“Now I’m going to combine the eggs and bananas and flour.” I slowly add the egg mixture, keeping on stirring. “We want it nice and smooth. No lumps.”
Enzo watches me.
Luca’s eyes narrow slightly. He glances at Enzo.
“But wait until you see what happens when I put it in this machine.” I show Luca how to take a dipper and add the batter to the machine. We do it together, then I close the lid.
The machine hisses. The smell of warm batter fills the kitchen.
“It will beep when it’s ready,” I promise, wishing it hadn’t been a year since I last used it.
“This is so cool,” Enzo says, coming close to Luca. “Real, homemade waffles. You’ve eaten them before, right?”
Luca nods.
Finally, the machine stops. I hand Luca a piece of waffle. “It’s warm.”
He eyes it suspiciously, turning it around in his hand.
I take Enzo’s hand without thinking. His skin is warm, and he goes completely still—and then I realize what I’m doing and put some waffle into his palm like that was the plan all along.
“Go on,” I say. “Try it.”
Enzo lifts the waffle to his mouth. His hand trembles, but then so does mine.
Weird.
Maybe the waffle is hotter than I thought.
“Delicious,” Enzo says, looking at me.
I smile at him, and his cheeks pinken, and he looks away.
Enzo has always been a bit shy. It’s sort of adorable.
“Your turn, Luca.”
Luca breaks a piece of waffle, then puts it into his mouth. Well, that’s very smart. Are the pieces too big for him? Or does he just like to crush food in his hand? Because that sounds fun too. I should probably spend more time crushing things in my hand also. Would give my Robo-vacuum more interesting things to pick up.
I suddenly remember when Enzo put a whole grape in his mouth and managed to choke on it. I remember rushing toward him as his eyes widened and all the color left his face. I remember my panic, and his, and then how he fit into my arms as I heimliched him, thankful for the pictures displayed in my school cafeteria that taught me exactly what to do.
“Good job,” I tell him. “Always chew carefully and slowly. Then you can really enjoy the good taste.”
I make another waffle, since we ate almost a whole one already ‘testing’ it.
“Now for the ice cream.” I dump frozen banana chunks into my blender. “Base first, then I’ll customize each one.” I put some options on the counter. “Do you like plain or chocolate or peanut butter or berry?”
Luca watches me. He points at the berries.
“Sweet.” I fist-bump him. “What about you, Enz?”
“I want chocolate.”
“And no one likes plain?”
Luca and Enzo shake their heads.
“My men have advanced tastes.” I pull them both into a hug.
