Post by Kandice on Jan 19, 2005 0:09:43 GMT -5
Challenge #18 Response
I have to give Karlynne credit for this as she told me her dinner plans and her family’s reaction. My condolences to her family.
Tuna Noodle Surprise
Minerva walked briskly into her bedroom and sprawled across her bed. It was rare for her to behave this way but it was all she could do to keep from screaming. Tomorrow was her fiftieth wedding anniversary and Albus was sure to offer to cook for her.
Each year he made his one and only culinary masterpiece for her and each year she had to struggle to get it down. Tuna noodle surprise was the only dish he could cook and she abhorred it. Try as she might she could not stomach it again. Instead of a meal at home she would suggest dining out.
Albus sang as he entered Minerva’s rooms. His wife had suggested a quiet dinner in their room tonight instead of the Great Hall and he was thrilled. Tomorrow he would cook for her and then they would have a romantic evening alone. Fifty years was nothing t sneeze at and he had bought a wonderful ring to place on her finger as they reached this milestone.
“Minerva?” He usually found her waiting for him but he strode through the sitting room and study before finding her lying across the bed. For a moment he thought her unwell but she rolled over to face him and he could see no telltale signs of illness.
He kissed her softly and stretched out beside her. “Darling, I cannot believe how fast time has flown. Fifty years is quite a number.” He smiled and lifted her hand and kissed it. “I thought I would make us a wonderful meal and then perhaps offer dessert?”
The thought of the meal made her stomach sink but the offer of dessert had a pleasant ring to it. Albus’ desserts were rich and usually a prelude to an even richer treat.
“Albus, I’d rather not. Perhaps a meal out somewhere?”
Albus was certain he misheard her. He had cooked for her each year and although it wasn’t original, she seemed to enjoy it. His eyes narrowed as thoughts swirled in his head. Did she not enjoy the passionate hours in his arms? If she didn’t he was certainly fooled.
He nuzzled her neck and murmured softly, “I think I could cook up something that you would enjoy working off.”
Minerva was annoyed. She should have told him long ago that she hated tuna noodle surprise but it was too late now and would only serve to hurt his feelings. He would insist on cooking thinking it romantic and she refused to celebrate another anniversary trying not to gag.
“No, I think I would rather go out. We can return after eating.”
“My dear, I enjoy cooking for you,” he protested.
“Albus, it's my anniversary too. We do it your way every year. I think we can try mine this once.” She smiled sweetly at him but his eyes were missing their twinkle.
“Am I asking for too much?” His words were simple but his eyes held hers for a long moment.
“Yes, you are.” Minerva rose from the bed and left the room. She hated to hurt his feelings but the thought of years of tuna noodle surprise made her sick to her stomach. It was better to hurt a little now than a lot later and she had already waited too long. She would make it up to him tomorrow.
Albus was rooted to the same spot on the bed an hour later. He didn’t know if his heart was breaking but it seemed strangely numb. He thought Minerva was happy in their marriage but had she just told him she wasn’t? True, he had been taking her for granted. She wasn’t acknowledged as his wife and many times she had been left alone for days or weeks on end. Was his marriage ending?
Minerva waited at the table for several minutes for Albus to appear but the doorway remained vacant and even the lifting of the lids covering the plates allowing the aromas to waft through the house failed to bring Albus out of the bedroom. Had he fallen asleep?
She went into the bedroom and found him staring at a photo taken on the day of their wedding. He was fingering her face and a drop of water fell on the glass frame.
“Albus?”
He didn’t lift his head but he answered. “Yes, Minerva.”
“I’m sorry I hurt you. I should have told you sooner.” Minerva placed a hand on his shoulder. “Maybe if you broadened your scope of knowledge?”
Albus flinched at the blow. He thought he had satisfied her. Perhaps their age difference was too large after all.” You need more, I understand.”
“Well, a little variety couldn’t hurt.” She sat beside him on the bed.” You just need someone to teach you.”
The hurt in his eyes was so painful to see that Minerva felt tears well in her own. “Albus, we can do it together. It’s no big deal.”
“How long have you kept silent, Minerva?”
“Since the first time,” she said softly.
Albus hung his head. He was a failure as a lover. It was a huge blow for him. He had always enjoyed their lovemaking.
“Albus, it isn’t the end of the world. Many people don’t like it.”
Albus looked at her in shock. “You don’t like it at all? Nothing?”
Minerva shook her head. “I was faking. I didn’t want to ruin it for you.”
Albus put his head in his hands. “I can do better, Minerva.” He was ready to plead but she was already shaking her head.
“It isn’t just the tuna. I hate the surprise too.”
Confusion crossed his face. “What are you talking about?”
“Your tuna noodle surprise. What are you talking about?”
“I thought I couldn’t make you happy in…bed.” The last word was whispered painfully.
“Darling, you have taken me places I have never gone. I am extremely satisfied. I was speaking of your cooking. I have never liked tuna noodle surprise and the thought of having to eat it again made me less than willing to eat at home.”
Albus’ heart lifted as she explained and she fell back onto the bed as he engulfed her in a large hug. “I promise to never cook it again.” He raised his hand to emphasize his sincerity and smiled widely. “I think I can manage a meal in Hogsmeade. Maybe a little Italian or would you rather French cuisine?”
He helped her to her feet and began discussing appetizers as they sat down to their dinner.
Tuna noodle surprise was never served again.
If anyone would like the recipe PM Karlie and she will send it to you.
I have to give Karlynne credit for this as she told me her dinner plans and her family’s reaction. My condolences to her family.
Tuna Noodle Surprise
Minerva walked briskly into her bedroom and sprawled across her bed. It was rare for her to behave this way but it was all she could do to keep from screaming. Tomorrow was her fiftieth wedding anniversary and Albus was sure to offer to cook for her.
Each year he made his one and only culinary masterpiece for her and each year she had to struggle to get it down. Tuna noodle surprise was the only dish he could cook and she abhorred it. Try as she might she could not stomach it again. Instead of a meal at home she would suggest dining out.
Albus sang as he entered Minerva’s rooms. His wife had suggested a quiet dinner in their room tonight instead of the Great Hall and he was thrilled. Tomorrow he would cook for her and then they would have a romantic evening alone. Fifty years was nothing t sneeze at and he had bought a wonderful ring to place on her finger as they reached this milestone.
“Minerva?” He usually found her waiting for him but he strode through the sitting room and study before finding her lying across the bed. For a moment he thought her unwell but she rolled over to face him and he could see no telltale signs of illness.
He kissed her softly and stretched out beside her. “Darling, I cannot believe how fast time has flown. Fifty years is quite a number.” He smiled and lifted her hand and kissed it. “I thought I would make us a wonderful meal and then perhaps offer dessert?”
The thought of the meal made her stomach sink but the offer of dessert had a pleasant ring to it. Albus’ desserts were rich and usually a prelude to an even richer treat.
“Albus, I’d rather not. Perhaps a meal out somewhere?”
Albus was certain he misheard her. He had cooked for her each year and although it wasn’t original, she seemed to enjoy it. His eyes narrowed as thoughts swirled in his head. Did she not enjoy the passionate hours in his arms? If she didn’t he was certainly fooled.
He nuzzled her neck and murmured softly, “I think I could cook up something that you would enjoy working off.”
Minerva was annoyed. She should have told him long ago that she hated tuna noodle surprise but it was too late now and would only serve to hurt his feelings. He would insist on cooking thinking it romantic and she refused to celebrate another anniversary trying not to gag.
“No, I think I would rather go out. We can return after eating.”
“My dear, I enjoy cooking for you,” he protested.
“Albus, it's my anniversary too. We do it your way every year. I think we can try mine this once.” She smiled sweetly at him but his eyes were missing their twinkle.
“Am I asking for too much?” His words were simple but his eyes held hers for a long moment.
“Yes, you are.” Minerva rose from the bed and left the room. She hated to hurt his feelings but the thought of years of tuna noodle surprise made her sick to her stomach. It was better to hurt a little now than a lot later and she had already waited too long. She would make it up to him tomorrow.
Albus was rooted to the same spot on the bed an hour later. He didn’t know if his heart was breaking but it seemed strangely numb. He thought Minerva was happy in their marriage but had she just told him she wasn’t? True, he had been taking her for granted. She wasn’t acknowledged as his wife and many times she had been left alone for days or weeks on end. Was his marriage ending?
Minerva waited at the table for several minutes for Albus to appear but the doorway remained vacant and even the lifting of the lids covering the plates allowing the aromas to waft through the house failed to bring Albus out of the bedroom. Had he fallen asleep?
She went into the bedroom and found him staring at a photo taken on the day of their wedding. He was fingering her face and a drop of water fell on the glass frame.
“Albus?”
He didn’t lift his head but he answered. “Yes, Minerva.”
“I’m sorry I hurt you. I should have told you sooner.” Minerva placed a hand on his shoulder. “Maybe if you broadened your scope of knowledge?”
Albus flinched at the blow. He thought he had satisfied her. Perhaps their age difference was too large after all.” You need more, I understand.”
“Well, a little variety couldn’t hurt.” She sat beside him on the bed.” You just need someone to teach you.”
The hurt in his eyes was so painful to see that Minerva felt tears well in her own. “Albus, we can do it together. It’s no big deal.”
“How long have you kept silent, Minerva?”
“Since the first time,” she said softly.
Albus hung his head. He was a failure as a lover. It was a huge blow for him. He had always enjoyed their lovemaking.
“Albus, it isn’t the end of the world. Many people don’t like it.”
Albus looked at her in shock. “You don’t like it at all? Nothing?”
Minerva shook her head. “I was faking. I didn’t want to ruin it for you.”
Albus put his head in his hands. “I can do better, Minerva.” He was ready to plead but she was already shaking her head.
“It isn’t just the tuna. I hate the surprise too.”
Confusion crossed his face. “What are you talking about?”
“Your tuna noodle surprise. What are you talking about?”
“I thought I couldn’t make you happy in…bed.” The last word was whispered painfully.
“Darling, you have taken me places I have never gone. I am extremely satisfied. I was speaking of your cooking. I have never liked tuna noodle surprise and the thought of having to eat it again made me less than willing to eat at home.”
Albus’ heart lifted as she explained and she fell back onto the bed as he engulfed her in a large hug. “I promise to never cook it again.” He raised his hand to emphasize his sincerity and smiled widely. “I think I can manage a meal in Hogsmeade. Maybe a little Italian or would you rather French cuisine?”
He helped her to her feet and began discussing appetizers as they sat down to their dinner.
Tuna noodle surprise was never served again.
If anyone would like the recipe PM Karlie and she will send it to you.
But I have to admit that I'm on Minerva's side on this one...can't stand the thought of Tuna Noodle Surprise! 
Excellent response to the challenge!
)
