Page 39 of Coral Memories

Julia nodded her approval. “Very good. Everything tastes better with enough butter. And how did your soufflés turn out last week?”

“Ginger was busy, so I prepared them,” Bertrand said. “My soufflés are the height of diplomatic relations. Fluffy little peacekeepers, they turned out to be.”

The conversation flowed to their experiences in Paris as they sipped their drinks. Ginger loved strolling along the Seine, the city of lights sparkling around her.

“Do you remember that little cafe near the Sorbonne?” Ginger asked Bertrand. “Where we’d spend hours over coffee and croissants?”

“Paul and I had our haunts, too,” Julia said, naming their favorite spots.

“And the markets,” Paul added. “Julia spent hours examining every vegetable, every cut of meat. It was like watching a general plan a campaign.”

“One must start with the finest ingredients available,” Julia said, pausing for a sip.

As the evening progressed and the meal came together, Ginger was drawn into her friend’s culinary world. The precision, creativity, and sheer joy of crafting something delicious resonated with her analytical mind.

Over dinner, as they savored and devoured what they’d prepared, Julia raised her glass. “As I like to say, people who love to eat are always the best people. You and Bertrand certainly qualify.”

Ginger expressed her deep appreciation. “What a marvelous evening. You’ve sparked a new appreciation for cooking in me.”

As they clinked glasses, Ginger knew she’d found a new passion and cherished friends.

Bertrand leaned in for a kiss. “The roasted chicken was delicious.”

“I’ll be sure to replicate it.” She sighed happily.

The evening was equal parts humor, warmth, and intellect—with a main dish of culinary excellence. They lingered over theircrème brûléethat Julia had finished with a blow torch.

Ginger fixed this pleasant evening in her mind, adding it to her mental snapshots. Often, when her work became tedious, she would take a break and flip through these images. Someday, she would revisit all these joyful moments.

12

Ginger smoothed her hand over her cream linen dress as she arrived at the restaurant overlooking Laguna Beach. The afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the crowd gathered on the beachside patio, their faces a mix of sorrow and celebration.

Nearby, musicians played the jazz music she recalled as Kurt’s favorite. He and Oliver and Bertrand often argued over who was better: Miles Davis, Louie Armstrong, or John Coltrane.

Break the tie, Ginger.Who’s your choice?

She had laughed and replied,Ella Fitzgerald.

So many memories, so much fun. Lifting her chin, Ginger searched the gathering for Oliver, wondering how much he’d changed. But then, so had she. Would he recognize her?

She scanned faces as she approached the group, recognizing old friends and colleagues. It had been years since she’d seen many of them, but the years melted away as warm smiles and hugs greeted her.

And there, in the middle of a throng of people, stood Oliver. He turned as if sensing her presence, and his face lit with instant recognition.

“Ginger, darling. You made it.” Oliver Powell, Kurt’s younger brother, approached with open arms. His silver hair caught the sunlight, and his blue eyes sparkled with genuine warmth. Years of laughter lined his face with character.

“How could I miss this lovely celebration?” Ginger replied, embracing him. “Kurt meant so much to Bertrand and me. How are you?”

“Much better now that you’re here,” he replied. “My brother lived a full life, didn’t he? Ninety years of pushing boundaries and charming everyone he met.”

“He certainly did.” Ginger nodded as memories of Kurt’s infectious enthusiasm for technology and life flooded back. “I remember the day he hired me. He changed the course of my life.”

As they chatted, Ginger noticed how distinguished Oliver looked in his navy blazer and crisp white shirt, trousers, and deck shoes. Like his brother, he’d always been attractive, but the years had added a distinguished presence.

The ceremony began with friends and family recalling cherished stories about Kurt, punctuated with laughter. Music drifted across the beach as friends and family shared stories of his brilliance, kindness, and zest for life.

Ginger was swept up in the beautiful tribute to Kurt’s life and shared her memories of times she and Kurt traveled to New York on business and later, after she and Bertrand were married, when they would all meet for dinner in Boston.

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