Bartlett House by Duane Poncy & Duane Poncy

Author:Duane Poncy & Duane Poncy [McLean, Patricia J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780974668352
Publisher: Rainy Nights Press

CHAPTER TWENTY

“Just a little more basil, sweetheart,” Lucy said as she pulled the cork from a bottle of Chardonnay. She peered over Marta’s shoulder. “Now, when the onions get a little translucent, you want to put in the mushrooms.”

“What about the spinach?”

“It goes in last. You don’t want to overcook it.”

“So, you think Will’s going to show up, Mom?”

Lucy shook her head. “I don’t know, Marta. He said he would. I think it would be good for him to get out of his apartment and stop obsessing for a while. But we all have to work through our grief in our own way.”

“Okay, Mom, I’m ready for the mushrooms.”

Lucy handed her a cutting board, heaped with neatly sliced Shiitakes, which Marta pushed awkwardly off into the skillet.

“Now stir for about a minute, then add a half-cup of this wine.”

“So, do you have a thing for Will, Mom?”

“Pardon me?”

“Do you like Will?”

“For Christ’s sake, Marta—put in the wine, dear—Emmy’s only been gone a couple of weeks.”

“I don’t mean it like that, Mom—where’s the measuring cup? I know it’s going to take some time. But, you know, do you like him?”

“You don’t need a measuring cup.” Lucy picked up the wine bottle and poured until the quantity of liquid in the skillet met with her satisfaction. “I haven’t even thought about it. Will seems like a nice guy, but a little neurotic. Okay, dear, time for the spinach, but don’t let it get too shriveled up.”

A knock on the door.

“Speak of the devil,” said Lucy.

Lucy greeted Will and dragged him into the dining room. “You’re just in time to be our guinea pig,” she laughed. She took the bottle of wine that Will brought as an offering and excused herself.

“Marta’s getting cooking lessons this evening,” Lucy called from the kitchen.

“Oh,” returned Will.

“Under the direction of a Master Chef, of course,” said Marta.

“I’m sure it will be just fine,” Will smiled as Lucy returned with her hands full of dishes.

“Be seated, sir. Tonight’s fare,” said Lucy, “Linguine Florentine in white wine sauce, a delicious fresh fruit compote, Marta’s special garlic bread, and a fine Oregon Chardonnay.”

“Sounds delicious.” Will sat down as Lucy finished setting the food out.

“Hope you have a strong stomach,” Marta appeared at the door with the entrée and grinned.

“I’ve eaten some pretty bad food and survived,” Will quipped.

Marta chuckled as she seated herself. When Lucy finished pouring the wine, she joined her two guests, and without fanfare, started eating.

“Dig in,” she said, her mouth full of food.

“She’s like that,” said Marta, nodding toward her mother. “No grace or nothin’.”

Will laughed and attacked his pasta.

“Guess who I had tea and cake with?” A smile quirked around Will’s thin lips.

“The Queen Mother?” Marta in mock seriousness.

“Edwina Phillips.”

Lucy was astonished. “The same Edwina Phillips who wrote to Emmy’s great-grandmother?”

“The same. I found her on Emmy’s email and called her up. She’s 105. Living history. She also knows quite a lot about Emmy’s family–the Bartletts and about Great-Grandma Catherine. It seems the family disowned Catherine for having a baby without a husband.

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