บท 6: Taking Step 1

Jake rolled up his sleeves and started washing the pots and pans. This was a job he had never done in his whole life. Soon he was soaked.

Lillian giggled as she watch him. Soon the bread was done and in the oven. She had walked over and took two of the big pots and filled them with water to start them boiling for the noodles. Then she took four pans to fill them with all the ingredients for the sauce.

Then she checked her recipe card..

Season ground beef with salt and pepper.

In a large skillet, add the beef and chopped onion and brown. Drain excess grease.

Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, parsley, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, worcestershire, and sugar to the skillet.

Stir well to combine and bring to a boil. Add water and stir well.

Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

"Why do you keep reading those cards?"

Lillian jump at the sound of his voice, then she said, "I want to make sure I make the food right. To some of these people, this is the only food they get. I would not like to serve things that make them sick."

Jake shook his head. He just could not understand why she cared so much for people who chose to live on the streets.

He watched as she cooked and pulled out the card and then cooked some more. It fascinated him to see her cook.

Soon the food was ready and the bread had been cut and buttered and dinner was being served. This time many family's with young children were there to eat. He over heard a few discussions about hunting for jobs.

"Find any leads this week Joe?"

"No, went on two interviews but both was a dead end. One was looking for someone with more experience and the other thought I was to old."

"Where?"

"One was the Fairlynn Corporation. I was applying for the janitorial position. They were only hiring someone with at least five years experience. The last one was McBurger as a dish washer."

"Sorry, how long have you been out of work now."

"Six months. When Fairlynn closed their plant here, Everyone lost their jobs. I worked for them for nine years. They took jobs from hard working folks and sent them overseas. That let two thousand employees with no jobs."

Jake remembered when he okayed for the manufacturing plant to closed. It would save millions in labor cost by moving production overseas. But he never even thought about the people who had been in his employment.

Soon dinner was over. Quietly he clean up as he pondered what he over heard others saying. These were not just people who did not want to work. They were people who were down on their luck just as she had said earlier.

"Not bad for volunteering today." Lillian said putting away the food and handing him the pans.

"It has been an eye opener."

"Was it now. How?"

"I just... never mind. How about dinner with me now?" He looked.

"Sorry, I can't. I need to get up for work early so I need to get home."

"How about I order take out and we can eat on the way home?"

"Ok, guess I can do that." She started drying and putting away the pans that he had washed.

He started grinning from ear to ear. This was the start of getting this little girl into his bed.

Soon all the dishes were done and everything cleaned up. Lillian got Toby and her bags. After locking up Jake opens the door of a red Mazda MX-5 Miata sportscar.

She frowns, "How is Toby and I going to fit in that cracker box? I think it would be better for us to take the bus."

Jake looked at his car. She was right. The two seater was to small for the three of them. "Can't you leave the dog here for the night?"

"No, What kind of dog owner would I be if I left my baby here all by himself." She started walking down the block away from him.

He stood there not sure what to do. Before he cleared his head she was already a few blocks away. Then he got an idea. He took off to get some late night Chinese and drove to her apartment.

He had arrived before her and waited for the bus to drop her off.

As she got off the bus there in front of her Apartment was a handsome man with two togo shacks. "Hungry?"

"You got here fast?"

"Well, I asked you for dinner and since Toby was to big for my car I brought food to you. Can I come up and eat with you?"

"Ok, but just for a hour. I really need to get up early."

Jake follows her up to the second floor. Her apartment was small, neat, and tidy. She had photos of people smiling out at her. He assumed that they were of family. As she got out plates and set the table he walked around.

Some of the pictures were the same ones Zane had for him in her file. The older woman was her grandmother and the cute puppy must be Toby when her was a puppy. The couple with the red headed baby must be her parents.

"Ready to eat?" she said calling out to him.

"Sure." He took a seat across from her and started filling his plate with dumplings and fried rice.

"You know you remind me of a girl I knew back in high school. She always wore a red shawl to school." He then watched to see if she caught on.

"You don't say" She said stuffing a dumpling into her mouth.

"She was a pretty thing but got picked on a lot."

"Tell me more."

"She was a freshman when I was a senior. I wanted to be cool back then so I was afraid to ask her out. Funny how when you get older you look back and regret things you did and didn't do as a child."

She wondered if that was true. Did he really want to date her back then and was scared. If only that was true.

"Sounds like you missed out then."

"Yes I did." He ate a few more bites.