Hank

Thea was smiling as she got into the car, she looked like the cat that ate the canary. He drove her to her office per her request. Hank's phone chimed loudly on his way and he knew it could only be his mother. Why didn't she call earlier when he was all alone in the living room staring at an erotica novel?

He saw Thea look at him from the rear view mirror. "Are you going to pick that?"

He smiled. "Not so important."

The phone stopped ringing only to start all over again. "Excuse me, just a minute." Hank parked the car by the roadside and got out to answer his mom.

"Mom, how are you?" he asked as he kicked a stone out of his path.

"I'm fine, Kiki. I got your message, why did you change your number?" Her voice sounded okay and Hank relaxed a notch.

"Just wanted a fresh start. Are you okay?"

"Yes. I'm doing okay.

"That's good to know. Have you had breakfast?"

"Breakfast?" she asked.

"Mom, have you eaten this morning?"

She coughed into the phone and he waited until she got herself. "I don't feel good."

"Go to the hospital, mom. I'll call you later, I got a job for us."

"My baby," she said and coughed again.

"Yes. Are you going to go to the hospital?"

"Yes. I'll go now."

"Thank you. Call me when you get there."

"Bye."

He ended the call and tucked the phone in his pocket. His mom worried him. She could be a junkie, but she was all he had. He got back in the car and apologized, Thea brushed it off and he drove her to work.

Hank called his mom immediately he entered the house with Thea but she didn't answer. He could tell she was high earlier. She couldn't understand what he meant when he had asked about breakfast. Hank tried not to worry and hoped she was alright.

Thea left work few hours after getting back from Jamal's office. He drove her to a shopping mall and declined going in with her. She wasn't in any real danger, and he didn't need to be by her side twenty four seven contrary to what she was made to believe.

He helped her with the shopping bags as she walked towards the car. At home, she started dinner and he joined her in the kitchen.

"Do you need help?"

"I've got this. Jamal is coming home early tonight and we have plans," she grinned from ear to ear as she informed him.

Thea was cleaning the tilapia she bought at the fish market and he stood in a corner watching. She later passed him bell peppers to help slice the top off, he rinsed his hands when he finished.

"You're a great help."

"I only sliced the top off."

"Yea, it shows you know your way around the kitchen. The way you held the knife told me a lot about you."

If she was trying to weird him out, she succeeded. "I'm curious to know what you've learnt."

"Not saying much. Can you make salad?"

"Sure."

"Great, can you can make a bowl while I quickly prepare the stuffed peppers? Everything you need is in the fridge."

Hank went to the large fridge and got the vegetables he saw. He sliced vegetables as Thea cooked by the stove. He hummed a song as he worked.

Thea came over later and watched him. "I could hire you if I ever need a cook," she joked.

"You'll end up eating only barbecue meat."

"Is that all you can do in the kitchen?"

"I can boil rice, and I make great salads also."

"Is this something you're thinking of taking further?"

"Definitely, I'll own a food truck someday." The day looked farther than he used to imagine.

"Really?" She looked at him in surprise. "Who would have thought?"

Thea worked on the salad dressing and he watched in amusement as she took time shaking the dressing in the jar.

"Good job," she exclaimed as she drizzled the liquid over the salad. She checked her wrist and said, "My husband should be back soon."

"Cool."

Thea got wine and he helped pop it open, she poured him a glass and he took a sip before taking the bowl of salad to the fridge.

"Tell me about this food truck you want to own."

"There isn't much to say. I don't have a plan yet so it's still an idea."

"It's a great idea, but you have to be opened to learning how to cook in general."

"Can't I just hire someone?"

"You can if you don't want to be hands on. I mean barbecuing is also enough if you're particular about delegating."

Thea talked to him as she shredded the baked fish into the cauliflower rice stemming on the stove. He listened with interest as she shared her opinions on how the truck business should be ran. At some point, she started checking her wrist frequently and kept looking towards the living room until Jamal walked in. He looked tired and Hank shook his hand while Thea handed him a glass of wine with a kiss.

"You came in right on time, dinner is almost ready."

"I don't want anything too heavy," Jamal said while shrugging off his jacket.

"Not too heavy. Stuffed peppers and salad-"

"I'll take just the salad."

"Babe, you have to try the stuffed peppers."

"Not tonight, Thea."

"Okay." Thea helped Jamal with his tie and she took his jacket from him. "Will you take a quick shower?"

"I think that's a great idea."

Hank stood up with Jamal. "Can I talk to you for a minute?" he asked him.

"Sure, we'll talk in the living room." Thea dropped a kiss on Jamal's lips before they went to the living room. "What is it?"

"A bodyguard?" Hank asked when they were out of earshot.

"I couldn't come up with anything else." Jamal plopped down heavily on the sofa.

"What's the arrangement?"

"There's no arrangement. You can always leave after you bring her home."

"So I don't have to wait until you get back?"

"No. Most times, I don't even come home."

"I noticed."

"You asked for a job and I gave you one, don't make me regret it."

"How can I ever thank his Lordship?" Yea, he was a jerk, nothing new.

Jamal looked at him and shook his head. "Nothing's changed with you."

Hank watched him walk away. There went the advance he was about to ask for. When Hank entered the kitchen, Thea was looking at him with a worried expression.

"Did you tell him?"

"What?"

"About yesterday, the kiss."

"God no, that was like a lifetime ago."

He had completely forgotten about it. Thinking about his step brother's wife as he had done yesterday made him feel disgusting. He wasn't going to fuck up his new job for an attraction that wasn't going anywhere.

"What did you have to talk to him about then?"

Thea busied herself with setting the table as she tried not to seem eager for his answer. He saw through her and he thought about using the opportunity to bring up the advance he wanted. He also didn't want to come across as desperate and unprofessional so he opted for the truth.

"I was talking about the job. There's nothing to worry about."

"All set." She gestured towards the table. "Dig in while I get Jamal."

Hank was almost done with his meal when Thea returned without Jamal. She smiled awkwardly and ate her food without providing any explanation.

"Where's Jamal?"

"He fell asleep."

Thea looked like she was going to cry and Hank knew it was time to leave. He took his plate to the sink, thanked her for the meal and, bid her goodnight.