I admitted.
"The steps. They're not for everyone. You use the donkey next time."
It really wasn't a suggestion. More like a demand.
Orange juice flowed into my cup.
A big bowl of thick yogurt, fresh berries, walnuts, and a honey drizzle was set down in front of me.
"Eat. Eat. More coming."
I very rarely needed to be told twice to enjoy my food. So I did. Every last bite of it.
Before I could even fully drop the spoon down, though, another dish was pushed in front of me.
"Eliopsomo," she told me. "Olive bread," she added.
It was topped with what looked to be a little cheese and one over-easy egg.
And, yes, I was going to eat every last bit of that as well.
But when I got to the last bite of that, Cora was already making her way back to me with yet another dish.
"Cora, really, I don't think I can do it. I am going to need a pair of Spanx after this."
"Spanx? What is this?"
"Spanx. Like control-top pantyhose. They suck all your fat in, so you don't pop out all over the place."
"Fat?" she scoffed, waving a dishrag in the air at me like it was the most ridiculous thing she'd ever heard. "Christopher, tell her she has no fat."
Surprised, I turned, finding him standing there in the doorway, watching me.
"You're not fat," he said very matter-of-factly as he moved inward, accepting the bowl of yogurt much like I had as Cora offered it.
"She's trying to fatten me up. Like a pig heading to market. This is my third course. At breakfast," I added, voice dropping low.
"Greek mothers, they like to cook," he said, shrugging.
"Yes. Yes. Because Greek men like to eat," Cora agreed, giving me a firm nod. Like this was information I needed to know. "Miss Miller. You must learn to make some good, Greek food while you are here, yes?"
"I, ah, I don't know how long I will be here, Cora, I told her, taking a bite of the salad she'd placed in front of me. Salad was a bit odd for breakfast, but it was likely the healthiest thing I had eaten in a week, so I figured my body would thank me for it.
"She should stay," Cora said, giving Christopher a firm look. "We never have guests. It is nice to have a woman in the house."
My gaze went to Christopher, finding him suitably bashful under this mother figure's firm gaze and barely-concealed plea for him to settle down and bring a woman into his house.
"He is rather old not to be married, right, Cora?" I asked, always enjoying piling on.
To that, one of those perfect brows of his lifted slowly. Whether he was amused or angry was anyone's guess.
"Yes. I have been saying this. It is time. Too much work. Not enough family," Cora agreed, pouring both of us small cups of strong coffee.
Christopher grabbed it, moving to stand, starting to walk away.
"Hey! How come you get to get away with only one course?" I asked, shooting small eyes at him as he turned back, lips curved up.
"Because I give Adonis a run for his money," he informed me. And, well, there was no arguing with that, was there? "Cora, you know... some of her ribs show," he told her in a grave voice, getting a look of outrage from Cora.
"You'll pay for that," I promised him, getting nothing but a smirk in return.
"I'll make a big lunch," Cora told me, nodding. "I will go to the market now. Then I will make a big lunch."
"A big lunch? Cora, it is already ten." There was no way I was going to be able to eat a big lunch in two hours. "I won't be hungry."
"You'll eat. You'll eat. Maybe, if you are not busy with Christopher, you help. I show you how to make good, Greek food. You and Christopher. Do you have plans?"
"We have a... call. But later. This evening, I think." I should have gotten a time from him. Though it wasn't like he wouldn't be able to find me when he needed to.
"Good. So you have time. We'll cook. You'll tell me about your life. Your family. Then you'll eat. I have to get going," she said, making her way toward the back door. "Finish," she added, giving me a firm look as I poked at my salad.
I contemplated hiding the rest of it under something in the garbage, but had this irrational feeling that she would know exactly what I was up to.
So