Recipe for a Perfect Wife by Karma Brown

Author:Karma Brown
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2019-12-30T16:00:00+00:00

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Later, Nate found Alice lying on the living room floor, still in her funeral ensemble. Hands stretched overhead and eyes closed; the only movement was in her chest, which rose in measured breaths.

“What are you doing?” Nate asked, sitting on one end of the sofa so he could see her face. His voice carried worry, though he kept his tone light. She wanted to be alone. Though lying in the middle of the living room floor was not the most inconspicuous place to rest when one wanted solitude.

“Does it feel warmer in here?” Alice asked.

“Warmer? I don’t know,” Nate replied. “I guess so?”

“Don’t you think that’s weird? I mean, this room used to be freezing. I had to wear a sweater all the time. And now it’s warm.”

“Do you want me to open a window?” Nate asked.

“No. I like it.” Alice’s eyes remained closed as she took in a long breath, appreciating the moment of serenity.

“Do you need anything? A glass of water?”

“In one of those magazines it said if you feel tired to lie on the floor with your eyes closed for five minutes.”

Alice didn’t see Nate’s smile because her eyes were shut. “Which magazine?” he asked.

“One of the old ones I found in the basement, with the cookbook. From the fifties.”

Nate’s knees cracked when he crouched, and his arm pressed against hers as he lay on the floor beside her. Things hadn’t been quite right between them since the night Nate blew off dinner—despite his apologies, promises to make it up to her—but it was a lot of work, staying angry. They lay in silence for a while, only the sound of their breath filling the space between them.

“Do you want to talk about it?” he finally asked.

Alice shook her head. “No.”

“Okay.” The blissful quiet enveloped Alice again. “It’s all right to be upset, Ali. He was still your father.”

“In title only,” Alice replied. She opened her eyes, stared at the plaster ceiling covered with fancy swirls and tiny crests that proved excellent holders for spiderwebs. She should probably take a broom to it tomorrow. “I’m going to start dinner.”

Nate rolled onto his side toward her, bent his elbow, and rested his head in his palm. “I thought we could order in tonight.”

“Already thawed the chicken.” Alice sat up slowly and wrapped her arms around her knees. Her head was fogged, probably because she hadn’t yet eaten today, and she waited for the dizziness to pass. “I think the house likes it when I cook.”

There was a pause from Nate, and then: “You mean, because it smells good?” He sat up as well.

Alice took a breath in, let it out. Still light-headed. “That too.”

Nate shook his head, laughed gently. “I’m confused.”

“I know it sounds nuts, but ever since I started making recipes from Nellie Murdoch’s old cookbook, the house feels warmer. And we haven’t had a house disaster in over a week.” Alice stood, felt okay. “The kitchen tap doesn’t drip anymore, and even the fridge has gone quiet.

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