Eleven
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“ Much better. Did you make a salad?” Tanya asked.“ Yes, and we saved some.” They walked into the kitchen. Tanya sat at the breakfast table while Eddie served.“ Kate was back at our school today and we went out to lunch. I didn’ t notice the chicken breast was not thoroughly cooked before I had already swallowed a piece. I quit eating and summoned the manager. I didn’ t have to pay for the meal and we get to go back and have dinner on him, so he can show that doesn’ t happen often. I was hoping I would not get sick. I thought it was just my imagination until I came through the door,” she said, nibbling a piece of lettuce.“ I had garlic bread in the oven.”“ It smelled great for about one second. I woke and sipped the water. It stayed down. I feel fine now. Thanks for fixing dinner. I wish I could have come home and enjoyed it with you.”“ I bought wine and everything.”“ The effort was not wasted and I will show you how much I appreciate you, all weekend, when we have the whole house to ourselves.” Eddie told Tanya about his meetings, except the brief meeting with Sam.“ Any idea what time you will be home tomorrow?” she asked.“ Frank did not indicate how long the day might be other than his offer to buy lunch.”“ Stay away from the chicken,” she said. Eddie placed his paycheck on the table along with the two hundred dollar bills. He read the question in Tanya’ s eyes.“ I’ m on salary, Frank doesn’ t hold back two weeks and he won’ t let me spend out of pocket for the“ Fear Factory.”“ Your other check was direct deposited. I’ ll put this one in savings and you can put this in your wallet,” she said sliding the cash back.
The salad was half eaten and Tanya pushed it away. She still felt wrung out and went back upstairs. Eddie promised not to keep the children up too late and joined her an hour later.