Chances

8.3 Mae West

Autumn 1996, Schnautz residence

"I'll get the door!", Mae heard a girl's voice from inside, when she waited to be asked inside.

She was excited to finally meet Herbert's daughter. After he had told her about Mariella, he had talked so much about her.

"Hi!", Mae said cheerfully, when she entered. The girl looked cute.

"You must be Mae?", she said, trying to hide her curiosity.

She led her to a small table next to the entry. Mae felt the girl inspecting her.

"You're pretty. How come you date my dad?", she finally said with disbelief.

Mae had to laugh.

"He's quite funny, you know", she answered the question.

"...I guess you can say so", Mariella said, still not convinced.

"Hello, Mae!", Herbert just appeared from the back of the house.

Mae got up and started to prepare the food. Her plan was to bribe Herbert's daughter on their first meeting with an awesome meal that so far everyone had liked.

"How did you manage to get a pretty girlfriend like that?", she heard Mariella going on, this time towards her father.

"Mariella! Don't embarass me!", he said, startled as usual.

Mae had to chuckle. She liked the girl.

"What are you cooking there?"

At first Mae didn't notice Mariella approaching her.

"Spaghetti with Meatballs", she answered, smiling towards her.

"What are you putting there now?", Mariella continued to ask. She seemed to be quite curious.

"This is fresh oregano. It gives a nice smell", Mae explained.

"...I don't know that."

The girl watched her carefully.

"Marie, don't bug her", Herbert said from the back. "Come, set the table."

She made a discontent noise, but followed her father's request.

"That food looks complicated!", she kept talking to Mae.

"It's actually quite simple. Want me to show you one day, how to make it?"

"Oh, sure!", Mariella beamed.

When the pasta was boiled, Mae split some portions in three plates.

"It smells great!", Herbert declared.

"Bon appétit!", Mae said, proud of her creation today.

The two in front of her looked confused, as if they didn't understand.

She chuckled, "...Just dig in."

Mariella started immediately. "Yum! This is good!"

She looked delighted.

"Great! I'm glad you like it!", Mae said. Only now she felt that she actually had been nervous.

"I ate meatballs once at Fernandez'..." Mariella started to chatter with a full mouth.

"That's my best friend, by the way, but they were different."

"Those are a typical Italian homestyle food, and most families have their own recipes", Mae explained.

"Really?!", Mariella was impressed. "So there are like a million different meatballs recipes?"

She shoved another overloaded spoon into her still full mouth.

Mae had to laugh. "Well... maybe something like that", she said.

The girl was too cute.

"Oh, I almost forgot but I have to go to my friends now. Bye Mae!", she already wanted to jump up.

"You finished quite fast!", Mae laughed.

"Marie, where are your manners?", Herbert asked with a mildly scorning voice.

"Uhm, thank you for the food!", she said.

"You're welcome!", Mae smiled at her.

"Don't forget to be back by 9!", Herbert added.

"Yeah, I know..."

Then she left.