The double take

It takes a lot for Shan to do a double take.

Even with me.

I’m the first to admit that I can present others with situations whose significance has not been completely grasped at first.

And yet, with pleasure, I elicited this response the other morning.

He has been visiting from Mitchell and had stayed over for a few nights. Puttin in the hours to complete a l-o-n-g overdue project.

S: So are you still up to making breakfast?

P: Sure. I don’t have much on offer.

S: Eggs?

P: Yep. Poached or fried.

S: Scrambled.

P: Oh. Confession time. I have no idea how to make them.

[ Double take ]

S: What?!

P: I know.

S: Like you’re kidding me. Right?

P: No! I like them poached or fried!

S: Have you eaten them?

P: Yes. A lot. You make them.

S: Dear God. Cooking lesson time. I’ll help you.

P: You’re not helping. You’re doing it.

S: That’s because you haven’t even tilted the bowl and you need to learn how to whisk.

P: You’d make a terrible Home Economics Teacher.

S: That’s funny coming from someone that can’t make scrambled eggs.

P: Ha ha ha. True.

S: Just watch and put on some toast.

P: Lucky! I’ve actually done that before.

*

So for breakfast this morning?

Tomato juice. Scrambled eggs. A little salt and pepper. Chilli flakes. And toast.

[ I can hear Shannan now. ]

S: You put the scrambled eggs on the toast!

P: No. I like it this way. Like soldiers!

S: Dear God!

Pauline Fountain. © 2021. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be used or reproduced without the written permission of the author.