Breakfast Monkey

"Heeeey! You're just in time! Come in, please" she answered the door wearing a black apron, back boots, a plain grey shirt and black jeans. The entire place smelled delicious, I could sense apples and cinnamon. Her apartment was pretty big, I could catch a glimpse of her crisp white bedroom with a few photo frames hung on the main wall. The rest of the apartment had black wooden floors and furniture of the same colour. Her kitchen was pretty big too, big marble counters and a few fancy looking kitchen artefacts. "Nice place, it looks quite fancy"
"Thanks, I think it is. I heard Joe Hill lives on 19"
"WHAT?!"
"Yeah, I didn't run into him, yet. I carry one of his books with me at all times"
"I... Wow."
"I know! Gerard, you're my guest so... Go sit at the table. Everything is done, I'll serve you in a while. Make yourself comfortable"
"But... I want to hel-"
"No, let me be a good hostess. Now, go sit on the dining table."
I walked out of the kitchen into the dining room. A big chandelier hung from the ceiling. It looked quite expensive, I was afraid if I moved too much it would fall. The table was set, there were several types of tea and coffee. A pot filled with hot water was in the middle wrapped with several special looking clothes as if trying to preserve heat. She walked inside with a silver plate covered and set it near me.
"Get ready to get your mind blown, I present to you the Tarte Tatin made with apple, cinnamon, pears, vanilla and lavender"
I stared at her silently as she unveiled the "tarte".
The smell was stronger and more appetising. She cut a slice out. It looked like a pie with a more visible layer of the stuffing and a lighter dough.
She put a plate in front of me and encouraged me to eat it. I grabbed the dessert fork next to the plate and took a bite.
It was like christmas in a bite, without any of the unpleasant family reunions or awful gifts. The dough was definitely lighter and tastier than the on in a pie. The filling was my favourite part, I felt like a child again.
"So...?"
"I... This is SO GOOD! ITS LIKE FUCKING CHRISTMAS IN A FUCKING BITE I CANT BELIEVE I HAVE SPENT 25 YEARS OF MY LIFE WITHOUT TRYING IT"
"I knew you'd like it! I'm sorry I couldn't get any tools or beer."
"Your tarte makes up for it, I don't care if I look like a sissy having tea, this is FUCKING AMAZING!"
We spent the entire evening talking about irrelevant and strange topics, as always. After having some tea, I helped her get the table together and took the dirty dishes to the kitchen. The evening went by pretty fast, soon it was time to leave. We walked to the front door of her apartment while still joking around. I pushed her against the door softly.
"This was a very nice night. Thank you for letting me know about the delicious tarte, I really loved it. I hope I see you tomorrow at Frank's party"
"I'll be at your place around 8:30, okay?" She said while staring at the floor and playing with her hands.
"Sure" I said while looking for her eyes.
She looked at me, smiled and hugged me.
"thank you for coming, Gerard. I hope you have a safe trip home, see you tomorrow" she said.
We looked at each other for a while, no one said anything. She kissed my cheek and I let myself out. I smiled at her as she looked from her door, I made my way to the elevator.
Wow, I suck at trying to make a move. I thought about what had just happened as I made my way down. The receptionist and doorman smiled at me kindly and let me out of her building.
The way back home was pretty long, I felt extremely tired and craved more dessert or Halloween candy. Then, it hit me. I didn't have a Halloween costume for tomorrow's party nor did I ask Sophia if she had one, we could've gone as a couple but... Damn...
As soon as I got to Jersey, I rushed home and tried to figure out a costume for tomorrow.
_________________________________________
"why are you so nervous?" Asked Mikey
"I look silly."
"No you don't, you look... What are you?"
"Uhm... The Crow?"
"Yeah it looks about right. Is she coming?"
"She texted me she was on her way, she should be here any moment"
"What's she dressed like?"
"I have no idea, I forgot to ask her last night"
My grandma came into my room with a handful of candy.
"Oh my boys, you both look very handsome! Why are you dressed as?"
"I'm a hot dog and Gerard's The Crow"
"Well you certainly aren't scary, girls are going to love you tonight!"
"I don't know about me but Gerard has a date"
"MIKEY!"
"Is that true, sweetie? Who are you taking? Is Sophia coming?"
"Yes, she is. I... It isn't a date, yesterday we had this fancy French dessert and I wanted to thank her for being nice to me by inviting her"
"That's very nice of you, sweetie-"
She got cut off by the doorbell. It was her.
I ran to the front door, fixing my hair without even looking, took a deep breath in and answered.
"Hey! You made it!" I said while smiling at her. I could only finish the sentence making sense because I hadn't seen her well, she looked beautiful. A long black cape hung from her neck, she wore a leather suit with what appeared to be high heels and a Darth Vader mask on her head.
"I'm not your father but may I come in?"
"Sure, German Vader."
"Damn... BUSTED! What are you- LET ME GUESS!"
"Go ahead..."
"The Crow?"
"YES!"
"You look nice, I like it. You should dress like that more often, tight jeans make you look nice" she said while walking towards the living room
"SOPHIA! So nice to have you here, darling. Sit down, please" said my mother
She smiled at her and gave her a hug, my grandma came in with another handful of candy and hugged her as if she were part of the family.
"I missed you, sweetheart. You look very nice tonight, both Gerard and you look like you're wearing matching costumes"
"Haha, I believe you say that because of the leather"
"Indeed, he looks like a biker of some sort. How did you get here, darling?" Asked my mother
"Oh, I drove here. I bought a car recently and decided to take it out for a spin. Besides, I don't think people on the subway or ferry would feel comfortable with Darth Vader travelling with them"
They talked for a while, before we had to leave to Frank's house. She said goodbye to my grandma and mother and left with Mikey and me. As we walked to the street I saw her car was pretty big, it looked like a RangeRover. It was completely black, from the paint job to the windows.
"Okay, you'll have to tell me which way to go"
"Sure! When you reach the corner turn right and we'll tell you when to stop" said Mikey who sat on the back.
After a few blocks, we found Frank's house which was packed with people I had seen around but never really got to know.
"It's here. You can park here, your car will be safe" I said while I looked through the window for any familiar faces. Suddenly Frank appeared dressed as Frankenstein while holding a bottle of beer.
"Fuck! I forgot the booze!"
"I brought a pack of Jäger, it's on the back. If you guys help me out we can show off or something" said Sophia
"I never tried it, is it any good?"
"Wait and see" she said while getting out of the car. She opened the back door and Mikey helped get the pack out. Frank was already greeting him on one side of the car.
"I'm feeling nervous, is it his party?"
"Don't be, Frank's very nice. Yes, it is his party, come."
She bit her lower lip and walked by my side towards the sidewalk were Frank and Mikey were talking.
I heard her whisper, "oh god, I think I should put my mask on, oh god"
"GERARD! You made it!"
"Happy birthday man, I'll give you your gift tomorrow at lunch"
"I though the pack of Jäger was your gift to me, who is this?"
"This is-"
"I'm Sophia, I work with Gerard" she said, giving him a broad smile.
"That's very nice. I've seen several Darth Vader costumes in my life but I think yours is the best one."
"Thanks. Uhm, happy birthday, frankenstein."
"That's actually my nick name, want to come inside? Guys?"

I didn't really get what was going on but apparently Frank and Sophia seemed to like each other too much. They walked inside while he carried the pack of Jäger. Mikey and I walked behind them hearing them giggle from time to time.
"Make a move fast, Gerard" said Mikey
"What? Why? We're just friends..."
"If you don't man up she'll end up going out with Frank"
"That's great, if she likes him I can't do anything about it."
"She likes you, idiot. Don't lose her for the same reasons as always. Go for it"

Notes