Page 58 of Better Than Gelato
Jake looks at me funny.
“Because lunch is great,” I clarify. “And I’m very hungry.”
Jake opens the fridge to see what we have, which is not much because I’ve procrastinated grocery shopping.
“How about frittata?” he says. He pulls out eggs and cheese and half a bell pepper and four mushrooms and some greens that could be spinach.
I watch in wonder as he turns these things into a tasty lunch.
In the afternoon, we jump into making fried chicken. It seemed like a weird choice for Christmas Eve, but Jake was excited about it. Apparently, it’s a Fields family tradition.
Paolo and Valentina show up together, which I take as a good sign. Carmen and Diego arrive a few minutes later and everyone looks happy to be out of the cold. I’ve moved the kitchen table into the living room so we can all be together.
“Okayragazzi, we’ve got alotof fried chicken,” I say. “We also have salad, biscuits, and mashed potatoes. Before we dig in, I just want to thank you guys for coming tonight and tell you how grateful I am to have stumbled into this wonderful group.” I was going to say more but suddenly find that my throat is tight, and my eyes feel itchy.
“Buon appetito,” I say.
“Buon appetito,” the group echoes.
Then we dig into the food. I haven’t had fried chicken in ages, and this tastes delicious.
“Wow, Julieta, this is even better than Paolo’s lasagna,” Diego says.
“Diego, I know you’re saying that to hurt me,” Paolo says, “so I will disregard it as the lie that it is. No offense,Dolcetta. The chicken is very good.”
“That was all Jake. It’s a family recipe.”
Paolo raises an eyebrow, and Jake says, “Yes, I know how to cook, and yes, Americans can have family recipes too.”
After we eat, I make everyone go around the table and share something they're grateful for. Just like my dad makes us do on Christmas Eve.
Diego starts. “I’m thankful for all of you. I don’t have my family here in Milan, but I do have a family here in Milan.” He turns his head and rubs his left eye. I think Christmas time makes everyone more emotional.
“I am also grateful for good friends,” Carmen says. “Christmas is a time to spend with people you care about. And I care about all of you. Even you, Paolo.”
“When I left Argentina to come to Italy,” Valentina says, “I had no idea I would meet people that would make this new country feel like home. I am truly grateful for each of you.”
There’s such a feeling of love and friendship in the room. This is what the holidays are all about.
“I’m grateful for the S&P 500,” Paolo says. “It’s had a great year.”
Jake bursts out laughing and sprays cranberry punch all over his plate. I jump up to fetch some paper towels.
“Julieta, come back,” Paolo says. “I’m only kidding. Believe it or not, I also have a heart. And like the rest of you, I’m grateful for the amazing people in my life. They make the bad moments good and the good moments better.”
Jake mops up his plate and brings it into the kitchen. When he comes back, we’re staring at him expectantly.
“At this point, it’s not going to sound very original, but I was wandering alone in the piazza, getting pickpocketed by children, and you guys took me in. That means a lot.”
There are “awws” around the table and some misty eyes.
“This is a terrible tradition,” Paolo mutters.
“You’re a terrible tradition,” I mutter back.
“That doesn’t even make sense.”
“You don’t even make sense.”
