I know that smell anywhere. It's Gabby's famous spaghetti dinner. By famous, I mean only me and her know about it and by spaghetti, I really mean her vegan inspired tomato infused "cheesy" concoction. I don't know what the cheese is made of and frankly, I don't want to know. As long as it tastes like the real deal, then I'm down for the ride. I walked over to what I like to refer to as my "hair lab" and grabbed my favorite wide tooth comb from the pull-out bin and began to meticulously detangle and coif my baby afro. Smiling in the mirror, I thought to myself, my hair has never been this easy to manage. I guess it's true what they say, if you treat your hair well it will return the favor.

After completing the last finishing touches to my hair, I bound out my bedroom door and headed towards the kitchen. I'm starving and I haven't eaten since God knows when. I've been so busy trying to get everything in order for the new semester that I haven't been eating much at all. Gabs, on the other hand, has been as cheery and upbeat as always. She never lets anything get to her. I have to admit, I am a little jealous of her constant positive energy; it's unreal. "Toooooor! You gotta try my famous Amos spa..ghe...taay" She sang in a high pitched cheerful voice. "I'm glad you're finally up. You want me to grab you a plate?" She asked as she walked towards the stack of china in the upper cabinet. "Yes, I am starving!" I replied back. "Great cuz so am I, and I made plenty. It's hot and ready!" She yelled out as she handed me a hearty serving across the marble bar that separated the kitchen area from the living room. I grabbed the plate from her hands, snatched the stool from its place underneath the bar and started to dig in. In between chewing sessions, I would look up periodically to see Gabby briefly observing me while quietly laughing to herself from the kitchen. But I was too hungry to care. I kept eating until every bite was gone. Then I used the last remaining piece of garlic bread on my plate to scrape up the remnants of leftover sauce. Full and satisfied, I climbed off my stool, walked to the kitchen, dropped my plate in the sink and sauntered over to the living room couch where I plopped down, closed my eyes and relished in my current happiness. Now sitting at the bar and enjoying her meal, Gabby turns towards me and says with a grin on her face " Tor, I know my spaghetti is famous around these parts, but I have never seen you scarf down a plate like that before, and I've known you my whole life. Especially not a plate that size. I gave you about twice as much spaghetti as usual." She continued. "I noticed that you haven't been eating much. I was starting to get a little worried about you but watching you practically swallow two servings in one sitting, I now have renewed faith that you're back to the old Tor again." Smiling, I looked over at her and said. "Oh. yea. I was just stressed out about getting all of our arrangements ready here, making sure that my work schedule aligned with my new class schedule and now my boss is giving me more hell." I said exhaustedly. " Gabby quickly replied, "That's understandable." She grabbed her empty plate, tossed it in the kitchen sink and walked over to the empty spot on the couch next to me and sat down. "Yep." She continued. "That is completely understandable. But I don't know why you just won't try to apply at my job. We have openings. Matter of fact, that girl I told you about last week. The one that was always trying to flirt with the manager for more time off..she just got fired! So that leaves a spot open for you." I thought to myself. She was right. I hated my job working for the bank. The days were long, the work was mundane and the boss was demanding, but I was afraid of change. I've been working there for two years. It was my very first job. With no experience, I was lucky enough to get it and honestly, I felt a sense of obligation to stay there no matter how much I hated it. Gabby's job was so laid back and relaxing. I've visited the shop once before she started working there. When you first walk in you're greeted by the strong aromatic scent of lavender, rosemary and a tiny hint of lemon. No lie, it felt like you were walking into a paradise with intermingling scents that seem to transform the worst of moods completely. Her job wasn't too hard. She was front desk receptionist. Her job was to answer calls, set appointments, and be a constant ray of sunshine that shines brightly throughout the place. Now that I think about it, I believe that my hesitation in taking her up on her offer lies more with the expectations than it does with my fear of change. "Well?" She asked as she glared at me expectantly with her emerald colored eyes. "You want me to talk to my boss about it?" She asked. "Yes... I mean no....I mean...I don't know yet. Let me just wait it out." I replied. She glared at me with her big round eyes and said: "What is there to wait out Tor?" She exclaimed. I could sense by her tone that she was starting to get a little angry and annoyed. Which are emotions that I rarely ever witness coming from her. "I just don't know if that place is right for me Gab." I answered back. "For one, I'm not like you. I'm, not the upbeat always happy go lucky person that you are. I don't think your manager would consider me for the job...and to be truly honest with you....there are other reasons why I'm not comfortable with the idea of working there." I proclaimed. "Well, why not? It's a great place to work Tor. My work environment does make it easy for me to be this happy" She happily exclaimed. "You know what? Let's talk about it over some ice cream. Let's go to the store. Pick up some ice cream come back. Make giant ass sundaes and talk this thing out the proper way...over ice cream." Without waiting for a reply she grabbed my hand, yanked me from the couch tossed me the car keys from the key bowl on the end table. As I smiled to myself thought.There's one thing that I loved more than Gab's spaghetti, and that is Ice cream.

I laughed and said, "I may not ever leave that hell whole, but there's no reason why we can't discuss things over a bowl of ice cream". "Yea....we'll see about that", she said arrogantly as she locked the apartment door behind us.