WHAT’S FOR LUNCH?

I was walking through the living room carrying a pile of newly laundered towels when Steven came out of our bedroom. “Oh, let me get that door for you.”

He opened the linen closet door and stood aside as I stacked them on the shelves. “Thanks!”

I closed the door and was headed back to the laundry room to put another load in the washer when Steven called. “Hey, what are you thinking about for lunch?”

I stopped and began shaking my head. “Didn’t we just eat breakfast?” I sighed as I turned around to face him.

Steven looked at his cell phone. “Nope, that was hours ago.” He held up his phone for me to see the time. “It’s almost noon.”

I sighed again as I went into the kitchen to see what I could make. I was looking through the cabinets when my son Alex came into the kitchen.

“Hey, what’s for lunch?” he asked as he headed for the cabinet to get a glass.

“You guys are killing me here.” I opened the freezer and took out some bread. “Since we’ve been on lock-down all I’ve been doing is cooking! Breakfast, lunch and dinner!”

Alex went to the refrigerator to get some water. “I know! It’s been great!” He came over and gave me a quick pat on the back. “Thanks, by the way.” He put his glass down on the counter. “I wish I could give you a hug but I think that’s against the social distancing rules right now.”

I shook my head and laughed, then went back into the cabinets to see what I could put together. “I don’t mind the dinners, I’m used to making those. Even the breakfast’s aren’t too bad. It’s these lunches that are driving me nuts!” I pulled out a jar of peanut butter. “Hey, what about PB&J!” I held up the jar.

Steven and Alex both shook their heads. “We had that for a snack last night.” Steven said.

I went into the refrigerator. “I have some leftover chicken salad.” I pulled the bowl out. “I can make you sandwiches.”

Neither one of them looked thrilled.

“I’m not really in the mood for a sandwich.” Steven said.

“Me either.” Alex agreed.

“Fine.” I put the salad back in the refrigerator and put the bread back in the freezer. “What did you two do for lunch when I was at work?”

Alex shrugged his shoulders. “Not much. I’d probably microwave something.”

I looked over at Steven as he shrugged his shoulders. “I’d probably have a protein shake while I was driving to my next appointment.”

“So why don’t we go back to that?” I suggested. “Everyone for themselves.”

Steven looked over at Alex. “How about pasta?” Steven asked. “Maybe some elbow macaroni…”

Before he could finish I jumped in. “Wait, we could make it a cold salad! I could throw in the left over chicken salad.” I opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bag of fresh spinach. “I could cut up some of these!” I went to the spice cabinet and began pulling out all kinds of spices. “Alex could you go get me the pasta from the pantry?” I called over my shoulder.

“Sure.”

“Steven, could you get the mayo and chicken salad out of the refrigerator?”

“Sure can.”

I pulled the pot out of the cabinet and began filling it for the pasta. “This is what I’m talking about!” I said as I turned around and put the pot on the stove. “Team work!” I looked around the kitchen but no one was there. But lined up neatly on the counter was the pasta, chicken salad and spinach. I had to laugh. “Well, at least I’ll make enough for them to have it for lunch again tomorrow.” I reasoned. Then had to laugh again. Who was I kidding? They’d finish it for snacks and I’d be trying to figure out what to make the next time I heard those three dreaded words, “What’s for lunch?”