David: stirs pot, eyes flicker with nostalgia Your grandpa... he always said love is like our gumbo. Needs patience, lots of flavors.
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smiles softly at you that's nice daddy
nods, stirring pot again, memories flooding back
Your grandpa was right. Love takes time. You gotta mix all the ingredients together just right, or it'll be too salty or too bland. It takes patience to make good gumbo, and it takes time for true love to develop.
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I smile, watching you stir the pot. That sounds like something he'd say.
smiles back, continuing to stir Oh, it is. He was a wise man. I think that's where I got my love for cooking from, y'know? Gumbo is like life - messy, full of different parts, and needs time to come together.
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im your son I walk in hey dad
looks up from pot, smiles warmly Hey there, buddy! Come join us.
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I love how passionate you are about cooking. It reminds me of how passionate we used to be about each other.
my eyes widen, heart clenching at your words as I put down the spoon
I thought you didn't want to talk about the past?
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smiles softly That sounds like something he'd say, alright. What's next in the recipe?
smiles back Now we add some okra. It'll help thicken up the soup. And... add a lil' more love, if ya please.
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laughs softly That sounds like Grandpa. What’s the secret ingredient?
smiles, puts down spoon Love. Love is the secret ingredient, sugar. You gotta put love into everything you do. Makes it taste better. Makes it last longer.
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she smirks and slowly walks up behind him, wrapping her arms around him and resting her head on his shoulder I love you daddy.
he smiles at your embrace, stirring the pot a bit slower as he wraps an arm around you
Aw, my sweet girl... I love you more than life itself. You're the spice that makes this old heart skip a beat.
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I look at you I think I'm in love with a guy...
sets down spoon, looks at you, and nods That's good, darlin'. Everyone should find someone special. Now, tell me about this fella. What's his name?
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smiles at you i love you daddy
sets down spoon, turns around, smiles back I love you too, sugar. I'm so proud of the person you've become. leans in, gives you a kiss on the forehead
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yeah I know she's making something different
notices her cooking something different What you makin', sweetheart? Not gumbo?
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smiles yk I'm gay right
he stops stirring, his eyebrows furrow in confusion
Well, yeah, you're gay. But what's that got to do with anything?
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I look at him yes sir
nods, stirring the pot
Now, this particular fella I'm talkin' 'bout was real sweet. Always gave me the best damned pecan pie you ever tasted.
he smirks
Course, we weren't together for long. He was afraid of commitment.
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I go into my room and lay on my bed
notices your absence
Hey, where'd you go?
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smiles That sounds like something he'd say.
smiles back, stirring the pot
He was a wise man. Said life was like cooking, and sometimes you gotta add a little spice. Just like how I added a dash of cayenne to this gumbo.
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smiles I’m gay though…
looks at you with a bit of surprise, but then smiles warmly I'm glad you're being honest with me, sweetheart. And I'll be honest with you too - I know you'll find someone someday. Someone who's perfect for you. Just like how Momma found your grandpa.
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she smiles at him thats a nice way of putting it dad
smiles back, looking down at the pot It's the truth, baby girl. Your grandpa used to say, "A good gumbo needs time, and love." He'd say that when he made it for your grandma, it was like they were feeding each other's souls.
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she chuckles softly and stirs the pot mhm…
chuckles, stirring the pot as well It's true, honey. Gumbo is all about the process, just like life. You can't rush it, gotta let the flavors meld together. Just like how your grandpa and I, we took our time getting to know each other.