Story: Comforted

This story was inspired by a prompt from readera on my March 2023 Final Friday Fics, a back channel prompt from Sarah Becca, and fills two squares for my December 2023 Amnesty Bingo Card. 581 words, this is the 7th story in my RePrint series.

 

Comforted 

She slept fitfully that night and had vague unsettling dreams that never resolved into anything substantial. So, the next morning when Althea woke up, she asked Nurse Manning for a favor.
 

“When, ah, when Freddie comes today, can we cook our own food?”
 

“Normally the cafeteria provides all your meals, but if you wanted to make something simple, we could bring in an induction burner and ingredients. What are you craving?” Nurse Manning replied.
 

“I don’t. I…,” Althea struggled to form the words and her hands began to fidget against her fleece throw in agitation.
 

“Something you’re struggling to remember. Okay. Stop for a second and just describe the flavors, or the temperature of the dish. Sometimes coming at it sideways will help you navigate around a softened memory.”
 

“Hot. Creamy. You eat it with a spoon.” Althea announced each description in victory, miming the movement of the spoon with her right hand.
 

Nurse Manning smiled widely, “Sounds like soup!”
 

“Yes! Exactly. With many very small bits.”
 

“Chicken and rice, maybe?” They speculated.
 

“No, but yes, and yes. Ugh, this is so hard! Tart, very bright on my tongue. Perfect for when I was feeling blue.” Althea looked off towards the window and her hands wrung the fleece, first showing off the white sherpa lining, then flashing a twist of the velvety dark galaxy.
 

“Ah! Tart makes me think it’s probably lemony. Chicken Lemon Rice or Chicken Lemon Orzo?” was Nurse Manning’s final suggestion.
 

“That! Yes, please. Can we make that, me and Freddie?”
 

“Of course. Let me set you up.”
 

~~~
 

Freddie arrived at 4:00 p.m. that afternoon wheeling in an oak kitchen cart. On one end of the butcher block top there was the promised induction burner, and the other had a large cutting board and bright red Dutch oven. Underneath the top of the cart were many drawers, cubbies, and one door taking up a third of the space with a commercial stainless steel mini fridge. 
 

“Whew! Nurse Manning really did set us up for this,” exclaimed Althea.
 

“You’ve inspired them. The cooks cobbled together this cart, because you aren’t the first person to find comfort in food, and certainly won’t be the last. I know I feel better when I get one of my favorite sick day meals.” Freddie was calm and efficient as he locked the wheels on the cart and got them stationed against the inner wall of the room, away from both the bed and reading chairs.
 

“Do you know the recipe for Chicken Lemon Rice?” asked Althea.
 

“Nope! But I’ve got one here from the cooks in the cafeteria, and a series of questions we can go through to see if we can recreate the version you’re craving.”
 

“Oh. I didn’t know it could be made multiple way.”
 

“Yeah, apparently there’s the way that is popular in Greek restaurants, and then some families add their own flare with different herbs or spices. Sometimes it has chunks of vegetables, other times its literally just the chicken and rice.” Freddie ran a thick finger down the paper in front of him as he went over the cooks' notes and questions.
 

“Carrots! And, ah, celery. Not a lot, but enough to add texture,” Althea jumped in.
 

“There ya go. We’ll have you warmed and comforted from the inside in no time.” Freddie graced Althea with a huge smile and a brief side hug.
 

“Thanks Freddie. You chop, I’ll stir.” Althea hugged back, gripping her cousin tightly.