He ignored all he looks we were throwing his way, grabbed a bat bag, and walked out of the garage without a word.

“Well, alright,” Turner said. “Looks like trouble in Love Land.”

“Stop it,” I scolded.

“I’m sure if Macie needs something she will let someone know.” Paul redirected the family’s attention. “Let’s head over.”

Nothing more needed to be said. The patriarch of the family spoke and that was the end of it. We all took off in our carts and drove down the road to the empty baseball field the family owned and was very familiar with. I’d only been out here one time, but that one time was all it took. I felt comfortable, like this was something I’d done regularly with them. I couldn’t pinpoint why this family was so welcoming and warm. They all had that way about them that invited you in, made you feel at ease. I doubt they ever met a stranger, and a stranger never felt out of place with them. It must be their gift.

Unloading everything, Dodger was standing in front of a fence, throwing a baseball as hard as he could. It bounced back and he’d catch it with his bare hands. Clearly, he was letting off some steam. He didn’t even turn to look at us when we rolled up.

“Teams,” Wrigley said rubbing his hands together. “Me, Mom, Camden, and Annabelle.”

“What? No way, she’s on my team asshole,.” Turner retorted.

“Dad, Turner, Keegan, and Dodger.” He nodded, proud of himself and ignoring his brother.

“No, teams need to be broken up differently. We will take Annabelle, y’all can have Dodger.”

“Don’t be crazy, big brother. You know I gave you the better team.”

“Hey,” Camden piped in. “Need I remind you who was picked up by the number one college in the nation?”

“Dude, you say that every time we come out here. We know . . . it’s old news,” Wrigley grumbled.

I got the distinct impression it was a sore spot for him. Wonder if it was some friendly brotherly competition.

“We good with the teams?” Paul said, stepping between the brothers.

Both boys nodded.

It was determined that I was with Turner, which I was somewhat disappointed about. I wanted to test my abilities at kicking his ass, but couldn’t very well do that when we were both trying to score a run. We played the game, having five innings. There was so much laugher and banter. Best part, I managed to stay on two feet this time. Couldn’t say as much for Paul. He felt it was necessary to slide into third base, effectively taking out his youngest, and giving poor Donna a heart attack in the process. She yelled at him while checking out his ripped pants, saying he wasn’t twenty years old anymore and couldn’t play rough or someone was going to get hurt. You know, typical mom stuff.

Donna ended up sitting out after Paul’s little spill. It frazzled her. When I stood off to the side waiting for my turn to bat, she came over to me.

“So sad about the baby.”

I glanced down at her. Oh God, did we have to talk about this again?

“Yes, it is.”

“Are you okay?”

I tilted my head to the side. “Yes. Why?”

She gave me a gentle smile. “Because, honey, I read people. No, not like that psychic crap you see on TV. But I can sense when someone is holding back and not letting their feelings through. Kind of like Macie and Dodger. I know those two, and I know how much she loves him. She has her issues she is sorting through and they will eventually come together. And when we were sitting at dinner, I saw your hands twisting together and your eyes got glassy.” She paused and let me take in what she was saying. “That baby means something to you.”

I gulped. “Sure I care about him. He’s an innocent child.”

I wasn’t fooling her. “It’s more than that. I’m not sure what your connection is with him, but I will tell you this, keep going to him. Visit him, hold him, feed him, let him feel loved. Love is what heals. We don’t know what God has in store for that little man, but you’re a kind and sweet person to go to him and care for him like you have. That tells me something about your heart and what kind of woman you are. I have no doubt your momma is looking down on you and is proud of you.”

Okay and cue the tears. Who the hell is Donna Brooks and where in the world did she come from? This wasn’t anything I wanted to hear right now. I was not a religious person and I had no clue if my parents were in heaven seeing and watching everything I did in life. I didn’t think they were anywhere. When they died, they died. I didn’t know if there was a God, so I couldn’t believe in the saying, “he had a plan for them.” Taking away a young girl’s family was not a plan. It was awful, and painful. Cruel. It ripped my soul out and shredded it. My parents were in the ground forty minutes from this baseball field and that’s what I actually believed.

I didn’t want to be rude to a woman who’s been nothing but kind to me, so I mustered a smile.

“Thank you.”

She patted my shoulder. “You’re welcome. Now, if my youngest boy could find a good girl, like you three, I’d be a happy momma.”

I was perplexed. “What?”

She waved her hand in the air. “That Wrigley is a thorn in my heel. I love him more than pie, but that boy is so lax about life, I don’t know if he will ever settle down. I knew my other three would, but him . . . well, I’ll fall off my rocker the day he brings home a girl and says she’s a keeper.” She chortled like she just told the best joke.

I was still caught up in the previous conversation when she threw another glass of water in my face. She spoke like Turner was settling down. No. No way, was it with me. I was only just beginning to relax with him and let him in. Could we at least have our first kiss before we started talking forever or settling down?

“Oh, your turn, honey!” Donna called my attention back to the game.

Right. Who the hell could hit a ball after all that mess?

I did okay ,for the most part, the rest of the game, but I knew Donna watched me. I realized just how much she watched everyone. This was how she knew things. She was an observant little thing.

Game time was over and time to wrap everything up after playing two more innings. It was dark outside, but a couple lights kept the field fairly lit. Mosquitos were getting a tad ridiculous and Keegan said they needed to go home to check on the dog. I was ready to go home to my cat and glass of wine. I felt dead on my feet.

“Hey, you,” Turner said to me.

“Hmmm?”

“Walk with me.” He took my hand and held me back.

The family cleared the field and drove back to the house.

“Did you have a good time?” he asked.

Besides discussing a couple subjects that I would have rather had my wisdom teeth removed again than talk about, I can’t say I didn’t.

“Yes. Your mom is quite the cook.”

“She is. She holds the records for the best Blackberry Pie and shrimp creole in three counties.”

I laughed. “Oh God, don’t talk about food. After playing the game, I’m ready for another full meal.”

He poked my side. “You could stand to gain a bit.”

I stopped walking. “Uh, no, sir. I’ve been eating anything I can get my hands on because of my crazy schedule at the hospital. Tonight is the first time I’ve had a homemade meal in over a month. Take out is all I have time for. And I certainly haven’t been hitting the gym.”

He gave my hand a tug, pulling me into him. The hardness of his chest made me breathe heavier. My other hand came up on its own accord and rested right over his heart. It was beating normally. Clearly, I didn’t affect him like he was affecting me. If someone took my blood pressure right now it would be sky high and they’d cart me off to the hospital.

“You’re kidding me, right?” he genuinely asked.

“Kidding you about what?”

“Your weight.”

I tried to laugh it off. “No. I mean, I’m mostly teasing, but it wouldn’t hurt for me to hit a gym every now and then so I can keep up with all the calories and chocolate cake . . . or pie, I’ve been eating.”

He wanted to smile at that one, I know he did, but he remained serious.

“You’re beautiful in every way, Annabelle. Sure your looks drew me in, but I’ve gotten to know you, and that heart of yours is huge. Gym or no gym, weight gain or no weight gain, you’re still the same person to me.”

I blinked rapidly. “You don’t really even know me.”

He leaned his head forward so his bright blue eyes were in a direct path with mine. “Oh, yes, I do. You may not share some parts of your life with me yet, but you will. In time, you will. And no matter what, it still doesn’t change how loving and beautiful you are in the parts that you have shown me.”

I was pulled back into that place that he was so good at putting me. A place where only Turner and I existed and I couldn’t even feel if my own feet were touching the ground. I was floating, and all I thought about was if I wished hard enough for him to kiss me, he just might do it.

“Those are some pretty strong words, Dr. Brooks,” I squeaked out.

He nodded. “Yes, they are.”

I had no clue how close we were to the house, how far we had walked, if the crickets were still chirping or if they were waiting for the same thing I was waiting for. But it was happening. Turner released my hand and placed both of his on either side of my face. One of his thumbs brushed my cheek so tenderly that I barely felt it whisper across my skin. Nope, definitely no gravity on planet earth right now. As he came toward me, I did the only thing I could do. I closed my eyes and gave in to the power of him, and I let him lead the way.

His lips were a soft brush over mine at first. Like stepping your foot into open water and seeing if it was going to be warm or cold. Warmth was all I felt. My heart fluttered, then came crashing to a halt when he came back and applied more pressure this time, allowing me to really feel the sensation of his mouth pushing against mine. Tentatively, I opened, barely enough to suggest I wanted more. He took my suggestion and ran away with it. Turner Brooks wrapped one arm around my lower back, pulling me flush to him, and his other threaded into my hair. His tongue danced along the outside of my lips before plunging into my mouth demanding more. I sighed and melted into him. This kiss was unlike those crazy, inexperienced first kisses. There was no learning if one person liked it fast or slow, soft or hard, more tongue or lips. Turner was all of it. He was moving his mouth in a demanding manner, before he’d slow his pace and I’d follow suit. Never in my life had I been kissed like this. I didn’t want it to end either. Not having any clue how long we stood like this, Turner kept the lead, but eventually ended the kiss with a tender peck, then sweetly kissed the tip of my nose.

My eyes were still closed when he said my name.

“Annabelle.”

“Hmmm?”

“How are you feeling?”

How was I feeling? Did I even have any feeling? I wiggled my toes and dropped my arms from his chest. I had no clue I had gripped his shirt so tightly that the material was now wrinkled. Yeah, I had some feeling.

I bit my lip and shyly looked down. “I’m good.”

He tipped my chin up with his index finger. “You sure?”

I wanted to bust out laughing. He knew what he had just done to me. I, Annabelle, had become unglued and allowed a man to make me feel something more than just a crush.

“Definitely sure.”

He smirked. “Good. Let’s walk.”

We were still standing where he’d stopped me on the side of the road with no regard to neighbors seeing our public display of affection. Turner took my hand again, and started in the direction of the house. He made small talk about his family and how crazy they could be, while nothing wiped the perma-grin off my face. Was this what happiness felt like? Those ooey gooey girl feelings that the women in the hospital who fawned all over him gushed about? I didn’t want to be one of them, but I felt it creeping in. I wanted to go home and tell Chaz all about the kiss like a teenage girl, while my fat cat looked on with disinterest. Indifference toward Turner was all but gone, and my need for more had replaced it. I walked beside him, wondering when he would ask me out again, and where it would be. I wanted to know if he would kiss me again, and if it would be just like this one. Things like relationships, dating, and love were not my forté. I didn’t technically know how to take on any of it because I lacked experience. But I could see myself liking him more and more at this pace. He did all the right things, and he said all the right things. But history has shown me for over seven years that those things didn’t necessarily add up to what was good for me. I didn’t let people in for reasons I chose to keep to myself. I was going to have to seriously ask myself if it was time to let those walls down and see if life was going to play nice again. I couldn’t afford to lose another person that I cared about without it destroying me. Pain was a feeling I was well acquainted with, but it was an emotion that given the chance to strike me down again, I knew I wouldn’t survive it.

Turner and I ended our night on a good note. His mom sent me home with a container of food, and she slid a note on top of it with her phone number and a short message to contact her if I ever needed anything. Then in smaller letters she wrote:

PS. What you’re doing for the baby is admirable. If I can help, let me know.

When I climbed into my car and read it, I wanted to crumple it up and throw it on the floor board. Only reason it didn’t was because it tugged at my heart. I ended up putting the note in my purse where I could access it. I know I may have felt guarded while speaking to her, but intuition told me it was okay. I drove home with thoughts that I should let these people in because I knew they had my best interests at heart. I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life keeping people on the outside. Turner was changing me, a piece at a time, but I was changing.

EVER SINCE THAT KISS, I’ve been thinking about more. I wanted Annabelle beneath me, feeling every inch of me as I pushed inside of her. It has been a constant thought since her mouth was on mine. The self-control I had to display that day to not press her against a parked vehicle and do what I’d been dying to do for months now was unreal. I don’t think I’ve ever held back from taking what I wanted from a woman before. Not that any of them really held me back anyway. But my life was a revolving door of women. Never have I had to work for sex. Annabelle, isn’t like that though. It has not been work. It’s been genuine. The draw to her, the desire to have more than her physically, was a new emotion. Did this make me an asshole for being that way to the others? Probably. I’ve had feelings for a few of them, but they were never the kind where I wanted to bring someone home to meet my parents. Those women were fun, and kept me occupied when I got bored with my life. Okay, yeah, I was the world’s biggest asshole for that. Nothing I could do about it now. ‘Cause right now, one girl had my attention, and she’s had it since the day she had lunch at my parent’s house.

I was on call earlier this morning and had to come in to surgically correct someone’s knee. I wasn’t particularly busy at the moment, and I considered going up to Annabelle’s floor to surprise her. Admittedly, I had already made a call to see if she was on duty. Sure, I could have asked her, but a surprise visit seemed more fun. Yeah, I wanted to see her. Getting on the elevator, I took it down one floor to Labor and Delivery. The nurse’s station was unoccupied except for a young girl that I’d never seen before. She glanced up at me briefly, then looked back to her work, only to shoot her eyes back up to mine. Her whole demeanor screamed of inexperience. She was new and had no clue who I was. After this, based off her expression, I’d guess she’d learn.

“Can I help you with something, Doctor . . .” She looked at my name tag hanging from the pocket of my scrubs. “Brooks?”

Not that I wanted to butter her up, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to lay on some charm. Giving her a million dollar smile that seemed to work on majority of the ladies, I watched it affect her just as I suspected it would. She fluttered her eye lashes and smoothed her smock down even though there wasn’t a wrinkle in sight.

“Actually, I was wondering if you could point me in the direction of where one of your nurses is right now.”

“Oh, um, sure. Who are you looking for?”

“Annabelle. I was told she was on today.”

Disappointment played over her face. “She is, but I think she’s on her break. I can let her know that you stopped in if you’d like.”

“No, that’s okay. I just had some things to discuss with her, but it can wait.”

If she wasn’t readily available, I had no interest in keeping this conversation going. Again, I never said I wasn’t the world’s biggest asshole. Turning away, I made my way to their break room. She wasn’t there. Huh. Where would she go? I could look in the cafeteria, but I had a feeling I wouldn’t find her there. Then it hit me. I knew where she was. It was instinct. I had gotten better at reading her over the last couple months, and given the time to think about it, it should have been the first place I looked when they said she wasn’t there.

I used my security card to go through the door of the NICU. I wasn’t familiar with this area of the hospital at all, but it wasn’t that hard to see everything. The room was open with babies in incubators spread throughout the space. I scanned the room for her strawberry blonde hair. Sure enough, there she was. In the back corner, Annabelle sat in a rocking chair, holding quite possibly the smallest baby I’d ever seen. I approached her slowly, like you would walking up on a lion, unsure if it will attack or allow you closer. The air around her screamed protective. She cradled the baby to her chest and if anybody would get too close she looked like she would pounce. I was only a few feet away from her and she still hadn’t seen me. I observed her. She rocked back and forth, and soothingly rubbed his naked back. His fragile body swam in the too large diaper on his lower half, and her other hand held him under his bottom. A few wires kept him connected to the machines that monitored his oxygen levels and pulse. Annabelle whispered words to him that I couldn’t hear. This wasn’t what I expected to walk in to when I caught up with her.

When she spoke about the baby she helped deliver and she would check in on, I assumed she would peek in on him, ask the nurses what his progress was, and would leave. This wasn’t what was happening at all. It was clear as day to me. This baby meant something to her. She felt for him. She was caring for him as if he were her own. My presence became known when she heard a nurse coming up beside me. When her aqua colored eyes met mine, I saw several emotions flash across her face—shock, uncertainty, anger, and embarrassment. I did my best to express understanding without words. I wasn’t judging her. No, I didn’t get what was going on here, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t empathetic and wouldn’t try to understand.

“Turner.” She said my name almost like a question.

I walked closer to where she was rocking ‘til I was directly in front of her. “Hi.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I went to your floor to surprise you, but you weren’t there.”

“How did you know I was here?”

“I didn’t.”

“I don’t understand.”

“It was a guess.”

She watched me with a very calculated look upon her face. I could tell Annabelle had no idea what do to or say, but she was in defense mode. Instead of making a big deal out of seeing her like this, I decided it was best that I shift the subject and mood toward what I intended on asking her before I came down here.

“So I was thinking, dinner at my place might be a good idea.”

“Your place?”

“Yes. I’m kind of a good cook. No worries though, nothing cheesy like candles and Marvin Gaye or anything. I’ll still keep it simple, but I thought another easy and relaxing date would be nice while I think of something else to get you questioning why you say yes to me.” I tossed a smile in her direction, hoping she’d enjoy the tease.

Even though she was holding such a small little person in her hands, her attention was on me and that adorable eyebrow went up. “Dinner at your place, because you’re still thinking of other dates to take me on to make me question my life?”

“Well, that’s one way of thinking of it.”

“Doctor Brooks, you’re not funny.”

“Actually, I am.”

“No, not really.”

“I think I’m hysterical. But that doesn’t answer my question.”

“I don’t believe you actually asked me a question.”

Touché, sassy girl. I guess I didn’t phrase it like a question. There she goes again, keeping me on my toes. “Would you like to come to my place this evening, so I may cook you dinner, and we could talk and drink wine?”

She cracked a smile at me. “I thought you said there would be no cheesiness?”

I put my hand up to my chest. “There was no cheese in that question.”

She looked at me long and hard, her hand mindlessly patting the infant’s back. “What time do you want me there?”

“Seven. We’ll make it a late dinner.”

“Text me your address and let me know what you need me to bring.”

I winked at her. “Yes, ma’am.” I took a step toward her and bent down. My lips met her forehead and I kissed her. “And we will be talking about this.”

When I pulled away her eyes were huge on her face. I wasn’t trying to scare her, but we’d gone out enough that I should be able to ask some questions and get answers. If she didn’t want to tell me the depths of her feelings that was fine. She would eventually. I was ready for more from Annabelle. I wanted to pick her brain and learn how she ticked. I wanted her physically and in every way possible. I craved her like no other. Tonight, I would get from her what I wanted.

Never had I anticipated Turner coming to the NICU. Him seeing me like that was almost too much. Had I not been holding the baby, I probably would have gotten more upset than I let on. First his mom asking too many questions, now him. And what did he mean we would be talking about this? There was nothing to talk about. It wasn’t any of his business, either. If he thought we were talking about anything relating to this, he was going to be disappointed.

I didn’t have time to think about Turner during the last half of my shift. We had three moms arrive in active labor and all three delivered within an hour of each other. When I finished my portion of the paperwork, I clocked out and headed home. I had thought about when the time would come that I would be stepping foot in Turner’s space, but I figured I would be more nervous than I currently was. I chalked it up to exhaustion. I was dead on my feet and his idea for wine and food sounded amazing to my tired brain and body right now.

When I got home, I changed into comfortable jeans, a loose tank top, and took my hair out of the ponytail it had been in all day. I pulled it half up, and let some pieces on the side fall around my face. There was no need for make-up but I did add a little bit of gloss to my lips before I got back into my car and made the drive to his place. Turns out he lived on the tenth floor of a building not far from the hospital. He had instructed me to pull into the parking garage and what number space to park in. When I got into the elevator the butterflies started their fluttering. I didn’t know what I to expect from Turner tonight, but I was stepping foot into his space. It was his domain and his rules. Was tonight going to turn into something more than just a kiss? Would I allow it? I decided before I raised my hand to knock on the door, that I would just let things flow and see where the night took us. It went against the grain for me, however I couldn’t deny that I wanted Turner Brooks. He intrigued me in every sense of the word. I desired him like no other, and at some point I needed to admit to myself that I honestly had no control with him. He held me captive when I got too close, and if he wanted something from me, I was going to let him take it.

I knocked softly. He opened the door and my mouth gaped. Wearing a pair of worn jeans, and a tight fitted t-shirt, not a single muscle wasn’t on full display and open to my viewing. Even better, he was traipsing around without shoes or socks. He saw me checking him out and I made a show of closing my mouth and giving him a “fuck you, I may have been caught but it doesn’t matter” smirk.

“Evening, Annabelle.” He stepped to the side allowing me to come in.

“Doctor Brooks.” I regarded him formally.

He shook his head as I walked past. Our banter and flirting was already starting and the evening was young. Following behind me, he closed the door and allowed me to scan my surroundings. It was a very modern, chic apartment, and exactly what I expected from him. Clean lines, black leather furniture, and an open floor plan. There was no true entry way into the space. I walked right into the living room where a large couch sat at an angle over the top of a gray area rug. A massive television covered a portion of the wall, and a very nice surround sound system hung in every corner that I could see. To the right was a kitchen that had gray cabinets and a black granite countertop. Stainless steel appliances rounded off the modern kitchen. It smelled amazing in here—an aroma of fresh herbs and spices with a touch of garlic. Stepping toward the kitchen, I saw the two wine glasses and a bottle of white and red wine next to them. Something was simmering on the stovetop, and two plates sat beside it.

I turned to look at him. “What’s for dinner?”

“Chicken piccata over linguine, and garlic bread is in the oven.” He skirted past me, barely brushing my bare arm. I shivered. “I wasn’t sure if you liked red or white, but reds usually go better with Italian.”

“Red is fine,” I concurred.

He poured me half a glass, while he did the same for himself. “Feel free to relax and make yourself at home. There are stools on the other side of the bar if you care to sit there.”

I did as he suggested. He went to the stove and stirred what was cooking. I took a seat on a silver stool that had no backing. It was slightly uncomfortable but for conversation sake, I’d stay here until it was time to eat.