The Link

Chapter 24 - Natalie

"This is Anthony," Abigal said, introducing the chef. He was a busy seasoning something that was sizzling in a frying pan. A tall black man wearing exactly what you would expect of a chef, white pants, white double breasted shirt, and a white Pillsbury Doughboy hat.

"Hello," I said as he turned. He had to be at least six foot five, not what I expected at all.

"Greetings," Anthony said, his hand still shaking the frying pan, "you must be Miss French Onion Soup." I liked him immediately. Some people just bled friendliness and Anthony was a perfect example. His smile was warming, and his eyes found mine and seemed happy at what he saw.

"Natalie, please," I said, adjusting Teegan in my arms. Teegan smelled whatever was cooking and tried to crawl through the air toward the stove. Anthony laughed at her struggles and moved the pan to a cold burner.

"It looks like someone is hungry," Anthony said as he grabbed a towel off the counter and wiped his hands. "breakfast wasn't satisfying little one," he cooed.

"She would eat until she burst if I let her," I chuckled.

"A woman after my own heart," Anthony said sweetly. He had an addictive charm about him. I watched as he moved to the fridge and withdrew a covered bowl from the top shelf. "I whipped up some apple sauce special for her, no sugar so Abigal won't yell at me." Abigal's eye roll made me smile. It may be a prison, but it was a friendly one.

I sat on a stool at the counter and settled Teegan in my lap. She slapped her hands on the countertop, insisting that Anthony hurry. Anthony set the bowl just out of her reach and handed me a small spoon he retrieved from a drawer. Then he leaned down placing his elbows on the counter and his chin on his hands. He smiled, waiting for Teegan's response to his applesauce.

Miss Impatient tried to lean forward to grab the bowl. I held her back and filled the spoon. Teegan's coordination had increased dramatically over time. She grabbed the spoon by the handle and brought it to her mouth. You would have thought she hadn't eaten in a week. As fast as I could refill the spoon, down her throat it went. When I didn't move fast enough, she pounded her hands on the counter and grunted.

"I knew she would like that apple mix," Anthony said, "the Honey Crisp and Melrose were made to be blended." I smiled, not wanting to tell him this how Teegan always ate.

"You have a new fan," I said, "you're going to spoil her."

"All babies should be spoiled," Anthony said, standing straight again, "And I have something in the oven for you as well." I raised my eyebrows and shoveled more applesauce into Teegan. "It was a challenge to mirror the onion soup from 58 Tour Eiffel. No one would give up the secrets, but I think I've done it."

"I thought I gave you hopeless task," I said with a sly grin, "I'm sure the atmosphere of Paris was as much responsible for the flavor as the soup itself."

"Oui, Oui, Madam," Anthony said. He opened a drawer and retrieved a tourists replica of the Eiffel Tower. I have the same one stashed in a box somewhere. I smiled brightly as he placed it on the counter.

"The real tower is a bit taller," I joked.

"If you squint you eyes," Anthony said, "your imagination will carry you back to Paris. The smell of the soup and my terrible accent will complete the picture." I had to laugh at his confidence. I pulled the nearly empty bowl of applesauce closer to Teegan. Her hands were already coated so letting her dig out the rest seemed justified. She wasted no time getting to work.

"The bowls will be hot out of the oven," Anthony continued, "We'll have to make sure that Teegan doesn't touch them." Victor had passed the word quickly.