|CerO| Singing Screaming Sweetly Sorrows

I returned home later to an empty house. It was dark outside now. The sun said it’s farewells a while ago… I was a bit bummed - I didn’t get the job. They found someone with experience and had already hired them. The guys would be happy at least. And, honestly I didn’t care much. I had picked that place out of the newspaper randomly. Accounting… How would I like that? ‘Blech,’ I decided. See? I had no problem with it.
So, I went up to my room, turned on my heaviest metal as loud as I could (without having the police called on me) and wrote. What a perfect situation…


I was down in the kitchen, actually cooking food, when they got back. I was making spaghetti. Italian was rarely appealing to me tonight. Actually, it was odd that we had real food in our cupboards.
“Oh. My. Gosh… Mindy is a saint.” Gerard said solemnly in the hallway.
“I smell FOOD!!” Bobs voice bellowed from somewhere afar.
They all flooded in at the same time. I had to smack Mikey's hand from snatching the parmesan (probably to chug it – yeah – he’s weird like that).
“Guys! It’s not done – No. Go play some video games for a while… Yes; I’ll call you when it’s done. Promise. Mikey… I pinkie swear… are you going to… ok…Yes.”
They filed out, but even when I heard the music and gun shots from one of their war games, I could sense that I wasn’t alone. Someone trying to be sneaky? But then I heard a sigh and recognized it instantly.
“You okay?” I asked Frank, who was sitting at the table. He must have sat down when the others were swarming.
“Yeah, ‘coarse” he laughed lightly. “You okay?”
“Why?” I frowned.
“Because, you’re cooking…” he sounded suspicious.
I turned from the food cooking on the stove and joined him at the table. “Yeah… I’m okay, I guess.”
“Didn’t get the job.” It wasn’t a question.
“Naw… ‘Least Mikey and Gerard will be happy…”
“Ha-ha… yeah – we all will be… but how are you about it?”
“I have to help pay for this place. You guys are saints… but I feel bad. I’m abusing your hospitality… But it doesn’t faze me that I didn’t get the position -Accounting?” I scoffed.
“Yeah, accounting… doesn’t seem like your thing…” he laughed.
I stuck my tongue out at him.
“You might want to check the food,” he reminded me with a smirk.
“Frankie…” I muttered under my breath as I attended to the food.
I tasted the sauce and tested the noodles. I turned the heat off and drained the noodles. “You can have a head start,” I said to Frank. “It’s ready…”
He got up, grabbed a plate and then kissed me on the cheek.
“Happy for real food?” I asked.
“If you need a reason” he smiled.
“Oh…” I murmured, leaving the kitchen to perch in the living room arch. Mikey was the only one to notice me. His eyes widened, then, with a smirk, he put his forefinger to his lips. I smiled and rolled my eyes. He got up, muttering in a nonchalant tone that he had to use the bathroom. A chorus of dull ‘ok’s followed and he calmly walked passed me and into the kitchen – smiling all the way. “It’s ready.” I announced to the three left in the room ogling at the TV screen. They all jumped up at the same time, running passed me with enthusiasm. I stood there a moment longer. Long enough for the character in the war game to be shot and for the menu screen to come up; blinking with the options to continue or quit.
I returned to the kitchen; Gerard jumped out of his seat, practically worshiping me on the floor.
“You,” he said pointing; “Should cook more often.”
“Or,” I offered; “You could learn to cook for yourself… But, hey; if you want to praise me; ‘Hallelujah!’ maybe I’ll cook more.”
He was back in his chair now, inhaling his spaghetti. He made a gagging sound in disapproval of the idea that he cook for himself. I returned to the cupboard to grab myself a plate and glass. Then I fetched milk and a fork. I dished up and joined the guys at the table, between Frank and Gerard. ‘Hey’ I realized in my head; ‘I am a good cook… hmm…’ That’s new…
“Anyone want more?” I asked, raising my eyebrows. The spaghetti was good; the guys ate a lot… probably more than they should have. I only ate a little bit. I had been done for a while now and I was just cleaning up before I went to bed.
“No,” Gerard sighed, patting his stomach with a satisfied tone.
“We’re good” Mikey said. He had his head resting on the table, almost asleep.
“Ok” I muttered, pouring the leftovers into a glad wear bowl, replacing the lid and placing it with the utmost care into the refrigerator for later.
I went to the living room where Bob, Ray and Frank were playing another video game. Gerard and Mikey followed me out of the kitchen but didn’t pause in the living room. “Night, guys…” I said, and then followed the Ways upstairs without waiting for a reply. I grabbed my pajamas and a washcloth to clean up. And then I finally went to sleep.