One Day at a Time

 

Finn dropped off the violin at the coffee shop over a week ago. Dory didn't say anything to him just Chili who made sure he got to his room with it, but it was still in it's case. He hadn't touched it.

There was reason to believe everyone would come to his door and tell him to stop that noise. It was hard to find a place of peace. The walls were thin and well, he really just needed to be alone which meant far away from everyone. Only that had not happened.

Yes, it was an accident that he took over the cash register when he did. He could run his fingers through the cash as if he might be a magician. At least Chili thought so. He could put reports together too as if it were a natural order of something. Again, Chili was impressed. Honestly, he hadn't meant to do anything out of the ordinary. Something needed to be done at the coffee shop or it might have been pure chaos, and Dory couldn't stand that. He needed order. It was after all his second nature. 

Perhaps that's why he was such an awful tutor in violin. No one seemed to listen and it was so agitating. Yes, his annoying life as a musician. It was such a headache, but this didn't feel so awful. He did have the patience for it. He didn't have to shout back, "LISTEN TO ME!"

Then Cedric came to pick him up, a visit with Madonna at his place.

"I'll make you chicken and waffles," he seemed happy about that. 

"How dreadful," Dory almost let slip, but he knew he should just go with it and he shrugged with, "Surprise me." It was good to get away from his room and of course, work.

So he found Madonna soon enough and it did bring the smiles back. It was soothing to hear her pur in his hands. She was so adorable. He hoped he felt this way about her, always. Cedric made small talk while he cooked.

"It smells good," Dory told him as if he didn't want Cedric to forget what he was doing because he was on a tangent with work and his friend Axton who was seeing Chili.

"What's up with that?" He waved a big spoon about from the stove. Dory thought Cedric was pretty funny.

"I don't think it's anything to worry about," Dory didn't see her running off with him anywhere.

"You know he's gonna be a dad in a couple of months," Cedric told him.

Dory just nodded. Sounded like a universe he never knew of. 

Finally, the gooey dinner was on the table. Each had two waffles covered in something very creamy hiding some peas and carrots and of course white cubes of chicken meat. Dory had no idea if this was truly chicken and waffles, but it was savory and quite filling. He could only eat about half of it.

"Maybe I'll suggest it to Chili," Dory smiled with a nod.

"Really?" That open grin of Cedric was a delight to watch.

"You know, you're a good cook." Dory shrugged.

"Am I?" He chuckled. "I've always been able to make do, you know."

"I don't ever remember being in a kitchen, unless..." He felt sad to think about it. "If my mom wasn't cleaning and even then she was making me do homework at the kitchen table."

"Yeah, she must have been on you all the time," Cedric finished up his plate.

"I can take some back," Dory looked up at him. He meant his leftovers.

"Oh, it won't be any good by then," Cedric assured him.

"It might be," Dory thought so. "I bet you don't eat leftovers."

"You might be right about that," Cedric shrugged and Dory went to help him with the dishes.

"You must have had a nice life," Cedric made conversation while Dory washed dishes while he dried.

"I wouldn't say that, exactly." Dory felt numb talking about himself. "My father was very old by the time I came along..so..so I didn't really know him and well, his grownup kids wanted what he had left and it didn't leave my mom with anything. I don't think they ever married, but he was the one who brought her to America."

Cedric nodded. "Well, I guess my kin had a reputation, Blues players and boxers, but I don't really know'm. I was never invited to a family reunion..if you know what I mean." He grinned as if it was a silly secret. "Besides, it was my gram and gramps who raised me. Good church people who could whip you into place." A laugh got caught in his throat. "Or at least they tried."