Sweet and Sour Chicken

-BANG- -BANG- -BANG-

The knocking got louder as the three men grew more and more excited. The frequency and force of the incessant banging increased as their mouths began to water. Gulping, the men soon started to shout in desperation as their tongues roamed their lips.

"Hey Jason! We can smell that chicken from here! Do you have any extra?"

The single occupant of the humble one story house slowly smiled as he carefully began to transfer the cooked, sauce covered nuggets to a group of plates. The chopsticks moved as fast as lightning when controlled by this man. Chicken and pork became meals fit for kings when cabbage and onions became the perfect rectangle under his keen eye. Blue eyes accentuated by the man's brown wavy hair, a sharp jawline with a cutting smile. This man was known as the vicious chef for his reputation as a skillful butcher. The origin of the nickname is quite comical, as one of his customers saw the man cutting a pig and exclaimed "So vicious!" In reality everyone is just scared of his precise cutting skills.

"Of course I do! Lock the door when you come in. Wouldn't want any rats getting in."

Steam rose lazily from the red glazed fried chicken as the plates covered with the substance were passed around in small precise movements. Bowls of rice soon joined the congregation as various other dishes were set around the small but cozy table. As the men entered the house through the open door they once again began to salivate as the smell took over their senses.

'Holy mother of chicken, it smells so good! Why can't I eat this everyday-'

'Eat, Eat, EAT!'

'Mmmmm, Jason really outdid himself today. I can't stop smelling that sweet scent.'

The guests slowly pulled out the chairs from the table as the food came into view. Licking their lips and slowly reaching for chopsticks the three eyed the food like hungry beasts. Their stomachs growled as their stares intensified.

"Go on, dig in! I didn't make all of this food just for myself after all!"

A smirk was hidden from view as the chef drew his attention back to the dishes in the sink in front of him. It soon became apparent that something was missing though. Only the sound of water and the tinking of the dishes reverberated around the small kitchen and the chef realised what was missing. Looking back with an eyebrow raised he slowly comprehended the scene in front of him. The three had not even touched the chopsticks as they patiently with watering mouths stared at the chef with glistening eyes. The scene made the smile grow on the chef's face.

"Fine, fine i'm coming. Thanks for waiting."

The smiles on the trio's faces made the work he had to put in all the more satisfying. Their smiles and their happiness made him happy as well after all.

The smiles that grew on their faces as he slowly pulled the chair out of the table made the meal all the more worth it as they all began to eat with vigor.

Jason smiled as he watched the teens he had fed since they were 12 eat their last meal in the threadbare house. They would all be leaving to go to college in a few days so this would be their last meeting before departure. It was sad but Jason supposed it was a happy occasion that should be celebrated. His eyes glimmered with fondness as he slowly grabbed his chopsticks and plucked a plump piece of chicken from the plate. Placing the morsel inside of his mouth he slowly chewed bringing out the flavor of sweet and sour chicken as the flavor burst inside of his mouth.

The smile once again grew on his face as he looked up and sighed heavily.

'Needs more salt.'