Broccoli & Broomsticks_Nocturne Falls Universe by Jennifer Fischetto

Author:Jennifer Fischetto [Fischetto, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B0799S2N6T
Publisher: Sugar Skull Books
Published: 2018-02-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

I only have a few minutes to fill Gio in on what I said about Cari before footsteps sound on the stairs. But in that time, my dream of one day having my brother back grows. He appears to be fully animated and he looks normal. I'm not sure he's going to be able to fool our parents though, so when they enter the kitchen, I toss the now empty carton of juice in the trash and bite down hard on my lip, which draws blood.

"Morning," says Mom when she sees me, but then she sees Gio and a mixture of relief, gratification, and anger churn on her face.

She rushes to him, grabs his shoulders, and pulls him into a tight hug. "Where have you been? Why haven't you returned any of my messages?"

"Sorry," he says, muffled into her hair. He manages to wiggle himself free and takes a step back. "My phone died."

His brain seems to be functioning well enough to answer at normal speed, and if the dead phone is a lie, then he’s back to his old self. This is good.

Dad pats him on the back and switches on the coffeemaker. "Next time be sure to contact your mother. You know how much she worries."

Gio wrings his fingers, nervous standing between the two of them. He squeezes past and widens his eyes at me. "I will. Sorry."

Mom lets out a long breath. "Well, since that is over, I can put all my energies into today's dinner after services."

There are two rituals in the Ricci family. One is my parents’ coven meetings early every Sunday morning. It's something us kids went to when we were younger, but as we got older we stopped. Sometimes Cari will go, but the rest of us usually skip it. And two, we always have a big Sunday dinner. The works. Both of my parents cook, so the meals end up being an Italian and southern fusion. Collard greens, spaghetti with marinara sauce, fried chicken, and a huge salad. It used to include a meaty bolognaise but when I went vegan, they switched to a simple marinara and usually add in another steamed veggie.

They’re pretty traditional about Sunday meals and aren’t keen about changing the menu, so I don’t usually do more than prep the salad. But they’re flexible the rest of the week, so I usually take over dinner one or two of the weeknights and try out new recipes. I made spinach lasagna with mashed sweet potatoes instead of ricotta and mozzarella last Monday. It didn’t go over too well with any of them except Nana. She had seconds.

I’ve always looked forward to Sunday dinner. I’m not sure about today though. I can’t imagine calmly sitting at the table for a leisurely dinner with everyone including Gio. Yeah, he looks better, but what if he reverts back without a steady feeding of cruciferous veggies? And there’s only a little bit of broccoli in the house.

Mom gives Gio a long, hard stare, examining his face.

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