A Table for Two (4 page)

"Sounds good to me and I'm seeing a garnish on top of the salsa and shrimp--just a few thin slices of pickled ginger. What should we do with the Chilean sea bass?" Tracy asked.

"I thought we'd pan sear it, finish it off in the oven and serve it with the asparagus and a side of Yukon gold fingerling potatoes. We'll arrange everything on a citrus and white wine reduction sauce. The sauce will complement every element of the dish."

"That sounds absolutely divine--simple but elegant."

"Why don't you ask Jimmy to make seafood bisque?" Dana suggested.

"Yeah, that's always popular. Are we doing a vegetarian entrée tonight?"

Dana nodded. "Yes, but it's not Asian. I bought leeks and butternut squash for that lasagna you love so much, but this time we're making twice as much because every time we put it on the menu, we run out of it half-way through the evening."

"That's because it's to die for," Tracy pointed out.

Dana bowed from the waist. "Why, thank you. You do flatter me so."

"It's the truth. You're the most talented and creative chef I've ever worked with, not to mention the nicest boss anyone could ever hope to have in this crazy business."

"Stop it before you make me blush." Dana fanned her face with her hand. "I like you, too. Now where do we stand with reservations? Have you checked?"

"We're totally booked again. In fact, we had to turn people away."

"Wow! It's been like that every weekend. I thought it was a fluke the first time it happened, but it looks as if it's going to continue." Dana's mind drifted off for a moment as she thought about how much her restaurant meant to her and although the odds of making it in the restaurant business after the first year or two were abysmal, she wanted to beat the odds.

"Yeah, it does," Tracy said.

"Has the bread arrived yet?" Dana referred to her standing order of crusty Italian bread from Sarcone's, the best bread bakery in South Philadelphia. If there was one thing Dana hated it was a restaurant that served good food and mediocre bread.

"It should be here soon. If not, I'll call Vinnie and check on it," Tracy assured her. "Didn't you tell me that Karen and Laurie are coming for dinner tonight?"

"Yes, they are. This is the first time I've had a chance to socialize with them since I moved back here. You met them before, remember? That time they came to visit me in Chicago?"

"I remember and I liked them. From the looks of it, things are going to be hopping tonight, but I'll try to come out and say hello to them if I get a chance."

"I'll have to spend time with them, but I won't leave you alone the whole time they're here. That's why I want to get as much prep work done ahead of time as possible. I'll have all the lasagna done and the other specials aren't that complicated to make."

"Not a problem," Tracy said as she went over and poured herself another cup of coffee. "Would you like another cup of coffee, Dana?"

"Please. I need more before we get to work. I was hoping it would just be Karen and Laurie, but Karen called yesterday and told me they're bringing a friend of Laurie's along, another teacher that works with her. I'm not sure I feel like meeting someone new."

"It won't kill you, you know." Tracy turned her head and glanced at Dana as she poured a little milk into her coffee.

"No, I don't suppose it would."

"You say that, but I can see by that look on your face that you're not convinced."

"I'm not. They'd better not be playing matchmaker."

"Relax, will you? It's just dinner and maybe you'll like their friend." Tracy came over and set Dana's cup of coffee on the counter in front of her. "Why don't you make an effort to be more sociable? You need to meet new people."

"Why?" Dana asked.

"Because you're too attractive to hide away in this kitchen for the remainder of your days on earth, that's why. There's more to life than this."

"I know that." Dana picked up her coffee. "Thank you for the coffee and the unsolicited advice." She blew on the hot liquid as she lifted her eyes and focused on Tracy with what she hoped was a stern gaze. "Don't you worry, I'll be sociable." Although it was evident Tracy had her best interests in mind, Dana hoped she would heed her warning and refrain from making any further comments about her personal business.

"I'm not worried, I'm just saying."

Dana changed the subject in a hurry. It made her uncomfortable to talk about her lack of a social life and it embarrassed her even though she had no reason to be embarrassed in front of her very best friend. Over the last year, she'd become more and more withdrawn and she knew it wasn't good, but she wasn't ready to do anything about it. "When Jimmy gets here, we'll have him run over to Claudio's for mozzarella and provolone for the lasagna. I need more Parmigiano Regiano and I want some of those oil-cured black olives. We can always use them. And remind me to tell him to get the ones without pits. I don't want to pay anyone's dentist bills."

"Yes, boss." Tracy performed an exaggerated salute and clicked her heels together.

"I didn't mean to sound abrupt or anything. I just don't want to talk about my social life this morning. It makes me very upset and I don't feel like being upset today."

"That's okay. We don't have to discuss it." Tracy rinsed her cup and set it on the counter near the sink. "I have to run upstairs for a minute. I won't be long and when I get back, I'll get started on the prep work and the desserts."

Tracy made a quick exit through the back door and once she was gone, Dana took time to feast her eyes on her new kitchen. She'd enjoyed this private indulgence at least a hundred times since the workmen had completed the remodeling. Her kitchen contained professional, top-of-the-line appliances and every gadget and piece of equipment a chef could ever want. As she ran her hand over the mirror-like surface of the stainless steel counter in front of her, she caught a glimpse of her contented reflection and smiled at it.

Next, she sauntered over to her custom pot-filling faucet on the wall behind the largest and deepest sink and gave it a little push to the right. After opening each of the doors to the double wall ovens and peering inside, she moseyed over to visit the true love of her life, the professional gas range with its ten burners and immense ovens. With her right hand, she reached up to caress the salamander broiler mounted on the wall next to the gas range.

Three work islands were lined up in the center of the kitchen, one with a cool marble top for working pastry dough, the second with a durable composite stone top and the third with a butcher-block surface. An impressive collection of stainless steel pots and pans dangled from hooks attached to a wrought-iron ceiling rack above the islands.

Dana wondered what had become of her. She was in love with her kitchen, smitten by her sinks and stoves and thrilled by her pots and pans. Just as she began to contemplate what had brought her to this depressing point in her life, Tracy's voice drifted in from behind her, dug its way into her consciousness and yanked her out of her private thoughts.

"Earth to Dana, earth to Dana. Are you drifting in outer space or are you listening for the mother ship to contact you?" Tracy burst into laughter at her own joke.

Dana stared at Tracy until she settled down. "No, I'm telling them to beam you up so they can perform experiments on your cute little body. I told them to start with the anal probe and then work their way up to your brain if they can find it."

"Did you say anal probe? Ooh, baby, that sounds like fun." Tracy laughed even louder.

"You're such a riot." Dana waited again for Tracy to stop laughing. "If you must know, I was admiring my kitchen. I'm pleased with how it turned out." A wave of sadness swept over Dana as she thought about the other dreams that hadn't turned out the way she'd wanted them to and she looked away. When she turned to meet Tracy's eyes she was touched by the unspoken sympathy they held within them. Neither she nor Tracy uttered a word about what had happened to Dana in the past. They'd already talked it all out and there was nothing left to say.

"Your restaurant is perfect, honey and it's a huge success. Remember those reviews we got a month after we opened? They raved about the food, and that one critic said he thought it was the best new restaurant in the city? Remember that?"

"How could I ever forget?" Dana replied.

"Who knows? Maybe we'll end up on the front page of the Sunday Inquirer's food section someday," Tracy went on to say. "Can't you see our picture now? Right here in this kitchen with our arms around each other." Tracy closed her eyes and appeared to zone out as if picturing the article. Then her eyes popped open. "I'm assuming you'd let me be in the picture?"

"Sure I would. I like that fantasy. While we're in fantasy land, here's an even better one. We write a cookbook and it sells millions of copies and then we write a few more cookbooks and make more millions and then they offer us our own cooking show on the food network. Then we put out a line of pots and pans and kitchen gadgets and our own spice blends and sauces and scone mixes and quick breads and...and we'd be filthy rich."

"If you're going to dream, dream big, I always say," Tracy said.

"It could happen, you know." Kidding around with Tracy helped Dana forgot her past, at least temporarily and that was always a good thing. "It has happened."

"I know, but it's not something you should count on if you live in reality."

"You're always telling me you don't like the word 'should' and too much reality can be so depressing, don't you think?" Dana asked.

Tracy seemed to consider Dana's question before she nodded in agreement. "I hate to cut you off, but we've got tons of work to do and seeing as we don't have to tape a television show today, maybe we could have some breakfast and get started? All this talk about food has made me so hungry."

"That makes two of us. Would a cheese omelet satisfy your hunger?"

"Right about now, anything would," Tracy answered.

As she reached for an omelet pan, Dana caught a glimpse of the guy who delivers the bread coming up to the back door. "The guy's here with the bread."

"That's what I call good timing. Now we can have toast with our omelets."

KAREN SWUNG THE front door open before Ridley had a chance to knock on it. She stared at Ridley for a moment with a strange expression that distorted her delicate features and crinkled her intense eyes. "I know what you're thinking, Ridley and no I do not have ESP."

"How do you know what I'm thinking, then?"

"Ah...quick witted as usual, I see. I just happened to be standing near the window and I saw you coming up the steps. Did you have a hard time finding a parking place?"

"Believe it or not, I found one right out front."

"Honest to God? That's unheard of around here, especially on a Saturday night." Karen stuck her head out the door as if she needed to confirm Ridley's claim. "Is there a riot, a fire or some other kind of emergency? Did the city order a mass evacuation?"

"Not that I'm aware of." Karen's remarks made Ridley smile. She enjoyed her friend's straightforward sense of humor. "I hope not, anyway."

"It's a little cooler out this evening, isn't it?"

"A lot cooler, thank God. I'm even starting to detect a hint of fall in the air."

"That may be a bit of a stretch, but it does feel good. So, why are we still standing here in the doorway? Come inside and make yourself comfortable. Naturally, our Laurie's not quite ready yet. You know her. Once she gets in the bathroom, you can't be sure she'll ever come out again. Would you like something to drink while we wait? We've got wine, beer, coke and I think there's a few bottles of iced tea in the fridge."

"No thanks. I'd rather wait until we have dinner." Ridley handed Karen the two bottles of wine she'd brought along. "Laurie told me it's a BYOB sobrought a couple of bottles of wine to take to the restaurant with us."

"That's what I was told." Karen studied the labels. "This is one of our favorite Chardonnays, but of course you know that don't you? That's why you bought it. I'm pretty sure we've never tried this Cabernet. Have you had it before? Is it good?"

"I haven't had it either. The guy in the liquor store recommended it."

Karen set the bottles on the table in the foyer and focused her attention on Ridley. "I'm glad you're going with us tonight. I haven't seen you in weeks. What's new? How was the rest of your summer? Are you happy you transferred to Laurie's school" How do you like working there so far? Karen fired one question after another at Ridley in rapid sequence as she walked with her into the living room.

Ridley held up her hand. "Whoa, slow down, counselor. I'm slow, so you're going to have to let me answer your questions one by one. I can't remember the first one by the time you've asked me the next three. Is this inquisitiveness a genetic trait all you lawyers are born with or do they teach it to you in law school?" Ridley said as she eased into a leather armchair. "It probably does come in handy, I'd imagine, especially during all that questioning."

Karen sat on the sofa. "I'm not a trial lawyer, so I really don't question people per se and you're as bad as Laurie. She's always ragging on me about being a lawyer." Karen feigned displeasure but a suggestion of a smile threatened to give away her true feelings. She pursed her lips as though trying to suppress it. "I'm not fooled by either of you. You're both jealous."

"You can't be serious? Do you really think I'd like to work eighty hours a week, memorize volumes of court cases that are written in what might as well be a foreign language and argue semantics with other lawyers?" Ridley dismissed the notion with her hand.

"No thank you, not me. I just couldn't do it."

"It's not for everyone, I'll grant you that and for the record, I only work fifty or sixty hours a week on an average--give or take a few," Karen said. The smile she'd tried to squelch bubbled its way to the surface.

"Do pardon me." Ridley matched Karen's smile and then changed her tone. "I'm sorry about the teasing. All those jokes about lawyers have tainted my thinking. I hope you know how much I admire the work you do for the gay and lesbian community." Karen handled civil rights cases and she had served as a consultant to the school district to develop policies for the protection of LGBTQ students and staff members.