Page 21 of Mark Us Little Bear
“I was hungry once at midnight and walked into this restaurant because the door was open. Caroline came to greet me. I asked her if she had any food left.”
“And I said wait here.” Nana finishes, all happy and giggly.
“That’s how it always starts.” Ronnie shoots me that knowing look.
“She returned with a pile of boxes, I’m not joking. She even let me do deliveries for her when I needed extra cash.”
“You’re always welcome to help with deliveries, honey, whenever.” Nana clarifies and tucks Amber to her side. “Want to try today’s soup?”
“Oh yes, please.” She rubs her little belly like she did last night. “I’m starving.”
Our eyes trail after them into the kitchen but mainly on Amber’s flare jeans, and white crop top, paired with sneakers—she looks sofinewith her little outfits.
“Did she sleep well?” A hint of concern laces his voice.
“I think so. She snuggled with Teddy.”
He shoots me an “I’m impressed” look and says, “That was fast.”
“He is a hard worker.”
“She gave him cookies?” He already knows the answer to that.
“Yup!”
“Come on, boys, let’s make chicken wings,” Nana calls from the kitchen and we stride to her.
Amber’s hands cup a little soup bowl, she’s sitting by the corner next to a wooden desk. Nana stares at a few containers on the island in the middle of the room—one has chicken wings, and the other has sauce ingredients.
“What is it with you and chicken wings?” I ask Ronnie.
“Nana tried to make me every famous dish and I refused to eat all of them because all I wanted, was chicken wings—you can’t fight with a six-year-old.”
“Not with a fourteen-year-old either,” I murmur.
“He was a stubborn kid,” Nana notes, gloved hands dipped inside the food.
“Or as you always like to say I have unique tastebuds.” He breaks into a small laughter.
“True.”
“It became our thing. She makes chicken wings and wraps them in different sauces, I get to try them first each time.” Ronnie explains, “Today, it’s one of her famous dishes in the restaurant.”
“Home cooked meals.” Amber joins the conversation, eating her soup in delight. “Caroline it tastes amazing.”
“I’m glad to hear, honey, I’ll send some home with you.” Nana nods to the fresh box of tomatoes behind me. “Pass them over.”
“You got it.”
Her light movements carry years of practice even though she is over seventy, she moves around like a twenty-year-old. Her subtle wrinkles add a timeless element to her beauty.
“Ronnie, bring me garlic and chilies from the other box.”
Sending us a few more times across the room, she peers up at Ronnie.
“What about your results?” her tone is instantly softer, knowing it’s a sensitive matter to Ronnie.
“Everything looks good. The doctor says I’m the healthiest patient he could hope for.” He doesn’t break eye contact with Nana.
