(William's pow)
When I opened my eyes in the morning, my room was already filled with sunlight. I lay there staring at the ceiling for a few seconds. Bird sounds were coming from outside, and the light wind coming in through the open window was gently swaying the curtains.
I thought about last night. It wasn't what I expected.I neither woke up with fear nor tried to sleep by staring at the ceiling for hours.For the first time in a long time, I felt truly rested.I took a deep breath and got up from my bed;"I didn't have a nightmare"
I stand and I opened the curtains completely,the sun illuminated every corner of the room. The sky was deep blue. Today Jasmine is closer shop because we finish our jobs early today.
I didn't want to sit inside the house in such beautiful weather. I washed my face in the bathroom and went to the kitchen.
While I was turning on the coffee machine, everything I experienced yesterday started to come to my mind, one by one.
Going to Fenrir's house in the morning...Leon introducing me to his mother...The spices they gave me...The stew I prepared...The meals I distributed to everyone in the evening...The meat cooked on the wood fire that Fenrir gave me... When I thought of these, I unconsciously smiled.
I remembered the first day I came here.I felt like a complete stranger.I didn't know anyone. Everyone was a stranger to me. But in just a few days, things started to change. My uncle, George, Eric, Leon, Jasmine... and Fenrir. They all helped me in some way. When my coffee was ready,I took my mug and went out to the porch.
I sat on the wooden chair.While the coolness of the morning was touching my skin,the flowers in the garden were swaying in the light wind and rooster calls could be heard from afar.I took a small sip of my coffee."They really helped me a lot…"I mumbled.
As I thought about this, I felt a slight sense of guilt. Everyone had done me a favor since the day I came here, but I was content with just thanking them. I sat silently for a while. Then suddenly an idea came to my mind. Why didn't I just put it all together?
As soon as the thought settled in my mind, I started to get excited. Today was Sunday. It was most people's day off. The weather was perfect for a barbecue too. Everyone was tired the last few days. Especially on a full moon night Then... Maybe it would be good for all of us to have a good time together.
When I caught myself in this thought, I smiled involuntarily. "Yes..." I said to myself. "I'm going to have a barbecue party." I immediately took my phone and called my uncle first.
The phone answered on the second ring. "Good morning William." he said in his usual cheerful voice. "Good morning, uncle." I said. "I came up with an idea.I want to have a small barbecue in the garden of my house this evening. I want to invite everyone who has helped me since I came here.You, George,Eric,Jasmine and everyone!..."
My uncle laughed lightly. "Great idea. I'm sure everyone will be delighted." I smiled too. "I hope." My uncle continued without thinking. "Don't worry about the meat busines,I will hande it."
I sat up in surprise. "Really? You didn't have to,I can do it" my uncle smile;"Of course,I can do it no worry." he said, laughing. When I heard this,the excitement inside me increased even more. "Then I'll prepare the salads, side dishes and desserts."
When I hung up the phone, I had an involuntary smile on my face. It was the first time in a long time that I felt this excited about a day. Maybe it really was... This town no longer seemed foreign to me...
After hanging up the phone, I drank the last sip of my coffee and decided to start preparations without wasting time.When I realized that the garden was not tidy enough for barbecue, I started working there.
I collected dry branches from the garden, trimmed the grass a little, moved the old wooden table to the front of the veranda and took out the folding chairs that were in storage. Then I cleaned the barbecue in the corner of the garden that I hadn't used it before.
I was smiling involuntarily as I emptied the ashes and brushed the wire thoroughly.I was really looking forward to this.I had finished half of the preparations when my phone rang. The caller was Jasmine. "Good morning William." he said cheerfully. "Your uncle called. I received an invitation for tonight."
William sigh"So that's how fast the news spread,". Jasmine laughed;"This is a small town. Even someone sneezing can be heard by everyone within half an hour."
I laughed too;"You may be right." Jasmine was silent for a few seconds, then asked, "Do you need help?" he asked. "There is a lot of work to do." I shook my head,then realized he couldn't see it and said, "Actually, it wouldn't be bad,I'm not very creative with salads" I said Without thinking.
Jasmine said;"Okay. I'll be back with Eric soon.We'll bring the vegetables too." I thanked him and hung up the phone.
About forty minutes later, the sound of a familiar truck was heard in front of the garden. When I opened the door, Jasmine was unloading crates of vegetables while Eric was carrying two large bags from the back.
He grinned as soon as he saw me. "Barbecue, huh? It's only been a few weeks since you've been here, you're already clearing up the town."
I laughed and shook my head; "I just wanted to say thank you." Eric tapped me on the shoulder; "That's why we love you." This remark made me a little embarrassed.
Jasmine rolled up her sleeves as soon as she entered the kitchen. "Okay guys, no standing idle." he said. "William, you wash the tomatoes. Eric, chop up that lettuce."
Eric grimaced. "When I cut it, it's always crooked." Jasmine never lost her composure. "Then you'll learn how to chop properly" Eric sighed and took the knife.I found myself laughing involuntarily as I watched them bicker.
The house suddenly lost its silence.On the one hand, vegetables were being chopped, on the other hand, Eric was constantly complaining, and Jasmine was patiently correcting him.
About half an hour later, the doorbell rang again. When I opened the door, Leon was smiling with a large box in his hand;"Good morning".
Leon say;"My mother did not listen to you." I looked at the box in surprise. "What is this?" Leon laughed lightly. "Potato salad, fresh bread, a few kinds of sauces and..." He opened the lid of the box a little. "...the apple pie my mother made."
I laughed involuntarily. "Did she prepare all of these?" Leon shrugged. "She couldn't stay idle when you were cooking." Just then, Jasmine's voice came from inside. "Leon! Come in." When Leon took off his shoes and entered the kitchen, the atmosphere became even more lively.
He and Jasmine greeted each other like old friends.Eric showed the knife in his hand and said with a dramatic expression;"They made me a kitchen slave."
Leon laughed. "Come,let me help you." Without wasting any time, he put on the apron and went to the counter.In a few minutes, the kitchen turned into a professional kitchen.Leon was chopping the vegetables incredibly fast, preparing the sauce at the same time, while asking Eric which one He said he would hand over the ingredients.
However, the smile on his face never faded. "Can you pass me those lemons?" My hand slipped as he was about to drop the lemons. "Careful," he said with a smile. I sigh;"I think I'm a bit clumsy in the kitchen.
Leon nod;" We do it together then."He was acting completely naturally when he said this. There was no different meaning in his voice or his actions. He just wanted to help. But just then, a heavy engine sound was heard from outside.
I was leaving the salad bowl in my hand on the table when I heard the doorbell. Smiling, "I think my uncle has arrived." I said.
Since I thought uncle Arthur would bring the meat, I headed to the door without hesitation. As soon as I opened the door, I stayed where I was. Standing in front of me was Fenrir, not uncle Arthur.
He wore a dark shirt over his black T-shirt, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He had a large metal cooler box in one hand and a thick sack full of coal and wood in the other. His messy and wet hair was moving with the light wind, and his usual calm but distant expression was not missing from his face.
We looked at each other for a few seconds.I think my surprise must have been reflected on my face.Fenrir raised his eyebrow slightly;"Aren't you going to invite me in?"
I was startled by his words. "Um... I... I thought my uncle was hande the meat."I said with an embarrassed expression. Fenrir let out a short breath
;"Arthur called me in the mornig.He wanted me to bring the meat."
My eyes widened involuntarily. "Really?" He nod slightly;"He said he trusted me with the barbecue."A slight smile escaped my lips;"So he wanted you hande it."
Fenrir did not answer. He just lifted the heavy box in his hand a little higher;"These are not light enough to be handheld for long periods of time."
I immediately stepped aside, embarrassed;"I'm sorry, please come in." Fenrir nodded silently and walked towards the garden. What caught my attention was that he carried the box as easily as if it were empty.
Even I had difficulty removing the lid.Just then, Leon's cheerful voice was heard from the kitchen;"William, where are the lemons,we need more?" A few seconds later, Leon also went out into the garden. When he saw Fenrir, he raised his hand with a warm smile. "Hello, Fenrir."
Fenrir responded with a curt nod,There was no hostility between them. They both treated each other very respectfully.Leon immediately looked at the large box Fenrir brought;"Did you bring all these?"Fenrir nod;"Yes." Leon smile;"They look great".
Leon cheerfully;"We will all have a good meal today." Fenrir only replied;"I hope too." When I opened the lid of the cooler box, I was involuntarily amazed. Inside were carefully prepared meats of beef, deer and wild boar.
Some of them had already been marinated. On the side, there were pieces ready to be strung on large skewers"Did you prepare all of these?"I asked in surprise. Fenrir knelt down next to the box. "Last night." he said shortly. "Marinate. They were supposed to be."
I couldn't take my eyes off him. Last night,I chose make barbeque this morning so this must be for himself... So he had prepared all these for himself but take them for me. A warm feeling came over me. "Fenrir..." I said softly. "Thank you very much indeed"
He shrugged as usual;"No problem." Leon knelt down and looked at the meat carefully. "The smell of spices is wonderful"he said with admiration.Leon say"What mixture did you prepare these with?" Fenrir paused for a moment and answer"Thyme, rosemary, garlic..."Then he added;"Some. And smoked paprika."
Leon's eyes lit up;"I also prepared some special sauces. They will be very good together." Fenrir looked at Leon's face a little longer for the first time; "Probably," he said in a calm voice.
Leon smiled;"Then we are teammates today." Fenrir did not answer, but did not object either. Just then, Jasmine came out into the garden with a large salad bowl in her hand;"Oh, the meats have arrived"she said with satisfaction.
Eric then reached out and looked inside the box;"I think I've come to heaven." Everyone laughed involuntarily. While I was smiling too,he glanced out of the corner of his eye for a moment.I looked at Fenrir.
He had quietly started placing the coals and wood. He had obviously done this hundreds of times, Leon aşk friendly;"Should I light the fire?".Fenrir mod"I'll handle it."
I'll go for finish the salads.Leon look Fenrir;"Let me know when the fire is ready, we will cook the meat together." Fenrir was silent for a short while, then said only one word;"It's okay."
I was smiling unconsciously while watching them.preparing food together in the same garden. There was a strange but peaceful warmth inside me. What I didn't realize at that moment was that Fenrir would raise his head silently from time to time and look at Leon,one who was talking to me in front of the kitchen, and then, without saying anything, he tended to the barbecue again.
Nobody noticed this.Not even me...However,these silent looks were much bigger in the future. It was starting to become a harbinger of emotions.
While Fenrir continued to take care of the barbecue,I started to prepare the table. Leon was helping Jasmine in the kitchen, and Eric was grumbling while arranging the chairs;""Why do people want so many chairs to sit on? Can't we just eat standing up?"Without looking up.
Jasmine said;"Because normal people sit while eating.Stop make causes for run from work" Eric sighed;"Fine!"Leon laughed lightly.
Jasmine rolls her eyes and say;"Stop complaining and get that table."Eric shrugged and helped William for move the table.The garden was slowly turning into a real picnic area.
The large wooden table was starting to fill with colorful salads,sauces and bread baskets.We hung some small lanterns on the edge of the porch.Even though the sun had not yet completely set, the coolness of the evening was slowly being felt.
Just then, a car stopped in front of the garden gate.When I opened the door, the first people to arrive were my uncle Arthur and George.Uncle arthur was carrying a large case of drinks, while George was arriving with two large boxes of desserts.
Uncle Arthur smiled when he saw me;"Does the owner greet us at the door?" I laughed and went to them. "Welcome." Uncle Arthur hug me and say"This garden is very beautiful."
George looked around and nodded in satisfaction;"It's even better than I expected."Just then Fenrir looked up from the brazier.Uncle Arthur raised his hand in greeting;"Fenrir." Fenrir responded with a curt nod;"Arthur."
George smiled and said;"The smell of the meat is already reaching here."he said. Fenrir simply said;"I haven't started yet."
Arthur laughed;"So something better is coming."meanwhile Eric came running and looked at the boxes in George's hand; "Did you bring dessert?" George lifted one of the boxes slightly;"Homemade cheesecake."
Eric's eyes lit up;"You are the most valuable person in this town."Arthur shook his head as George laughed. "This kid really only thinks about food." We all laughed.
Soon the garden gate opened again Jasmine smiled when she looked back;"The neighbors started coming too."Sure enough,a few neighbors I had invited were entering the garden with small plates and drinks in their hands.
Old Mr. and Mrs. Collins had brought home-made jam.Leon's mother come with a warmı smile,Old Aunt Martha, who lived next door, had prepared a large potato salad. "It would be a shame to come empty-handed." She left it on the table shyly.
Then came the young couple Daniel and Nora.There were two little children with them. As soon as the children entered the garden, they started running on the grass.George laugh;"Now it's a real barbecue".
The garden was soon filled with laughter. People were chatting with each other, children were playing, and the smell of food coming from the kitchen made everyone hungry. While I was handing out drinks to the guests with glasses in my hand, Leon came to me silently. "Look." he said, smiling slightly. "Everyone is really happy." I looked around.
Leon was right. Just a few days ago I didn't know most of these people. Now they were all chatting in my garden, laughing and acting as if they had known each other for years. There was a warm feeling inside me that I can't describe. "Seeing this..." I said slowly. "...very good."
Leon turned to me and looked at me with a genuine smile;"This is because of you,William"I quickly shook my head;"No. Everyone is very nice people anyway."
Leon laughed lightly;"True. But you were the one who brought them together at the same table."I didn't know what to say to these words.Just then,Leon noticed the heavy drink case in my hand.
Without thinking,he reached out and took the box from me;"I'll carry this." he said with a natural expression and add;"You take care of your guests."While I was thanking him,I involuntarily walked behind him.
(Writer...)
At that moment,Fenrir, who was at the barbecue,looked up for a moment.Her eyes silently watched as Leon took the box from William and we walked together to the porch.
He gripped the tongs in his hand a little tighter. His facial expression did not change.No one could tell he was feeling anything.However, it turns the wood in the barbecue a little harder than necessary, betraying the uneasiness within him.
Arthur noticed this small detail from afar.He gently touched George's elbow and nodded at Fenrir. After George looked, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.Neither of them said anything.Because they didn't need to say it.They were already starting to feel like this evening wasn't just going to be about a nice barbecue..
(William's Pow)
After carefully placing the salad bowl in his hand on the long table,Leon turned to me and said with his usual warm smile; "I think everything is ready".So I took a look around.
The garden no longer had any trace of its quiet state in the morning.Children were running on the grass,neighbors were chatting among themselves, and the smell of wood rising from the barbecue surrounded the entire garden.
Jasmine was arranging the drinks with a few women,and Eric was already laughing with a few people.Just then,Uncle Arthur came to me and tapped me on the shoulder;"It wasn't bad, William. "
Uncle Arthur said proudly; "You've got half the town." I laughed and shrugged. "Everyone helped me. I wanted to say thank you too."
My uncle nodded and returned to George but before he left he leaned down to my ear and said in a low voice;"You'll thank me when you taste the meat Fenrir brought." he whispered.
Before I could fully understand what he meant, my eyes involuntarily drifted to Fenrir at the barbecue. He was standing silently in front of the large iron grill,turning the meat with great skill.
Because of the smoke,Fenrir's face would disappear from time to time, then reappear. He didn't talk, but everyone was asking him when it would be cooked. He also guided everyone with short answers.
The interesting thing was that no one was bothered by his silence.On the contrary, everyone found it very natural. Just then, Leon touched my arm lightly. "William." I turned my head to him. "Can you help me?"
I nod;"Of course."We moved to the other side of the table together.Leon laughed lightly as he placed the large plates away; "I didn't expect so many people to come." I smiled too;"Me too." We worked in silence for a few seconds.
Then Leon turned to me and said in a low voice, "But it was nice.I love it when people come together like this." I nodded. "Me too." I really loved it.
For the first time in a long time, I didn't feel alone. Leon looked at me as he placed the bread basket on the table. "You were so nervous the first day you came here...and now you're the one who prepares meals for everyone.I laughed involuntarily
;"I think I'm getting used to it." Leon's eyes softened;"I think so too. Besides..." He continued after a short pause;"And that small town has gotten used to you."
These words created a warm feeling inside me. I just smiled because I didn't know what to say. At that moment, Eric shouted from a distance; "Hey! Are you two going to do all the work yourself?"
Leon laughed;"No, but I don't think you will work either." Eric raised both hands;"I give moral support."A small wave of laughter spread through the garden.
I laughed involuntarily too.Leon tapped me on the shoulder while laughing along with me; "Forget about it." he said; "Come, let's carry these drinks." Together we lifted the cases and took them to the other side of the table.
The crates were a little heavy, but since we were both holding them at the same time, we had no difficulty.The distance between us naturally decreased.Sometimes Leon would hand me something, and sometimes we would do the same thing at the same time without saying anything.
We had a strange rapport, as if we had been working together for a long time. I found this quite comforting. Just as I was putting the safe down,my hand slipped slightly. Leon immediately grabbed my arm reflexively. "Attention." he said with a smile. "Let's not put you in the hospital today."
I laughed and shook my head; "You are right." It only took a second for him to let go of my hand, but at that moment I involuntarily looked up. Fenrir, standing at the barbecue at the other end of the garden, was looking at us.
The tongs in his hand were still in the air but not moving. His cold blue eyes moved first to Leon's arm, then to me. The expression on his face was calm again, but for some reason this time the weight of his gaze was much more evident. As soon as our eyes met, Fenrir turned back to the meat in front of him without saying anything and started moving the tongs again.
But for some reason, I had a strange feeling inside me. I couldn't understand why. Leon said cheerfully, as if he didn't notice anything, "I think the meat is about to be ready." he said. I looked away from Fenrir and nodded. "Yes.... It seems so." However, that strange feeling inside me that I could not explain was not going to disappear easily.
So I put my thoughts aside and walked towards the table. Just then, Fenrir lifted the large serving tray with both hands and placed it in the middle of the table.Good smoke was still rising over the meat freshly taken from the grill.
The appetizing scent of fresh thyme, wood fire and meat spread throughout the garden. "Ready." Fenrir said shortly. This single word was enough to attract everyone's attention.
Uncle Arthur clapped his hands together;"This is what I've been waiting for!" George laughed and pulled out his chair;"Arthur, don't finish this all before it starts."
As everyone slowly sat down at the table,I took one of the empty chairs.Leon sat to my right. In front of me were Jasmine and Eric.At the other end of the table,Fenrir quietly took his seat.
Everyone started filling their plates.I served some of the vegetable stew I had prepared, and then I took some of the meat Fenrir had prepared.As soon as I put the first bite into my mouth,my eyes involuntarily widened.
The meat was incredibly tender. It was slightly browned on the outside but remained juicy on the inside.Moreover, the soot smell left by the wood fire added a very different taste to the meat.Uncle Arthur ask me with a whisper;"How come?" I nod with a sparkle eyes and big smile with my full mouth.I finally Swallow my bite,smiled and nodded;"It's really good,so good."
Arthur pointed proudly at Fenrir. "I told you so." Fenrir said nothing. He just continued to focus on his plate in front of him. It was as if the praise wasn't even about him.In response, Leon took a big spoon of the food I prepared. After chewing silently for a few seconds, his face lit up. "William..." he said in surprise. "This is really great".
Suddenly, a few more people at the table took the stew. Then the same comments started coming one after another. "Very good."
"Vegetables are just perfect."
"The spices are also very balanced."
I smiled shyly. "Most of the spices are from Leon's mother." Leon immediately shook his head;"No, spices alone don't make food. You cooked this." At that moment, Leon's mother also raised her spoon and waved it towards me;"I told you so. This kid is very talented.."
Everyone started laughing. I laughed shyly too. As the conversation progressed, the topic was constantly changing. Sometimes funny events in the town were talked about, sometimes childhood memories were told, sometimes Arthur and George were teasing each other.
Eric, on the other hand, continued to make everyone laugh whenever he had the opportunity while Jasmine rols her eyes and look at him hopeless.I haven't felt this comfortable in a long time.
From time to time, Leon would turn to me and say something quietly, when he noticed that the bread on my plate was gone, he would hand it to me, or when he saw that my drink was running low, he would pour it to me without asking.He was doing it so naturally that I didn't even notice it at first.
He was just acting like he wanted me to feel comfortable. This thought warmed my heart. When the salad on his plate was finished,I handed him the bowl; "Do you want some more?" Leon smiled and nodded; "Thank you."
Our fingers touched for a moment as we held out the bowl.We both pulled back slightly at the same time.Leon laughed and said, "I guess you're as clumsy as me."he said. I laughed too;"We both are so much clumsy."
Eric,sitting across the street, saw this and grinned, but this time he didn't say anything. He just gave a meaningful look. Just then, my eyes involuntarily fell on Fenrir.
He continued to eat his food silently, but his gaze came to our direction for a short moment.He saw Leon smiling at me.Then he returned to the plate in front of him.His facial expression did not change,but I noticed that he was holding the fork in his hand a little tighter.
I couldn't understand why.As the meal progressed,the weather gradually began to cool. The sun had completely set and the sky was starting to turn from orange to purple. The small lamps in the garden were lit one by one.The elderly neighbors started chatting while sipping their tea.
Everyone got excited again when Leon's mother brought the desserts she had prepared to the table.The desserts were finished in a short time.Arthur leaned back and breathed a satisfied sigh.
Many people said they agreed, a peaceful happiness inside me. I thought about the day I first came to town.I felt like a complete stranger,I love the town and slowly get used other people.And now there were people with whom I sat at the same table and had dinner.
Even this thought brought a small smile to my face. As the weather began to get darker, the neighbors slowly began to recover. Everyone was thanking me and my uncle and praising the food we prepared.
Childrens were holding their families' hands with sleepy eyes, chairs were being folded, empty plates were being collected.The garden slowly started to become quieter than its crowded and cheerful state a few hours ago.
As Leon was leaving,He came up to me and tapped me on the shoulder;"Today was really nice." he said "We should do this again." I smiled and nod. "I'd like that too." Leon's eyes sparkled with that warm expression again. "Then promise." He extended his hand to me. I smiled and shook his hand. "I Promise."
Leon's mom say;"We can do this more together but ın our house next time,it was so beautiful"I nod and smile;"We will,I promise"
At that moment, Fenrir, who was standing a little further away, was watching this silently. As usual, he didn't say anything. But after Leon let go of my hand, Fenrir kept his gaze on it for a few seconds...
After the neighbors slowly said goodbye and returned to their homes,the garden fell silent again.The table,which had been full of laughter a few minutes before,was now full of empty plates and drunk glasses.
My Uncle Arthur,George and I soon cleared everything up.We put away the chairs,washed the dishes and cleaned the barbecue.When we were done, my uncle patted me on the shoulder and said;"It was a nice day."
I smiled and nodded;"Yes... it was really like that."After saying goodbye,I returned home.I locked the door,washed the metal container Fenrir gave me and left it in the kitchen,then drank my medicine.I was relieved that I hadn't forgotten this time.
After checking the doors and windows for the last time, I went to my room. As I lay in bed, my experiences throughout the day flashed before my eyes; Leon's cheerful smile, the warm conversations of the neighbors and Fenrir standing silently by the barbecue under the sunset...
A slight smile appeared on my lips;"Today was... nice."I muttered.With this thought, I closed my eyes and fell into a fearless, peaceful sleep for the first time in a long time
...