Hello, ma' baby, hello, ma' honey
Hey, Whoa, Yuh
The eggs broke apart turing scrambled easily with the fork whipping them in the small bowl they were contained in.
Hello, ma' ragtime gal
Hitemup, Hitemup, Hitemup
Butter bubbled up and popped in the hot pan right before it was pushed to the side with the scrambled eggs falling to over it immediately sizzling at the contact.
Lil Bih, Lil Bih
Send me a kiss by wire
A spatula pushed the cooking eggs to one side before moving them back and forth over and over, push all the scrambled eggs to a messy pile on the pan.
Hey, Hey
Baby, my hearts on fire
Toast popped up from the toaster and was grabbed by cold fingers before being tossed onto a plate.
You finna' die, baby!
In a poor attempt to get food ready for breakfast—at noon—Aurora had started playing her music playlist as loud as she could in an attempt to wake herself up more. Coffee just wasn't going to cut it. Once she had a full belly and comfortably sedated by hash that she would stuff and pack tightly into a neat joint, everything would be okay. At least that was the plan.
With her plate of toast, slightly overcooked eggs, and two thick slices of cheddar cheese she dumped the pan in the sink before taking her spot on the bar-stool. She munched on her food as she pulled out her papers and grinder.
"Oh shit, please tell me you made some for me," a voice came from the hallway.
"The food or the joint?" Aurora asked as she carefully lined up the weed onto the paper. "Cause there is some eggs left and I don't mind sharing this."
Elizabeth, her sister, wrapped her arms around Aurora's shoulders. "Bless you, you da' best!"
"Oh please," Aurora paused to lick the paper as she sealed it closed. "I am the greatest."
Elizabeth pulled away to get a plate and grab the rest of the eggs and put some toast in the toaster. "Where is the cheese?"
"I got the last of it."
There was an audible gasp before a small piece of egg was thrown at Aurora's face. "You monster!"
"Don't worry, geez," Aurora said, holding her hands up in defense before grabbing one of her slices and tossing it onto her sisters plate. "Don't tell mom."
"The joint or the cheese?"
"Both?"
They grabbed their food and headed to the back porch trying not to look at the pictures on the walls or feel the memories rearing their heads up. Once settled onto tacky and worn lawn chairs they ate in silence. It was only interrupted by the bugs buzzing around and the occasional cough at a particularly rough drag of their joint. It was nice to be able to just relax after such a hectic week.
Music blared through the old speakers in the car. The highway was clear going south on 65. Looking over to the oncoming traffic it was clear that wasn't the case going north. Visiting some friends in Birmingham had been fun, but man was it a hell of a drive.
Aurora heard her phone ringing and looked down quickly to see if it was important or not. 'Mom' in big bright letters appeared on the screen, and just like every other time a small groan came from her lips. She looked forward and reached down swiping the answer button and tapped the speaker button.
"Hey mom," Aurora said as it connected.
"Aurora, your grandfather passed away this morning."
"Do you think you'll be able to make it to the dinner at Paula's tonight?" Elizabeth asked, walking into the room and falling onto the bed next to her sister.
"I don't know, probably?" Aurora replied, noncommittal.
With a roll of her eyes, Elizabeth looked up and pinched her sisters side. "What else do you have in mind if not a shitty dinner with Paula and Mom?"
"Uh, anything else but that?" Aurora said as if it was pretty obvious.
"Fair enough."
They sat there on the small bed and chatted about everything and anything. It had been awhile since they had last seen each other. Elizabeth had started college in Berkeley studying molecular biology, already having gone through a semester and a half before coming down to Louisiana to attend her grandfather's funeral. Life was going rather well for her. She enjoyed her studies and was even getting into trouble by attending parties and have far too many late night study sessions. Aurora had managed to snag an apprenticeship in Tuscaloosa for woodworking. Her two degrees did absolutely nothing until she had experience, which she told that to Elizabeth, who countered it with her degree would be more useful and a silly art and business degree would. Aurora didn't have anything to counter her counterpoint. It was nice for them to catch up. It was hard for them to do that often after being so far from each other.
"I still can't believe he gave you the house and the shop! I mean, I guess I did get like, everything else, but still!" Elizabeth stood up spinning.
"Well, I mean at least with the shop I could actually put my skills to use, that's probably why. Not like you can fix up old toys."
"Fair point," Elizabeth deflated onto the bed.
Aurora smiled a bit at her sister. "Hey, want to head over to the shop before you have to leave?"
"I'd love to."
"Pop-pop! Pop-pop!"
"What is it, Aurora?" An older gentleman said over the counter looking at the small grinning girl.
"Look what I found!" Aurora exclaimed, reaching up and setting a box on the counter for her grandfather to inspect.
"Ahh," the man said as he picked it up in his hands. "You found a Jack-in-the-box! Go on, turn the handle." He reached down and handed it to her with a smile.
She took it in her arms and started to wind it up with anticipation as the music started to play. Once it popped open revealing Jack she squealed and started shaking with excitement. "Jack!"
"Did he surprise you, sweetpea?"
"Nope! He said hello!"
The drive to the airport was uneventful, both of the girls blasting the music in the car and just enjoying the others company while they still had it. Mayflies hit the windshield but neither of them seemed to care. It was a familiar sight, even after so long being away from it. Before too long they were pulling up to the drop-off area and pulling out a small suitcase full of Elizabeth's things.
"I am sorry this is how we had to see each other next, but it was good seeing you," Elizabeth said, wrapping her arms tightly around her sister. "Come visit sometime!"
Aurora returned the hug and smiled happily. "I know, next time we will have to make sure it's not because of death. Maybe I can save up some money for a vacation in Cali with you. Or you can spend the holidays here."
"Both sound amazing to me," Elizabeth said, pulling away and reaching for her bag. "I gotta skedaddle, I'll call you when I get back."
"Thanks, be safe!" Aurora called out as her sister turned and walked into the airport.
As she drove back to her new/old home she couldn't help but feel things were going to change.
Only time will tell.