For dessert, I was going to make torta di riso with cherries, an Italian rice pudding cake with ricotta, and Amarena cherries. The list I gave Connor was long since I was feeding three grown men, Aofie, Fiona, and me.
I didn’t know if they liked Italian food, but I hoped I made it so good that they learned to love it. The groceries came an hour later, and I thanked Connor a hundred times since they were a lot of bags.
Elena, what are you writing ?
I looked up from my notebook to see Fiona helping her on the stool. I’m making dinner tonight, so I’m just writing down everything to figure out what to make first.
Is daid joining us for dinner ?
Yes, so is your uncle Liam and another friend of your father, I explained.
Fiona rummaged through the fridge and kitchen as she reheated lunch for Aofie while I leaned over the counter and continued writing my notes. I wanted the baked ziti to be simmering and hot when they dug into it, and I wanted the salad to be crisp.
I didn’t want to make it soggy and ruin the entire meal. I pulled out the ingredients for every meal and separated them into sections while Aofie ate her lunch.
If you don’t have homework, do you want to help me make dessert ? I asked.
Yes, please. What dessert ?
It’s called torta di riso. It’s an Italian rice pudding cake, and it’s sweet and delicate and topped with cherries.
I’ll help. I’ll help !
All right, finish your meal and wash your hands. Then, if you have any homework, finish it, then come down, and we’ll make it together. Deal ? I extended my hand, and she shook it.
Deal ! I’m so excited. She squealed.
Me too !
I started my preparations by making the dough for the garlic bread. I wanted it fresh ; that and my nonna would smack me with the loaf of bread if I ever decided to use one, not homemade.
I thought of her the entire time I spent in the kitchen, and I could almost hear her in my head as I kneaded the dough.
I missed her, and being in the kitchen like this reminded me of her and every single memory we shared. The dough took longer than usual, but I didn’t want to skimp on any instructions, so it came out perfectly.
After covering it and leaving it to rise in the oven, I prepared the garlic butter, which had me working overtime peeling the garlic and making sure the butter was room temperature so I could mix it and prepare it all.
I set the garlic butter in the fridge for now and would take it out when I prepared the dough. After washing the asparagus, I cut off the ends before placing them in a strainer and rinsing them out once more before placing them on paper towels so they could dry thoroughly.
The next step I did was to prepare my tomato sauce. I wish I had started this meal last night because it felt like I didn’t have time to make the original tomato sauce recipe that took seven hours on the stove.
I barely had time, so I made an entirely different recipe. It only took an hour so it would be ready for when I needed it for the ziti. I was running around the kitchen like a maniac, but I loved the thrill it gave me as I checked the steps and preps off my notebook.
The time was ticking, and I thrived on finishing everything, still having time to shower and change into something nicer than stained pajamas. I wanted to make the cake last, so I wanted to knock everything else out of my way.
Aofie came down just in time for me to finish doing the mountain of dishes left in the sink.
Are you ready to make it with me ?
I am.
I helped her get on the counter and grabbed a saucepan. Okay, we’re going to add some ingredients to this saucepan and let it come to a boil, I explained.
Aofie helped measure out every ingredient with me, and after giving the milk, cream, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla pod a mix, I carried it to the stove. I needed to ask Oisin to get her a step stool so she could help me.
I didn’t want to carry her over the stove and have it spill, so she stayed on the counter while I mixed it gently and waited for it to boil. I gently added the bowl of arborio rice into the pan and continued mixing.
What are you going to wear for dinner ? I asked, turning around to look at her.
My pink dress. What are you going to wear ?
I shrugged. I don’t know yet. Something nice.
She took a whiff and closed her eyes. It smells so good.
Yeah, I love this cake very much. My grandmother used to make it with me.
When the rice got creamy and soft, I took it off the heat and carefully removed the vanilla pod. I left it to cool and went to prepare the oven.
Here. Lift your sleeves. I told her. You’re going to help me grease the pan.
She looked determined as she lifted her sleeves and reached for the butter. She smoothed it between her hands and giggled.
It’s so slimy.
I want you to spread it around the entire cake pan. Don’t be afraid to add more. Good job, Aofie.
I could see her smile widening as she added more butter to grease the pan. I grabbed some parchment paper and showed her a quick way to measure out the pan. I grabbed a piece, folded it over and in half, then creased it tightly before cutting around.
Voila. I showed her the perfect circle.
Oh my god. That’s so cool. She took it from me and gently set it down, and then we used another parchment paper to line the sides. Like this ?
Yes, just like that. Okay, we have to finish quickly because your dad is on his way home.
We finished the rest of the cake, and I placed it in the oven and kept a timer on, and then checked on the ziti, garlic bread, and asparagus.
Go get ready. I’ll keep an eye on out. Mr. Callahan will be home soon. Fiona said and gave me a gentle pack on my back.
Okay. I’ll be quick.
I tried explaining the temperatures to her, but she gave me a are you serious look, which had me running up the stairs.
Oisin
It smells delicious, Liam said as soon as we stepped inside.
It did smell amazing, and it was making my stomach growl. When she told me she was making dinner, I refused to eat anything else all day. All I wanted to eat was food made by her, by her soft and beautiful hands.
Your room is right over here. Let me take you so you can wash up.
I clamped my hand on Suarez’s back and led him to his guest room. I opened the door for him, and he stepped in to throw his bag on the bed, then turned to me. Suarez was riddled with those black tattoos with no letters or numbers, just black all over his arms, legs, and neck.
He was around my age, married, and had four boys that he was grooming to take over his companies and businesses. He had no hair, bald and shiny, something about not trusting anyone around him that could reach for his hair.
He had more weapons on him than any man I’ve ever met, but even underneath all that dark exterior, he was a man of respect and morals. We met a few times and bumped heads once or twice, but in the end, we decided peace between us was better than war.
We’ve been close for years, always backing each other up or protecting each other.
I’ll wash up and meet you outside. He said, and I left, closing the door after me.
Daid ! Aofie’s voice ran through the halls.
I ran towards the sound to see my little girl dressed in a bright pink dress with bows in her hair. I scooped her up off the ground and held her in my arms as I hugged her tightly.
I’ve missed you, mo chailin milis.
I missed you, too. She kissed my cheek and hugged me tighter.
I returned to the kitchen, where Fiona set the table with Liam’s help. Where’s my wife ?
She’s getting dressed. She’s been on her feet all morning. Fiona responded as she began bringing the food out on the table.
It looked delicious and fresh, and steam erupted from everything Fiona placed.
Daid, I helped her make the cake.
The cake ! Fiona gasped and ran to the kitchen.
I set Aofie down and ran after Fiona, who was cursing and mumbling under her breath. The oven was beeping rapidly, and she put on her mittens to open it. A gust of smoke hit her face, and she coughed as she pulled out the dish.
The very burnt dish. She set it down on the stove and closed the door to the oven.
It burnt. I looked to see Elena standing there frowning. I told you to watch it, Fiona. I couldn’t even admire her beauty because she looked so upset. It’s ruined. It’s all ruined.
I’m so sorry. I must’ve forgotten about it. Fiona went to apologize to her, but Elena was already crying angry tears as she spun around and walked upstairs. I really am sorry. I swear I didn’t do it on purpose. I would never, Mr. Callahan.
It’s fine, Fiona. I believe you.