Page 33 of Citiali: Teach
Seren looks worried when we come in. We’re about thirty minutes early and have a bottle of wine for the spaghetti and chicken I saw when I looked for it. “Cort was supposed to be back here. I just walked in.”
I give her a smile. “What are we making and what do you need us to do?” We just had a long ride exploring the ABSZ so neither of us are stressed. Dinner shouldn’t be a stress to anyone.
“Chicken parm and I need a shower. Do you cook?”
I smile again. “I do and I know where the chef is. Go shower.”
She hugs Dyani. “I’ll make salad and bread once I’m clean and smell better. You’re a godsend.”
Dyani laughs when Seren rushes away. “That should be ancestors send.”
I love her little quips. “They don’t understand ancestors but they’re learning like us. Do you know how to cook?”
“I do but I don’t know what chicken parm is. I see spaghetti”
“Let’s start there. Sauce?”
Now she smiles. “Learned that one from an Italian chef who was disgusted he had to use canned tomatoes.”
I laugh pulling pans out. “Go for it. The pantry is right behind us.” I point to the left. “You’ll find what you need in there, spices are to the left of the stove and knives are that drawer with cooking utensils.”
She’s surprised. “How do you know?” She hasn’t cooked in her house yet.
“Every kitchen is set up the same. The decor is different but they base setup off logic and ease.” I find the chicken in the fridge then get to work cleaning and slicing it.
With an eye on Dyani so I know what’s in the sauce, I pull up the chef’s recipes and use the ingredients listed. In Virginia we did different chicken coating but I’m not in Virginia so I’ll use what they do. Dyani tastes the dark red sauce and offers me a spoon. It’s an interaction I’m not refusing.
“Fuck, girl. What’s in that?”
She looks crushed. “You don’t like it?”
“It’s better than good. How is it so dark and thick?” Looking around for the cans, I don’t see them.
She smiles. “There was paste in the pantry and they have wine in the fridge. It’s not much but makes a difference.”
Okay then. I’ll pay attention next time. Getting another spoon, I get another taste. “This is really good.”
She pushes me away from her pan. “What can I help with?”
“I need four eggs scrambled in a bag. I got the coating in this bag.”
“Bags?”
I shrug. “I’m a guy, it’s quick and uses less dishes. Once the eggs are scrambled, drop the chicken in to coat it.”
Her giggle follows her to the fridge.We get everything wet and coated and I start the chicken losing track of time.
I’m pulling chicken from the fry pan and dropping it on a waffle rack while Dyani’s putting water in the pot for spaghetti from a faucet over the stove. I don’t have that but can see where it’s useful in a big kitchen.
“It smells great in here.”We both turn toward Seren.
The woman is beautiful but there’s something about her that feels regal. She reminds me of Aiyana. There’s something deep in her that’s fighting her beauty for attention. Every time I’ve seen her, she’s just a Brother in Badass. Even married to Cort, she’s just Seren.
“What?” She’s watching me.
I smile and tell her what I just thought getting agreement from Dyani and Seren smiling again.
“Taste the sauce. I have time to make another batch if you don’t like it.” Dyani steps us through what could be awkward.
