Chapter 16 – Intro to Breakfast Theory

Jeff woke up to find Annie already buzzing around the kitchen. "How are you up so early?"

Annie smiled wide as she looked up at him. "I wanted to make you breakfast. I've been so busy all summer that I haven't had a chance to do all of the fun 'We're living together' stuff. Coffee?" She rushed over to him with a mug and kissed him on the cheek. She's even sexy when she's not trying to be. He took a sip and sat down on the couch. His gaze quickly shifted to the questionnaire Dean Pelton had given to them.

"You know, Annie. We really need to finish this questionnaire. Or at least start it."

"Oh, right. What was the first question? I remember it being rude." Annie was distracted by the half-dozen things she was trying to do in the kitchen, but maybe this was the perfect time to get this done. Then she wouldn't be focused enough to process the extent of the invasion of privacy.

"How long have we been doing it?" Jeff turned back to Annie with a giddy smile.

"Of course. That is definitely something he needs to know." She shook her head as she continued chopping veggies for their omelets.

"Oh, don't worry, it gets worse. Next question is if we'd be open to a third."

"A third what?" Annie was confused and then immediately grossed out. "Oh, eww! Did he write these questions himself?"

"I assume so. Why else would it ask for my workout regimen? Like, me specifically. The question has my name in it."

"You don't honestly plan on filling this out, do you?"

"I'm sure if I put some effort in, I could find a legal reason why we don't have to."

The omelet mixture sizzled as it hit the hot pan and Jeff looked back to see Annie intensely focused on her task. His phone buzzed and he down looked at the screen.

Mom:

Jeffrey are you home, dear? I'm in the neighborhood and you haven't come to see me in ages.

Oh God, please no. Jeff put his phone down in a panic and looked back up at Annie, flipping her perfect omelet. This was going to ruin everything. He got up and ran over to her.

"I'm so sorry." He kissed her passionately. As they separated, Annie looked at him, confused.

"What? What are you sorry about?"

"This morning is about to go to shi-" Just then, his door buzzer went off. They both looked over at the door and back at each other.

"Jeff, who is that? Are you expecting someone?" Annie tried covering herself up with her arms since she was still in her pajamas.

"It's my mother. I literally just found out. I'm so sorry. Please don't hate me." He kissed her again as he ran over to the door. She gave him a deer in the headlights look before running into the bedroom to change. He looked at the ceiling and took a breath before buzzing her in. He smelled the omelet and coffee that was his morning just two minutes ago and longed for it to come back.

He opened the door to find his mom making her way down the hall towards him.

"Jeffrey! My baby, how are you?!" She gave him a big hug. "You don't call your mother anymore? Or are you kids into texting these days?"

"Mom, as much as it pains me to say this, I'm forty. I don't think I classify as a 'kid' anymore."

She gave him a sympathetic smile. "Are you cooking? What did you make for me?" She made her way into his apartment and into the kitchen where she found the omelet in the skillet and another batch awaiting its turn. "Jeffrey, you whipped up extras for me? And so quickly! That's so sweet, but I actually just ate. I met up with Lisa Murphy from spin class and we had some green juice thing. I couldn't tell you what was in it, but it tasted just like lawn clippings." She began to laugh at her own joke but then looked over at her son, who didn't seem nearly as amused by her comedy. "What's wrong with you? Is everything okay? How's work?"

Jeff clenched his fist for a minute and released as he began to speak. "Work is fine. Being a teacher is weird. Everything is great. I have a girlfriend."

His mom looked shocked. "You have a girlfriend? Is this another Leo DiCaprio type of girlfriend? Or do I get to meet this one?"

He closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. He then walked over to his bedroom door and knocked. The door opened slightly and he saw two big, blue eyes looking back at him nervously. He smiled at her as he took her hand and whispered "I love you" to ease her worries. She nodded and followed him out of the room.

"Mom, this is Annie. Annie, this is my mom, Doreen."

"Hi Doreen, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. Jeff has told me so much about you." Annie extended her hand to his mom and she shook it, though she looked hesitant.

"I'd love to say the same. Jeffrey hasn't told me a thing about you and I'm not sure why. You seem delightful. Much unlike his usual escapades."

"Mom! Could you not?"

"What? She doesn't know your history?"

Annie cut in. "I am well aware of his history, don't you worry." She smiled at Doreen and then at Jeff, who looked at her, relieved that she could handle herself against his mom. "Excuse me for a second. I'm pretty sure my omelet is burning." She rushed to the kitchen to rescue her breakfast and to start working on his. Doreen leaned over to her son as they watched Annie work.

"Jeffrey, she is adorable. Where did you find her? A nearby playground?"

"I was waiting for you to say something."

"Hey, you were the one who felt the need to remind me that you were forty. How old is she, really?"

"Twenty-three."

"So, you are still Leo. Are you ever going to settle down? Get married? Have a family?" He looked over at Annie, who was humming "Daybreak" in the kitchen. She then looked up to see Jeff and gave him a coy smile before getting back to work. He kept his gaze on her as he began to answer.

"You never know, mom. People change."