As Henry lay in bed that night, he had trouble falling asleep because his mind was running rampant. What if he didn't get on the show? How could he follow his dreams if he doesn't get on the show that could potentially jumpstart his career? He's only 13 years old, but it'd still be the opportunity of a lifetime. Not to mention if he won, it could help him pay for culinary school.
Down the hall, Emma was tossing and turning in her bed. Work had been stressful lately and the case she was working on was hitting dead end after dead end. Her only friend was on her honeymoon in Bora Bora sitting on the beach sipping Mai Tais while she was stuck in NYC freezing her ass off. Oh, and she's single, so she really needed to get laid. Not that that is as important as Henry getting an audition for a cooking show! Morning couldn't come fast enough.
The next morning Emma woke up to the smell of bacon wafting through the apartment. She quietly tip-toed out of her room and snuck behind Henry who was flipping pancakes over the stove. "Boo!" Emma grabbed him by the shoulder.
"You can't scare me, ma. I could hear your elephant feet clomping down the hallway so easily," Henry said. "How big are your feet anyway?"
"Hardy har har. Very funny, kid," Emma replied. "You know, isn't it normally the parent who cooks breakfast for the kid?"
"You know we've never been the normal type," Henry said, with a smirk on his face. "Besides, I'm practicing for my big audition tonight."
"Right. Well, I work until five so when I get home I'm taking you straight there," Emma declared. "And you're gonna blow them away Henry. I don't know how I managed to raise such an incredible boy." She walked over to Henry from behind, grabbed his shoulders, and kissed the top of his head. Henry squirmed.
"Ugh, ma! I'm cooking here!" Henry cried.
"Oh, tough. Listen, I'm gonna go get dressed, grab some coffee, and then head to work. I'm sorry I won't have time to eat your delicious meal, but hey, more for you right? Granny should be here in about a half an hour," Emma said. "I know you're probably old enough to not need a babysitter anymore, but we kind of live an a sketchy area and I just don't feel safe leaving you here all by yourself."
"Yeah, no, I get it. You're a cop so I understand where you're coming from. Plus Granny doesn't really do much besides read gossip magazines and watch television shows all day," Henry replied. "She's a pretty chill person."
"Well, as long as she's with you, I'm good," Emma said.
As Emma went to go get changed for the day, Granny came stumbling in the front door, a little earlier than normal. "Brrrr. It's a cold one today, I believe the weather man said it was 20 below zero," Granny iterated.
"Ya hear that, ma?" Henry yelled. "Make sure you bundle up nicely!"
Emma yelled back through the walls so loud, she probably woke the neighbors up. "Thanks kid! I figured I'd have to."
Granny opened the fridge and pulled out a carton of orange juice. "So Henry, are you ready for the big audition later?" she asked while pouring herself a glass.
"As ready as I'll ever be," he replied. "No matter what happens, it's not like I'm just gonna stop cooking."
"Glad to hear it," Granny said.
Emma stomped back out into the kitchen, said a hello to Granny, grabbed her keys, and was off for another day at work.
"So, are you doing anything tonight?" Graham asked. "I was wondering if you wanted to go hit the bars."
"That sounds lovely, but I'm taking my son to his audition, and then I promised him I'd take him to a nice restaurant to celebrate," Emma replied.
"Oh, that's cool. What kind of audition is this for?" Graham asked.
"It's for this cooking show called Master Chef Junior," Emma explained. "You know how Henry loves to cook."
"Well good for him. I hope he makes it. I've tried his mac n' cheese and it's to die for," Graham raved. "But we still need to get you back in the game, girl. I was hoping to be your wingman for a night."
Emma laughed. "Hmm, I'll have to hold you to that. Can I take a raincheck?"
"Perfect," Graham replied. "Talk to you later." He stood up from his desk, put on his jacket, and headed outside for patrol.
Emma loved her job, but all the paperwork that came with it was really stressing her out. Every hour she took a break from her desk to stretch and grab some coffee. About halfway through the day she received a call her landlord telling her she needed to pay for this month. It's the holiday season and money was extra tight this year, so it looks like she would have to work a little overtime. She hated to do this to Henry but she would have to cancel their dinner plans tonight and have Granny take him to his audition instead. She took a deep breath, and then called him. "Hey kid, how's it goin'?"
"Good. Just a little nervous for tonight, that's all," Henry replied.
"Listen, about that. It looks like I'll have to work late tonight, so I won't be able to take you. How would you feel about Granny driving you?" she asked, nervously.
"I guess that's okay. What about dinner?"
"I can't. I'm swamped with paperwork and we really need the money. I'm so sorry, but I promise I'll make it up to you," Emma replied, with a hitch in her voice. "I'll see you later tonight, okay? And good luck! I know you'll kick ass! I love you."
"Thanks, mom. Love you too," he said. Henry hung up the phone and looked at Granny with a weary look on his face. "Looks like you'll be taking me to my audition tonight. I hope that's okay."
"Oh, I'd love to!" Granny insisted. "What time?"
"5 o'clock," he said, gingerly. "I'm gonna go to my room and play video games."
When they arrived at the audition there were kids lined up everywhere. As soon as Henry checked in, he grew nervous and started pacing around. "Hey," Granny said. "You're gonna wear out the floor, boy. You'll do fine. Nothing to worry about." She softly grabbed him by the shoulders and placed him in line.
An hour later Henry walked out of his audition with a grim look on his face. "I'll find out in a couple days if I got it. They said they'd call and let me know." He threw on his coat, hat, and mittens. "Let's go," he told Granny.
Once they got back to the apartment, Henry was starving. "I can make us some supper. What would you like?"
"How about we order some pizza. My treat. You deserve a break." Granny grinned.
"Sounds good. Anything but anchovies please," Henry insisted. "And order a large in case mom wants some when she gets home."
Granny pulled out her cellphone and dialed the pizza place. "Hi, I'd like to order a large supreme please."
As they were munching on their pizza an hour later, Emma came busting in the door. "How did your audition go?" She asked. "Oh, pizza! I'm starving."
"I'll find out in a couple days or so," Henry replied between bites.
"Well I'm sure you did wonderful. Your cooking is phenomenal. Even Graham thinks so," Emma gleamed.
"Thanks. I'm pretty tired. Goodnight." Henry sluggishly headed to his room.
Emma seemed worried. "Goodnight, kid." She eyed Granny and took a slice of pizza. "He seems a little off. Should I be worried?"
"Nah, he'll be fine. Just anxious to hear the results, I'm sure. Anyway, I'm gonna head out before this blizzard gets worse. Have a good night Emma." Granny gave her a tight squeeze, shrugged on her coat, and left the apartment.
Emma put the remains of the pizza away and trudged to her bedroom. She carefully put her badge and gun in the drawer and then proceeded to strip off her clothes. Putting on a pair of flannel pajama pants and a tank top, she slid into bed. Hopefully tonight she would rest easy.
