Separation
Rachel scraped half of the rice onto a plate, assuming that the rest would be eaten tomorrow. Or later that evening, if she was feeling that bad about eating alone. The thought often made her hungrier. As she turned to sit down, she caught sight of the freshly baked doughnuts that she had bought earlier that day. Another consolation.
The chair screeched as it was pulled along the tiled floor, the sound echoing in the empty house. Staring at the unoccupied table, Rachel realised that she had been distracted, chastising herself into eating.
Barely two weeks ago, the house had been lively. Between Phil and Eddie…
Rachel could live without Eddie's infuriated shouts from the living room as his football team lost another match, the missing toothbrush next to hers, and she could especially live without the scattering of worn socks across the bedroom floor. Not that it didn't hurt, but life went on.
Nevertheless, she found it difficult to wake up and not have to bang on the door of her nephew's room, making sure she heard an affirming grunt that said he was awake, the heavy thud of his feet on the stairs, and the times she'd had to remind him that video games were strictly prohibited once she went to bed. How many times had she said that she wouldn't allow him to stay up all night shooting people and yelling in frustration when he was the one to be killed?
Taking a bite of her rice, it felt rather difficult to swallow. She chewed on it a bit more as if that would make it better. Sighing, she went to eat more, her heart skipping a beat when the doorbell rang. Rachel wondered if it was Eddie. That, by chance, he had forgotten something and he had come to retrieve it.
Luckier than that, she opened the door to find… "Phillip!"
He ran a hand through his mass of curly hair; clearly, he had not gotten it cut when she had told him to.
"Hey, Rach…" Her nephew was hesitant, an apologetic smile forming. "Erm, I thought I'd come over and say hi."
"Come on in!" She practically pulled him by the wrist. Already clumsy, he almost tripped over his own feet as he was dragged inside. "I actually have some risotto if you want some."
He clapped his hands together, the smug look in his eye suggesting that he may have planned the timing on purpose. "Oh really? That's great, actually. Yeah, thanks. I mean, I love being able to eat chicken nuggets again but I do miss being cooked for, you know? Guess I got a bit used to it."
Phillip laughed nervously, embarrassed to admit how useless he was in the kitchen. She already knew. At first, she had tried to help him but for his own safety, she thought it best that he stayed out of her kitchen. Rachel liked it the way it was.
He sat down as she eagerly scooped the rest of the risotto, telling him that she had some doughnuts too. Both were pleased, smiling awkwardly at each other. Neither said they missed each other but they didn't need to. They were happy to be back together for now; that's all that mattered.