Popped!

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Brian, help!” came a cry from the kitchen.  Brian sprinted from the bedroom. 

 

Brian was taking a quick shower before he and Justin were going to settle in for “date night.”  This was their little monthly ritual of dinner and a mutually agreed upon movie.  Usually, Justin would make microwave popcorn but he was tired of hearing Brian complain about the extra calories and all the artificial ingredients.  So Justin took Brian’s credit card and went shopping for a genuine popcorn maker.  Said maker was now shooting popcorn all over the kitchen counter.

 

“I can’t get it to stop!” Justin yelled.  “Ow!”  A semi popped kernel bounced off Justin’s cheek.  “That hurts.”

 

Brian stood for a second, assessing the situation before going to the outlet to unplug the popcorn maker.  A few last kernels of popcorn made a break for it before the heating elements cooled down sufficiently to stop the popping process.  The maker gave one last pop of defiance before the whole thing became silent.

 

Justin looked crushed.

 

“I’m sorry, Bri.  I really wanted to make us fresh popcorn without all the calories,” Justin said sadly.  “Now, all we have is just a big mess,” he said as he looked around the kitchen.  “What a gyp!  I hate burnt popcorn,” Justin grumbled as he started to clean up the mess on the counter.

 

Brian said nothing as he helped Justin clean up the kitchen.  He knew the younger man was feeling bad; Brian didn’t want to add to it.

 

“I guess I can go to the store and get a box of microwave popcorn,” Justin said with a sigh.

 

“Not necessary,” Brian finally spoke up.  “I didn’t know that you were going for the high tech way of making popcorn, so I stopped off at the store before I came home,” Brian said as he pulled out a bag from under the counter.

 

“What is it?” Justin asked, his face lighting up with a smile and curiosity.

 

“Come and look, little boy,” Brian said with a smirk as he waggled his eyebrows, handing his lover the bag.

 

“Jiffy Pop?”

 

“Yup.”  Justin gave Brian a curious look.  “Don’t tell me Mother Taylor never made you kids Jiffy Pop.”

 

“Um, no.”  Justin examined the sealed silver plate with the handle.  He shook it a couple of times, hearing the contents rattle.  “How does this work?” Justin asked as he handed the package back to Brian.

 

“Allow me,” Brian said wisely.  Justin watched with awe as Brian removed the cardboard lid, turned on the stove and set the package on the burner.

 

“Is that it?” Justin asked.

 

“Patience, Grasshopper,” Brian said with the wisdom of the ages.  “Watch and learn.” 

 

Waiting a few minutes, they finally heard a pop.  Brian smiled knowingly as he took the handle and slowly slid the silver pan back and forth over the flames.  More popping ensued and the coil of foil on the top of the pan slowly began to rise.  The scent of fresh popcorn filled the air.

 

When the popping sounds began to wane and the foil bubble was at its fullest, Brian turned off the stove then rested the hot pan on a trivet.

 

“Now what?”

 

“Now, we eat!” Brian said with a smile as he used the tine of a fork to carefully slice through the foil.  Just under the foil was perfectly popped popcorn.  Justin took out a bowl for Brian to fill.

 

 

*****

 

 

“This is perfect!” Justin said as he snuggled against Brian while they sat on the rug watching Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and munching on their popcorn.

 

“Yes, it is,” Brian said as he snaked his arm around Justin, pulling him in closer.  Justin leaned up to give Brian a kiss then popped a kernel of perfectly made popcorn into Brian’s mouth.

 

“Perfect,” Brian repeated as they settled down to finish their movie.     

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