chapter 13

“Let me cook for you!” Katie said, grabbing a pan.

Sandra laughed and had to catch her breath before speaking. “You can barely even boil water without setting something on fire.” She tried to take the pan out of Katie’s hand.

“No! You need to just sit and let me cook for you!” Katie nudged Sandra toward the kitchen table.

Sandra sat down and glanced at the clock on the wall. It was already eight thirty. She watched Katie pulling ingredients out of the cabinets and mixing it in a big bowl. Sandra knew almost instantly what Katie was making; pancakes. Katie knew that Sandra loved pancakes. Sandra’s mom walked into the kitchen.

“Katie.” She stated, sounding confused. “I thought you weren’t coming home until Sunday?”

“Me and my mom had a change of plans.” Katie said vaguely as Sandra’s mom opened the refrigerator door.

“Oh, well I hope you had fun.” Sandra’s mom said as she opened a bottle of water and took a sip. “What are you making?”

“Pancakes.” Katie said quickly, focusing on the pan as she poured some batter in.

“Don’t burn my house down, Katie. Otherwise, we’ll all move in with you and your mom.” She said with a grin.

Katie flashed a smile, but put her attention back to the stovetop. Sandra’s mom walked out without saying anything to Sandra. Katie seemed to be struggling with the pancake, but wouldn’t let Sandra help. She would threaten Sandra with the spatula if she even stood up.

Katie muttered curse words under her breath as she tried to flip the pancake. Within a few minutes, she lifted the pancake and put it on a plate beside the stove. Sandra couldn't see the plate, and could only imagine what condition the pancake was in. After two more pancakes, Katie buttered the pancakes and poured syrup over them. She put the plate down in front of Sandra.

"It looks...delicious." Sandra said, trying not to laugh as she looked at the mess on her plate.

None of the pancakes were in one piece. Katie sat down next to Sandra as Sandra separated the fully cooked pieces from the under cooked ones. Katie stared at Sandra anxiously as she took her first bite.

"So how is it?" Katie asked excitedly.

"The pieces that are actually cooked are amazing." Sandra said as she took another bite.

Katie smiled wide, happy that at least some pieces of her pancakes were edible. After three pancakes and a glass of milk, Sandra felt full. Sandra and Katie sat at the kitchen table until ten thirty talking about Puerto Rico. Sandra's house phone rang shortly after ten thirty.

"Katie, it's your mom." Sandra's mom said, walking into the kitchen and handing her the cordless phone.

"Well, time for me to go home!" Katie said, after hanging up. "I'll see you tomorrow morning."

Sandra gave Katie a hug and thanked her for the pancakes and for coming over. After deciding it was time to go to bed, Sandra did her usual bedtime routine. She took a shower, blow-dried her hair, and put her favorite lotion on. As she lay in bed, she smiled.

"Maybe things are turning around." Sandra thought as she drifted into a dreamless sleep.

The next morning, Sandra woke up to her phone buzzing. She couldn't help but smile as she read the text message from Jimmy. Letting out a yawn, she stretched before getting out of bed. Today felt like a good day. Sandra got ready for school and practically skipped out the front door.

She ran to Jimmy's car and jumped in. Without even waiting for Jimmy to say good morning, she lunged across the car and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him as if she hadn't seen him in months.

"I missed you." Sandra said as she lay her head on his shoulder, their arms still wrapped around each other.

"I missed you." Jimmy replied, turning his face into the crook of her neck. His face was buried in her platinum blond hair. He inhaled deeply, savoring her scent that he had missed so much.

Sandra finally pulled away and sat back in the passenger seat. She looked at Jimmy and wasn't sure exactly what to say. Being with him made her happy, she grinned involuntarily. The rising sun gave a reddish hue to Jimmy's features.

"Oh!" Jimmy said, his face lighting up. "I almost forgot!" He leaned into the backseat and pulled a paper bag onto his lap. He pulled out a croissant sandwich and an iced coffee and handed them to Sandra.

"Breakfast is served." He said with a smile.

Sandra thanked him as she unwrapped the sandwich and took a bite. She leaned up and turned up his radio. Sandra looked up at Jimmy when she was almost done with the sandwich and realized he was staring at her with a stupid grin on his face.

"What?" Sandra asked, wiping her face.

"I'm just happy I called last night, is all." Jimmy said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Me too." Sandra smiled as she took a sip of her iced coffee.

Jimmy started the car when they saw Katie coming. Katie got in the car and immediately initiated conversation. She was her normal, chipper self. That's one thing Sandra loved about her; she was always smiling. When they pulled up to the school, both girls got out. Sandra leaned back in before shutting the door to give Jimmy another kiss.

"Make sure you go to work today." Sandra said softly as she pulled away.

"I'll think about it." Jimmy teased with a smile. As she backed out of the car, Jimmy grabbed her hand again and pulled her back toward him for another kiss. Sandra didn't pull away until she heard the school bell ring.

"I really have to go or else I'll be late!" Sandra giggled. Jimmy let go of her hand and watched as the two of them rushed into school.