The woman was surprised but then cheerfully said, “Alright, go ahead, I’ll be right there.”
Nelson didn’t move a muscle, his frown deepening. “No, ma’ma, can I watch you cook?”
The woman was surprised again, forgetting to stir the pot. “Why would you want to learn? You don’t look like someone who cooks.”
Indeed, in the past twenty years, Nelson had rarely been in the kitchen. The few times he had, it was mostly for Callie.
He touched his nose. “Well, my girlfriend loves this dish. It’s very important to her. I want to try to learn it and make it for her.” It was difficult for him to say this.
If Callie heard him call her his girlfriend, she would definitely get angry again.
She always got angry.
But he couldn’t stand seeing her angry.
The woman suddenly understood and agreed. She then said, “Young man, you really have a good heart.”
Even though it was early autumn, the kitchen was still hot, and with all the mixed smells, Nelson could barely stand it after ten minutes.
Sweat beaded on his forehead, but he endured it.
The woman taught him step by step, while observing him. “I saw you two sitting together just now, not talking much. Did you have a fight?”
Nelson thought about what happened that day and felt irritated. He nodded.
He had a good memory. He remembered everything the woman did, how much seasoning she used, and how she used it.
The woman sighed. “Couples always fight. You have such a good heart and treat her well. She will understand.”
Understand? Nelson’s lips twitched. She never understood him. But he still asked, “Really?”
“Of course, but it depends on why you fought. Did you make a mistake? Or say something wrong?”
This question was tricky because it was neither. Nelson rarely spoke so softly; his usual authoritative aura was gone. “Does hitting count?”
The woman was startled and looked Nelson up and down in disbelief. “You look so gentle and refined, how could you hit someone? Girls are delicate; their parents would be heartbroken if they knew.”
Nelson’s face darkened even more. Callie had no mother, and her father was gone too.
Thinking about it made him deeply regret his actions that day. The pain he felt for her began to resurface.
“… It wasn’t on purpose. I was too angry and couldn’t control myself.”
“You can’t do that anymore. If she still wants to be with you, she must love you very much. You have to treat her well, understand? If you don’t like her anymore, just tell her clearly and let her go. Don’t hit her.”
Nelson stared at the food in a daze. He never thought he would one day be here listening to a stranger’s advice. He didn’t have the heart to say that it wasn’t Callie who wanted to stay with him; he had forced her to stay.
Did he not like her anymore? He never thought that way and never considered letting her go.
When Nelson went back out, Callie had already finished eating. She was holding up her phone to pay, somewhat mockingly. “Nelson, has any woman ever treated you to a meal?”
He stood on the steps and went along with her. “Actually, no.”
“Then I’m the first.”
“Yes, the first of many things.”
Callie initially laughed but then her smile faded. By now, she no longer cared about these trivial details about Nelson.
Because whatever he gave her could also be given to others.