After that, Eliza and Bob got along better. At least, better than they had been.
Bob finally had enough of the mistreatment at the hands of his old boss and quit his catering job. He took a new position at a local karaoke bar. A job Eliza heard about through the grapevine and recommended to him. Eliza even followed him to work once or twice.
They were talking, really communicating, for the first time in months. They teamed up some on the housework. Bob still did most of the cooking and Eliza the lions share of the tidying up.
It wasn't even too big of a deal the day the kitchen sink suddenly started gushing from unexpected places. Bob got out his wrench and began investigating the source of the problem while Eliza cleaned up the soaked bench without her usual complaints.
That is not to say that all was domestic bliss in the Pancake's household. Old hurts linger and old habits die hard.
Bob and Eliza still preferred to pursue their separate interests. Mixing drinks wasn't Bob's passion, but he learnt what he could -while assuring himself that this was a temporary season in his life.
Eliza worked on her writing, in preparation for the day she was considered publishable. She took up painting as a hobby and went out on the town on a regular basis.
Eliza was invited to join a group of like-minded individuals loosely calling themselves the Avant Gardes. They spent a lot of time hanging out, drinking coffee, reading, listening to music and generally talking about what they liked and didn't like. These were people who didn't or wouldn't conform. Who felt the need to stand out and be on the "leading edge".
When Eliza was promoted to story researcher and then later to regular beat reporter; the celebrations went on until the wee hours of the morning -with old friends and new.
Activities Bob had little interest in; seeing how he was working at a bar up to five nights a week already.
Soon enough, Bob got his big break and the day came when he was able to don a proper chef's uniform. He was working as a line cook in a fancy uptown restaurant. It wasn't the top job, of course, but it was a major step towards his dreams.
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