Chapter 11 #2
At the library she looked up a variety of recipes, bolstered by Karen’s interest and knowing Jalon liked spicy food.
She picked out a few Mexican recipes featuring chilies, a couple of Asian ones, and a Hungarian one that wasn’t spicy but looked interesting.
She’d have to make sure there was simple food for Malachi to eat, but she couldn’t wait to try out these recipes.
That evening she made taco soup, something even Malachi enjoyed.
Jalon had expressed his appreciation too.
He didn’t linger after supper. Instead he went to the dawdi house shortly after he finished eating.
Phoebe thought that was odd considering their conversation the day before.
She’d been hoping they could spend some more time together.
Not alone because Malachi and Karen were always there, but at least in the same room. Obviously he had other plans.
On Tuesday Karen had to work, and Phoebe set about cleaning the house, taking a break here and there to read a couple of Malachi’s library books to him.
Jalon said he expected Leanna would be home later this week, and she wanted the place to be spotless.
After being pestered by Malachi to make pizza, she gave in and created two pies—a small plain cheese one for Malachi and a pepperoni, sausage, and mushroom one for her, Karen, and Jalon.
Karen pitched in and made a salad when she came home from work. “Did Leanna call?” she asked Phoebe.
“Not yet.” She sprinkled a little grated parmesan on the ends of the pizza crust.
“Maybe she decided to stay in Kentucky awhile longer.” Karen chuckled. “That would be typical Leanna. She’s lucky she has a job that gives her so much time off.”
“What does she do?”
“Small engine repair.” At Phoebe’s surprised look, Karen said, “Jalon’s sister is one of a kind.”
Phoebe took the pizzas to the oven. “I know Jalon’s eager for her to come home.” She glanced at Karen. “I’m sure you are too.”
“I’m fine with her staying away longer.”
“You are? I thought you’d be ready to geh home by now.”
Karen shrugged. “I’m fine either way. It’s not like I haven’t seen mei familye every day.”
The pizzas were fresh out of the oven by the time Jalon got home.
Once again he had a dour look on his face, and she wondered if he was having trouble at work.
He washed his hands as Phoebe sliced the pizza, telling Malachi several times to sit down and be patient.
When everyone was at the table, they said grace.
Malachi tore into his pizza. “Yum!” he said before cramming a huge bite into his mouth.
“Malachi, don’t eat so much at once,” Phoebe said. “You’ll choke.”
He swallowed. “Jalon’s taking big bites.”
Phoebe looked at Jalon, who was indeed almost inhaling his pizza. He didn’t seem to hear Malachi’s remark, and once he finished eating, he got up from the table. “Chores,” he said, then went outside.
She and Karen exchanged a puzzled glance. They didn’t see Jalon for the rest of the evening, and he was gone by the time Phoebe got up the next morning.
On Wednesday Phoebe decided to make Hunan beef, hoping that preparing Jalon’s favorite meal would improve his mood.
She wished she knew what was going on with him, but he seemed so distant that she didn’t feel right asking him outright.
Hunan beef was one recipe she was unsure of, and she wanted to make it perfect for him.
Not because she owed him, but because she didn’t like seeing him out of sorts.
She was stir-frying thinly sliced onions, julienned carrots, and sweet peppers when Malachi came into the kitchen, Blue on his heels as usual.
The kitchen was filled with the spicy scent of ginger and the sweet smell of the cooking vegetables.
She’d add the sliced beef to the vegetables, then once it was cooked through supper would be ready.
She glanced at the clock. Karen had gone over to her house for a few minutes, and Jalon would be home soon.
Malachi sniffed. “Something smells funny.”
“It’s the ginger.” Phoebe pushed the meat off the cutting board and stirred it around with the vegetables.
“I don’t want ginger for supper.”
“Ginger is a spice, not a meal.” She set down her spoon and knelt in front of her son. “Don’t worry. I made you some macaroni and cheese.”
The back door opened and Phoebe heard Jalon walk into the mudroom. She could hear him shuffling around as he no doubt removed his boots, coat, and hat, and then he came into the kitchen. This time he didn’t even give her a passing glance or a greeting before going upstairs.
Deflated, Phoebe pushed the vegetables and meat around the skillet with a wooden spoon. Yes, something was definitely wrong with Jalon and she had no idea how to help him.
Water ran down Jalon’s face. He’d been showering so long that the water was more lukewarm than hot, and in his mind he could hear his father’s voice. Jalon! Get out of the shower. You’re wasting hot water. Money doesn’t grow on trees.
It didn’t grow on his father’s farm either.
He shut off the water but didn’t get out.
He just stood there, letting the water drip off him.
He didn’t want to go downstairs, even though the delicious smells of Asian food had made his stomach rumble with hunger as soon as he walked into the house.
Hunan beef. She’d said she’d make it for him and she had, plus a whole slew of other delicious suppers and breakfasts.
What did he give her in return? A curt nod before tucking tail and running.
Lord, I’m pathetic.
Jalon stepped out of the shower, toweled off, then put both hands on either side of the sink and leaned forward.
His daily job hunt had produced nothing.
He’d thought he would find work by now. He’d scoured Barton, Langdon, and even Canton.
He’d talked to a couple of his friends about leads, asking them to keep his secret so Karen and Phoebe wouldn’t find out he was jobless.
He’d never had a difficult time finding work before, even when he was drinking.
Now that he had straightened his life out and was trying to do the right thing when it came to Phoebe and Malachi, he kept slamming against walls.
Last night, he’d told Karen he was going to call his Aunt Tabitha since he still hadn’t heard from Leanna, but Karen stopped him.
“Let her enjoy her vacation,” she said. “I can stay here as long as you need me to.” But then shortly afterward Leanna did call.
Jalon explained about Phoebe, adding that Karen was fine with staying longer.
“I’ll be back Saturday, then,” she said.
She started to quiz him about Phoebe and Malachi, and he ended up almost hanging up on her.
He couldn’t blame her for being curious, especially about Malachi, but her questions irritated him—not that it took much to irritate him lately.
His sister’s curiosity probably would see her back home on Saturday, despite being prone to change her plans at the last minute. But he had decided not to tell Karen and Phoebe he was expecting Leanna. If she followed through, they could just be surprised.
Looking up, he stared at his reflection in the mirror.
He looked sullen. Worn. Defeated. He couldn’t let them see him like this.
He got dressed, brushed his damp hair, tried to press down the curls that had been the bane of his life and would never settle down, and forced a calm, placid expression.
But that disappeared quickly as he thought about Phoebe and Malachi leaving for Ashtabula.
That would happen soon, he was sure of it.
If Aunt Bertha—the very definition of a piece of work—had been willing to take them in, surely her cousin would.
As much as he wanted them to stay, he was starting to think leaving might be the right thing for them.
He didn’t have much to offer them right now, except for a roof over their heads and food on the table.
And his love. It was getting harder to ignore his feelings, not just for Phoebe but also for Malachi.
The child was ingratiating himself into Jalon’s heart, something he hadn’t anticipated—and something he wasn’t completely ready for.
What had seemed so straightforward—falling in love with Phoebe—was now turning into a complicated mess, and he felt powerless to fix it.
When he opened the bathroom door, he could once again smell the Hunan beef, and again his stomach grumbled.
He went downstairs and entered the kitchen.
The table was set, Malachi was in his seat, and Jalon could see Blue’s thick tail sticking out from under the table near Malachi’s chair.
That cat was just as attached to Malachi as the boy was to it.
Leanna would definitely have to share when she came back.
Karen was also seated at the table. She gave Malachi a smile.
Phoebe placed a huge platter of Hunan beef surrounded by a circle of white rice on the table.
Steam rose from the dish. There was also a plate of bread and butter, which didn’t exactly go with Asian food, but Phoebe’s bread was so good he didn’t care.
He glanced at Malachi and saw that his bowl was filled with a child-size portion of creamy macaroni and cheese.
He tried not to look at Phoebe as she sat down, but he couldn’t keep his gaze from moving over to her. She met his eyes, and he saw the expectancy in hers. He pulled his gaze away, closed his eyes, and prayed, more for his sanity and equilibrium than for the blessing of the food.
Phoebe handed him the Hunan beef. “The picture in the cookbook showed the rice around the meat like that. Does it look right?”
With a short nod he took the plate from her. “Looks fine.”