see her dad really free. When he was simply creating on his own without eyes on him, his tough exterior fell, and she could see the little boy inside, the person who’d obviously made her mother fall in love with him.
Chloe had seen a lot of reasons her parents had fallen in love. Yes, they were stern and wanted nothing less than perfection from their only child, but when they didn’t know eyes were upon them, there was a softness in them she wished they’d show to her more often.
At least she knew she was loved, and at least they’d taught her to be strong and independent. It was so much better than them either not caring at all or not preparing her for the world. When she saw many college-age kids with no idea what they were going to do with their futures, she could appreciate her parents so much more.
“You always have had quite the sweet tooth. It’s a good thing you have your mother’s metabolism,” her dad said. He carefully set the dish down on the counter and pulled out two plates. She waited.
He scooped a generous roll onto each plate, then reached into a dish behind them and settled a mixture of nuts, cinnamon, shaved chocolate, and sliced fruit on top of the already-gooey dessert.
When he was finished, it was picture perfect, ready for the cover of a food magazine. She was sure it wouldn’t take long for it to go right there. He made some things for only his restaurants, and some he shared with the world. This would be a world dessert that few would be able to replicate.
Those who thought cooking was as simple as following a recipe didn’t truly have a joy of cooking. Most people could read instructions and make a decent dish. But a few select people could create magic.
“All ready,” he said. She didn’t need any further invitation than that. She picked up her fork and knife and cut her fist bite. She didn’t even need a knife, it was so soft and pliant. But that was the best way to ensure she got a little taste of all the ingredients in each bite.
Flavor exploded in her mouth as she savored the amazing creation. Her father nibbled on a few bites as he jotted down some notes in his book. She polished off her plate while he was still writing.
“Any suggestions?” he asked her.
This was a normal question in their household. How could the dessert be improved? He wouldn’t be insulted by anything she came up with. As a matter of fact, he’d be impressed if she could make it even better. She desperately wanted to come up with something, but she loved it.
After a few seconds she laughed, her stomach a bit bloated, she’d stuffed so much down. “I really want to come up with some powerful words of wisdom like ‘More cinnamon, less nutmeg.’ But seriously, Father, I can’t imagine tweaking this recipe even a little bit,” she finally said. “I wouldn’t mind taking the leftovers home, though, so I can work on that later tonight,” she added with a big grin.
Her father might’ve normally lectured her about always striving to be better, but her blatant excuse to get the dessert actually made him laugh.
“That’s such a good way to get the dessert I think I shall let you have it,” he said. “But you do have a task. I want you to find some way you could improve upon it. If you can’t, then I guess you won’t get to be my taste tester anymore.”
That was a real threat. She’d hate to never get to sit there with him while he made his creations and be the first person to take a bite. That would be the ultimate punishment.
“I guess I have no choice but to figure something out, then,” she said. “Are you going to give me the recipe?”
He shook his head. “You know that would be cheating,” he told her. Then he heard students in the hallway. “It looks like your class is here. You’d better go relieve your mother.”
“Yes,” she said, her smile falling away. It wasn’t that she didn’t love her mother. She very much did. It was just that her mother very rarely loosened up like her father just had. She never did when it was all of them together.
Yes, her father wanted perfection, but her mother wouldn’t accept anything less than that. Which meant she didn’t have time to joke