The Good Nearby by Nancy Moser

Author:Nancy Moser [Moser, Nancy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION / Christian / General, FICTION / Religious
ISBN: 9781414364896
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Published: 2006-10-01T04:00:00+00:00

Mow the lawn = one hour of TV (and a microscopic assessment of each blade of grass)

Get an A on a test = new sweater (her mother picked out)

Come in late = 2 hours of chores (plus an hour lecture)

And her favorite:

Talk back = banishment to her bedroom (including periodic scoldings through the door)

It had taken Talia a long time to realize that banishment could be considered a reward, and as such, she had saved her moments of speaking her mind for times when being left alone was exactly what she desired. As far as the scoldings through the door? Earplugs and headphones covered that up quite nicely.

Her memories were interrupted by her father’s voice: “But I told you, the order has to be there Friday.”

At least he wasn’t yelling at her—or her mother. Although Talia had hoped her father would warm to a grandchild—especially a male grandchild—she’d based her hope on an idealized wish list of what a family should be like. A grandfather running toward a grandchild, stooped low with arms outstretched to gather him up for smiles, hugs, and kisses . . .

Her father, phone still to his ear, got out of his desk chair and came toward the glass French doors that separated office from foyer. And closed them.

Never mind. One parent down, one to—

Her mother, in possession of Tomás, led them into the kitchen. Nesto found the nearest chair. Angie nodded toward the counter while nuzzling the child to her cheek. “Would you stir the spices into the ricotta, dear?” Her mother got Tomás an animal cracker and sat at the kitchen table with the boy in her lap. “Then spread a tablespoon of the mixture on those slices of roasted eggplant over there.”

Talia looked at the serving tray where eggplant slices were positioned like the spokes of a wheel. “Whatever are you making, Mother?”

“Roasted Vegetable Napoleons. I got the recipe on the Internet.”

But why? “You don’t have to cook fancy for us. Nesto and I are fine with frozen vegetables.”

“Canned vegetables are good too,” Nesto said.

Angie shook her head. “Your father likes things fancy, so I make them fancy—” she sighed—“or at least I try.” Her face brightened and her voice lowered. “But I have to tell you about a different kind of cooking. This noon, when I was at the shelter, I had to fill in for the cook who’d quit.”

Talia’s mother told them all about her chili-making experience using sweeping hand gestures and adjectives like exciting, invigorating, and meaningful. She took a final breath. “It was . . . fun.”

Nesto nodded. “You seem very happy.”

Angie’s chest puffed up like a dandy. “Yes, I guess I was.” Her smile faded. She pointed to the counter where bowls of vegetables lay sliced and ready. “Now, cover the ricotta with two potato slices and layer it with zucchini, onion, mozzarella, tomatoes, and end with the ricotta and eggplant.”

Talia got to work. But she would not be so easily swayed from the issue at hand. “You said you were happy.

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