Author's Note: Italics indicate a flashback
"That meal was incredible," says Sonny as he stands up to begin clearing the table.
"It really was very good," admits Carly grudgingly. "You must have spent a lot of time cooking while you were growing up."
"Yeah," says Abbie with a sad smile on her face. "Something like that." She quickly grabs a few dishes and heads out to the kitchen. Standing at the sink, she stares at the wall, remembering.
I said get your ass in that kitchen and fix me something to eat," the man roared. "Do not make me come out there, or you'll be sorry I did.
In her mind, Abbie sees a younger version of herself running to the kitchen to fix her stepfather a sandwich, while her younger sister cowers in the corner crying.
Damn it you little selfish brat, where the hell is my food?
'Becky, go hide upstairs in the closet. Don't let him see you. Go up the back stairs,' Abbie sees herself whispering to her sister.
She brings the sandwich into her stepfather and sets it on the coffee table.
'Here you go Peter," Abbie says backing away.
Peter looks at her through bloodshot eyes. "I can't believe that stupid bitch of a mother of yours. Dying like that and leaving me saddled with her two stupid brats. Well girl, you're the lady of the house now," he says taking a bite of the sandwich. And spits it out.
"What the hell is that," he shouts.
"Peanut butter and Jelly," Abbie whispers as she stares at the ground. She doesn't see the hand rise up and come crashing down onto her face.
"Hey, are you ok," says Carly softly as she lays a gentle hand on Abbie's shoulder.
Startled out of her reverie, Abbie whirls around, with her hands raised to protect her face.
"Abbie, it's me Carly. I just came out to see if you needed any help."
Abbie draws a deep breath and pulls herself back into the present.
"No, no really, it's ok, I can do this. Would you mind brining the coffee out though?"
"Well, actually, Letizia, our nanny, just brought my son Michael over. He wants his Mommy and Uncle Sonny to read him a story."
"Oh well, that's nice, thank you for coming," says Abbie softly.
"Look, I know we really did get off on the wrong foot, and it was mostly my fault, but I really am sorry," says Carly sincerely. "I think I'd really like to have you for a friend."
"I'd like that to," replies Abbie, sensing the honest emotion in the other girl's statement. "Maybe, after I get my first paycheck, we could do some shopping. My wardrobe isn't exactly suitable for a recording studio."
"Sounds like a plan, by the time we get done, you'll look like a recording star, and not an employee."
The two women laugh and say their goodbyes. Abbie begins loading the dishwasher as Carly exits the kitchen.
"Is everything ok in there?" asks Sonny. "You didn't say anything to upset her, did you?"
"God Sonny, will you quit blaming me for every single thing that may go wrong in this world. I went in there to see if she was ok, and she was standing at the sink. She was so deep in thought, that she didn't hear me come in. I put my hand on her shoulder to get her attention, and you would have thought I attacked her."
"Well, is she ok?" asks Jason.
"Yeah, she's fine, she snapped out of whatever trance she was in, and you know what Jase? She's actually pretty cool. I apologized for real this time, and we're going to hang out some time. You should bring her by my club, I think both of you will like it. No wait, I know you're going to hate it, but Abbie may enjoy it."
"We'll see Carly, now go home and read Michael his story."
"I'm going," says Carly as she reaches up to hug Jason tightly. "But I am so glad you came home."
"Me too," he answers as he hugs her back. "Sonny, I'll get together with you tomorrow to go over those figures, ok?"
"Sure thing Jason, and thank your new roommate for the wonderful dinner. I hate to admit it, but she's almost as good a cook as me," says Sonny laughing as he and Carly leave the apartment. The walk across the hall, and enter their own apartment. Setting her bag down on the sofa, Carly turns to Sonny.
"I think there's something up with her," she says.
"Carly, come on, I thought you said you liked her.
"I do, but listen, when I went out to the kitchen and
touched her shoulder, she twisted around and threw up her hands like she
thought I was going to attack her. And
Sonny, she'd been crying."
"Leave it alone Carly; it's not any of our business. If she wants us to know about it, she'll tell us."
Across the hall, in the kitchen of the other apartment, Abbie is cleaning like a whirlwind, and soon the kitchen is spotless. Jason walks in with the remaining two plates in his hands and looks around.
"Why didn't you wait for me to help you?"
"I just finished; it was no big deal really.
Mostly, I just clean as I go, so alls that's left are those two dishes
in your hand," said Abbie as she reaches for the dishes.
"I'll take care of them, why don't you relax, you worked hard to fix this wonderful dinner. I liked those little biscuity things, what were they again?"
"Yorkshire pudding. They are one of my favorites."
"Well, everything was great, now come on, out of the kitchen, and go relax," says Jason as he reaches for her arm to escort her out of the kitchen.
Flinching, Abbie pulls away and hangs her head. Jason stops and takes her gently by the arm, and can feel her shaking under his hand.
"Hey, what is it? What's wrong?"
"Nothing," she says and pulls away. "I'm tired, I think I'll go to bed."
Before Jason can react, Abbie twists out of his grasp and runs out of the room and up the stairs.