Marine Snow's
Ep. 5: News at the end of the day
I came home half an hour early to stop by the supermarket. There are some foods I should prepare for dinner. Chicken, lemon, and the last time I saw supplies in the freezer, I ran out of dried rosemary and tomatoes.
“What are you cooking this time, Aiden?”
My shopping scene slowly disappeared from view and was replaced by a tomato that was almost cut all. The hour hand shows six o'clock and fourteen minutes when I glance at the watch on my left hand. I shook my head slowly. How can I remember the shopping scene in the middle of my cooking show?
Okay, I'm losing focus.
“Aiden? Why are you keeping quiet? I'm already so hungry. You know, talking to the Memphis police almost drained my entire energy. They can't believe you sent me. Since you're not in the office, I have to persuade Helga so that she can take care of the truth of my position in their ears.”
I couldn't help but look. After finding the figure of Dominic Miller sitting quietly at the dining table, I gave the sharpest highlight my eyes could create. Hid. It's very funny. A few days ago the man ate my food rations, and now he's just picking me up who's still kind enough to cook for him.
Dominic opened his mouth while looking at me with a strange blank look. Honestly, it makes me feel uncomfortable. Dominic has always been that way. He was very smart to change the atmosphere around me according to his wishes ─ which mostly caused bad effects for me. So, I decided to refocus on my cooking.
“Aiden, do you remember? You've made that horrible look before. Also in front of me,” Dominic said with a chuckle. He didn't stop talking even though I didn't pay him any heed. “You did it after I pulled you from the middle of the road.”
Oh, that incident. My brain was speeding fast and within seconds cast a shadow over my past. An unlucky summer eleven years ago. My research into temperature differences in some areas of Memphis, failed because of Dominic's ridiculous behavior. He pushed me to the side of the tree on the right. My thermometer broke and my head almost fared the same.
I heard Dominic was still laughing. “I don't know what you were thinking at the time so I wanted to kill myself in a silly way. Carrying a thermometer and standing in the middle of the road? You're really crazy, Aiden!”
Don't be hooked, Aiden.
Don't lure..
I warned myself. Playing ‘Remember your past’ with Dominic is something to avoid. The effect is also very bad on my body. Two days out of work due to the high heat triggered by arguments overnight without pause. History will never record Dominic Miller exhausted in the midst of an argument.
“Should I remind you what you said shortly after I saved, Aiden?” Dominic was waiting for a response I would never give. But he did not wait too long, because his lips were opened again. “Good, I'll remind you!”
Dominic stepped closer to me. When I was about to pick up the chicken meat that was in the fridge, her tall body got in the way. He showed her a row of white teeth while shaking her waist. Both of my eyebrows were in chains and with a single jolt I tried to get Dominic out of my sight.
“Do not disturb. Sit down and wait.”
He shook his head and now covered the refrigerator door. “It's not like that intonation, Aiden. You're screaming very loudly. Try repeating again.”
“Dominic, don't test my patience,” I said.
Not yet out of place, Dominic again said. “Try again.”
Now, both of my hands are participating in getting Dominic out of the freezer. I tried to push him and he chuckled. You freak! “Dominic! I just want to get the chicken from there! And if I don't, this dinner will be threatened!”
“Usaha good, Aiden. But not hard enough. Cob─”
“DOMINIC MILLER! GET OUT OF THERE OR I'LL EXPEL YOU FROM THE APARTMENT TONIGHT!”
Damn it!
Dominic's rarity is getting worse. His body slumped to the floor from the laughter, then rolled towards the dining table so I could freely access the refrigerator. Dominic Miller is crazy. And the funny thing is, I followed the flow of the game. That means I'm the same as him. I've gone mad.
I paused for a moment from my activity ─inserting chunks of tomatoes, potatoes, and lemons into a whole chicken-to stare at it. “If I answer ‘ya’, will you stop and shut up? I guess not. So stop bothering me, Dominic. We're late enough for dinner.”
Dominic speechless. It seems he is starving. After locking the stuffing in the chicken with a toothpick and adding small pieces of tomatoes and potatoes on the sides, I put our dinner-to-be in the oven. Now, about 1 hour else I have to spend on something useful. Maybe I should clean the kitchen, then take Hamlet and read it.
“Lemon Grilled Chicken, eh?” dominic. My head turned slightly to look at his expression. He was propping up his chin while smiling. His eyes glared until they pierced my mind. “Did you miss Mr Johnson, Aiden?”
Unable to answer. Immediately I turned my attention to cleaning up the leftovers in the kitchen. But all of that was in vain. I lost focus and went back to the main topic of my dinner theme, as well as someone Dominic meant. Someone who has the same blue iris, the same brownish hair and skin as me. He's Aaron Johnson.
While staring at the roasted chicken that was inside the oven, my mind cried out. Right, I miss him. I miss the figure of Dad who always cooks Lemon Grilled Chicken for me. I miss the figure of Dad who always appreciates my every work. I miss Dad, who was always excited when he read Hamlet to me. I've missed him. I miss him so much that I can't go back home.
“You must go home, Aiden. That's all you need now. Lincoln's case seems to be seizing your health. Lately you have looked pale and uninspired.”
Dominic said calmly, the thing he always does to persuade me. But nothing will happen. I'm staying right here. In Nashville, where I work and thrive. Returning to Memphis was a betrayal for Dad. Even if it means not visiting his grave.
“You should meet with family─”
“No!” cut me quick. “I won't set foot there. They're not my family, Dominic.”
I heard Dominic snorting. “Victoria and Mrs Johnson miss you. I'm sure Mr. Black feels the same way.”
“Johnson said you?” I laughed sweetly. Dominic has completely lost his mind. “The woman is no longer entitled to bear the name Johnson behind her name. That's Shofia Black, Dominic. Not Johnson. Not my family. Please remember that.”
“Aren't you afraid if they get hurt or something? The case we're dealing with now relates to the Memphis criminal organization. They can saj─”
“Once no, still no,” I said firmly.
My best friend is back on her chin. His gaze is still on me. Both of his eyebrows are linked to indicate a sense of fatigue to think about the next plan. A few seconds later, he closed his eyes. “Are you waiting for them to be in danger, then saving them like heroes of bad luck?”
I was about to reply to Dominic's question when my phone rang. Rows of numbers and names printed on the phone screen, I've memorized it out of my head. Victoria Black, a woman three years younger than me. Her chatty nature was still carried away until I fled and lived in Nashville. He always sends me a few messages every day and calls me once a week. I guess, tonight it's time to listen to the rant about his naughty Elementary School students.
I got the phone, and I spoke. Otherwise, Victoria would break through unstoppably. “Night, V. I only have a few minutes before my roast chicken is ready to be served. So, hurry up.”
No sound was heard after that, except for the regular sighs of someone across. I called his name back. Trying to realize that time is the most precious thing on the face of this earth. And I don't want to throw it away for no apparent reason.
“Aiden,” call a woman across.
I know she's not Victoria. She's Shofia Black. I let the devil rule me for a moment. “Why don't you use your own phone? You want to frame me or have another attemptn─”
“Listen to Mom, Aiden! Victoria passed away this afternoon! Please return to Memphis for the final ceremony! Please, Aiden... Go home.”.
My lips are tightly clenched. My muscles and brain were not working properly, which made my body freeze within minutes. What a great reaction. Even when Dominic asked about what I had heard, I couldn't say anything.
Victoria Black, my infuriating half-sister, is rumored to have died this afternoon.
