The Oldest Sin (10 page)

“You’re kidding,” said Cindy. “I thought I’d tried them all.”

“Oh, well, this one I invented myself. It lasted about as long as it took to eat an entire turkey roaster full of popcorn.”

“And that was?” asked Lavinia, an amused look on her face.

“About two hours. After four glasses of wine it went down so easily, it was all gone before I realized what I’d done. It was supposed to last me several days. I couldn’t look a popcorn kernel in the face for years after that.”

Everyone laughed.

“But getting back to
this
food,” said Lavinia, turning around and looking at the table laden with goodies. “It all looks so familiar.”

“That’s because it is,” said Sophie more than a little proudly. “It’s a compilation of our favorite Friday-night treats.”

Last weekend, Sophie had spent one entire afternoon digging through the junk in her attic, looking for her old college trunk. She’d finally found it pushed way back under the eves, and much to her delight, when she opened it she found her Home Management folder right on the top. She’d already decided that she would have the Zephyr Club cater the reunion party, but to set the right tone, she wanted to provide the banquet chef with specific instructions. That way, her old college chums could reminisce surrounded by the food they once loved.

She’d begun planning the meal that night At Terrace Lane, die was the only genuine cook. Since she read cookbooks at night to relax, die was forever coming up with new recipes. The only problem was, the dean of women had put all the Terrace Laners on a restricted diet That meant that Sophie approached these clandestine Friday-night get-togethers with a gusto born of deprivation. Sometimes she’d cook for hours just preparing one small appetizer. But it was always worth it During the later half of her sophomore year, Sophie actually spent some time developing her own small cookbook based on the sweets and savories she’d prepared for those secret Friday-night Sabbath celebrations. She’d even Xeroxed it and handed it out to other students. Several of the recipes were designed specifically for dorm cooking. If you didn’t have an oven or a stove top, you had to be truly creative. Sophie’s cream cheese balls became famous around campus. All you needed was a bowl and a few simple utensils, and presto, you had something really good to eat for those special dorm meetings, all-night study marathons, or… whatever.

Tonight, Sophie selected five dishes for the menu. While most of them couldn’t be prepared in a dorm room, they’d all been favorites back at Terrace Lane. Of course, her own culinary tastes had moved on from many of these fairly simple recipes, yet she still had a warm place in her heart for them.

First, what would the reunion be without her favorite bite-sized cream cheese balls, all rolled in nuts? Three different varieties were placed carefully around the edge of an ornate silver platter, a nest of Breton wafers resting in the center of the tray.

Next came the chicken-stuffed mushrooms, a particular favorite of Bunny’s. The addition of chopped toasted walnuts and slivers of sweet red grapes made die chicken salad truly memorable.

And then of course, no buffet was complete without Sophie’s famous cold Torsk salad. It was a family recipe, and one of her very favorites. She assumed it was inspired by one of her Finnish relatives: The fourth hors d’oeuvre was a spinach and Boursin cheese concoction she’d developed late one Friday afternoon. She simply started tossing together various leftovers she found in the refrigerator. After tasting it, she’d grabbed her purse and rushed over to El Rancho, where she bought some delicate phyllo dough. The result was a truly sublime,

crisp buttery gem of an appetizer, especially good when served piping hot from the oven. A cold mustard dill sauce accompanied the dish.

And last but certainly not least came the fabulous Oriental chicken and cabbage salad that was a special favorite of everyone at Terrace Lane. Actually, Sophie had found that most people who tried it were hooked on the first bite.

“By the way,” said Sophie, smiling expansively at her friends, “for those of you who might be interested in a piece of nostalgia, I’ve made copies of that cookbook I compiled back at college. If you want one, I’ve put some on the table next to the door.”

“Great idea,” said Bunny, selecting a plump mushroom from one of the silver trays. “You were always the gourmet. That must be because you grew up at the Maxfield.”

“Must have been pretty soft having a four-star restaurant in the family,” said Lavinia. “When I was a kid, my mom’s idea of gourmet cooking was putting a piece of parsley between the fried pork chops and the applesauce.”

“My mother thought
burning
the pork chop was decoration enough,” offered Adelle, gazing at everyone over the tip of her champagne glass. “She always went that extra mile to make a meal memorable.”

“I suppose you burn a lot of pork chops for Hugh,” said Bunny, sitting down in a chair across from her. It was the first mention anyone had made of the Purdis family.

Adelle downed her last bit of wine before answering. “We don’t eat pork, Bunny. Remember?”

Bunny seemed embarrassed by her forgetfulness. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean —”

“That’s all right.” Adelle waved the comment away. “I’m still part of the church and you’re not. In other words,” she added with a wry smile, “you’re heathens and I’m … unequally yoked together with unbelievers tonight.”

“A heathen,” repeated Lavinia, matching Adelle’s sarcasm. “I’ve often wondered what I was. Now that I know, I can fill out all those government forms so much more easily. No more hesitating over the column marked ‘religious affiliation.’ “

“Come on,” said Cindy with a nervous titter. “Adelle doesn’t care about any of that. In fact, we’ve stayed close ever since college.”

This was news to Sophie.

“Actually, not that it’s anybody’s business,” continued Cindy, “but I’ve been attending a few Baptist services in my hometown recently. My beliefs mean as much to me as Adelle’s do to her. But if we talk religion, we’re only going to end up arguing.”

“Funny how that works,” said Sophie under her breath.

“So, where’s the sweet stuff?” said Lavinia, rubbing her hands together hungrily. “Surely you’re going to wow us with one of your fabulous desserts?”

Everyone seemed grateful for die change of subject.

Sophie made a quick phone call. Several minutes later a young man wearing a chef’s uniform entered the room carrying a large round silver platter. In the center rested a cake decorated with beautiful swirls of whipped cream. Written on the top were the words
WELCOME, TERRACE LANERS
!

Sophie beamed at the young man as he set the cake down on a low table between the couch and the chairs. As he straightened up she placed a hand on his back and said, “I’d like you all to meet my son, Rudy.”

“Your son?” said Lavinia, flashing him a delighted smile. “Norm’s boy?”

“That’s right,” said Rudy. He shook her hand.

“So handsome,” she said, sizing him up.

“He looks a lot like you did at that age, Soph,” said Bunny wistfully. “Reddish-gold hair. Dreamy eyes.”

“You never told me you thought I had dreamy eyes,” said Sophie, elbowing her friend in the ribs.

Bunny blushed.

“I’ll bet you’ve already broken more than one young girl’s heart,” said Cindy, gazing at him with interest.

Rudy cleared his throat. “Not really,” he said, glancing at his mother.

“Oh, he’s probably broken them,” said Sophie. “But it wasn’t intentional.”

“Really,” continued Cindy, her expression souring. “I’ve never met a handsome man yet who didn’t enjoy his power over women.”

Again, Rudy cleared his throat. “I think you finally met one,” he said, looking her square in the eyes. “I’m gay.”

Sophie watched everyone’s response. Lavinia seemed fine with it, barely reacting at all. Bunny had already slipped Sophie the news that she was gay. herself, so her smile only broadened. Cindy and Adelle, on the other hand, grew distinctly uncomfortable.

“Rudy’s attending the University of Minnesota right now,” continued Sophie, attempting to head off any awkward comments. She knew it was important to Rudy to be open about who he was, but she still had a mother’s heart. If she could protect him from hurtful words, she had to try. “And he’s working part-time in the Maxfield’s kitchen.”

“I made the cake myself,” he said, smiling at everyone. “Of course, it was one of Mom’s recipes.”

“Not that milk chocolate jam torte,” cried Lavinia, clasping her hands in front of her with all the melodrama of a silent-film actress.

“That’s the one.” Rudy smiled.

“You wonderful man,” she said, giving him a hug.

“Let’s dig in,” suggested Bunny, eyeing Adelle and Cindy with barely concealed disgust.

“It was nice meeting all of you,” said Rudy, backing toward the door. “I’ve got to get back to work.”

“Thanks, honey,” said Sophie. “I’ll see you at home later.”

Lavinia checked her watch. “You know, since we’re making introductions, there’s someone
I’d
like you to meet. It’s a little surprise I’ve been looking forward to sharing with all of you. As a matter of fact, you’re the first people I’ve told.”

“Surprise?” said Bunny, her bulldog head jerking as if she were picking up a scent.

“That’s right. Now, if you’ll wait just one second.” She moved over to the open doorway and waved into the lobby. A strikingly handsome young man entered the room a few moments later, pausing next to her to give her a kiss.

“Everyone,” said Lavinia grandly, “I’d like you to meet Peter Trahern. My new husband.”

“Your what?” said Bunny, nearly dropping her wineglass.

Husband? thought Sophie. Him? He was gorgeous. And young. Robert Redford and then some. In his Dockers and polo shirt, he looked as if he’d walked straight out of
GQ.

Peter smiled at all the shocked faces, putting his arm around Lavinia’s waist and drawing her close. “My plane just got in a couple of hours ago. Actually, I’m from the Twin Cities. My family’s home is in Edina.”

“Really?” said Sophie, her voice an octave too high. Clearing her throat, she tried again. “That’s … wonderful. Congratulations to both of you.”

Bunny still hadn’t moved.

Adelle rose and walked toward him, clearly wanting to get a closer look. “Where did you two meet?” she asked, extending her hand.

“In Monterey,” said Lavinia, leaning her head on his shoulder and gazing up into his handsome face. “I needed to buy a home in California because so much of my business has moved out there.”

“We met through the real-estate company I work for,” said Peter, picking up the conversation.

“You were her real-estate agent?” said Bunny, at last regaining her ability to speak.

Sophie had the distinct impression that everyone wanted to pinch him to see if he was real. He was
so
good-looking. And of course, the unspoken question in everyone’s mind was, what on earth was he doing with Lavinia? Sophie was ashamed of herself for even entertaining such a thought. But there it was, a niggling obnoxious little question that wouldn’t go away.

“So I sold her a house,” said. Peter, flashing everyone his fabulous smile. “And then we started dating. One thing led to another —”

“We were married two months ago,” said Lavinia. “It was a private ceremony. Just a couple of friends.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?’ demanded Bunny. She poured herself another glass of wine and took several hefty swallows.

“Oh, well,” said Lavinia, running her red nails across Peter’s shirt. “We wanted to keep it a secret until we could announce it to his parents. We’re going to do that on Sunday evening, right after the conference is done.”

“Do you think they’ll have some problem with your marriage?” asked Sophie. She hoped she wasn’t being too nosy. People always said she asked too many questions.

“I don’t know,” said Peter. “Mom’s always wanted to help plan my wedding. I’m sure she’ll be disappointed. But she’ll understand. So will Dad. We didn’t want to wait. We’re both spur-of-the-moment kind of people.” He laughed.

“Really,” said Adelle, her tone a tad too cheerful to be anything other than sarcastic.

Bunny seemed uncertain, and Cindy looked positively dumbfounded.

“Well, I’ll keep my fingers crossed that everything goes well for you when you tell them,” said Sophie, flailing for the right words. “Would you like some coffee and cake?”

“I’d love it,” said Peter. “I know Lavinia has really been looking forward to this reunion.” Turning to her, he added, “Did you tell them about your other surprise yet?”

Bunny nearly choked on her wine. “No,” she said sternly, her eyes colliding with Lavinia’s. “And what would that other surprise be?”

, Lavinia sat down on the couch. Peter sat down next to her, wrapping his muscular arm around her shoulder. “Well,” he began.