Ineffable

34 | DINNER'S READY

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ps: long chapter. almost 5000+ words

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Iris

It is a typical Thursday night but all of a sudden, Dad decides that this dinner is going to be special. We, three women, know what that means.

It is time for Chicken Adobo.

Cue some really happy music for me.

I know I say Dad cannot cook-which is true almost. Almost, because there is only one thing Dad cooks and it is Chicken Adobo.

It is made by stewing chicken in soy sauce and vinegar, adding peppercorns and bay leaves for that special flavor. We eat it with rice but Dad's biological Aunt tells us to eat it with bread which Dad very much hates. He says it should be enjoyed as it was meant to be and I couldn't agree more.

Sometimes, when there are any leftovers, Mom pulls the meat from the bone and fry 'til crispy for some tasty adobo flakes-which are good too but I prefer the original one, nevertheless.

But while he is cooking and is in the kitchen doing god knows what, the rest of us are watching The Office in the family room. Yeti is on the sofa, sleeping on Daisy, while Mom and I are on the couch adjacently from theirs.

Mom asks, loudly, "Steve, can I—?"

"No," Dad answers, quick.

Mom bites her lower lip. "Please?" She asks, again.

There is a pause on another side until he says, "Still a no."

Mom sighs. I nudge her, "What's wrong?"

"I am concerned about the kitchen," She answers.

"Dad is cooking the one thing he knows well. I am not concer—"

There is a huge sound of metals hitting the floor, followed by silence and then, "Don't worry—just the spoons and forks and stuff."

Mom nods and says to me, "Tell me you are not concerned."

"I am not concerned. Not at all."

"Iris," Daisy calls me and sighs. "I want a Jim Halpert."

"You have Percy," I state.

She clicks her tongue and shakes her head. "One can only dream of dating Percy Jackson."

"Dude."

"What?" She turns to me.

"You are dating Percy Radcliffe."

"I remember."

"As you should," I state. "Are you all coming tomorrow?"

Tomorrow is Friday and it means two things: Spirit day and the match between two rival schools. In other words, I can predict how bad it is going to be but I am excited.

After a lot of negotiations and time-wasting hours, Stacy and I agreed to go along with Justin's plan. I will take Juliet's place in the squad only-again, only for the match while Stacy will audition for Juliet's place in the dance team on Monday.

Yes, an audition.

I went through that for the cheerleading squad on Wednesday and their Coach, Ms. Lana, selected me. Trust me, I hoped not to get selected but turns out there was only one who could do the spin-aka me. I haven't regretted doing that spin perfectly so much until then.