Chapter 6: A Casa di Fontana

Back at Ernie’s house, Emmie moved into the kitchen. After washing up, she assembled her ingredients and began cooking dinner. First was cooking up the rice, then assembling the other ingredients.

In the living room, Ernie woke up and looked at his television. It was the postgame show with the final score showing Mets 9, Phillies 2. With a groan, he switched off the TV, and headed for the kitchen.

“What’s cooking, Emmie?”

“It’s Mom’s recipe for insalata di riso, it will be ready very soon Grandpa. Go wash up and I will serve it.”

It was the right dish for a hot summer day. Melissa’s Italian Rice Salad is served at room temperature and contains peas, a carrot, corn, olives, tuna, and Swiss cheese. Emmie also served him some sliced cantaloupe and a bottle of Nastro Azzurro (beer from Italy).

With the beer bottle was a note: “Here’s a treat for you, Dad. Thank you for hosting Emmie.”

“This is wonderful, Emmie. You know I don’t expect this kind of fancy meal every evening, right?”

“That’s true, when my classes begin, I will have a lot less time. Today was special for my first time here. In the morning, how do you like your eggs?”

“I’m not particular, but I can only eat one egg, doctor’s orders. I usually have cereal in the morning, but we’re out of milk.”

“No, I brought some milk with me. They sell little ‘juice box’ sized milks for children that don’t have to be kept refrigerated. I’ve got a six-pack in the fridge for the morning, so we’re fine.”

“Tomorrow I’m headed for the supermarket, so let me know anything you need. There’s a gelato crisis in this hot little house I intend to solve.”

Ernie pushed back from the table. “Thank you, Emmie, that supper was fantastic. There’s a pad in that right-hand drawer with my shopping list. And please buy some ‘1%’ milk because the kid stuff you brought is probably whole milk.”

- Friday -

Emmie had been to the supermarket twice since she arrived at Ernie’s house. It was only two blocks so she could bring the groceries back in her little rolling cart. Since her boyfriend was coming, she was preparing his favorite, lasagna. It would be matched with a green salad, a chilled bottle of San Pellegrino (sparkling mineral water), and (of course) gelato for dessert.

Daniel arrived at 5:30, he waved at Ernie and Emmie but said, “I’m all greasy from working at my dad’s shop, let me wash first.”

“Emmie, I haven’t asked, or I forgot. What does your boyfriend do?”

“Grandpa, Daniel works at his father’s place, it’s called ‘Green’s Garage’ out towards Delaware County. He enjoys fixing cars, and it keeps him occupied until he starts college a year from now.”

Daniel returned and they sat down to eat. “Forgive me, Ernie, I’m a little surprised you don’t say a blessing before we eat.”

“Emmie knows that Livia and I always attended Mass on Sundays. But after she died, ah, I had a change of heart. No more Mass, no religious stuff on the walls, and so on. The priest tried to reconcile me with the church, but all his blather about Livia’s suffering being part of ‘God’s Plan’ —prior to sending her to Heaven—was intolerable to me.”