Renewal and growth

Chapter 4

-6 months later-

Fall turned into winter, and winter made way for spring. Over that time with Rogers good cooking and encouragement Avery made her way back to her old self at lightning pace. Roger put his car in park next to one of the farms out buildings with the orchard in full bloom. He slung his backpack over his shoulder and made his way around the house to the back patio and pool. Roger heard the clattering of weights grow louder as Avery came into view. With the warming of the weather Avery liked to workout outside, in a matter of a few weeks it had given her back her old amber tan. After 6 months of eating and working out she had returned to about 138lbs. Today was her leg day and Roger found her doing squats with 75lb kettlebell, beads of sweat glistened over her tanning skin as she wore nothing but a sports bra and elastic shorts.

Roger yelled 20 yards away from the unaware Avery, “I’m back.” Avery’s head shot towards Roger, she put the kettlebell down and yelled with her reclaimed angelic voice, “How was your trip?” Roger replied as he got closer, “It was great. Seems like someone has been taking full advantage of this amazing weather.” Avery grinned with pride resting her hands on her muscular hips that have filled out almost back to where they were two years ago and said, “Yeah, but its still cold at night. Your almost out of wood for your fire pit.” Roger replied as he cracked a grin, “I will split more wood tomorrow. Are you hungry?” Avery yelped back, “Yes.” Roger said, “Lets go inside I will whip something together.”

Avery grabbed the towel resting on the Adirondack chair next to the flat gravel area where she was working out to clean up a little bit before putting on her old softball sweatshirt before waltzing up the steps through the back door Roger was held open. Roger asked as they entered the house, “I know I need to go to the store, but I have enough to make homemade grilled cheese and tomato soup?” Avery grinned, “Are you going to make the tomato soup from scratch again?” Roger replied, “I was planning on it.” Avery stated, “How can I say no.” Roger grinned as he started to collect the ingredients from the fridge.

Roger started gathering all the cooking utensils and pans he needed as well as the ingredients. As he began Avery topped off the water pitcher after filling her glass and said while Roger was sweating the tomatoes and onions, “So how was the trip, did you bring home any new projects for us to work on?” Roger replied, “A project to design a few machines to mechanize the assembly process for a new company, and I pulled short straw and got a teaching assistant role grading engineering papers for a few classes.” Avery rolled her eyes as she questioned, “Are you sure you pulled the short straw and not volunteered for the T.A. position?” Roger chuckled as he replied, “I pulled short straw like 10% of all engineers in the consortium. You can’t really volunteer; it was going to happen eventually. Do I enjoy grading papers and helping provide input to students, yes absolutely.” Roger turned the contents of the pan by picking it up and swishing it around before putting the pan back down on the stove and said, “I can handle the papers and you can have the design project.” Avery smirked as she replied, “We can split both like the last two projects.”

Roger replied as he poured the heavy cream into the pan, “Deal.” Avery took another sip of her water took another deep breath after her long workout set. Avery’s eye fluttered around the kitchen as Roger stirred the pan on a low heat. Roger face grew a little concerned as he looked over his shoulder and asked, “Everything alright Avery?” Avery snapped back to Roger, and replied, “Yeah just thinking.” Roger queried, “What are you thinking about.” He then turned off the burner and continued to stir the contents of the pan as Avery replied after a deep sight, “I was thinking did could you ever see together?” Roger stopped stirring the pan as he processed what she said. Roger let go the wooden spoon and ran his hand through his wiry brown hair as he turned to face her surprised by the question and replied, “Avery I am not going to say it hasn’t crossed my mind… but you could see the ethical dilemma with me dating you.”

Avery retorted, “I get it you saved me multiple times…” Roger interjected, “Multiple times?” Avery cleared her throat, “You didn’t just save me that day when you opened my pod, you saved me when you took me in to help me get back to normal, and from that monotonous isolated life in the Network. I go out and walk in the orchard, I hang out with people, and I spend time with you. For the past few weeks as I have gotten closer to my goal of 145, I haven’t been able to image life without you.” Roger started to carefully pour the pan into a blender as he said, “Avery I don’t feel comfortable asking you out because we agreed I wouldn’t ask you out as a healthy boundary…” Avery’s face started soured as Roger continued, “But I never said I wouldn’t comfortable if you asked me out.” Her face instantly sprouted a gleeful grin as she said, “Would you go…” Roger with a devious grin hit the button on the blender flooding the kitchen with noise as he yelled, “I can’t hear you; you have to speak up.” Avery chuckled and then cupper her hands to her mouth to yell, “Would you please go on a date with me?” Roger took his finger off the blender on button and said, “How could I say no?”

Avery sprung up from her seat, or as fast as anyone that just completed leg day could, and hugged Roger. Roger surprised said punctuated with a chuckle, “I’m not going to be able to finish lunch like this.” Avery replied, “I can wait a few more minutes.” Roger asked, “Where do you want to go out for our date?” Avery replied, “How does the cute little French bistro off of Main Street in town?” Roger replied, “As long as I’m not cooking, I’m game for anything. But for lunch right now how many grilled cheeses do you want?” Avery replied, “Can I get four please?” Avery let go of Roger as he said, “Someone worked up an appetite.”