The first thing Frank noticed was the smell of bacon. Then he caught the faint aroma of coffee. "Breakfast?" He questioned out loud while opening his eyes. Then he noticed that it was still dark outside. Glancing at the clock he realized it was only six thirty in the morning. Jumping out of bed, he grabbed his robe as he headed towards the kitchen.
"No way, is Joe Hardy, up this early in the morning, let alone cooking breakfast." Frank was dumbfounded and it showed clearly on his face.
Joe turned to Frank with tongs in hand. "Well, for me it's eight thirty. Plus, I just couldn't sleep anymore. I was too excited. So, how do you want your eggs?" The words came tumbling from his mouth.
Frank grinned. "Scrambled is fine. You never answered me about the cooking part."
Joe grinned as he turned around to tend to the bacon. "Well, after a month of fast food and missing Mom and Aunt Gertrude's cooking, I took it upon my self to learn. I have perfected the simple breakfast." He paused to grab a few eggs, cracking them one handed over the skillet. "Lunch, well, usually ends up being some kind of sandwich. You would be proud of me though" He turned to Frank while he was stirring. "I have been eating more than just greasy fried food. I even eat whole wheat bread!"
"Oh no!" Frank deigned shock.
"Ha ha. Seriously, being on my own has taught me some very valuable things. I even like cooking. And the girls like it even more!"
"Ah, now the real truth comes out."
"Yeah, well at least I have been going on dates. How about you? You seeing anyone?"
"Nah, not really. There is a girl that I keep running into at the Library, but one of us is always coming as the other is going."
"Maybe you should stop sometime and say hi," Joe said sarcastically as he went to the refrigerator and pulled out the orange juice. Pouring some into the glasses he had waiting, he took one over to Frank and drank some himself before continuing. "You know, it's ok to look for other girls. You and Callie broke up. You may still be friends, but you're not Boyfriend and girlfriend anymore."
"I know. It's just been with school being so crazy, I haven't really had time to think about it. The LSATs are coming up in the fall and I am studying like mad for them. I think once that craziness is over I might be able to break my concentration a little for other things."
"Yeah, well, girls won't wait around forever! If there is something possible, you should at least pursue a friendship before you regret it later on."
Frank leaned back to really watch Joe as he was talking. It amazed him how much the last three years had changed Joe. Here he was getting sound advise from his impetuous brother. All though, Frank had to admit to himself that these few years apart seemed to really have mellowed out Joe and matured him some.
"Wow. It's way to early for me, to be taking sound relationship advice from my brother, the self-admitted flirt. It's still not even six for me, remember?"
Laughing, Joe pulled out a plate full of warm pancakes from the oven and set them next to Frank.
"Simple breakfast, my ass! When did you have time to make all of this?" Joe just shrugged and popped a piece of bacon into his mouth as he brought the rest of the food over and sat next to Frank. Then he helped himself to a large serving of pancakes, bacon, and eggs.
Joe really amazes me sometimes. I think Mom and Dad were right about this vacation together. It will be really nice to reconnect with Joe.
"So, how has school been for you? What have you been taking?"
