Free Expiration Dating by G.T. Marie Page B

housed a beaten up but nice looking piano; I made a mental note to test Andrew on his playing skills later.
                  “You can eat now,” he said carrying two steaming plates into the dining room.
                  “This looks delicious.” I started chowing down.
    Moments later, I wiped my face after licking the bowl clean. It was the first time I had looked up since digging in, and I realized I hadn’t said a word. Neither of us had. Andrew looked up as well, only a few bites left.
                  “That’s my style,” he said. “Eat first, talk later.”
    I nodde d and dumped myself on the couch, content not to move for the rest of the afternoon. I peered around the cushions and saw a wooden game lying on the table.
                  “No way do you have a cribbage board,” I called to Andrew who was dropping off the dishes in the kitchen.
                  “Yeah, do you play?” he asked.
                  “Do I play, is that even a question?” I shook my head.
                  “It’s on.” He challenged me with a stare as he poked his head out of the kitchen door, a towel hanging over his wrist.
                  I got the game set up, and Andrew soon joined me, carrying two cups of tea over to the table.
                  “Thanks. You read my mind,” I said, gratefully sipping the spicy chai. He nodded, already in game mode. We played an intense round of the Midwestern game, neck and neck the entire time. I lost on the last hand after spending most of the game significantly ahead. It was an unlikely come-back on his part.
                  “CHEATER. CHEATER. That’s not fair!” I stomped around the living room.
                  “Oh yeah, and how’d I cheat?” Andrew asked, laughing, thoroughly enjoying his victory. I heard the door open and took a few deep breaths to settle myself. Vince and Josh appeared, arguing about whether they should get a Gyro from the stand next door now , or if they should wait until dinner. Vince glanced up.
                  “Cribbage!” he squealed. “Ooh, my god, you guys remind me of home.”
                  Josh looked confused, “What, is this a drinking game?”
    The three of us stood motionless, staring at Josh. “What?”
                  “It’s a Minnesota thing,” Andrew said, as if explaining a concept to a toddler. “A game .”
                  I decided that now was as good a time as any to bid my farewells. Andrew walked me to the door and watched as I got into the rickety old lift. It was one of those elevators that looked like an above ground shark tank. There were no solid walls, only gated poles similar to a bird cage. Because of the open top, I could hear Andrew as I rode down.
                  “By the way, get a phone!” he shouted as I disappeared from sight. “Some people want to get a hold of you.”
    I thought about what he’d said as I descended. I remembered the Italian bartender who had given me his number. Yes, I should get a phone soon, I decided.
    I tried to find a store on my way home, but I ended up so hopelessly lost, I was lucky to even find my way to my apartment. Not to mention, I was already frustrated from my cribbage loss, resulting in an extraordinarily crabby girl arriving home two hours later.
                  “Hey!” Emilia greeted me, peach in hand as I walked in the door.
                  “Mmmrph,” I grumped, heading straight to my room. Emilia was not to be shaken.              
                  “How was lunch?” she asked, trying to look innocent. She couldn’t fool me.
                  “Fine,” I responded.
                  “And Andrew?”
                  “Fine.” I paused and realized she wasn’t going away. “There’s