Page 29 of Can't Kiss the Chef

The glasses next, and it’s my dad that stops me this time. “How’s Cookie doing with the change?”

“She’s good. Took her a couple of days to get used to the new living situation, but after that, she remembered how much she loves the barn in Westvale.” I giggle to myself before adding, “Charlotte is so good to her; she always sneaks her extra treats when I’m not around.”

“That sounds like Charlotte.” My parents have a lot of criticism about my life choices but one thing they have never questioned is my choice of friends. They’ve always loved them. Probably hoped I’d be more like them.

When we’re all settled at the table my Nonno bows his head before the rest of us so I do the same. He recites a prayer that he says before every meal.

I’m still waiting for the other shoe to drop when brunch ends and there hasn’t been any snarky comments or raised voices. I actually had a really amazing time.

We FaceTimed my siblings, while my grandparents were telling us stories about the early days of their relationship. I learned that Nonna really made Nonno work for it.

I text my brother under the table asking him if I should tell him about his budding relationship with the volleyball player he brought home from Byron’s party the other week. He glares at me through the phone and I have to excuse myself so I can laugh without drawing attention to myself.

My Nonna is already at the sink washing dishes once I calm myself down. I take the spot next to her and start drying.

“Are you using your Italian at school?”

I shake my head. Who does she think I’m speaking to in Italian? Drunk frat bros?

She mutters something under her breath before forcefully shoving a frying pan in my direction. Then we speak to each other in her native tongue.

Thirty minutes later and about six different versions of good-bye–if you are Italian, you get what I’m saying-I get in my car and finally exhale.

Today felt like the turning of a page. For the first time I feel like my parents respect my decisions.

My phone is finally done connecting to the Bluetooth in my car when a bell chimes through the speakers. The last thing I expected to see was a text from Byron.

Byron:

Party at the Hockey House tomorrow ????

Indy:

I’ll be there!!

You know what, fuck it. Riding my high from a good visit with my parents I text Byron back.

Me:

Sounds good, keep a bottle of tequila chilled for me ??

12

Lola

“Why does the lighting in hotels always suck?” Margo’s disappointed voice carries through the suite her parents got us. I’m not one to complain about a free hotel room, but the lighting really is awful. A man definitely designed this hotel. One that doesn’t understand the importance of good lighting when applying makeup.

“I’m not going to bash this insane penthouse your parents got us,” I tell her as I use my hands to gesture over the vast living area. I’d consider myself blessed if I ever got to live in an apartment half this size. “I’m just happy I didn’t have to convince my parents to let twelve drunk girls stay at their house tonight.”

“Well, can I be honest and say this place needs more light.” Margo’s family has worked in the oil industry in Dallas for generations. She’s got old southern money. When she got to Westvale she was as southern belle as you can imagine. It took a few years but we have happily corrupted little Miss Prim and Proper.

Hotel rooms also never have enough mirrors. The travel mirror I brought with me is propped up on the window sill and I watch my reflection as I run the straightener through my hair.

With my hair and makeup done, I rummage through the eight outfits I bought for tonight. I learned early on that going on trips with an entire basketball team and being the height of a fourth grader means the only suitcase I can choose an outfit from, is my own.

Silky collisions of orange and pink draw me to the balcony. I look over my city’s skyline trying to decide what I’m going to wear.

Izzy and Tee, a senior center on the basketball team, are sitting on the couch smoking a bowl still in the same outfits they were wearing when we went shopping earlier today.

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