It took Phoebe about five minutes to get things set up. She had Jasmine wash the peppers and onions while she sliced them. She showed Jasmine the correct way to cut the slices a few times near the end so that she could learn how to cut things safely without having to let her do it too much and take the risk of her cutting herself. She then poured some oil with a few spices into the pan and let them simmer while she had Jasmine measure out the rice she would put in with the finished meal. She let Jasmine pour the rice into the water she’d already preboiled.
She didn’t add much of the hot peppers in case Jasmine didn’t like hot things. Normally for Phoebe the spicier the better, but she knew kids sometimes didn’t like spicy things. After seeing Jasmine’s disappointment over Brenna’s apparent abandonment, she really wanted Jasmine to enjoy the meal they’d cooked together. It would help to soothe some of her hurt feelings if she felt like she was a part of something.
Phoebe knew what it was like to be betrayed by the person you cared about and it wasn’t a nice feeling. She could only be grateful that Jasmine’s disappointment wasn’t as painful as hers had been. She shivered a little when she remembered the first time Johnny had hit her. Yeah, it was better that it was mental pain instead of physical. She smiled at Jasmine as she tossed more ingredients into the pans and stirred them as they sizzled. Jasmine watched her work as she sliced up the precooked meat and added it to the peppers in the second pan. She turned it down low until the rice was finished.
“Do you know how to cook a bunch of things?” Jasmine asked.
“I don’t know a lot of recipes by heart, but I do okay if I can follow one. When I was about your age my mom started teaching me to cook and I always liked cooking.” Phoebe found herself frowning a little as she realized that she really hadn’t enjoyed cooking in a long time. Tonight was the first time in years that she hadn’t felt like it wasn’t a chore. The difference was likely that tonight she didn’t have to worry about someone hitting her because it wasn’t what they wanted to eat.
“My mom died when I was five,” Jasmine said, bringing her back to the present.
“I’m sorry about that, sweetheart. You must miss her.”
“Yeah, but Dad helps. He takes me to see her at the cemetery every other Sunday. Uncle Viking sometimes comes with us and we bring flowers and drawings and things. I think she likes that. Do you think she does?” Jasmine asked, her little face tilted up to see hers.
Phoebe felt like crying. Damn, this sweet little girl was breaking her heart with these questions.
“I’m absolutely sure she loves it.”
“Dad says she does.” She paused before she frowned and asked suddenly, “Did someone hurt you?”
She was pointing to the bruises on her neck and face. Phoebe felt her cheeks heat. What was she supposed to tell this little angel about men like Johnny? She paused as she added some seasoning to the rice which was nearly ready. Her hands shook a little and she glanced back at Jasmine who was watching her silently, waiting on her answer.
“Yes,” she finally replied, unable to say anything else. Jasmine could see that someone had hurt her so there was no use in hiding it from her. With her dad being a biker, she likely wasn’t shocked by seeing bruises on someone.
“Don’t worry, Dad will make sure they don’t get you here. He and my uncles will make whoever it is pay for what they did. Uncle Viking says anyone hurts me and he will open a can of whoopass on them with my dad. I bet they’d do that for you too,” Jasmine said with a nod.
“I see,” Phoebe said with a little smile. She wasn’t sure if that news was reassuring or disturbing. From a child’s perspective it might seem like a protective statement, but as an adult who realized who these men Jasmine called uncles so casually were, it was slightly more sinister.
“Can you get us some plates and set the table because this is pretty much done,” Phoebe asked, trying to distract the girl from asking more questions.
“Yay, I can’t wait to try it. It smells so good,” Jasmine crowed as she jumped up to comply.
Phoebe busied herself with scooping the rice into one of the reusable plastic bowls she’d found in the cabinet still in their packaging. She carried it into the dining room, finding Jasmine with two plates and silverware set up. She set the rice down before going back for the rest, calling over her shoulder to Jasmine to get them some glasses for the tea she’d made. Phoebe put the pepper and chicken mix into another bowl and grabbed the tea from the fridge before carrying them in and setting them down on the table. Jasmine was on her knees in the chair across from her with an eager expression on her face.
“Can we save some for Dad? I was hoping you made enough because I helped and I want him to try it,” Jasmine asked.
“Oh, I think we made plenty and I’m sure your dad would love to try it. We’ll be sure to save some so he can eat too. Do you want a wrap, or do you just want to eat it from your plate?” Phoebe was pouring them some tea as she asked.
“I like the wraps. Dad buys fajitas from that Mexican restaurant we have the menu for. We like them. Star bought the stuff to make them but then Dad came home early and she and the boys had to go cause
