Not even a thank you. I mean Frances won, she won because I chose a game that she was good at. Just imagine what would have happened if I had gone with something the System wanted. But no! No one but me seemed to understand just how much better I had made things for everyone else.
Frances rested on the old couch that sat in the reception area. She was too heavy to lug up to her room so until she was feeling better this was where she was going to stay. Tami May was fawning all over her claiming that she must be the second coming of Christ as she had been resurrected. Jesus Christ, she had eaten a candy, that was all. I had told them about the candies… hadn’t I?
Well anyway, the System was officially up and running. Though it was still having trouble with the cell phones. Something about the crystals interfering. I don’t know, but I had no doubt Frances would be up and telling us what to do in no time. But until then they all were just gabbing like crazy chickens and my stomach was growling like a hungry bear.
“I’ll go make us some breakfast,” I said to them.
Not that a single one of them paid any attention to what I had to say. So, with a dignified harrumph of annoyance, I trudged down to the kitchen. Someone had to make sure we kept our strength up.
The phone I had disconnected from its wall base earlier slapped against my thigh. It bounced around and occasionally hit the wall or a door frame. It was going to take some getting used to lugging this thing around. I didn’t believe in cell phones as they caused cancer, and the government lizard men could track you with them. So, I wasn’t sure what I would do once the System figured out all its cell phone nonsense.
As expected, the kitchen was just as we had left it moments ago. The door to the outside was closed now. And the body of the temp carer was still out there. Maybe we should have grabbed it too, but I don’t think my body could handle any more dead weight. I grabbed the phone at my waist and tucked it between my shoulder and ear as I made my way to the fridge.
“System!”
“Yes, Grand Member Marlean how can I help you?”
“I don’t want a cell phone! And I think people who don’t want them shouldn’t be forced to have them. You should offer a pocketbook. You know like those pocket constitutions. I used to carry one around with me. You should do that for the rules, of the game. And what's going to happen to the dead body on our lawn? Do I need to worry about it attracting something stupid? And what is this Grand Member nonsense I have a perfectly good name.”
“Grand Member is a title bestowed on your family. Five other members of your world also hold that title. The title comes with a variety of perks. I believe we discussed this early Grand Member.”
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While the System rambled on, I rummaged through the fridge. They had bacon, and I grabbed it along with Chef Heather's smoked gouda cheese she purchased on the house's dime and only ever ate it herself. She wasn't going to be needing it anymore.
“MMMM I don’t think we did, but I’m busy now so just add it to the pocketbooks that you're going to give everyone.”
The System stayed silent for a second and while I waited, I grabbed an onion and the instant oats from the pantry. Old-fashioned was preferable but they didn’t like taking their time here at Summer Eve homes. The instant would just have to do.
“Your input will be taken into consideration.” The phone line went dead.
“Well, I guess we're done talking then.” I let the phone drop from my shoulder ignoring the clang of metal as it hit one of the prep tables.
This whole thing was just ridiculous. Who comes to conquer a world and doesn’t already have a plan worked out? If I was in charge this whole thing would be going much smoother. But as it was, I was at least being consulted so they were at least somewhat intelligent.
My stomach growled loudly so I got back to the preparation of breakfast. The pans were stacked haphazardly on the back shelves of the kitchen. A few of them tumbled to the ground as I found the one that I needed. Thankfully with this whole apocalypse thing the electricity and water still worked. I tried not to think about it, not wanting to jinx the fact that we still had the necessities while I was making breakfast.
With one of the kitchen's less-than-sharp knives and heavily stained cutting board, I chopped the onion and bacon up. Onion first, you should never cut raw meat before other things. Then I plopped the bacon into the pot and onto the burner at about medium heat.
Rendering that until crispy I removed it from the pan with a fork as I couldn’t be bothered rummaging through their cabinets just to find a slotted spoon. The onion goes in next, and I cook it until just translucent. Then I added the oats and bacon back in. Mixing it all together with my fork to make sure the grease is absorbed nicely into everything. Then, finally the water. Allow it to boil for just a second, and then set it aside. As it's instant, and those little shits will go mushy fast don’t let it sit for too long.
A sharp knock at the kitchen's back door surprised me and I nearly dropped the chunk of smoked gouda as I was grating it over the top of the finished oatmeal. I couldn’t help but frown.
“Who in the heck could that be?”
>>>
Cheesy Bacon Oatmeal
Ingredients: 2 servings for most, 4 servings for old ladies.
1 cup of oats (old-fashioned or steel-cut work best, instant if you absolutely must)
6 strips of thick-cut bacon
1 small onion, diced
2 cups water
½ cup cheese grated
Salt and pepper to taste
Soft-cooked egg (optional, but highly recommended)
Cooking Steps:
Crisp Up the Bacon: In a cold pot, chop up the bacon and place it in. Cook it over low heat for about 10 minutes until the fat renders out and the bacon turns crispy.
Remove Bacon Bits: Once the bacon is evenly cooked and crispy, remove the bacon bits and keep the glorious bacon grease in the skillet. That’s where the flavor magic happens!
Add Diced Onion: Toss in the diced onion.
Cook the Oats: Add your oats (old-fashioned or steel-cut… instant) along with some salt, and the bacon. Simmer everything together, letting the oats soak up all the flavors.
Serve It Up: Ladle the savory oatmeal into a bowl. Top it with grated cheese, and a soft-cooked, or fried egg if you’re feeling extra fancy.