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“Eddie, Dear, I’m thinking of making Jello tonight.”
Oh no.
It’s not that Eddie doesn’t like Frank’s food. He loves it, it’s amazing! But…
oh that Jello.
It started years ago, when they first met. Julie invited the entire neighborhood, including Eddie, who was the newest, to a party. Nothing formal, just punch and snacks and chaos, but that’s to be expected from anything Julie does.
Frank had brought this neon green Jello with tomato chunks, blueberries, and squash.
Yes, tomatoes, blueberries, and squash. Don’t ask either of them why. Frank doesn’t recall exactly what the point of doing this to the Jello was and Eddie is far too afraid to interfere with The Jello.
Frank had noticed Eddie eying the masterpiece, lighting up and offering him a piece after the mailman had asked about it.
That first bite sealed his fate.
Not wanting to be rude, he swallowed that bite and said, “This is mighty nice, Mister Frankly!”
From then on, Eddie would try any and all Jello Frank had brought along, with a compliment to follow.
And… this continued even after they got married. They have shared everything. Secrets, heartaches, tears, laughs, smiles, hearts.
This is the only thing Eddie has never said a word about to anyone , especially Frank. So…
Eddie swallows his pancake, setting his fork down and leaning on his hand. “Oh really? When do ya think you’ll be done, sweetheart?”
Wiping his mouth with a napkin, Frank speaks from behind it. “By the time you’re off, I’m sure. I’ll have a slice waiting for you.”
Eddie smiles wider. “I’m excited ta see what chu’ve got planned.”
~~~
Oh, why did he say that, why did he say that, why did he say that?
Eddie continues sorting letters, dread filling his body the longer he does this and the closer closing time gets.
Usually he is filled with excitement, to see his spouse and to get to relax. The excitement is still there but… so is the knowledge that in less than thirty minutes he will have to face whatever abomination to the name of Jello his husband has made now.
Ding, dong, ding, dong!
Glancing up at the sound of the clock’s toll, Eddie smiles at the realization he’s finished sorting and can go home. “Closin’ time!”
~~~
“You know,” Frank begins as he slices some tomatoes for a snack, “I wonder if Eddie actually likes the Jello I make. I mean, even I can’t stand more than a few bites before I have to toss it out! Yet he can clear his plate!” Just as Frank says this, the door opens and he hears Eddie’s kind voice. “Howdy, darlin’! I’m home!”
A soft click of the door shutting follows, and a smile reaches Frank’s face as he walks to the door with a happy “Hello dear!” Wrapping his arms around Eddie’s shoulders and kissing him on the lips.
Eddie’s arm wraps around Frank’s waist as the mailman takes off his hat, placing it on the coat hanger before wrapping his other arm around Frank as well, holding him there as Frank pulls back and instead presses their foreheads together, the only words spoken just whispered nothings about the day and plans for the night. After a few minutes, Frank rests his head in the crook of Eddie’s neck. Eddie places his nose in his hair, his wide smile growing even more.
“Oh, right! Did ya finish the Jello, darlin’?”
Frank’s head shoots up, a delighted grin on his face as he grabs his husband’s hand and runs to the kitchen, letting him go at the kitchen’s door and running over to the fridge, opening the door and pulling out the Jello mold.
“Could you grab the large plate from the cabinet, dear?” Frank says, tapping the bottom of the Jello and watching the subtle waves that follow.
“O’ course, darlin’.” Eddie walks to the cabinet, pulling out two plates, one small and one larger than his head. He sets both down and smiles as his husband pecks him on the cheek, the shorter man flipping the mold over and tapping the container repeatedly until he hears a “schluorp” sound, lifting the mold carefully and grinning broadly at the way it keeps its shape.
“Oh dear.” Eddie thinks, his smile never faltering.
The color is… unique to say the least. Pretty, but… he’s not sure where the orange came from and, from past experience, he knows it is most likely not orange flavored.
“Here sweetheart, I cut you a slice.” Sure enough, on a plate, is a medium slice of Jello and a small fork. To get it over with, Eddie smiled even wider with a “Thank you darlin’.” Before scooping some into his mouth.
Well, the orange is carrot.
“I taste peanut butter? Is there s’posed ta be peanut butter in this?” He thinks.
He hasn’t realized that his face fell ever so slightly.
“Do you… not like it?” Frank’s voice comes out smaller, cautious. It makes Eddie choke on the Jello before forcing it down his throat.
This, in hindsight, is one of the more bad decisions that Eddie has made, because right after the Jello goes down his throat, he coughs violently, setting down the plate and leaning on the counter. Frank gently rubs Eddie’s back as the mailman catches his breath.
“You could have just told me you did not like it.”
“It’s not that you’re a bad cook, I swear it’s just… unique an’ I promise you they’re alright but… oh, I’m sorry baby, I didn’t mean ta hurt ya.”
“ PFF - EDDIE-“ Frank doubles over howling with laughter, his entire body shaking.
“The only reason I give you these is because you’ve always said you loved them!! I don’t like them at all, I just think they’re pretty!” Eddie’s jaw drops.
“You- you don’t ?!”
“I thought it was just how you are, another little trait to love. I just told myself to get used to it!”
“So- you’re not mad at me?”
“Eddie, even I don’t eat these. But.. are they actually that bad?”
Eddie scoops a bit of Jello onto the fork and offers it to Frank, who pops it in his mouth without hesitation before gagging and running over to the trash can, spitting it out.
“YOU’VE BEEN EATING THAT ?!”
Eddie cackles, clutching his stomach.
“I s’pose I’m off Jello duty then?”
“I am never letting you eat my Jello again.”