Page 89 of Devil’s Disciples

He scooped the eggs from his plate like a man who hadn’t eaten in days. I watched with eager eyes as he mopped the plate clean with the corner of his toast and then poked it into his mouth.

“Damn it’s nice to have breakfast.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” I said with a smile. “Want more?”

His eyes shot to the kitchen. “There’s more?”

“There isn’t, but I can make some more.”

He sipped his coffee. “That’s okay. Four eggs ought to be enough for anyone. Remind me of my aunt’s eggs. She made them just like that. Exactly like that.”

I had no idea how he liked his eggs. Instead of going with the safe bet, which was scrambled, I cooked them over medium, my personal favorite. To think that they reminded him of what I hoped was home was uplifting.

I smiled pridefully. “I’m glad you liked them. They’re my favorite.”

He rubbed his hands together. “Let’s make a deal.”

I reached for my coffee. “Okay.”

“Saturday nights, let’s have a standing date. When we’re done, you can stay all night here. Sunday mornings, you make those eggs.”

“I like it. Let’s do it.”

He held his clenched fist over the table. “Gimme some fist.”

I pounded my hand against his.

I cut into the edge of my last egg. “If you like eggs so much, why don’t you cook them in the mornings? You’re self-employed. It’s not like you’re going to be late to the office.”

“I can’t cook.”

“What do you mean?”

“That food in the fridge? Goose got it at the store. I couldn’t even tell you what’s in there. If he doesn’t cook it, I don’t eat it.”

I lowered my fork. “What about that night--”

“Our first date?” he asked.

“Yeah. All of the Brazilian food?”

He pointed toward the refrigerator. “Goose.”

“The left-over lasagna in the fridge?”

He wagged his finger. “Goose.”

“The peppers and chicken that’s in a zip-lock, and looks like it needs tossed out?”

He wagged it again. “Goose. He’ll toss that out. He always does.”

I chuckled. “How long has he been cooking for you?”

“Fifteen years or so.”

“Wow. That’s a good friend.”

“We’re more than friends. We’re brothers. In time, you’ll see just how close we are.”