She looks confused by my response. “You were?”
“Of course. Because you didn’t just fight for Danny.”
While she isn’t able to look at me, she does nod.
“And you really put Andie in her place. She deserved every word you said.”
“My tirade might have been slightly alcohol-fueled. You know, just possibly. But I was truthful.”
“I love you for that.” I pause. “For so many other things, too.”
“And I love you too.” She takes another bite of her sandwich, and it takes her a minute of chewing and happy sounds before she adds, “Also everything you have fed me and will feed me.”
“Just wait. I’ve got about a hundred more recipes that I want to try out.”
“I’m ready. The one thing I regret is that Danny is probably not a big fan of mine now, but I’m still a big fan of his.”
“The total opposite. He called you a beast, and he wants to come for dinner tonight, so I wouldn’t worry.”
As if approving of my words, Shallots trots in, demanding snuggles. “Beast probably isn’t the worst thing I’ve been called,” she says with a laugh. “Okay, so then, what are we going to cook for dinner? Do we need to run out?”
“Already ahead of you. The seafood section of Wake’s store isn’t what it could be, so I again had stuff shipped in. I’m on a Julia Child kick these days, so I thought we could do a full-on bouillabaisse, complete with a rouille to stir in at the end.”
“I don’t understand anything you said, but I’m up for it.”
“It’s a seafood soup with mussels, shrimp, and cod in a tomato broth, and you serve it with a concentrated mayonnaise made up of breadcrumbs, garlic, red peppers, parsley, and stuff. That is supposed to add a final kick to the dish.”
“Oh, that sounds heavenly. Clams would probably work well, too, huh?”
I shrug. “I might have ordered those too. And lobster tails.”
“Ah, you’re bringing seafood to inland Vermont. I get it. I might not have been the perfect mother, but your dad and I still raised a damn smart daughter.”
Cooking with her later that day is so fun, and it’s surprising to see how she lets me take the lead and defers to my every decision, asks questions, and even writes notes in her phone because she wants to make this for herself again.
Shallots suddenly barks and jumps up onto my leg, before racing away and returning just as quickly with Danny right behind him. His arrival makes us both cheer—not only because it’s nice to have him back, but also because it means that we can add the seafood for the final minutes it takes to cook this dish, and that’s when the real flavor will kick in.
Danny stands in the doorway but doesn’t shy away from kissing me when I rush to him. Then, he hesitantly hands my mom a gift bag. He wavers for a moment but then shows such resolve. “It’s silly stuff. Maple syrup, maple candies, a stuffed bear from Vermont Teddy Bear. Flannel pajamas. Stuff to remind you of Wake.” He shuffles in his place a bit. “For last night. For what you did for me.”
She reluctantly takes the bag and looks through. “Oh gosh, this is so sweet of you, but, kiddo, this is not at all necessary.”
“You and Paul are my heroes.” His tone is serious and laden with gratitude.
My mom shakes her head and looks down. “We’re not heroes. I should have done more years ago.Mike and Ishould have done more so many years ago. Paul should have. Everyone should have. You really are Wake’s son. You always will be.” She backs up and wipes away tears. “Dammit, I thought I was done crying. So, come in, come in. As Callie is teaching me, feeding people is the best way to show that you care for them. So, let’s eat!”
Dinner is . It’s perfect really. Flavorful, rich, exquisite. Exactly as Julia would have wanted it, I hope. And Danny proclaims he is now fully converted to seafood. It may have taken a few tries, but I got him for good now.
After dinner, he pulls me aside. “Is it still okay if I stay the night? With your mom here?”
“Of course. She adores you.” And I don’t want him to be alone.
“And she knows I adore you?” He brushes my hair back.
“She does.”
“I’m glad.” His eyes are as beautiful as always, but they are so sad tonight when he says, “I’m wiped out and dying to crash.”
He and my mom share a long hug before he goes upstairs.
