Chapter 6: Pizza and Progress
Authors Note: Hope this chapter answers those questions regarding 'Peter' and Baxter's new found lives. As for the name of the town they moved to as I do not know the area that well, I'm keeping that aspect ambiguous, if I give this town a name it will be fictional.
"Order up" the smell of hot cheese and baked bread was welcoming as I pulled the hot creation out of the oven, smiling when I realized I hadn't burnt this one.
I had been working at Tribony's Pizza Palace for several weeks now and was shocked and grateful that I hadn't been fired yet. When arriving in the small suburb outside of the city, finding work had been harder than expected. With a broken arm and leg my options of what I could do were limited. And although this was just a temporary injury potential employers don't really look at the setbacks' temporarity all that much. I was extremely fortunate that Mrs. Tribony had hired me, evidently she had a 'feeling' about me. Honestly I think she just had compassion, me and my Brother had just moved into town with little more than a hope, skip and a prayer, and when I came in looking for work she was willing to work around my injuries. Though neither of us anticipated what an utter disaster I would be in the kitchen. Truthfully it's like a force of nature, it seems like all I have to do is walk into the kitchen and the toaster explodes. Seriously! Marcus has fixed the toaster like half a dozen times now since I was hired. I'm honestly trying as hard as I can to be helpful and resourceful, even with a broken arm and leg, but no matter what I do it seems as though me and cooking just don't mix.
I burn or undercook nearly everything I touched. I even messed up ranch, Ranch! The only ingredients were milk, mayonnaise and a ranch packet but the endeavor resulted in a mess that covered the countertops, floor and ceiling. And let me tell you that was fun to clean up. But through the whole disaster which was my training, Mrs. Tribony had abundant never ending patience.
"It's alright Peter"
"you certainly have discovered a new way to cook, though next time try not burn the bread to a crisp, hum"
"it's alright, that toaster was on its last limb anyway"
"I honestly, don't know why Marcus even fixed the toaster, no one ever orders tost hear anyway"
Sticking my tongue out in concentration I focus on cutting the pie into equal pieces, which is easier said than done with one hand, before maneuvering the fresh pizza into the cardboard box.
"Excellent" Ms. Tribony smiles, her eyes bright.
"Wow, you didn't even burn this one" Marcus comments half sarcastically wiping his hands on his apron.
I roll my eyes, nugging him playfully with my shoulder as I make my way over to the counter.
"Family size Cowboy" I read the order.
It's my first non-burnt pizza. Sure Marcus has declared me a walking hazard for all things concerning the kitchen, but Ms. Tribony has faith in me and I honestly think I'm getting better at this. Everything is new to me, it's just all one step at a time.
I look up as the bell on the door rings to see my brother, tired and covered in dirt walk into the small family owned pizzeria.
"Hey Bro" I smile, "how was work?"
"Long.." Baxter signs as he sinks into the chair at his usual table.
I let out a chuckle at the familiarity of the routine. Baxter had gotten a job at a greenery and everyday after work he caught a bus over to the pizzeria to wait till my shift was over. It wasn't his favorite job in the world, but it was close to the apartment we lived at and the pizzeria and it paid the bills. Plus, it was kinda connected to science.
I shook my head as I remembered Baxter's first week at the local greenery: Baxter sitting on the ground hands in the dirt as worked to transplant a new order of tomato plants, "at least I'm creating instead of destroying" he'd said. He didn't talk much about his past, and I didn't pry, I could tell it was painful. I knew when to pull back, and despite my fear he never kept things from me. In his own time he always shared. I couldn't help but marvel at our harmony, I seemed to have a patient nature that just came naturally as well as a deep ingrained 'sixth sense' where I could always sense when something was just too much to talk about and when to back off. Although I tried to give him space and try not to pry, underneath I was apprehensive that he wouldn't share, that Baxter would keep his past from me, that he wouldn't open up and share what he had, and what I could not remember: our past. But I need not fear. Although Baxter was reserved, defensive he did let me in. My brother depended on me just as much as I depended on him. Like in the garden he would open up and share small parts about himself and his past. He was hurt, just like I was. I was hurt physically by the fire. Hurt spiritually and mentally by the emptiness and loss the accident left. Baxter was hurt by scars and wounds that strayed farther back. He'd made mistakes, and he had paid for them. I knew he had a complicated past. A past he wanted to leave behind with the fire and start over again. I think a small part of him is glad I don't remember who he was in the past and what he did; so that he could have a fresh start to create his own new identity.
It's almost symbolic that he got a job at a nursery. Where his job is to create instead of destroy. His hands work to plant and care for living things. Where his hands in the past worked to create inventions and plans that brought prosperity to self or others of power at the fault of others, his hands now work to mend, heal and care as he tends to a garden. Granted gardening not a strength that comes natural to him, just as cooking doesn't with me. But nevertheless, I am proud of my brother. He is trying. He is growing.
"Oh Baxter my boy" Ms. Tribony smiled as she walked over to greet him, giving him a big hug. "Hi Ms. Tribony," Baxter greeted, returning the hug. "Busy today?"
"Of course, the soccer team had their first game. Win or lose they always come over hear after the game"
Baxter let out a chuckle "and how many pizzas did my brother destroy today?"
"Hey!"
Marcus and Mrs. Tribony chuckled, though not in a mean way.
"Actually, he's improving" Marucs shrugged, sending me a smile. "Didn't think it would happen, dude is a walking disaster in the kitchen but that never ending dedication of his seems to be canceling out whatever vudu he has concerning cooking, with a bit more practice and a lot of patience he might not be a half bad cook one day."
Bax let out a chuckle. "He is getting better," Bax stroked his chin in thought before he started to chuckle. "He made cookies the other day and didn't start the oven on fire"
"Wow, that's an improvement" Marcus smirked.
I looked down slightly embarrassed. That was only one time, and I got the fire under control really fast. Though honestly freaked' me out really bad, I started having dreams, about the fire, and that little mishap hadn't really helped much…
"He even got your Lazaonia recipe down, Thanks by the way Mrs. Tribony" Baxters voice pulled me out of my dark thoughts. I didn't need to linger there; my dreams are barely more than snippets anyway. Snippets I can't make out. Just small bursts of..memory? I don't know. But I decided not to tell Baxter. Mr. mother hen is stressed out enough as it is.
"No problem darling. You boys need to eat something besides Pizza, plus, I'm glad Peter wanted to try his hand at cooking at home it's a good skill to have and he could use the practice"
"We'll have to have you guys over sometime, for dinner," I say with a . Triony and her son: Marcus, had become our first friends in town and after everything it would be nice to have them over to say thank you, even if it was just for some non-burnt Lazzonai and salad.
"That would be lovely, thank you Honey"
Marcus nodded his blond hair flopping slightly at the gesture. "How's arm Baxter? See that cast is finally off"
"Yeah, about time too. Man" Baxter shook his head. "Arm feels good, it's good to have the cast off." he answered rolling his shoulder experimentally.
"How bout you Peter?"
"I'll get the cast on my arm off next week, Baxter is scheduled to have the cast on his leg removed then too. About a week after that I should be out of the leg cast"
"Wow" Marcus shook his head. "You two were really put through the ringer"
"Yeah.."
"Least, you're almost all healed up now though. How bout the amnesia? Doctor say anything about that?"
"Marcus!"
My eyes fell to the floor. Yeah he had. Retrograde amnesia. The doctors think it was caused by acute head trauma. My head had taken a lot of damage during the collapse. They say I was lucky to survive.
But my memory..
Baxter says it's best that I need to let the past go..move forward and live in the now.
"You can't do nothing about the past that was destroyed but build a new life out of the rubble." "Don't waste time chasing fleeting memories, Peter, focuses on making new ones!"
"..Retrograde amnesia, they say there's a possibility my memories will return but the chances are…" next to nothing, I don't say the last part out loud, I don't need to.
A hand on my shoulder pulled me back to my senses. Looking up I saw the concerned eyes of my brother staring back at mine. He patted my shoulder a few times in silent encouragement before standing up.
"Hey Mrs. Tribony, mind if Peter clocks out five minutes early today? Nearly missed the bus yesterday, Ned came a few minutes early and I don't want to have to walk."
"Sure thing, sweetheart" Mrs. Triobony smiled. "But don't forget before you leave, Peter we have a combo pizza that didn't sell" she said handing me a box and patting my cheek sweetly.
I blushed slightly at the mothering action, the older woman was always calling me pet names and just overall treating me the way she treated Marcus, and part of me couldn't help but wonder if my own mother would have acted in a similar way.
"Thank you Mrs. Triobony," Baxter smiled, trading the pizza in my hands for my jacket.
"Now take it easy on that leg Peter" mrs. Tribony called after us as we left, and I turned to give her a wave and a reassuring smile.
"I will, see you tomorrow Mrs. Triobony, Marcus"
The crisp fall air was cold as it nipped at exposed skin and I hugged my threadbear jacket closer as we made our way down the sidewalk.
"I talked to Professor Reid today"
"Really" my ears perked in interest. "What about?" I knew Baxter had been thinking about attending the local college here, taking a few refresher courses.
"He came into the greenhouse today, he had an order of begonias he was picking up for his wife. He told me he read my email and reviewed my school records. He informed me that I am overqualified for the courses he is offering this semester" Baxter let out a sigh "I know my superior intellect is above the level of courses offered and that I am too advanced for the classes they have, it would be a cakewalk to ace" Bax waives his hand as he talks to emphasize his point.
"Why don't you look into a job in a lab or something? I know your qualified"
"You mean as a Botanist ?" a smile spreads over his face "or perhaps as a professor?"
My safire eyes darted to his face, accessing his smiling proud expression, before letting grin of my own spread.
"Professor Reid offered me a job! He said I already knew the subject so well I could teach it. I didn't even consider it Peter! But I do have enough experience and schooling to apply. Evidently, Professor Scott usually teaches a majority of the chemistry and computer science courses but she resigned last year, she got married and moved to Hawaii for a different position. Mr. Reid has been filling in for most of her course's senses, they have been looking for a replacement and they offered me the position!"
"Baxter that's great!" I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face.
"Oh just think Peter! A class of my own! The power, the prestige. The young minds entrusted to me for molding"
"No one wants a moldy mind Baxter" the retort earned a light punch in the shoulder.
I let out a light snicker "but seriously, this is good. You're going to make a good teacher" and I truly believed that. My brother had the knowledge and I could tell he wanted the influence and acknowledgment. Baxter needed recognition, he needed attention and I was glad if he could achieve this in a positive productive way that also benefited others.
"Just you know..don't go all crazy scientist on them" I let out a smirk, knowing my brother could tell my comment was in a caring joking manner. But in all seriousness, it wasn't half wrong. There are days when Baxter says and does things that make me think of corney villains off of cartoons. I let out a light chuckle at my own crazy thoughts. "Have patience with your students Bax, remember you're a genius, but you're there for them. Go at their pace not yours."
"Thanks Bro" Bax smiled sincerely before wrapping an arm around my shoulder and giving me a slight noogy.
"Maybe I should practice, teach something, learn to have some patience" a worsome twinkle appeared in my older brother's eyes. "You know the toaster is broken again. This has got to be the third time I will have fixed it since we got it. And since I'm officially going to be a teacher and all maybe I should teach you how to fix the toaster. I mean you are the one who broke it, only seems fair that you should be the one to fix it"
"No not the toaster! My arch nemesis" I answered dramatically, taking a page out of my brother's book by throwing my uncasted arm over my heart dramatically to emphasize my point. Man he's beginning to rub off on me.
Baxter just snickers. "Don't be so overdramatic, that's my thing"
I smiled, bumping my shoulder against his. "Fine, you can teach me to fix the toaster. But if it ends up breaking beyond all repair. I am totally blaming you"
He lets out a snicker. "Oh no, as your older brother and as of the coming semester, a teacher. It is my responsibility ney obligation to teach you correctly. Plus, I am so tired of fixing that darn toaster!"
I shake my head with a slight snicker, a light shove of the shoulder draws my attention and Baxter's brown eyes are serious as he stares down at mine. "Things are finally turning around for us Peter"
I return the smile. "Yes brother, they are."
"This calls for a celebration!" Baxter declares as the city bus pulls up, Ned looking as unathused as ever as we make our way to our regular seats " I'm thinking of a marathon of space wars! Oh or we could try out that game I was telling you about, you know mazes and mutants"
"Sure Bax that sounds like fun"
And at the moment, staring out at the city covered in night, I felt content. Like things were slowly falling into place. Bax was right, maybe we could build new lives out of the rubble.
Baxter and Peter are beginning new lives. Don't worry much more brotherly fluff and growing apprehension ahead.
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