If You Can't Stand the Heat

by Ginna Wilkerson

  After two games, Andres had won the first and Reese the second. Both women thought Andres might have fudged a little, using a blank square to make taupes. Reese and Kayla both laughed and Moto cocked his head at the board, then started barking at it.

  “I know taupe is a word. It’s a color.”

  Reese, still laughing, said, “Yeah, taupe is a word, but how do you make it plural? I call foul.”

  Andres looked insulted. “Well, maybe there are a few shades of taupe, like on a paint card from Home Depot. Three taupes to choose from…”

  Reese and Kayla both held up their hands in acceptance, while Reese scooped up Moto to silence him. “Okay, dude, you win. But now we have to play a tie breaker.”

  Kayla took this opportunity to go tend to the chili, letting the other two play a final round.

  In the kitchen, Kayla was thankful Reese wasn’t looking over her shoulder at the contents of the pot. It looked thicker than it should, even for Pedernales River Chili. She decided to add some water, and then a couple of beef bouillon cubes. It was also time to add hot sauce, Karo syrup, or both. Kayla decided to go for it and add both, but only a couple of drops of hot sauce. She tasted it and added salt. Not bad. Now if the meat is tender, I might have a success…

  Kayla went back to the living room, where Andres had triumphed. He graciously offered to put the game away while the two women got ready to serve chili. Kayla checked the chili and pronounced it done; she was glad she had added the Karo syrup. The finished product now had a tangy sweet spiciness. She hoped Reese liked it.

  The three friends sat at the small table in the kitchen with bowls of Kayla’s Texas chili, Cuban bread, and red wine. As they began to eat, all three faces looked happy and satisfied. Kayla spoke first.

  “Well? How is it?”

  Andres answered quickly. “I like it. To be honest, I was afraid the meat would be tough. But it’s actually pretty good. I might be sold on this recipe…”

  Reese was the last to comment. “K, it is good. There’s a little sweet taste that I’m not sure of. But the steak is great in there. And it’s just the right texture.”

  Kayla breathed a sigh of relief. “So is this the one for the cook-off?”

  A long silence, except for the sound of Alvin whining to go outside. Andres got up and let the little dog out.

  “Here’s the thing, K…”

  “Yeah?”

  “It’s gonna be so expensive to make this in quantity. I know you said the prize money would cover it, but if we don’t win…We just can’t chance it over the summer when I’m not teaching.”

  Kayla’s face fell. Andres patted his friend on the shoulder. They both knew that Reese would get her way.

  “It’s good, really,” Reese offered in consolation. “We just need to try a third recipe that doesn’t use steak. Maybe on Thursday night. And don’t worry—it won’t be too bland.” Kayla got off early on Thursdays from her job at the Student Counseling Center.

  “Sure.” Kayla tried not to look disappointed. “Can you come over for the final trial, Andres?”

  Andres promised to come over Thursday. Kayla and Alvin walked him to the front door, Kayla giving her friend a hug. “Thanks, dude. I really appreciate your support.” Alvin swirled around the young man’s legs in affection.

  “Hey, lesbo—you know I love you. See you Thursday.”

  Chapter 4: More Heat

  On the Thursday before the chili cook-off, Kayla got home just a little before 5:00 P.M. Reese was already into her second beer, and had the large pot going. After changing her clothes, Kayla joined Reese in the kitchen, getting a beer from the fridge. Reese had already fed the fur-boys; she seemed full of energy and in high spirits.

  Kayla asked, “So how’s this one going? What’s in it?”

  Reese put her arms around Kayla and kissed her on the ear. They stayed still like this for a moment before Reese broke away and answered.

  “Ground turkey, black beans, chopped onions and garlic, chili powder, a few chopped jalapenos, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and a dash of sriracha. I’m still considering a can of mango nectar. Oh—and some Tabasco.”

  Kayla tried to control her expression. The cook-off was in two days. They had to make some sort of decision tonight. She looked in the pot. It looked dense and red—and smelled very spicy. In fact, Kayla had to hold back a cough at the aroma.

  “Did you eat dinner yet, babe?”

  “No—I thought we would sample the chili later, with maybe a grilled cheese?”

  “Sure—sounds good.” Kayla did her best to hide her concern about the ingredients in the chili. She wanted to have a fun time with Reese and their friends at the Pride Center, and she wanted to keep the peace with her girlfriend—as always.

  Just then, Alvin and Moto both planted themselves at the apartment door and whined. Walkies time.

  Reese and Kayla got the leashes for their furry kids and set out on a walk around the apartment complex. The chili was left to simmer on the stove.

  After a bit of silent walking with the two dogs stopping to sniff whatever they found interesting, Reese spoke up, “I hope Sunday afternoon goes well—I want us to have a good time. Winning isn’t really important. You agree?”

  Kayla answered after a long pause, “Winning isn’t the most important thing—but I don’t want to be embarrassed in front of our friends.”

  Reese looked at Kayla seriously, as Moto stopped to pee on the edge of a bush. “K, I don’t want that either. Let’s both try to make the day fun, okay?”

  Kayla felt anxious, but tried to cover it up, “Sure, babe. We just need to decide which recipe we’re going with, and then work as a team.”

  Reese smiled at this, and reached for Kayla’s hand. They turned then to head back to the apartment.

  * * * *

  As soon as they opened the front door, they could both smell the contents of the pot. Spicy aromas exuded from the kitchen and filled the entire living space. Both dogs sniffed, looked puzzled, and then headed for the bedroom. Not a good sign…

  Kayla realized that it was time for Jeopardy and turned on the TV. Reese joined her just as the announcer introduced Alex Trebek. Jeopardy was one of Kayla’s favorites, and Reese would usually watch it, too. Soon, they were both absorbed in the answers and questions—so intent that Kayla didn’t notice when Reese got up to check the chili during a commercial break. By the time round two had started, Reese was back on the couch.

  Kayla went to look in the pot as soon as the show was over; when she lifted the lid of the pot, the smell made her sneeze. She realized instantly that Reese had added more hot spice during Jeopardy. While she was standing in the kitchen debating on whether to say anything about the heat level, there was a knock at the door. Andres had arrived for Chili Trial Number Three.

  “Hey, happy dykes! I’m ready for the final trial run before the big event. Anything I can do?”

  Reese immediately assigned Andres the cheese sandwiches, and laid out the ingredients for him. Kayla got him a beer and went to set the table, leaving the chili for Reese to handle. I just hope we can eat it without catching fire, she thought.

  Soon the sandwiches were ready and all three had a beer ready to drink with the chili meal. Reese served up bowls of chili with a confident smile.

  “Now this is some chili,” she said as she placed the bowls in front of them.

  Andres and Kayla hesitated, letting the cook be the first to taste her own creation. Reese took a spoonful and slid it into her mouth. She swallowed with a smile, but the other two could see the tears starting in her eyes.

  “Careful,” Reese said, “It is a bit spicy.”

  Kayla tasted a small spoonful. “A bit spicy” was the understatement of the century. Kayla felt like her mouth was on fire, and longed for a piece of bread or something to soothe the heat. Thankfully, the cheese sandwiches were done and on the table.

  Andres tried the chili manfully, taking a big spoonful. Kayla stifled a laugh at the look on h
is face. Reese watched him carefully for a reaction.

  “Well, it is spicy,” offered Andres. “And some people do like hot chili…”

  Reese took this as a compliment. “I’m glad you like it. This must be the right recipe for the competition, then.”

  Kayla felt a touch of panic—this concoction would never win; in fact, it would be a joke that would be chuckled over for weeks at the Pride Center. But what could she say? Reese was satisfied, and that meant Kayla would have a peaceful weekend. She vowed to say nothing and be supportive.

  Andres ate about half of his sandwich in two bites, obviously trying to extinguish the fire in his mouth. But he knew that, for Kayla, Reese being happy meant calm and peace.

  “Well, it’s really something,” said Andres.

  “Thanks,” answered Reese.

  Then Kayla had an idea. “Let’s see how Alvin and Moto like it.”

  Reese, assuming that the others were enjoying the spicy chili, thought this was a great idea. She called the two dogs out on the landing and gave them each a small taste of the chili. Alvin approached his bowl and licked the top of the chili to check it out. He immediately shook his pointed snout and ran out into the night.

  Moto was a bit braver. He gulped up a few bites before the heat hit him. At that moment, he looked over at his mom, Reese, with a questioning expression. His mom had always spoiled him with tasty treats. Why would she now be trying to kill him with this mixture of death? Getting no good answer, Moto put his pointy ears back and ran to join Alvin.

  Kayla ventured hesitantly, “I don’t think the boys like it…”

  Andres said nothing, not wanting to interfere.

  “But, K,” said Reese, “the cook-off is this weekend, and you have to work tomorrow.”

  “Yeah, I know. We have to make a decision.”

  Reese wasn’t about to let Andres escape from offering an opinion. “Dude, you ate the other two versions. And you said you would help us decide.”

  Andres looked surprised. “I said that? I said I would eat the chili, not pronounce judgment….”

  Kayla spoke up. “Okay, look. I know we want to do well (she didn’t even use the word win), but it’s just for fun, really. Let’s just decide now so we can have all the ingredients ready for cooking this weekend. Yeah?”

  Reese smiled at her, but the tension was still present. “Okay—well—I think we agreed that the Lady Bird Johnson one was too expensive in a large batch, and not really hot enough.”

  Kayla thought she had never agreed about the heat level, but, whatever.

  Andres added, “Well, the first one was a decent soup, but it didn’t really qualify as chili.”

  Kayla couldn’t control her urge to say, “And that corn—eww.”

  “So here it is,” said Reese, “We’ve got to use today’s effort. Of course, we’ll have to double the ingredients. Maybe not quite so spicy. Let’s add some more tomato and put it away in the fridge, then let it simmer down some more early Saturday morning.”

  “Sure, babe.”

  “Sounds right.”

  “Okay.” Reese sounded relieved, and began to work on storing the chili in the fridge. Kayla went to sit down in front of the TV to get her mind off the entire event.

  Chapter 5: Into the Fire

  Reese and Kayla woke up almost at the same time on Friday, the day before the cook-off—a rare occurrence. Kayla was determined to have a good time on Saturday, and it looked like Reese might be of the same mind. Reese jumped into the shower right away while Kayla went to feed the boys. There was nothing left to do with the chili, and soup pots and hot plates were provided at the Pride Center.

  Just as both women were dressed and ready for the day, there was a knock at the door. Who could be knocking this early on a weekday morning?

  Kayla answered the door to find a woman from a neighboring apartment standing there with an angry expression on her chubby face. She was holding a bowl that came from Kayla and Reese’s kitchen.

  “Hey,” said Kayla, with a question in her voice. “What’s up?”

  “See this?” She brandished the bowl like a weapon. “Does this come from you? Does it?”

  Reese came up behind Kayla. “Can we help you?”

  “I don’t believe you can,” the woman said. “The damage is already done. And I may have to take her to the vet…”

  Reese cut in, “Look, we have no idea what you’re talking about. Please explain—we didn’t realize we had done anything to you or your…?”

  “Dog,” spat the woman, “My little Fifi. She ate whatever crap you put out in your two mutts’ bowls, and now she’s sick. I may have to take her to the vet.”

  Kayla inserted quietly, “You said that.”

  Reese tried to be sensible. “Ma’am, it was just some chili we shared with Moto and Alvin. In fact, we’re off to a chili cook-off now, and we’re running a little late. I’m so sorry about Fifi, really.” She swallowed hard and then added, “If you have to take Fifi to the doctor, and they say it’s from the chili, we’ll be happy to reimburse you for the visit.”

  Kayla looked at Reese in wonder. Reese never let an argument go this easily. She must really need a stress-free day before the cook-off.

  The woman looked skeptical, but somewhat appeased. “Well, okay. I’ll check with you tonight if Fifi is still sick. Thanks.”

  Reese and Kayla both nodded in agreement, and slowly closed the door on the irate neighbor.

  They both looked at each other in shock. Did the spicy chili really hurt the little dog? Moto and Alvin hadn’t seemed too crazy about it…

  * * * *

  By 9:15 on Saturday morning, they were set up and ready to go—only fifteen minutes late. The Pride Center social hall was full of spicy, meaty aromas, and Reese smiled broadly at Kayla.

  “Cool, huh?”

  “Indeed. Thanks for doing it.” And they kissed for luck.

  Soon the crowd started to enter, slowly at first and then more streamed in. Folks who were part of the center predominated, but there were other people, too—friends and family of the contestants and local people who wanted to be supportive.

  Kayla looked around to check out the other contestants. There appeared to be six entries, which was a good turn out for their small town Pride Center. Next to Kayla and Reese on one side were Raina and a new friend of hers. The friend was short and stocky, and dressed in gender-neutral jeans and black T-shirt. Raina introduced her as Kat. As Kayla peeked over into Raina’s pot, Kat smiled and continued to stir. The chili smelled great, and looked suspiciously like Pedernales River Chili. Kayla decided it was best not to open up that topic.

  On the other side of Reese and Kayla was a middle-aged couple that they knew from Lesbian Movie Night, Jan and Sharla. As usual, they looked almost like twins in clothing and hairstyle, except that one was white and one black.

  Sharla smiled and addressed Kayla, “Hey, you. What a kick, huh? I love chili—can’t wait to try the other entries.”

  Kayla answered, “Yeah, me too. Reese made ours—watch out, it’s pretty spicy.” It’s the chili from Hell, if you really want to know.

  “Ours has a Mexican flair, I guess you’d say. Chorizo for the meat, and some poblano peppers.”

  “Sounds interesting.” With that, Kayla turned back to check on their entry. Reese smiled at her and started ladling samples into the tiny bowls provided.

  “K, could you go look at the other entries down at the end? Just curious about the competition,” asked Reese.

  “Sure, babe.” Kayla stepped from behind the table and headed past Raina and Kat. On their far side were two young girls serving up a reddish-looking chili that had corn in it, along with several other vegetables. They had made a sign that advertised their version as vegan-friendly. It had something in it that stood in for meat, but Kayla hesitated to ask what it was. She stood there while they chatted with a pretty young woman with wavy long hair dyed a pale pink. Kayla was instantly fascinated by this hair.

>   “What’s in the chili that makes it vegan?” the pink-haired woman asked.

  “It’s seitan,” answered one of the young girls. “Wheat-based protein. We used it cause it has a more meaty texture than tempeh or tofu.”

  Their pretty customer looked a bit confused.

  “Or you could use Portobello mushrooms instead,” offered the other of the two cooks.

  “Well, I know what those are, at least. I’m Jane, by the way.”

  Kayla was more curious about Jane than about the vegan chili. Jane, carrying her tiny bowl of seitan chili, moved on to the next competitor and Kayla followed. They both stopped at the last chili pot, which was stirred and served by a lone cook. This woman had long grey hair pulled into a single braid and wore a loose cotton dress with Indian embroidery all over it. She had dangly silver earrings. Kayla thought she looked like she might have been at Woodstock in the “hippie days.”

  Finding herself standing next to the woman named Jane, Kayla searched her brain for words to introduce herself. For some reason, she had to meet this intriguing creature.

  “So how’s the seitan version?”

  Jane turned to look at her. She smiled and answered, “Okay, I guess. It has corn in it, which I’m not crazy about…”

  “Me either! It just seems wrong.”

  Kayla laughed and moved a step closer to Jane.

  “Well, the girls were right about the seitan—it does have a texture like meat,” Jane offered.

  “And the taste?”

  “Oh, a bit like cardboard? Sorry—if you’re vegan, I mean.”

  “No! In fact, our chili has quite a bit of ground turkey.”

  “You’re a competitor?” Jane asked.

  Now Kayla felt silly. What had she been thinking? Reese was across the room, and would probably be wondering where she was…

  “Um, yeah. My partner Reese and I have an entry. It’s her recipe. Come try it if you like.”

  Jane looked around to find Reese. Kayla looked over to their station and found that Reese looked calm and collected, talking to Raina and serving up chili. She smiled at Jane and hurried back to her spot without checking out the final competitor.