Chapter 14

He tried. Really he did, but the flicker of disbelief was impossible to miss.

I invited him in and didn’t settle into the front office, no ... straight through to the big curly burly solid walnut desk I bought when daddy was gone. I moved around to my Fashion Minimalist Modern Reclining Real Leather Executive Massage Swivel Chair that I bought when the I didn’t like the ponderous matching chair that came with the twenty four thousand dollar desk.

I put That monstrosity on the penitent side of the desk. (Make ‘em comfortable before I took their balls.). I regretted that eight thousand dollar waste of my allowance. I had sent a slab of the same burly curly walnut to the manufacturer so the chair and desk would match. I will admit the materials matched and the workmanship was first rate. I just couldn’t sit in it.

I could sit in it ... I couldn’t nap ... and that’s the biggest reason for my Fashion Minimalist ... it reclines. I have spent the night in it. Some days I’m here too long to drive home ... so.

I sat on my chair on my side, he sat in my exceedingly ornate reject. The rat liked it. He settled in like ... well ... like he liked it.

He started, “Godmama wants to ... something?”

“Godmama?”

“The Queen.” As if that made all the difference

“Just making sure,” I said. I waved my hand in the gesture that says ‘please, continue.’

He hemmed, fluffed, and started ... again.

“Godmama wants to know.”

“Ah ... yes ... government,” I said.

His turn to make the continue gesture ... mine was nowhere as regal. I continued ... through lunch and tea and... “You drove over the hill.”

“Government?” Aghast.

“So they claimed.”

Our stomachs announced that we had missed something. I blushed, he reddened.

“I could cook,” I said simultaneously as he said, “Is there someplace decent we could go?”

And I said, “That lets out bangers and mash.”

I chuckled at his look ... not a clue.

I sat up and exited my chair. “Follow me.”

I led the way to the kitchenette, he marveled. I opened the cooler and displayed the ‘bangers.’ The potatoes were in the drawer.

“Bangers and mash.” I expounded. “Pork sausage and mashed potatoes. Boil the potatoes in water, drain, preserving a half liter of liquid. Mash,” I displayed the masher. “Add butter, cream cheese and the preserved liquid to the desired consistency,” That got a look “ ... lumpy peanutbutter,” I said. “Salt and pepper to taste.” “If I feel adventurous I add Thyme to the boil.”

“I broil the sausage during the potato boil.” I hesitated, “Sometimes I pan fry ... to get the drippings for gravy. Oh ... peas ... green peas ... I use frozen and microwave them. Serve them up ... mash on the plate ... bangers on the mash, gravy on top ... peas on the side ... bangers and mash.”

He looked ... pained, “Where could we go?”

I knew that was coming... “Chinese, Fish and Chips, Italian, Greek, Indian, Kebabs, Vegetarian ... other stuff ... you choose.”

“Italian.”

“Lithgow ... you drive. I’ll be right back.”

Quick shower, thong, little black dress, heels, touch of color ... fastest I ever gussied ... fifteen minutes.

It was excellent!

Live band, dancing, very late.

Motel.