The next morning, Andy somehow managed to extract her tired body from beneath the warmth and comfort of her large comforter. She hadn't slept a lot the previous night, seeing as the three girls had been up late chatting, chowing down, watching movies, and laughing uncontrollably at everything and anything. Yet, she was still waking up at 9:30 on a Saturday morning. Despite all of this, Andy felt better than she had for awhile. Sleepless nights had been all that she'd known for days, weeks even.
Andy wrapped her plush robe around her thin frame and plodded down the steps, one by one, in stocking feet. The scent of something yummy mixed with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted up to where Andy stood on the stairs. As she moved in the direction of the kitchen, the soft voice of her roommate singing reached her ears.
'That must be Sara,' Andy thought. It certainly wasn't Lizzy, and Sara was the only other person in the house, as far as she knew.
Lizzy wasn't really the musical type, and she hardly ever did anything quietly. Plus, there was no way that Lizzy would be out of bed before ten unless absolutely necessary. Seeing as it was Saturday, and there would be no classes today, there was no chance in hell that Lizzy was the cheerful person moving about the kitchen. On top of all that, Andy was fairly sure that Lizzy wasn't the chef of the house. It wasn't that Lizzy couldn't cook, per say. She just had never really enjoyed the work it took to prepare a meal. Her idea of gourmet cooking was dining at the local French restaurant, as opposed to her usual drive-thru fast food.
Andy reached the kitchen but paused outside the door for a few moments to listen to her roommate sing. Sara had an amazing voice, but she was a very private person, and very shy. Andy didn't think that Sara would continue singing, once aware of her presence outside the kitchen. She didn't want Sara to stop singing, and she didn't want to embarrass her either.
Finally, she reluctantly entered the kitchen with a bright smile. Not wishing to startle Sara, she spoke softly.
"Morning Sara, sleep well?"
"Oh Andy, I didn't know you were awake. Good Morning. I slept well, how about you?"
"Better than I have in days, actually. You're up pretty early for a Saturday morning."
"I've always gotten up with the sun, for as long as I can remember. I love to watch the sunrise and see the world wake up. Dawn is the most peaceful time of day. It's always been my time to be alone, my thinking time."
"That sounds wonderful. I don't have that kind of willpower though. I'm a middle ground person, I guess. I sleep later than the crack of dawn, but get up way before Lizzy does, grumbling about having to wake up at noon. "
"So you've noticed Lizzy's sleeping habits too? I swear, that girl would sleep all day if I didn't knock some sense into her around noon."
"Lizzy's something else. That's for sure."
Sara turned back to whatever it was that she was cooking for breakfast. It sure smelled delicious. Andy debated whether or not to mention what was on her mind. She finally verbalized what she'd been thinking about since entering the kitchen.
"Sara?"
"Hm?"
"You have a beautiful voice. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I overheard you singing before I came into the room.."
Sara blushed slightly. "It's alright, Andy. I don't mind that you were listening. I love to sing, been singing since I was little, first in church and then chorus at school. Music is really important to me."
That Andy could relate to completely. But right now, she wasn't going to get distracted from what she really wanted to say, by going off on a tangent about her love of music. "I know the feeling. But uh...Sara? Have you ever thought about singing professionally?"
Sara looked a bit startled by this suggestion. "Actually, when I was little, I dreamed of singing. I wanted to be like the divas. I wanted to sing my heart out and have everyone listen to my voice and what I had to say. But now...I don't know. I don't think I could sing in front of all those people. Plus, I'm not sure that my voice is good enough. I don't know if I'd even make it..."
She paused a moment, but Andy didn't interrupt. She could tell there was more.
"I've always enjoyed doing two things more than anything else in the world. Singing and cooking. I've pursued cooking because it lets me stay behind the scenes. I love making people happy. I just don't think I could handle performing LIVE, under the watchful eyes of so many people. I get embarrassed really easily and I'd rather be observing others than be the
observed, you know what I mean?"
Andy nodded. "I know what you mean, Sara. I understand that you'd be nervous. But you have a really beautiful voice and I wouldn't let that stop you from pursuing your dream."
She gave Andy a warm smile. "Thanks, Andy. That really means a lot to me. I don't know. For the time being, I'll stick to cooking. But nothing's set in stone. Maybe I'll pursue singing sometime...if I can work up the nerve."
Andy accepted this answer with a nod. Her stomach grumbled loudly. "So...what is that delicious-smelling food you're cooking up over there?"
Sara laughed at that. "Hmmm...well, I'm making a lot of things. I wasn't sure what I was hungry for, so I made, um...well, everything. These are blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes. I also have scrambled eggs, eggs over easy, and of course toast and bagels with grape or strawberry jelly, butter, or cream cheese."
Andy's jaw dropped. Then she grinned evilly. "You're making all of that? I'm impressed, very. What do you say, I help you finish up and then we go drag Lizzy out of bed. It'll be fun..."
Sara giggled. "I'd hafta agree with you on that one. I'm just about finished here. Would you just hand me that platter over there? For the eggs. Then you can put those plates and napkins on the table. I'll just grab the utensils, and then we'll go have our fun."
Andy did as she was instructed and with a beautiful breakfast spread across the table on the deck, they set off to drag Lizzy from her bed. Sara indicated to Andy that they should jump on the bed. Andy nodded and held her fingers up in a countdown. 3...2...1... Both girls hopped up on either side of Lizzy and began jumping up and down.
"LIZZY! LIZZY! WAKE-UP, LIZZY! WAKE-UP!"
Lizzy groaned and then began swatting at her friends' legs. They dodged her swipes and began screaming louder and louder, until she sat up, cursing, and pushed both girls squarely to the floor.
She chuckled as they groaned. Andy sat up, rubbing her head. "Is that any way to thank us for making you breakfast? Maybe we won't share now. I can' t wait to eat those chocolate chip pancakes. Come on, Sara. Let's go eat."
Sara nodded and followed Andy out the door. Lizzy ran after the two girls.
"No! Wait! Share. Please?"
She was being ignored and beginning to beg and plead. Finally, Sara gave in a broke down in laughter. "We were gonna share anyways, Lizzy. It was just a way to get you out of bed, you idiot."
Lizzy muttered something about being abused and went to retrieve her robe. She rejoined the others, bringing a piece of paper along with her.
"Hey, Andy. I wrote this down for you last night after the two of you went to bed. It's a list of the daycares in the area. I wrote down the addresses and directions. I thought that maybe you could start your job hunt today, if you wanted. Or whenever..."
Andy smiled at her friend in shock. "Lizzy, that's so nice. You just saved me like an hour of work. Thanks, girl! You did something useful for once."
Astonishment crossed Lizzy's face. "That is the thanks I get for doing this for you? You insult me? Oh great, just great..."
Sara chuckled at her dramatic friend, and Andy grinned. "Liz, you know I was just teasing. You know I love you girl."
"Yeah I know. It's impossible not to love me."
The other two broke out in a fit of laughter. Sara snorted. "Oh yeah, Liz. That's it."
The three laughed together and then continued on with their breakfast in peace. Lizzy was determined to have a day of relaxation. Sara was determined to think about what pursuing a singing career would be like. And Andy...well, Andy was determined to move on with her life. To put her life with James in the back of her mind and throw her entire being into this new life. She'd move on right away, starting with a new job. She didn't know what else would happen, but she was ready for it.
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