The second chapter of Campaign 6R.
With a few very minor changes, hopefully improvements, in grammar, punctuation, and words, Campaign 6R is the same story as 6R. It has the same theme, characters, ideas, scenes, situations, context and content.
Just a different title and located in a different category.
LIVE LARGE!!!
BoCur
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Campaign 6R Chapter 2
After drying off and changing back into my earlier outfit, I went to the patio and got the gas grill going. In the kitchen I turned the oven on and grabbed the two New York Strips, I had left to thaw that morning.
It didn't take long for the steaks to cook to a medium rare and as they rested, I placed several Parker House rolls in the hot oven and started constructing a simple salad.
By the time I was sitting the patio table Di arrived. Her fine, corn silk hair was dry and she was dressed in short sleeveless shift that had small white diamond designs against an indigo blue.
We sat down and ate in the cool evening breeze as dusk turned to night.
"This is good!"
"Thank you. Can you cook?"
"Mama showed me how to make toast, but did not want me to do it by myself."
"We'll teach you."
"Goody!"
I was an accomplished cook, maybe not enough skill, talent or experience to be called a chef, but had a large and diverse repertoire to draw from. Mama had been an excellent cook and allowed me to help and tutored me. In college I continued cooking in my dorm's small kitchen and then later in my own place.
I needed to prepare Di, to be able to support herself in the event something happened to me. It was an unlikely scenario, but a possibility, which needed to be addressed.
With available delivery services, via the internet, Amazon, etc., all she would need or want could be deposited on the door step. Once there she would need to be able to make use of them. Teaching her some simple cooking techniques was a start.
I dimmed the lights and we moved to a yard swing. She curled up with her head in my lap as we watched the stars in the clear night sky. A bright shooting star streaked across the black panorama of white sparkling points.
"Did you see that?" she excitedly asked, sitting up, pointing.
"A shooting star. They are not really stars, but meteors, bits and pieces of interplanetary rocks or debris. When they come close Earth's gravity grabs and pulls them into the atmosphere. Their speed and friction cause them to burn, lighting up the night sky."
"Wow! Pretty!"
"You know what they say?"
She shakes her head and I tell her, "When you see a shooting star, say, 'Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight: I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight.' Then make a wish. Don't say it out loud or tell anyone what you wish. This old rhyme is rumored to make your wish come true. If you're willing to open your mind to the possibility of magic in the universe, wishing upon a shooting star is a way of strengthening your aspirations."
"OH! I hope there's another one! I believe!"
"A good possibility as there is seldom just one meteor. Watch the sky and think about your wish."
She continued to sit up looking at the sky for several minutes before returning to her previous position. About ten minutes later a shooting star flashed across the sky.
Di sat up and said, "Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight: I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight."
She was silent for a moment staring straight ahead and then turned me and said, "I believe."
I smiled agreeing, "So do I."
As she looked back at the night sky, I asked, "You ready for some ice cream?"
She stood up facing me and declared, "Yes!"
Standing I said, "Lets clear the dinner dishes and we will get some. What flavor do you want?"
"Chocolate!"
We took our bowls of ice cream into the living room and sat on the couch, turning on the TV. I flipped to a channel carrying old shows and we watched a couple episodes of MASH.
Our bowls empty, Di lay down on her side on the couch with her head in my lap and I rubbed her hair.
"Sugar I'm got some things that need to be taken care of tomorrow. You think you'll be OK while I'm gone."
She stiffened and raised up, apprehension clouded her pretty face, moaning, "Gone? You are coming back?"
Placing my hand on her cheek I assured, "Yes Baby. It probably won't be more than a couple of hours. I am never going to leave you for a long time. I will always return. I promise. You can stay in your bedroom or in the safe room while I am gone."
Turning her face, kissing my palm, trusting me, she conceded, "Ok Hay."
"Good girl Sweetie. I need to go by my old place and pick up my laptop and some clothes. I have an appointment with the attorney handling Mama and Daddy's will. Then I need to go to Mama and Daddy's bank to get a handle on their finances."
She nodded although I was sure she did not grasp the importance of the last two. Even though it was beyond her current comprehension, I wanted to establish a foundation from which to build.
"Honey It is been a busy and strenuous day. Why don't you get ready for bed and get some sleep. I'm going to stay up for a while to do some work on the computer. I'll be in later to tuck you in."
"Tuck me in later?"
I nodded and she leaned over kissing me, her lips tasting of chocolate. She stood and headed for her room.
After loading and turning on the dishwasher, I got a whisky. Checking the internet, I made a few notes then closed it down. I sat for a while finishing my drink, reviewing today and thinking about tomorrow.
I stopped off at Di's room. Her light was still on and she was lying in bed, propped up by pillows looking at a Jack & Jill magazine.
The bed covers were pulled up so only her arms, shoulders, neck and head were uncovered. I noticed that her shoulders were bare but didn't think much of it.
"Time to go to sleep honey," I said taking the magazine from her hands and laying it on her nightstand.
She scooted down in bed and I leaned over and kissed her. This time her lips were minty.
"Good night Sugar. Sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite."
She giggled, "I don't have bed bugs."