With the palms of the man wet
back of hand across a sweaty brow
Knife held firmly in hand
Sweating like a pig he thought
a smile stretched taut
the meat on the cutting board was now set

The knife cuts across the meat
oven ready, smooth and steady
sweet aroma's decadent taste wafting
Mouth watering already, so soon?
tactful thoughts as sauce drips from wooden spoon
His special blend will give his guest a wonderful treat

Rapping on the door, right on time
the guests will be hungry he presumed
Pull the meat, pour the sauce
Sweating bullets, better wipe it down
'Bullets', he muttered, smile replaced by a frown
Body aches even if the thought was sublime

'Just a min!', he hollered at the knocking door
muffled words in varying pitches answered back
He quickly set the table, set the meat
Apple a day keeps the doctor away he cracks himself up
Wedge the apple into the mouth, pour the drinks into a cup
He moved quickly, to keep his guest from waiting more

'Howdy neighbor',  a pleasant greeting, a lie
The man, gagged and bound with fear in his eyes
Body shaking from the drugs wearing off
'It's time to eat, come you look hungry' he said
motioning for the man to sit at the table's head
'I've made my special, you might recognize her', he said with a glint in his eye.

*She looks so happy with that apple in her mouth