Given Up

Chapter 11

My stomach flipped as I knocked on Cassie's door and it caught me by surprise. This wasn't a date, but I still felt nervous to see her. I wiped my hands on my jeans as I waited.  It was a big semi-detached Edwardian house and I could see through the large bay windows into the living room.  The door opened and an older woman was in front of me. It was easy to tell that this was Cassie's mother - they looked so alike it was uncanny.  She gave me a wide smile, and I returned what was probably a nervous one.

"Hi, I am here to pick up Cassie?" My voice sounded a little squeaky so I cleared my throat.

"You must be Kyle, come on in." She swept the door back with her as she stepped back and I walked onto the wooden floor.

"She is just finishing getting ready. Come on through."

I followed her down the passageway and into what was a large kitchen/diner. The smells of a meal not long finished emanated through the room and it made me feel hungry after the paltry ramen noodles I had had for my tea. Auntie Kate was working so at least I hadn't had to endure another one of her vegetarian curries.

There was a large kitchen island with an inbuilt table and that was where Mr Evans was sitting; an empty plate next to him and broadsheet paper open in his hands.

"Hello again Kyle."  He put the paper down.

"Hi Mr Evans,". I said politely.

"Why don't you take a seat?' He gestured to the one opposite him.  "Cassie will likely be a little while."

"Ok, thanks."

Mrs Evans stood next to me.  "What can I get you to drink?" 

"Oh, its okay, I am fine."  I said as I pulled out the seat. 

I took in my surroundings.  It was a large room, but it had only been partially decorated. The kitchen looked brand new and there was an extension that had a living area with sofas, as well as a dining table. The walls were bare and there were some square-sized areas of paint on the wall where it looked like they were trying out paint samples. 

"So what have you been up to with your weekend?"

"Not much. I have been around a few places to get a job but everywhere I asked so far wants you to be at least 16, but most even 18." 

"Ah that is a shame," commented Mrs Evans.

As I sat on the high stool, my eye-line took in a plate of leftovers: pork chops, mash, veg and gravy. Oh, one of my favourites and it looked good. I hadn't had any meat all week apart from a bit of ham and whatever Cassie brought in sandwiches. I couldn't help but linger over it.

"Hungry?"  Mr Evans had caught my obviously not so subtle eyeline.

"Oh no, I am fine."  I felt heat flush to my face.

"Go on, it will only go to waste. I'll pop it in the microwave."  Mrs Evans didn't wait for me to say no and whipped the plate off the table and into the microwave.

"Jane loves to feed people, don't you love?" Mr Evans patted his rounded stomach. "Sometimes a little too much..."

Mrs Evans gave him a soft look as she put some cutlery in front of me. "You have the power to stop eating whenever you like you know....!"

"It is just too good. After all,  it is my only vice."  He picked up his beer as he spoke and was about to drink from it. "Well, that and a good beer every now and then."

He winked at me and I smiled.

The microwave beeped and Mrs Evans popped it open and the food in front of me in what seemed like one motion.  I barely waited for it to cool enough before I started wolfing it down. I hadn't realised that I had just been solidly eating until I put my knife and fork down on the empty plate and they were both looking at me.