The smell of bacon filtered through the bedroom door. She made the bed, brushed her skirt and top with her hands as though ironing them out then went to the bathroom to freshen up. She looked through the cabinet for an extra toothbrush and spotted all the female toiletries. She figured this is where Cliff allowed his female one night stands to spruce up after a long spell romping in bed with him. A tinge of jealousy brushed through her and she shook it off immediately.

“Welcome to Chez Cliff. Have a seat. Our breakfast is almost done,” Cliff said, as she made her way into the kitchen.

She stood by the doorway, unsure what to do. Her insides were telling her to get back home and figure out what to do with her relationship and John but her stomach gurgled with other plans.

He turned sideways, giving her a quick glance before turning back. “Well? Have a seat. I haven’t been slaving in this kitchen for nothing, you know.” A big victorious grin spread across his face as she headed toward the table. “Good. Now a decision has to be made…”

“Excuse me?”

“A decision? You know, make up your mind?”

“Yes, I know what decision means, but I don’t…”

He laughed.

“A decision whether you want sunny side up or snot eggs.”

Realizing her mistake in thinking he was asking about her next move with John, she relaxed. “Sunny, please, not runny.” She leaned back in the beige cushioned chair.

“Did you design the kitchen?” The dark brown granite counter offset the light tan

cupboards. “I mean, I love the color scheme, and your choice of stainless steel appliances…well…”

“Surprised a man can have taste?” Cliff laughed as he continued to cook their breakfast, his back turned to her.     

Within minutes, both were enjoying a hearty breakfast, not a word other than munching exchanged. Cliff finally broke the silence.

“Hate to spoil your mood but John came by early this morning.”

She looked up, stunned. “Why didn’t you wake me? Does he know I stayed here?” At that moment she spotted something out of place, something that should have hit her right off.

“Cliff, why are you wearing sunglasses…indoors?” She reached over the table and removed them. Colors of a fresh bruise surrounded his left eye; dark blue, greenish blue, hint of red… “John did this?” her voice coming out more like a squeal than anything else.

“Well it wasn’t Santa Claus.”

Janet was at a loss for words. When she finally found her voice, she slammed her hand on the table, narrowly missing hitting her plate. “How dare he hit you. For what? Being a friend?”

“Well…let me explain…” Cliff stuttered, obviously worried with what he was about to tell her. “When he asked me if I had heard from you I said yes and told him you were sleeping in bed. He never gave me a chance to say in the guest room before he lunged at me and gave me this shiner as a conversational piece.”  He swallowed hard before continuing, “I may have given him the wrong impression. I’m sorry, Janet.”

“I love it.”

Her outburst took him by surprise. He leaned back against his chair and studied her for a minute. “You’re happy he believes we slept together?”