Jeremy regretted what he said to her before he even got home. He knew he had blown it, he had done the very thing he swore not to do and lost his temper with her just when she needed it most. Of course the fact that she had so determinedly slammed the door on any future for them he felt made his actions somewhat justified. Still, he regretted doing what he did.
The next day's train ride home was difficult. He didn't seek her out and she clearly meant to follow through as he saw no sign of her either. As the week passed it both became easier and more unbearable an absence if that was possible. He settled back into his life without her, but the more he did the more it only drove home the feelings he had had for her that had caused such a passionate reply to her rejection. When he could not stand it anymore he went seeking for her to apologize, but found her nowhere on the train. Realizing she must have switched trains to avoid seeing him, his heart sank. He of course knew where she worked and lived but if she was so determined to avoid him as to switch her train he figured it was best that he try to let her go.
That was all he thought about her until out of the blue he got a phone call from her. He was severely tempted to ignore it and move on but he knew he still loved her despite all she had done. So, against his better judgment, he answered the call, "Hello?"
"Jeremy, thank god, please don't hang up," came the reply. It was frantic enough that he was immediately concerned for her well-being, and despite his promise to himself he would remain passive and listen he asked,
"Alicia? What's wrong? Are you ok?" with a little more concern in his voice than he would have liked.
He heard a brief sigh of what could have been relief and swore he could hear a smile in her voice as her tone lightened, "Oh god nothing like that, I just wanted to make sure you weren't going to curse me out and hang up." She paused but before he could reply she quickly added, "I do need help, though, and I realize you have no reason to ever do anything for me again, but I'm in over my head and you're the only one I know that can help. I have all my friends coming over tomorrow afternoon for a party and I said I'd grill and I don't even know how or even own a grill. I can't ask my parents or brother because they live in Colorado and all the friends I know here are coming tomorrow and I assured them I had it handled. Please help me, I have no idea what I'm doing and you were so great cooking on the fire when we went camping I know you can bail me out, please?"
Jeremy rolled his eyes and looked at his watch. Of course he was going to help her and she knew it. She knew he loved her and couldn't refuse a chance to be her white knight; a part of him wanted to say no and leave her to fix her own mess, but he couldn't
"Of course I'll help, but if you don't even have a grill yet we'd better get moving."
"Oh good, thank you so much Jeremy, I really owe you one."
"My pleasure, always glad to help a friend out of a jam." They then agreed upon a place to meet and look for a grill. He hung up, grabbed some tools, and headed straight for it, still not believing he was doing this.
When they got to the store she gave him an awkward hug and thanked him once again then they set off to the task at hand. Alicia's unit only had a small balcony and she clearly didn't use a grill too much so they settled on a small propane model. Jeremy made sure to recommend one large enough to handle enough volume that dinner the next day wouldn't take forever, but not so large that it would take up half the balcony and leave no room for anything else. They loaded the box into her car and, realizing she had forgotten the propane, she went back to get some and he, sighting a grocery store nearby, said he would meet her at her place; he had to make one stop first. He quickly stopped off at the store before making his way to her condo.
He arrived only a few minutes after her and together they unloaded the box and carried it to her unit, then he went back to his car to get his tools and his purchase. He placed the bag in the refrigerator and said, "you'll see what that is later" in response to her questioning look. She shrugged and they went to open up their some assembly required project. They then spent the better part of the next hour putting it together, which to his surprise was more pleasant a project than he expected, though still not without the usual frustrations that come with anything 'some assembly required' from a big box store.
When it was all put together, placed in its new home on the balcony, and working properly, Jeremy went to the fridge to retrieve his mystery bag. He produced a box of hamburger patties and American cheese.
"It's tradition that a new grill need to be christened with meat upon assembly," he said with a smile.
"Oh it is, is it?" she said with a slight chuckle.
He turned solemn, "Don't you laugh, Miss, this is serious business. The grill gods must be honored or they will put the hockey puck curse on your grill. Everything you make will be as black and as hard as a hockey puck for so long as you own that grill if proper homage is not given. I've seen it happen to even the best griller."
She turned equally solemn, "Oh well, then we best honor tradition, proceed good sir."
"Oh no Miss, the tradition states that the master or mistress of the grill must be the one to perform the rights or the gods will take offense. It's your grill good lady, so it is you that must cook the offering."
Alicia looked a little concerned and whispered, "Enough fun and games, Jeremy. I have no clue what I'm doing and I for one want no part of E coli." Then after a pause she added, "and nor do my friends tomorrow for that matter."
Jeremy smiled, "I know that and I'll help you of course, but you should be able to make something on your grill without me being here to help and this is pretty simple to do. Don't worry, I'm still coming tomorrow to cook. I just figured I'd teach you something tonight."
She smiled and said "I'd love that, thanks."
Jeremy then showed her what to do and assisted her as she tried. Not too long later they went inside with a plate full of their handiwork.
"I guess that wasn't so hard. I'm still glad you'll be here to help tomorrow, but it's not as bad as I thought it would be. Thank you again for showing me that."
"My pleasure. Shall we eat then?" She agreed and they sat down to taste their handiwork. Both found it delicious and once they were finished eating they had a brief discussion about what to make for the next day. Alicia said she had a recipe for chicken caesar salad she wanted to try and that this had all started with some steaks she had received as a gift so they could use those. Jeremy took stock of what she had of what she had in the fridge and agreed that that was a good plan, though they would need a few more due to the number of people coming. He agreed to get some more on his way over the next day. He offered to grab any sides she might need but she said those were all set between her and her friends.
When they were finished an awkward silence replaced the fun atmosphere that had previously been present. To end the discomfort he rose from the table and said, "Well, I'll be going then; it's getting late and we have lots to do tomorrow."
