By Patty Panni
Chloé wandered through the produce department at Sprout’s, seeking dinner inspiration among the cauliflower and apples. Richard’s parents were coming over for dinner. His dad Larry was fine, but after three years of marriage she still wasn’t quite sure where she stood with Janice.
She selected some lemons, remembering the last time her in-laws came for dinner. She had worked hours on her Coq au Vin, paired it with a good Pinot Noir and crusty bread. And crème brûlée for dessert. Larry had eaten every bite and pronounced it delicious, but Janice had only eaten the salad. “We’re not used to rich food like this. I’m just a simple cook. This is quite … exotic.”
It was crazy how much weight a single word could carry. It hung in the air afterwards, sounding more like a slur than a compliment. She had cried in Richard’s arms that night. It hadn’t been the first time her mother-in-law had brought her to tears, nor the last. So why did she still crave Janice’s approval?
She blew out a breath and selected some pears. She could poach them in red wine with a reduced syrup and marscarpone. No, that screamed Exotic. She would keep it simple — baked spiced pears with a drizzle of honey. It would pair well with roasted chicken and vegetables.
She selected a bouquet of peonies and alstromeria in shades of cream and rose, then headed to check out. While waiting, she reviewed her to-do list. She still needed to straighten the living room and clean the guest bath, which she could do while the chicken was roasting. She hurried home with her groceries and set to work.
Richard came through the door, loosening his tie and telling her the house smelled amazing. “Nothing I like better than coming home to you.” He kissed her, then danced her across the room.
Chloé arched an eyebrow and said, “We’ll finish this dance, later. But you need to go change. Your parents will be here soon.”
He groaned, then kissed her ear. “Tell me again why we invited them?”
“Because you’re their son. They want to see you.”
“Us, honey. They want to see us.”
“Yes, yes. Us. Now go!” She swatted his backside as he turned to leave, then returned to the pears. She peeled and halved them and placed them in a baking dish, then added cinnamon, nutmeg, and chopped walnuts. She put them in the oven to bake.
When the doorbell rang, Richard answered it. “Mom, Dad! Good to see you. Come in!”
Larry kissed her on the cheek. “You look lovely, my dear.” Janice swept in on a cloud of perfume and curiosity. She followed Chloé to the kitchen.
“Can I help with anything?”
“No. Dinner’s almost ready. Why don’t you go sit by the fire? Richard’s been looking forward to seeing you.”
“Yes.” Janice turned as if to leave but then lingered. “Chloé, I—I wanted a word with you.”
Uh oh. “Yes?”
“I—” Janice hesitated, then said in a rush, “I just wanted to thank you. For making my son happy. We’re — I’m — glad you’re in our family.”
Chloé felt her features relax. “Really? Thank you. Richard makes me happy as well.”
“As it should be. Now, please. Let me help with something.”
“All right.” She handed over the platter of chicken and veggies. “Can you take this to the table?”
“Of course. It looks delicious.”
As she turned for the basket of rolls, Chloé blinked away sudden tears. Janice had done it again. Made her cry. And for once she didn’t mind at all.
* * *
Patty Panni lives and writes in Memphis, TN. Her love affair with words began with a teacher who read Beverly Cleary and introduced her to a motorcycle-riding mouse. After a career spent at law firms and in international adoptions, she now spends her days writing, cooking, and pampering the cat, the dog, and the husband.
Patty is an active member of WFWA, Deadlines for Writers, and Pitch to Published. She enjoys writing fiction and poetry, and is querying her first suspense novel, set in the grim world of human trafficking.