A spark of recognition goes off in my head.
I loved the water.
She’s right.
“She also didn’t speak to me the rest of that week. She was mad that I yelled at her in the water.”
“Cecily?”
“Mom, I love our family and everyone in it, but Cecily is piece of work. She always has been.”
After lunch, my mother kisses me on my cheek.
“You put your foot in that meal! Those mussels were delicious. Where did you learn how to make that white wine and butter sauce? It tasted like restaurant quality. So fresh.”
“It’s just something I whipped together. You can’t go wrong with wine, garlic and butter.”
“Mine never tastes that good. What are you coming over here next week to make?”
Another spark goes off.
I love to eat and I love to cook.
Of course I cook for survival, but it’s been a while since I’ve actually cooked something new for the sheer enjoyment of it. Making my mom smile today by fixing her this lunch made me feel fantastic inside.
I need to do more of this.
I’d love to try cooking a five-course meal for Jason. He’d appreciate it more than anyone I know.
We end our afternoon watching the musical Dreamgirls (Beyonce version) and eating a bowl of popcorn with some old bay seasoning sprinkled on top. It kind of kept with the seafood theme of today’s lunch and was really tasty.
When I leave to head back downtown, I feel ten pounds lighter. Sometimes in order for the tree to grow, you have to get back to the roots and figure out what were the things that made you thrive.
I remember now.
And guess what?
I’m awesome.
Thirty-Seven
JETT
I have a confession to make.
When I told Adrienne that I too preferred New Year’s Eve over Christmas, I was sincere, but that’s because I’d never had a Christmas in New York.
She was right.
There’s nothing like it.
There’s a vitality that you can feel among the people during the holidays in New York. Everyone is more optimistic, friendly, kinder, and just generally a happier person.
The city looks spectacular. There are lights everywhere. Every tree is adorned with strings of white lights, and they decorate many buildings with tasteful wreathes and festive lighting.
There are Santas on every other corner collecting change for the Red Cross. There are strangers singing for change in the subways and tourists in town to see the infamous Rockefeller center tree lighting.
There are Christmas concerts and restaurant nights and extended Christmas shopping hours.
