Page 16 of Fostering Chemistry
Diego set down his beer. “That’s what every cook likes to hear. It’s definitely better than that ‘cilantro tastes like soap’ stuff.” He gave a mock stern look to Raymond, who had also given his opinion on the food more than once.
The chicken was my favorite. After I’d eaten one thigh, I took another, tore some pieces off, and put them in a tortilla. Maybe that wasn’t what you were supposed to do with it, but it tasted so damn good.
Aaron had seconds, and when he was finally winding down, he asked me what I was doing after dinner.
“Homework, I guess.”
“American Adventuresis on tonight. Do you watch it?”
“I love that show!”American Adventureconsisted of teams racing from one coast of the United States to the other, with all kinds of crazy tasks and detours along the way.
“Want to watch it together?”
“Of course. Who’s your favorite to win?”
“Blue. Yours?”
“Yellow.” I grinned, feeling more relaxed than I had at any other point in the meal. “They’ll wipe the floor with the blue team.”
“Guess we’ll find out,” Aaron said, somewhat smugly.
When I couldn’t eat another bite, I studied my fellow roommates while trying not to be too obvious about it. Cody was seated between Evan and Jenna but didn’t seem to be talking to either of them. I kept thinking about our encounter after class yesterday.
He just seemed kind of sad, and that made me want to make him smile. Sara used to say I had a soft heart—always sitting by the kid at lunch who was eating by themselves. Because I knew what that was like.
Evan, at least, tried a couple of times to engage Cody in conversation, but it didn’t work.
Soon, everyone was completely full, and Diego chose that moment to tap on his glass.
"A couple of announcements before we disband until next week."
Aaron and a few others groaned.
Diego held up his hands defensively. "Hey, don’t blame me. I get paid to talk to you all about this crap."
"Can we pay you not to talk to us about this crap?" Aaron asked.
I laughed.
"Just a few things, I promise," Diego said. "First off, if you use the last of something—dish soap, laundry detergent, anything—put it on the grocery list. And don’t forget with the cans and bottles?—"
"We know we’re supposed to recycle," Jenna interrupted.
"That’s not what I was going to say," Diego continued. "But yes, please recycle. I was going to say, whoever’s week it is to take it out, do it at least every other day."
I turned to Jenna and whispered, "How do we know whose week it is?"
"I’ll explain after dinner,” she whispered back.
"Does anyone have anything they want to say?" Diego asked.
Raymond looked like he was going to complain about something, but maybe he was too full to do so.
Suddenly, I found myself speaking.
"If every one of you can cook like this, I’m going to have to find a new place to live. Is there a house for students who survive on canned goods?"
Diego laughed. "No one expects you to put together this kind of feast. But I didn’t do it alone. Evan helped me man the grill. And because he, you, and Aaron helped beforehand, that means Raymond, Cody, and Jenna are on dish duty."
