Page 25 of Destiny

“How do you spell Caroline?”

“Sound it out. C-ar-o-line.”

I looked, and she wrote, “Cairoline.”

“So close. Take out the first ‘i.’ Then, it’s perfect.”

“Thanks.”

“Of course.”

I go back to the dusting I was doing on top of the cabinets.

When that’s finished, it’s a little bit later, so I start making our meal. I know it will be a while before their father is home, but I reason we can just kind of keep it on simmer and covered until he does.

He has one of those fancy faucets by his stove, so I fill the pot with water and wait for it to boil.

“What can I do?” Alessia offers.

“Do you want to crush some pepper?”

“Sure!”

“Okay, this is called a mortar and a pestle.” I take out the dish and grinder.

“Whoa.”

“I know. Pretty cool, right? So, just take this little thing and press down on those little balls.”

“Like that?”

“Perfect. Great job.”

Chapter 4 – Marco

“Oh, my goodness. What smells so good?”

“We’re making cat yoyo pepe,” Alessia says with enthusiasm.

“Cacio e pepe,” Bea clarifies.

“It’s from Rome. Just like you, daddy!”

Aurora rushes toward me, and I pick her up.

“That’s right.”

“They were learning all about Italy in school today, so we thought we’d make a recipe from there.”

I chat with my girls for a little bit, but then I join Bea in the kitchen. And I dip my pinky into the cheese and sauce she’s making.

“Hey!” she scolds.

“Sorry! I couldn’t help myself although you have stiff competition. My nonna made the most delicious cacio e pepe.” But when I taste it, I find that I’m singing a different tune. “Oh, never mind. That’s delicious.”

She curtsies with a spatula in her hand. “Thank you, thank you.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

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