Chapter 18
Gina yanked off her dirty apron, threw it in the Panera staff laundry basket, and headed out to her car, shoulders slumped, thinking, I’ve never hated a job so much.
I get paid like shit and they work us hard.
She had even texted Kim on her break that she didn’t think she could wait much longer to quit.
As she reached into her purse for her keys, she heard someone call her name. “Hello! Earth to Gina!” Kim yelled.
Gina looked up; she had walked right past Kim, who was leaning against the trunk of Gina’s run-down sedan holding a bouquet of sunflowers.
“I didn’t even see you. I’m so sorry; it’s been another shitty day,” Gina said.
“I got your text. I brought you some flowers.” Kim handed her the bunch of bright yellow blooms, Gina’s favorites. When they were both in high school and Gina’s parents were fighting all the time, Gina would always buy her mom some sunflowers because she knew it would make her smile.
“You are so sweet.” Gina studied Kim’s face.
No one has ever been this kind and thoughtful to me.
She set the flowers down, wrapped both her arms around Kim, and gave her a long embrace.
As Kim leaned into her, Gina thought, This feels so good, I could stay here forever.
She finally stepped away and picked up the flowers again, her heart beating rapidly.
“You’re a great hugger,” Kim said, and Gina felt herself flush. “I have another surprise for you. Follow me to my car.” Kim walked a few parking spaces from Gina’s car. “I want to take you for a fun getaway right here in town. You game?”
“Are you kidding? Yes, please.” Gina let out a sigh.
Kim drove to Montrose Beach on Lake Michigan, parked, and took a small cooler out of her trunk. “Follow me.”
They found a bench by the lake and Kim took out a couple chilled beers, removed the caps, and handed one to Gina. “Here’s to us jumping in with both feet and making our catering company a success, no matter what it takes.” They clinked bottles and each took a drink.
Gina glanced over at Kim. “Thanks for making the end of my day so much better and for the flowers. That was very kind of you.”
“That’s what friends and business partners do for each other,” Kim said.
Gina sighed. “I could get used to this after-work thing. It’s very civilized. I’m starting to get why there’s been a five o’clock happy hour for decades.”
“We all need time to decompress after working, so we’ll have to build this into our busy schedules.”
They drank their beers and enjoyed watching all the bikers and runners along the lakefront under the blue sky. “I love Chicago so much,” Gina said. “I love the whole vibe.”
“Same here,” Kim said. “Coming to the lake always helps me shift gears.”
“We should get home and start prepping for our tasting dress rehearsal with Ben tomorrow. He said he’d be there at noon,” Gina said.
As they walked toward the parking lot, Gina noticed a food truck with the name Sethna painted on it, along with a line of people waiting.
“I’ve heard about this; it’s Filipino street food and supposed to be amazing.
I forgot to eat today.” Gina noticed several people eating and licking their fingers.
“Perfect, I’m starving too. One of my friends who knows that cuisine says it’s the real deal,” Kim said.
As they stood in line, an attractive, short woman with black hair, wearing a name tag with Christine written on it, approached them and handed them a small laminated menu.
“Welcome. We only have a few items. Sum, which is popular traditional street food. There’s savory and sweet,” Christine said.
“I’ve never heard of it. I love pancit,” Kim said as she browsed the menu.
“Me too, it’s one of my favorites. I just made a fresh batch so you’re in luck. I would recommend you each try one sweet and one savory in addition to pancit,” Christine said.
“What’s in the sum?” Gina asked.
“Sweet sum is made with rice cakes wrapped in banana leaves, steamed with coconut milk; it has a rich and creamy texture. The savory”—she pointed to it on the menu—“is made with rice, coconut milk, and a mixture of taro and sweet potato, also served in banana leaves.”
Gina was listening but was staring at her, sure she had seen her somewhere else. “You look so familiar, but I can’t place where I’ve seen you. Do you by chance go to that karaoke bar on Rush Street?” she asked.
“I actually won the contest there a couple months ago. I can’t believe you remembered me.”
“Yes, now I remember. You were amazing! I was clapping for you the whole time,” Gina said.
“Thanks. I need to put in your order. You can stay in line to pay. I hope you enjoy it and tell your friends.” Christine walked to the truck and yelled out the order in Tagalog to the cooks inside the truck.
Gina and Kim devoured every yummy morsel, even licking the banana leaf. They gave Christine a thumbs-up as she walked by to help another customer in line.
“If we get a Filipino funeral, we’ll have to hit her up for sure,” Kim said.
Gina looked at her watch. “Time to prep for our official tasting.”
“I’ll drive you back to pick up your car.” They got in Kim’s car and blasted “24K Magic” by Bruno Mars.
When they walked into Gina’s place, Angie was pacing in the kitchen with her hands on her hips, wearing a scowl.
“Before we start prepping for tomorrow, I have bad news to share,” Angie said.
“What’s wrong?” Gina asked with concern.
Angie slammed her fist on the countertop. “I’ve had it! I’m done with all this bullshit, once and for all. What do I look like? A stupid, spineless idiot? No one is going to fuck with me anymore, those motherfuckers.”
Gina’s eyes widened and she looked over at Kim, whose mouth was agape.
“What happened?” Gina had never seen her aunt this angry, ever, and she rarely used the f-word.
“Mario is trying to take my pension, and that is just not going to happen. I am not a victim. I won’t be treated like a helpless damsel in distress.
I am forty-five years old, and Lorna gave me some good advice, told me to pull my head out of my ass, put on my big girl panties, and stop depending on anyone, especially a man. ”
Kim and Gina stared at Angie, until finally Kim said, “You go, Towanda. You know, from the movie Fried Green Tomatoes, when the Kathy Bates character finds her inner bitch?”
“I know who Towanda is. I’ve watched that movie a million times,” Angie snapped, then added, “Sorry, I shouldn’t be taking this out on you two.”
Gina got out a bottle of bourbon, poured three glasses, and handed one to Angie and one to Kim. “To Towanda.”
They clinked glasses, and Angie said, “You’re goddamn right. Nobody—but nobody—fucks with Angie Sortino. I’m going to get Vinnie’s pension money. It’s mine and that asshole Mario has no right to it. If I find out Cookie is helping him, her ass is grass.”
All three women stood in the kitchen sipping their drinks until Angie calmed down and broke the silence. “Sorry about the outburst. I’m so done with all this game playing at City Hall. If I have to march into Mayor Borden’s office and demand my money, then that’s what I’ll do.”
Gina studied her aunt’s face. “I’m behind you, and you’re right, it’s all bullshit. Kim and I can do the prep for the tasting if you want to go and relax.”
“No. I want to help you. I’m too upset to relax.
Cooking always takes my mind off my troubles and I love cooking with you both.
” Angie put on her apron. “Let’s get started.
Thank goodness tomorrow is Saturday, no work.
After Ben comes for the tasting, we’re going to this mysterious storage unit.
Wait till he hears the news about Vinnie’s pension.
I’m sure he’ll have some sage counsel. I called Ralph earlier and shared this news with him, but I’m not sure how much help he’s going to be. He’s in hot water with the city now.”
Gina and Kim put on their aprons and started to take ingredients out of the fridge. Angie washed her hands. “Let’s make some magic in this kitchen,” Angie said.
Gina selected “Do You Wanna Funk?” by Sylvester, one of her favorite songs from the playlist on her phone. All three women started to dance, the energy in the kitchen ramping up.