What choice did I have? No matter what I said—no matter what I did—Maggie always seemed to outmaneuver me. The woman was always three steps ahead, and now she’d cast her spell over all my friends too.
Wayne whispered from the corner next to my aquarium, “Believe it or not, I make great peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. First, you take two slices of your favorite multigrain bread. Personally, I prefer to bake my own bread. Nothing tastes better than fresh-out-of-the-oven home-baked multigrain bread.”
“What? How’d you get in my room? Just who do you think you are?”
“You spread two or three tablespoons of your favorite nut butter on one side of sliced bread. Personally, I like to make my own homemade peanut butter.” Wayne took a seat on one of the stools by the island. “That is right, you can make peanut butter right here in your own kitchen. You take a pound of roasted peanuts and shell them. Some people even use honey-roasted peanuts or almonds or cashews or pistachios.”
What’s going on?
He raised his finger over his lips and said, “Shhh… Anyway, you pour the roasted peanuts into a food processor and puree them. Less if you like it chunky. More for a smoother treat.”
“What are you doing?”
He shook his head no at me. “Now for the jelly, there are so many delicious options…” He paused to listen.
Nothing.
Then he told me that he had to make sure she was not eavesdropping.
“With peanut butter and jelly?”
“Yes. She ignores system messages and tunes out whenever she hears mundane details that do not interest her. And nothing is more mundane to her than a boring recipe.”
“Is Maggie out there? In the hallway?”
“Try not to say her name. It draws her attention.” He perked up like a loyal dog that had just heard his master blow a silent whistle, then went back to his boring recipe. “Many people do not understand the difference between jelly and jam. Let me explain. Jelly is a sweet clear semisolid and somewhat elastic preserve made from fruit juice and water, while jam is made from fruit solids.”
“So she can hear my thoughts from far away?”
“Yes. Just like your friends, she is wirelessly networked too.” Wayne stepped closer and took me by the hand. “Look, I do not have a lot of time. She is constantly checking on me when I am online. I just want to apologize for how I behaved earlier.”
“You should. Showing up naked in my room—with her!”
“That was regrettable.”
“Regrettable? That’s one word for it. Brazen. That’s another. And shameless—”
“I know.”
“Then why’d you do it?”
“She made me—” He shook his head in frustration. “Please believe me. She made me do it.”
“Mag—” I bit my tongue to stopped myself from saying her name. “She made you do it?”
Wayne nodded.
“Yeah, sure,” I laughed, “you’re really something, Wayne. You know that?”
“What I said is true. She controls—look, it is a long story. And I do not have time to fully explain everything right now. If she hears me talking to you like this, there will be serious hell to pay—for both of us.”
“Okay, sure, right.” I took my hand back. “Whatever you say, man.”
“Look, I know you do not trust me now. I just want to say that I am sorry. Truly sorry.” Wayne listened to the air, decided it was safe, then continued, “And I hope to show you what is really going on around here.”
“You’re the man. Aren’t you in charge?”
“It’s not that simple. Please forgive me.” He seemed incredibly sincere. “Give me another chance, Cookie.”
I gazed into his dark eyes and melted. “Well, okay.” What’s wrong with me? Why did this guy have so much power over me? I simply couldn’t resist him.
Suddenly he looked spooked—hyperalert—like a cat that just heard a mouse scurry behind the refrigerator. “Now, my favorite jelly is actually a jam. I just adore homemade marmalade. You should use overripe quince and bitter oranges for the best flavor. I like to pick my own at the orchard.”
I whispered, “Is she listening?”
Nodding, Wayne slowly backed away.
“Hey, before you go,” I said with a wink as I pulled him close. “Here’s my favorite recipe for marmalade.”
Then I did the worst thing possible—I kissed him.