Chapter 12 #3
“Kim and I are cooking all day. Call me later. I’ve never asked you for money before. It feels scary to ask now. This is my dream.” Gina ended the call.
When Gina walked into the kitchen, she was greeted with a sweet scent. “What the hell are you baking? My mouth is watering.” She glanced over at Kim and the tiny oven covered with small cookies topped with slivers of almonds.
“Close your eyes and open your mouth.” Kim popped a cookie into Gina’s mouth. “What do you taste? Keep your eyes closed.”
“I taste almonds, crunchy, sweet yumminess. More, please.” She opened her eyes and Kim had the biggest grin.
“This is one of our family’s oldest recipes. Almond cookies. You can’t find them like this anymore. This will be one of our signature cookies. No one will be spitting these out.” They both laughed, recalling all the folks at Vinnie’s funeral who spat out the nasty cookies they had made in a hurry.
Kim cleared her throat and looked directly into Gina’s eyes. “I’m really nervous about this whole thing, but if anyone can do it, we can.”
Gina looked at Kim. “We’re going for it. Worst-case scenario, we fail and get other jobs. But we’re not going to fail.”
“My parents think I’m wasting my time. They say there’s enough caterers out there, we don’t have any real experience—they are so negative.” Kim turned around and started to move the cookies into a tin.
“Don’t let them get into your head. Remember when you told them you preferred girls in high school, they lost their shit. But you were brave and followed your heart.”
“They threatened to throw me out of the house, but I lived under their roof until I could move out and date who I wanted to date. I knew I always liked girls, but my family would never allow even a conversation around that topic. They said it would shame them and our family. That’s why I rented a room outside the house right out of high school.
I couldn’t suppress my true feelings,” Kim said.
“I remember; that took courage. Look, I have no idea what my love life is ’cause I never had one.
Kissed a few boys in high school but didn’t feel a thing.
It could have been that I was a lousy kisser or he was or we both were.
You know my family; they are always trying to fix me up with some Italian stallion, and I’ve told them, over and over, no thanks. ”
“We may not have time for any love life while we’re getting our business going. Let’s commit to making this business a success first and then we’ll see what happens. Sound good?” Kim smiled at Gina.
“Deal. What are we making next? I want to have the full tasting menu ready before my aunt gets back.” Gina’s mind was spinning with ideas.
Kim laid out all the recipes from her family, the ones Angie had shared, and some from the Scratch? My Ass! cookbook. “We have fifteen appetizers to make. Let’s get to it.”
Gina played Chainsmokers on her phone, one of their favorite bands, and they rocked out while they laughed and cooked for the rest of the afternoon.
The music was interrupted several times by Gina’s mom calling. She finally answered.
“Hey, Mom, Kim and I are busy cooking. Can I call you back tomorrow?”
“I’m so sorry, honey, just wanted you to know I am behind you both a hundred percent. I cashed in one of my IRAs and transferred ten thousand dollars into your account.”
“Oh my God, Mom! Thank you so much! I’ll pay you back with interest, I promise.”
“You don’t have to pay me back. I had that money set aside for if you went to a four-year college, so it was always there for you. You’ll never guess who helped me at the bank.”
“Who?” Gina was tapping her fingers on the kitchen counter. She needed to get back to cooking.
“Tim Cash, your prom date. He sure had eyes for you. He asked all about you and even gave me his cell number. I’ll text it to you. He’s excited to reconnect with you, he’s single—”
“Mom, he was a terrible kisser, and you always told me, if they can’t kiss, then forget about anything else. Gotta go. I can’t thank you enough for the money. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Gina glanced over at Kim, who was focused on the third boiling batch of pot stickers. She turned up the music and they both jammed in the kitchen. Gina was so focused that she didn’t hear Thad enter.
“Yo, roomie, what smells so good?”
Gina turned and looked over at him and his girlfriend, Daisy, who had dyed her hair bright green that week. “Hey, Dais, what’s up?”
“Right now, I’m super high. Thad got a new batch of weed from his friend in California and it’s intense, probably not for your aunt, but it’s a great high. Got anything we can eat? The munchies are kicking in big-time.”
Gina looked over at Kim. “Can we spare a few pot stickers for these stoners?”
“Absolutely, and then they have to try the almond cookies. That will definitely hit the spot. I love these when I’m high,” Kim said.
Kim dished up pot stickers for them and placed them on the kitchen table with the dipping sauce. Thad and Daisy sat down and dove in.
“Whoa, these are freaking amazing, dude. I could eat like a dozen of these,” Thad said.
“We have to save some for Gina’s aunt. How about a few cookies instead?” Kim walked over and placed a small plate of cookies on the table, then stepped back and put her arm around Gina as Thad and Daisy devoured the cookies.
“Damn! I bet these are great even when you’re not high.” Thad licked the crumbs off his fingers.
“Family recipe, dude, glad you like them.” Kim and Gina exchanged smiles.
Angie walked into the kitchen with a bag of groceries. She looked over and saw Thad. “Hey, Thad.” A girl with green hair sat next to him at the table. “And you must be Thad’s girlfriend. Love the hair, and it’s not even St. Patrick’s Day. Are we having a party?”
“This is my main squeeze, Daisy,” Thad said. “We’re chowing down on these flavor bombs—have you tried them?”
“Oh yeah, those pot stickers are beyond delicious.” Angie pulled a half gallon of vodka out of the bag. “Cocktails, anyone?”
“None for me. Dais and I are heading downtown for a house party. Weed is my drug of choice, but feel free to party on.” Thad and Daisy stood up, grabbed a couple more cookies, and headed out. “Later.”
“How many martinis am I making?” Angie opened the cupboard and took out glasses.
“Make three—are we celebrating anything special?” Gina reached under the sink where she kept a martini shaker.
“Yes, we are, but I have to change into some comfortable clothes. You know how I like my ’tinis—be right back.” Angie made her way to Gina’s bedroom.
Gina made sure her aunt was out of earshot and whispered to Kim, “My aunt is in a bad way. She has no money and has to move out of her apartment and find a job. She really wants to be part of our business, and I hope you’re okay with that—just until she gets on her feet.”
“Of course I am down with that. She will be invaluable—who can say no to her? Plus, she happens to be a great cook.”