Sidetracked, distracted, procrastination...nervousness
Today's the day. Dad went ahead to the Prescott estate to bring in the supplies for the dinner while I was at the house and checked on the meat as it continued to sleep with the blend of herbs and spices. The feeling of being nervous was always present in my body when it came to cooking for someone new. You could never fully know what they like and dislike until they take their first bite of the dish. Their reaction can be delivered to you through their eyes, mouth, and body. The eyes would scan the food and give the dish a bias impression, much like the saying "don't judge a book by it's cover". With just one squint or widening of the eyes a chef can tell if the client is enjoying what was placed before them, but the critique never stops there, with that same first bite their mouth tells a story. The movement of how the mouth curves itself into a smirk or a small impulse caused by them testing the texture with their tongue is present. They taste the flavors that is in the dish, if they all mix or don't. How they chew is also a factor; it distinguishes enjoyment or distaste, a happy chew is slow and rhythmic while a disgusted chew is painfully slow and accompanied with a visible frown. The body does the same, although not many express their enjoyment for food through body gestures, but they do exist. One would move forward or dive in to the dish signifying their enjoyment and others may not move at all; this shows that they are neutral or can mean nothing at all. Those are just body characteristics I have noticed when people ate. But tonight was different, and I could not think straight. Mom then came in to let me know that we were going to grab some breakfast at the diner we first ate at. I nodded and grabbed my phone, camera, camera bag/my purse, and wallet and went down the stairs to catch up with mom and Blair. Mom was driving while Blair sat in the back and I sat in the passenger's seat up front. I looked at my phone to see if Nathan texted me, but nothing showed up on my screen. I looked at mom and started a conversation.
"Mom do you think Nathan changed?"
"Well of course honey, everyone changes, you're never the same, you grow"
"I know the physical attributes change but, I'm talking about personality..."
"People change appearance, personality, and mind, they may not be the person you once knew, but there is one thing that I always look forward to" I looked up right at her as she concentrated on the road, "I look forward to meeting them anew, and get to know them on a deeper level"
I stared in astonishment, she was right Nathan changed for a reason and I'll be there for him no matter what, even if it means him pushing me away entirely. Nathan is different and so am I. My mind drifted to the window of the car and watched as the grey sky painted a mellow overlay on the rich evergreens. The trees became concrete and we entered the town, it was not long until we reached the diner. Beep, Beep. The sound of mom locking the car was heard as we entered the diner. The three of us headed to the same booth we first ate at and waited for a waitress. Surprisingly it was the same blonde woman from day one, Joyce.
"Well if it isn't the Jamesons, nice to see you again" She handed me and my mom menus and Blair a kid's menu.
"Good morning Joyce and it is very nice to see you again as well" I said and smiled at her, then I wondered if her daughter would swing by today. She reminded me of a friend I had in middle school named Emily, and she was very edgy.
"You've only been here once and you already know my name, Arcadia Bay needs more people like you and your family"
"Hmm, we just might" I looked at my mom after she said that comment, what could that possibly mean?
"Could I start you off with some coffee or juice?"
"I want OJ, Mama" Blair exclaimed, and it was just too adorable. She may be around ten years old, but I still see her as a baby.
"Alright sweetie, and I'll have a peach tea if you have any"
"I can whip up something, but don't worry I make that at home" mom smiled and looked at the menu once more, "And for you, umm what was it, Clare? Clara?"
"It's Clara, and I'll have a simple black tea for me"
"Alright, I'll go get those drinks right for you" I watched as Joyce swiftly went from our table to the waitress station and made every drink with ease. With a skill like that, dad would have hired her on the spot and she would probably have a higher pay than she has here. I wonder if she is free.
After handing us our drinks we ordered our food and the cooking and delivery time was nonexistent. She came with our food and it looked as good as a diner back at home. I mentally was going over things for tonight, and my mumbling caught Joyce's attention as she placed our food on the booth table.
"I don't mean to pry, but as a mom, I know mumbling does not mean anything good, is everything alright Clara?" I looked up at her and started to open my mouth to speak, but my mind was not functioning in the social department and just ate my food; thankfully mom spoke on my behalf.
"Oh no, Joyce, you see Clara is just nervous for the dinner tonight"
"Dinner? Cooking is easy, especially if it's for your family"
"Well she is not exactly cooking for just us, but for the Prescotts and colleagues" Mom took her tea and sipped on it, I just ate my veggie omelet in silence as I went over things then remembered to ask Joyce if she was available on such short notice. I finished the bite of omelet and mixture of vegetables in my mouth and looked up at Joyce.
"Umm, Joyce I know you might not be available tonight, but would you be interested in being a waitress for this dinner? You see the staff we have for the night are not skilled for this position at such event" Well Gen and Kev won't seem as professional, and from what I can recall dad did not call for a waiter position.
"Oh, well I'd like to help but I have a night shift tonight and I do have some mouths to feed when I get home," She said with a huge sigh.
"It's fine Joyce, maybe next time?"
"Of course, enjoy your food now", Joyce then left and I started to eat my breakfast; just to finish moments later. I finished my cup of tea, and poured my self a new cup, a good thing about black tea is that it does not have that much of a caffeine count as coffee, then why am I still shaking? As I sat in place mom watched me at the corner of her eye, I could feel the stare piercing through and tensed up a lot more.
"Clara, sweetie, it will be fine, remember you're not cooking for them but-"
"For myself aka me"
"That's right, if I was to remember anything about cooking from your father, I'd remember to embrace the pleasure of cooking up an orchestra than to be down in the dumps on one customer, there is always another critique around the street corner"
"I see what you mean mom, but it's not just that"
"What is tha-"
"We forgot to prepare a closer"
"Clara.."
Bzz, bzz. Mom picked up her phone and answered it. I could tell that it was dad since mom's eyes always lit up when it was him, but after a frown will evidently appear, meaning that something unpleasant is to be told.
"Mhm, alright I'll let her know" Mom then hung up her phone and placed back into her purse.
"Mom what was it?"
"Dad wants you at the manor already, so Blair, honey we might need to take your food to-go"
Blair frowned at the comment since she loved eating out, especially when we are on trips. Joyce came to our aid with some to-go boxes and bags, but started to mention an alternative choice of action.
"You said the place you folks are staying at is along Field Avenue? That happens to be close to my home, and I know Chloe will just do anything to get out of the house, if you don't mind I think she'll give you a ride"
"That sounds swell, mom what do you think?"
"I don't mind at all, but maybe it might be best to have your father pick you up, but it's your choice", She looked at her phone and then at Blaire making bubbles in her apple juice.
Well I have two choices, but both will get me to the estate, so it just depends on who I chose. If I chose to get a ride with Chloe, it may lead to one or two more friends here in Arcadia Bay, but from the looks of it we might get side tracked. Getting picked up by dad is the reasonable choice, but I'll just get more nervous being there so early. Ugh curse these teen urges.