As soon as I entered our apartment I knew something was up. My roommate, Samantha, and I had been up drinking wine and talking incessantly until after midnight. I was expecting to come home to a mess. Instead I came home to a spotless house with all the blinds pulled and wonderful smells filling the air. I dropped my bag by the door and walked through the living room to find the kitchen table set for two, candles lit, covered pots giving off heat sitting on the stove.
"Crap." I thought "Sam's got a date." I was exhausted and was looking forward to ordering some take out for both of us and watching trashy TV with the air conditioner blasting. Now it seemed I'd be finding somewhere to hang out for a while. I didn't recall Sam warning me that she had a date night coming up but I was never good at keeping track of such things. Oh well, I guess I could just as easily munch on popcorn while taking in a trashy movie.
Sam came around the corner from the too small bedroom that we shared. "Oh, Cheryl, Hi. I didn't hear you come in." she greeted me, surprised.
"Oh, yeah. I'll be out of here in just a minute. I'm gonna go catch a movie or something." I let her know that I wouldn't be in the way. "By the way, it smells fucking great in here. I get dibs on leftovers."
"Leftovers? I made you dinner." She informed me.
"Wow, this is for me? That's great; I just didn't expect... thanks." I didn't have to be told twice. "I'm going to go wash my face and change, I'll be right back."
"Sure. Dinner will be a minute, and hey, put on one of your nightgowns. Mine is a casual bistro."
I washed my face and tied my hair back. I changed into my favorite white nightgown as requested and took a seat at the table. Sam had already poured me a glass of wine. She went about her business, stirring this and tasting that, moving to the beat of her favorite mix CD. Brian Eno, Rufus Wainwright and Leonard Cohen mingled with various DJs she'd discovered online or at warehouse parties in the city. Her energy and good cheer were contagious and my hangover and exhaustion faded away as she served up dinner.
I had a full forkful of sweet coconut rice and a Thai stir fry with chunks of fried tofu. Sam was an amazing cook. Garlic and Basil and spices I knew nothing about thrilled me and it was a struggle to take my time and savor every bite. Sam ate slowly and watched me eat. I think she enjoyed feeding me more than actually eating her cooking herself.
When my plate was empty Sam hopped up and cleared it. She hurried me into the living room, to sit on a blanket where she set in front of me a plate with small pieces of various dark chocolates. I had a piece with bits of red pepper mixed into it and it was surprisingly nice. My palate expanded constantly living with Sam. The leftovers from her date nights were a favorite and when she actually cooked for me, well I would be at her mercy. It seems that might have been what she had in mind.
"So, are you wondering what this is all about?" She asked.