.::Learn To
Fly::.
Chapter 6
Tabitha sat at her computer deep in thought. She wasn't sure what to do with herself, Matt had called and canceled their date because he was sick as dog and Carrie was out of town on business. It was a gray and dark day and what she had really wanted to do was spend it curled up watching a movie with Matt.
Tabitha
didn't really have anybody else that she wanted to go out
with and she could do homework, but she really didn't want
to. Remembering an earlier conversation with Matt, her eyes lit
up as she got an idea. Smiling, she picked up the phone and
dialed slowly, as if not sure that this was what she really
wanted to do.
Tabitha sat back in her chair and bit her lip as the phone
started to ring.
Hello, house of sickness, how may I help you. Came
the voice from the other end of the phone.
Jeff, this is Tabitha. Tabitha said laughing.
You're not sick too are you, because I can't take
anymore, Matt's sick, Adam's sick, and Jay just plain
won't help me out here. Jeff said acting like he was
beginning to crack under the pressure.
Jeff, calm down. Tabitha laughed.
Ok, I'm calm. He said taking a few deep
breathes.
Hey I got a question for you. How can it be the house of
sickness if you're at your house blondie? Tabitha
asked suspiciously.
Well basically I just want to be alone so I thought if I
could make people think Matt and Adam were over here they would
leave me be. He said laughing.
That makes sense. She said trying to get the nerve up
to ask him what she wanted to.
So Tabs, my dear, did you call me just to talk or did you
want something else. He asked after they had sat there for
a few minutes.
Actually, I do have something to ask you.
He said as he got more comfortable in his
chair.
Well the other night, Matt told me about you knowing how to
cook really well and I was wondering that since he was sick,
he's gotta have a favorite thing to eat when he's sick
and you have to know how to make it. Will you teach me? She
asked in a small voice.
Jeff sighed as he leaned further back in his chair. He loved
making people squirm, especially her, it was just way too much
fun.
Jeff are you still there? She asked loudly.
Yeah I'm still here, I'm just trying to think of
how you can repay me for my services of teaching you how to
cook. Jeff said as he thought wickedly about what he could
get her to do.
I'll do almost anything. She said sitting up
straighter.
I'll tell you what, you go get me a list of things and
I will teach you anything you want. He said as she agreed
and they hung up.
*********************
An hour later, Tabitha stood outside Jeff's door with around
3 bags from Wal-Mart as she impatiently awaited him to come to
the door. Jeff came to the door and peaked out at her.
Did you get the stuff.
Yes Jeff, I got the stuff, now will you let me in?
She asked impatiently because it was beginning to rain.
Jeff conceded, letting her in.
Before I show you how to do this, you show me the
stuff. He said stopping her in the foyer of the house.
Rolling her eyes at his silliness, Tabitha placed all the bags on
the floor and pointed out the things as she read them off the
list he had given her.
Twenty pairs of panty hose, all in different colors. Thirty
boxes of hair dye, I looked for the fuchsia, but the closest I
came to was the reddish pink stuff. Oh and I couldn't forget
the ten packages of sketch paper. She said laying the stuff
on the ground.
Jeff smiled at her and lead her into the kitchen.
Do you realize how stupid I looked getting that many pairs
of panty house and hair dye. She said as she sat at the
counter.
Not as dumb as I normally do. He pointed out as she
laughed.
Tabitha put on an apron as Jeff lead her over to the stove and
instructed her on when to put the ingredients into the pot and
when to stir. Around an hour later they were done and Jeff was
sending her on her way with a bowl of hot, steaming, chicken and
dumplings.
Now there is a key under the doormat, that he leaves there
for me or dad in case we decide to come over. Just use that to
let yourself in. Jeff said as he held the door open for her
and escorted her out in the rain.
Tabitha thanked him and very carefully made her way to
Matt's house.
*******************************
As quietly as she could, Tabitha let herself into the house and
fixed the soup on a tray before carrying it up the stairs and
into his room. As she entered her heart melted, he looked like a
little kid, his hair was in disarray, covering his face. It was
apparent that he had a rough night by the way the covers were
tossed about and the shirt he had presumably been wearing was now
laying on the ground in a heap next to the bed.
Matt, wake up. Tabitha whispered as she sat down next
to him on the bed.
Matt's eyes slowly opened as he adjusted to the light coming
from the bedside table as he licked his lips and tried to form a
coherent sentence.
Sunshine? You're definitely a sight for sore eyes. Why
aren't you out having fun? He asked as he struggled to
sit up.
I couldn't have fun knowing you were here sick,
you're the one I wanted to spend the day with anyway.
She said as she pushed the hair back from his face.
Matt coughed a little before closing his eyes again.
Oh by the way, here you go. She said placing the tray
in front of him.
How did you know I love this stuff when I'm sick and
how did you learn how
to make it? He asked as she sat forward in anticipation.
Well, I had a little help from Jeff. I bought a few things
for him and he taught me how to make this. She said sitting
back against the headboard next to him.
Let me guess, panty hose, hair dye, and sketch pads.
Matt said as they both laughed.
Correct my dear. She said as she picked up the tray
he had finished with.
They sat talking a little while longer and Tabitha noticed
Matt's eyes getting heavier by the minute.
Well I guess I better leave, you look like you're
about to go to sleep. She said as she kissed his forehead
and stood up.
No, wait, please don't go. My grandmother used to lay
with me when I was little and it always made me feel better. Will
you do the same. Just lay with me until I go to sleep. He
pleaded as he got comfortable.
Tabitha smiled and did as she was asked as she snuggled against
his bare chest.
Hey Tabs? Matt whispered.
Yeah, Matt?
Does this mean you're my girlfriend? He
whispered softly smiling.
Yeah Matt, it means I'm your girlfriend. She
said giggling as the two drifted off to sleep.