A Dying Legacy

Chapter 19

I didn't have anyone to twirl me, but that didn't mean I couldn't twirl myself. I hooked the spatula on the edge of the pot and just let myself go without a care in the world... until my foot slipped along sauce splatter on the floor and I almost did the splits. My eyes immediately popped open to see what I could grab onto to keep from falling. Instead, I caught sight of the three ladies watching me in the hallway and almost decided face planting in embarrassment would be the better option. Almost. I grabbed the counter in front of me and quickly ended my fall before I was too far gone.  

"How long have you been standing there?"

"Not long at all- ""Long enough kiddo!" Anna could not play nice like the others tried. My cheeks reddened and I quickly turned off the music as if that would lessen the embarassment.

"Oh come on, now. It was cute." Marcy tried to give me a little something."

"And this smells delicious." Anna went straight to the tall double pots along the stoves and inhaled the steam wafting up. "What is this?" Without invitation, she picked up a spoon and tried to have a taste.

"That is cacciatora sauce- " I snatched the spoon from her, "- and the only way you're trying it is properly." I chastised.

"But, I just wanna- " ignoring Anna's protests, I went over to the prep table I stored the now freshly baked focaccia. Anna tried to take another taste behind my back while I cut the focaccia into slices like little crostini's. Marjorie took the utensil from her this time and wacked her hand with it. "Ow, what the hell you do that for?" She griped, rubbing her poor hand.

"If you have patience, she just might make you a plate as well." Marjorie realized exactly what I was going for by 'trying it properly'.

I turned one of the gas burners on the stove to low, coated the focaccia with some olive oil and laid it across like I was toasting some bread on a grill. While those had a minute, I fetched four bowls that were wide and shallow from the dish cabinet. I had let the cappalletti fuse with additional flavor by cooking it in a vegetable stock seasoned with salt. With a strained ladle, I scooped out about a dozen a bowl. Then to finish the dish, I poured a decent heap of cacciatora sauce over the pasta. Pieces of sliced Italian sausage plopped into the bowl around the pasta as I dumped the sauce in. Then last but not least, I pulled the toasted focaccia off the burner and sat a slice across the rim of each bowl.

"Alright, ladies." I sat the bowls before each of them, "I'm honored that you're the first to try. I hope you enjoy."

Anna rolled her eyes at that comment. "I think we both know you don't have to 'hope'. This smells absolutely fabulous." Surprisingly, Marjorie beat Anna to the first bite. Her eyes closed as she savored the flavors. The spices inside the pasta blended perfect with the bite of sausage while the creaminess smoothed out the heat. She let out a tiny moan and Anna was off, not waiting any longer to try it after that reaction.

"You really like it?" I knew if I stuck to my family recipe, the food would be wonderful. I didn't need anyone to tell me that. But in the short time I had been here, these ladies opinions mattered to me. 

"Do I li- it?" Anna repeated around a mouthful of focaccia bread. "I- " She began to cough from talking with a mouthful and gave a thumbs up instead.

"I think what she's trying to say- " Marcy was laughing at her friend, "-is that we love it."

"What in God's name is that smell?" We all froze, smiles dropping as we turned to the doorway.

"Aaaand, she's back." I internally groaned as Vanessa stepped into the kitchen.

"Vanessa- "Marjorie quickly wiped her mouth on a napkin and turned to her. She was probably the only one here capable of staying so civil in her presence. "- is there anything you need from the kitchen I can help you with?"