"Alright then." Sean took back his phone, ready to place the order. "I’ll get this one."
"I’m heading to the kitchen," Renee said, tying her hair into a ponytail as she walked over. "Michelle, I’m here!"
Michelle Fuller was standing in the kitchen, fully geared up. Two chefs flanked her like guardian deities, each holding a pot lid.
"What’s all this?" Renee asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Renee, you’re here! Has Summer arrived yet?" Michelle was wearing an oil-splatter face shield, sleeve protectors, gloves, and an apron.
"Summer’s not here yet," Renee said. "What’s going on with you?"
Michelle stirred the contents of the wok with a spatula. "Renee, I’m cooking!"
Renee nodded. "Do you need my help?"
"No, no," Michelle chuckled. "Your only job today is to eat."
The chef on the left glanced at the steaming wok and advised, "Young Miss, you can turn off the heat now."
"Oh! Okay!" Michelle quickly dropped the spatula to turn off the heat.
"Michelle, how many dishes have you made?" Renee asked.
Michelle announced, "This is the second dish. Shrimp and scrambled eggs, coming out!"
The two chefs held the wok steady for her so she could scoop the shrimp and eggs onto a plate.
Renee was speechless.
She pressed her lips together, hesitating. "Michelle, maybe..."
"Renee, the cooking fumes are really thick in here. You should go wait outside," Michelle urged.
"Okay." Renee walked out of the kitchen. From a distance, she saw Sean chatting with Sylvia Brooks in the living room. "Summer, you’re here!"
"Renee!" Summer’s smile instantly brightened. "Is Michelle in the kitchen?"
"She is." Renee nodded. "And just watching her is making me nervous."
Summer smiled, raising an eyebrow. "Why’s that?"
"Go take a look and you’ll see."
"Now you’ve made me curious." Summer headed toward the kitchen.
Sean suppressed a smile. "Last time my sister cooked, she nearly blew up the kitchen. Uncle Archer and Uncle Lee were scared to death."
Renee readily agreed. "Every time Michelle enters the kitchen, it takes a huge toll on Uncle Archer and Uncle Lee."
"That’s why I’ve decided to give Uncle Archer and Uncle Lee the day off tomorrow," Sean said. "They need time to recover."
"Oh, they definitely need it."
Summer came out of the kitchen, grinning from ear to ear. "I can’t believe it. Michelle’s cooking is even worse than mine."