Page 24 of Wizard's Spitfire

Wizard

Icould smell the food as we approached the door carrying the boxes of cannoli.

“Something smells good,” Hollywood says.

“I’m starving,” Brayden declares.

The door opens to a smiling Pops.

“It’s a good thing we made extra, then,” he says to Brayden.

“Right this way, folks,” Pops says, motioning them in.

We follow him inside the house. I can tell the family takes pride in their home. It’s spotless. The furniture is quality, but not new. Pops leads us through the living room. It’s warm and inviting. And into the dining room. The large table is set and laden with food.

Regina Perillo hustles out of the kitchen, a dish in her hands.

“Sit please. The girls are behind me. Pops, can you get the bread? It’s warming in the oven.”

“On it. Sit anywhere, kids. I’ll be right back,” Pops says.

Hollywood, the kids and I take a seat. I have Regina on one side and Brayden on my other. His eyes are like saucers as he takes in the food on the table. They become impossibly wide when the Caruso women come out, each carrying a dish of food. Valentina carries a huge soup tureen, which she sets close to me before blushing and taking a seat at the other end of the table.

Charlie sits across from me with Lucia beside her. Though the girls are identical, they each have their own style and carry themselves a little different.Thank you, Mother Mary, I can tellthem apart.As I get closer to the family, it will be easier if I know which girl I’m talking to.

Pops sits at the other end of the table after setting down a large basket of bread at each end of the table.

“I’d like to say Grace,” Pops says. “Please join hands and bow your heads.”

We all join hands and bow our heads. I feel a brief pang, missing my family. I need to go back home to Chicago.

“Bless us Lord and this bountiful feast prepared with love by so many hands. Amen.”

“We have two types of soup if anyone wants some. Licurdia, and red wine stew,” Regina says.

“Daddy, what’s licurda?” Brayden asks.

The adorable six-year-old is the spitting image of his dad.

“I’m not sure, son, but I bet Miss Regina would.”

“Nonna, posso spiegarti il piatto, per favore?” Valentina implores.

“Sì, Valentina, puoi farlo.”

“Grazie, Nonna mia. Licurdia is a sweet onion and potato soup from the Calabria region of Italy,” Valentina says with a smile. “I made it.”

“Are you Italian like Wizard?” Ella asks.

“We are,” Pops says. “Italian Americans are proud of their heritage. Including the region we come from. There's even a big fight over if it’s sauce or gravy. The ladies and I, mostly the ladies, made dishes from the different regions of our families, including a couple for Wizard.”

“Would it be easier if we tell you about the dishes, or do you just want to dig in?”

“Yes!” Brayden and Ella say at the same time.

We all laugh and start passing dishes. As each dish comes around our way, Regina tells them the name of the dish and what’s in it. My mouth is watering when I take the first bite ofSunday gravy. A myriad of flavors burst across my tongue. A little moan of pleasure escapes me.

I hear Charlie chuckle. “Been too long since you’ve been home?”

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