Double Stuffed

by Natalie Knight

  I lean in close, and delicately grab her hand in mine. "Here," I say. "Touch this." I drag the tips of her fingers across the vase, and she follows my lead, feeling the texture.

  "The glaze on this has been whipped by flames," I say. "And that creates some really spectacular coloring."

  "Incredible," she says, at almost a whisper. "You never cease to amaze me. You have incredible taste."

  "They're extremely rare… these vases I mean."

  She pulls her hand back. "Then I probably shouldn't be touching it like that."

  I laugh. "It's fine. I trust you."

  As soon as those words tumble from my mouth, I realize I'm no longer talking about the vase. I'm talking about me. I'm talking about us.

  Nicole is the first woman I've ever opened up to… trusted enough to open up to, and if I'm being honest, I should probably tell her my whole story.

  "What's wrong?" she says, scrunching her eyebrows.

  "Nothing," I say, trying to look away. Is now really the right moment to rip open my chest and hand her my naked, beating, vulnerable heart on a platter?

  "I may not have known you that long, but you aren't a very good liar. You're thinking about something… tell me."

  She's right. I take a deep breath.

  "There's something symbolic about fire that drives me. It transforms things—food, places—but it also symbolizes action and immediacy. I'm so driven to make The Pearl on Park a success because I want to leave my mark on this city.

  “I want to show everyone how good high-end cuisine can be… and I don't think I have much time."

  She turns and looks at me, holding my gaze in silence.

  Then, she finally says, "What do you mean… not much time?"

  "It's probably nothing… but a few weeks ago my doctor saw a white mass on a routine scan… in my brain. He told me to come back, so that we could figure out what it was."

  "And?" she says, a look of concern washing over her.

  "And I didn't go back," I shrug. "I feel fine."

  "Are you crazy? Doesn't that seem stupid, to not follow up?"

  "Maybe," I say, "but we're all mortal. No one is gonna be here forever, so instead of thinking about that, I'm choosing to live in the present, and focus all of my energy on The Pearl."

  There. I said it. I've just served handed this woman the keys to my innermost secrets and desires.

  Now let's see if I've scared her off.

  Nicole

  I look around Palmer's kitchen, taking stock of the ingredients at hand.

  Let's see… he has bacon. That will work; who doesn't love bacon? It goes with everything.

  I decide to surprise Palmer by making avocado BLTs for breakfast. The last trip I took to California caused me to fall in love with avocados. Now, I add them to anything I can.

  The bacon has been smoked with apple wood and glazed with maple syrup. As soon as I open the package, it smells divine.

  I heat a skillet, and once hot, I place each strip on the hot stove. The fat immediately sizzles, and the aroma fills the kitchen. While the bacon is getting crisp, I grab a loaf of country bread and slice thick pieces off. I decide to toast them, and then slice slabs of purple heirloom tomatoes.

  Only the best ingredients on hand, which doesn't surprise me. Palmer's a fellow chef, after all.

  Once everything is ready, I layer the bacon, tomato, and lettuce on the crusty bread, and top it with buttery wedges of avocado. My mouth is watering just looking at these stacks.

  "Something smells good," Palmer says, causing me to jump.

  He laughs. "Did I scare you?"

  "I was so focused on getting these BLTs just right, I didn't even hear you behind me," I say with a smile. "It's a lot of pressure cooking for one of the world's most famous chefs, you know."

  "I see you started early," he says. "Is the sun even out?" I watch as he rubs his eyes.

  "Sorry it's so early, but I have to leave soon, and before I leave, I wanted to cook and share breakfast with you."

  He walks over and presses his lips to my forehead. "That's thoughtful. I love it."

  "I wouldn't say that just yet. You haven't even tried it," I smile. "You might not say that after you've tasted it."

  He laughs. "I'm sure it's just fine."

  I watch as he brings the sandwich to his mouth and takes a big bite. He chews thoughtfully. "You know what I think?" he says.

  I shake my head.

  "I think this is a keeper."

  As soon as he says it, I smile. There's something about Palmer enjoying my cooking that always makes my mood soar and puts a permanent smile on my lips.

  I take a bite. It's a thick sandwich, so I struggle wrapping my mouth around it.

  But he's right. It's good. Real good. And it hits the spot.

  "Wait … you have something," Palmer says, stepping toward me. "Right… here."

  He reaches up and places a finger on the corner of my mouth, wiping off a stray piece of avocado. I'm usually embarrassed when someone points out a piece of food on my face, but right now, the only thing I can think about is his touch, and the way it makes me feel electrified.

  I smile, and I think about the way he opened up to me. He's so much more than the hotheaded, womanizing, soulless, chef that the tabloids make him out to be.

  He has depth. He's cultured, and likes art, and is so full of information that it makes my head spin. He's like a walking Wikipedia, and I never find myself getting bored in his presence. The truth is, I could listen to him talk forever.

  And what was up with what he told me? Is he sick? What did he mean by a "white mass" was found?

  As soon as he said it, he wanted to change the subject. It was clear he was trying to get something off his chest, but he didn't want to go any deeper.

  Maybe it's nothing. Besides, it's really none of my business.

  But I can't help but wish he'd go back to his doctor for a second opinion.

  "Someone's a messy eater," Palmer laughs, bringing my thoughts back to the present.

  "Look at this thing," I say, pinching the sandwich between both of my hands. "It's thicker than a mattress."

  We both get a good laugh at that, and as we're joking around, something catches my eyes. Behind Palmer, on the counter, is a magazine. It's opened to an article written by Percy Whitman.

  I can see that he reviewed The Pearl on Park, and it's not good. In fact, the review is downright scathing.

  I read one of the headlines: "The Pearl on Park—instead of being a culinary spark for the city—is an unpleasant and placid reminder of high-end cuisine gone wrong."

  It feels as if someone has dropped a bowling ball down my throat and its lodged itself into the pit of my stomach.

  My heart tightens.

  Percy is my friend. Did you write this review because of me?

  Am I to blame for this?

  Maybe I shouldn't have been so hard on Palmer, and maybe I never should've vented any of my thoughts to Percy. I just feel like this is somehow my fault.

  "Everything OK?" Palmer asks.

  I smile. There's no way I want Palmer to know what I'm thinking.

  "Oh yeah, it's fine," I say, and then lie, pushing these thoughts out of my mind. "I was just thinking how I really should be going. I have a long drive ahead of me."

  "Not yet—finish breakfast at least," he says with a smile.

  It's a smile that's disarming. It's a smile that makes me yes when I should say no.

  He senses my hesitation and he continues to prod me.

  "You like this bacon, right?"

  "Who doesn't?" I say.

  "Want a strip ?"

  "Very funny," I smile, placing my hand on his. "I see what you did there."

  God there's nothing I wouldn't give to play a game of striptease in this kitchen, with this man, but my family will kill me if I don't show up today.

  "I'd love to," I say, "But I have to leave. Rain check?"

  "If you have to leave, at least me drive
you."

  "No, that's not necessary."

  "I insist," he says.

  "Seriously, it's far, and a pain in the ass—"

  "Fuck no—forget all of that," he smiles, dismissing every excuse I'm throwing his way. "I'm driving you."

  Palmer

  I must be going insane. First, my restaurant is under attack by some asshole critic, and now, here I am, volunteering to drive some girl to her parent's place.

  Seriously? What the fuck is wrong with me?

  I should be going to the Pearl. I should be rallying my staff, and countering Percy's review with a PR blitz of my own. But am I doing any of that? No.

  What's going on? Am I falling for Nicole?

  No… it can't be. I don't just fall for women. And I have a plan for my life, and this scenario isn't a part of that plan. Not even close.

  Falling for Nicole is impossible.

  But as we're driving, and the music is blaring, and my fingers are tapping the steering wheel, and Nicole's hair is dancing in the wind that's blowing across my open convertible, she looks so happy… and I feel so happy…

  And I can't help but wonder.

  Isn’t it true that sometimes life is unpredictable, and no matter how well you plan it out, sometimes plans change?

  I shake my head. I can't get ahead of myself.

  I'm the kind of guy that writes everything down and plans it out. And I'm even talking writing lists for the lists I already wrote.

  Do you see what I mean? Everything is organized. This isn't on any of those lists.

  So right now I just need to recognize that I'm simply spending time with Nicole. We're having fun. It's nothing more than that.

  "There it is," Nicole says, pointing to a small house on the side of the road.

  I haven't been outside of the city in ages—has it been years?—so to be driving through the suburbs feels weird.

  "This is my childhood home," she says. "Nothing fancy, and as much as I couldn't wait to leave it, I have to admit… I still miss it sometimes."

  "It's nice," I say, and even though it looks like every other suburban home I've ever seen—a flower garden, a tree in the front yard, a driveway, and a white fence—I mean it. It is nice.

  It's kind of refreshing to not be walking into another crowded high rise. This is somehow more… personal.

  As soon as I get out of the car and open Nicole's door, a large dog runs out of the house barking. Its shaggy red coat is getting lifted in the wind.

  "It's OK," she says. "He doesn't bite."

  The dog recognizes her and immediately wags its tail. She pats his head, scratches behind his ears, and gives him a playful pat on the back. He licks her hand in excitement.

  "That's a good boy, Rusty—a good boy," she says, leaning down and showering him in playful kisses.

  "You're quite the animal lover," I say.

  I've never owned an animal. It's not that I don't like them, it's just that I've admired them from a distance.

  "I love them," she smiles, her eyes still fixed on the dog. "If I didn't go to culinary school, I think I probably would've become a vet."

  "I can see that," I smile.

  As she finishes petting Rusty, we walk up to her parent's house and before we reach the door, Rusty is all over me. First, he's jumping on me with his two front paws, and I'm trying to pet him, hoping that'll calm him down and he'll get bored with me, but it doesn't seem to work.

  "Get down, Rusty," Nicole urges, but the dog only listens for a few minutes before going right back at it. Then, when no one's looking, I feel him shoving his nose in the crotch of my pants, sniffing for God knows what. I shoo him away, and luckily he listens this time, taking the hint.

  "Baby, is that you?" a woman says, approaching the door.

  Nicole embraces her in a hug. "It's good to see you mom."

  Immediately, her mother looks over at me. "Oh, and who do we have here?" she smiles.

  "This is Palmer," she says, introducing us. "He's my… um, he's my friend."

  Her mother eyes me suspiciously, wondering if I'm a friend as her daughter says, or if I'm something more.

  "It's a pleasure," I say, extending my hand.

  "Palmer is a chef, mom," Nicole says. "He owns The Pearl on Park."

  "Well, isn't that nice," her mom says. "Come in, come in."

  We walk in and immediately to our right is the living room. A game of football is playing on the TV, and people are shouting.

  "C'mon—make that catch!" someone yells, and another says, "Did you see that? That was almost a QB sack!"

  "This," Nicole says, pointing to one side of the room, "is my dad, and this over here is my brother."

  They both turn to me, and give me a nod and a welcome handshake.

  I look back at Nicole. "I should go now," I say. "I'll let you guys enjoy your lunch."

  I turn to leave and then feel a hand on my shoulder.

  "Oh, no—stay!" her mother says.

  "No, no, I don't want to be a bother," I say.

  "It's no bother. We have plenty of food," her mother insists.

  "No, he's busy, mom," Nicole says.

  "Nonsense, no one is too busy to eat a home cooked meal," her mother says, practically blocking my exit.

  Nicole looks at me with eyes that say I'm so sorry about this , but I just smile.

  "OK, why not—I think I can join you for a meal," I say.

  "Great!" her mother beams. "Now please, sit down."

  There's no escaping now.

  Nicole

  I'm kneeling on the floor, petting Rusty and watching him lick my hands, and my knees are digging into the carpet that is too shaggy to be anything remotely modern—I don't think my parents have replaced it since the 1970s or something, and I'm stunned. I mean really stunned.

  This entire day has not gone as expected.

  And above all, I'm nervous.

  How's this lunch going to go? Is my mom going to say stupid like, so when are you going to give me grandkids, Nicole? Or is my dad going to say something equally stupid like, But surely being a chef isn't a real career, is it son?

  And there's no telling what will tumble out of my brother's mouth. I should probably tell you that my brother's an animal, and he doesn't have a filter. I'm being serious when I say anything can happen, and I'm not sure I'm ready for that level of embarrassment. Not now. Not with Palmer.

  "You have a lovely house," Palmer says to my mother, and she's eating it up. I've never brought a man home before… and definitely never a man as handsome as Palmer, and I can tell she's just loving it.

  Her face is lit up brighter than the sun, and she’s melting into his gaze. She keeps giving him reassuring pats on the shoulder, which is the kind of thing she only does to people she really likes.

  I flash him another look that says I'm so so sorry , because let's be honest, I'm sure he doesn't want to be here.

  How could he, right? He has better things to be doing right now. He has a high-end restaurant to run.

  He'd probably rather have a filling replaced, or get a flat tire on the freeway than be here right now.

  And my mom practically held his hand to the flame, and blocked the door, which is so embarrassing it makes me want to die a little inside.

  But Palmer just flashes me a smile and something tells me he really doesn't mind. It's as if he does want to be here.

  "Can I help you with anything?" Palmer asks my mom.

  "Why don't you come in here and help me peel these potatoes."

  I roll my eyes. Why can't my mom be a normal human being and just let him sit here as our guest.

  This is Palmer we're talking about… a world-class chef. The kind of chef that people have to pay hundreds of dollars just to eat with.

  I love my mom. I really do. I love my entire family.

  But you don't ask guests like that to peel and wash potatoes, you know?

  But again, he's a gracious guest, and I watch him walk over to my mother, wash potatoes, and
hold a sharp paring knife in his hands.

  He peels the skin with ninja-like speed, and my mom's impressed. Really impressed. I can see it in her eyes.

  I hear them make small talk. She's asking him about his restaurant, and where he grew up, and all the normal mom stuff, and he continues to smile and answer everything he throws at her.

  "Kitchens aren't always serious and stressed out places," Palmer says, and I crane my neck to hear what he's saying. I'm still sitting there, petting the dog, and pretending to not pay attention, but the truth is I'm trying to listen in harder than I've ever eavesdropped in my life.

  He continues, "This one time, a dish guy stretched a heavy duty yellow scrubbing glove over the entire top of his head—I don't know how he did it, but he did—and it looked just like a cock's comb. He proceeded to strut around the kitchen like this."

  Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Palmer tuck his arms into his chest in the shape of chicken wings and bob his head, back and forth.

  I can't help but smile at that, and even my mom is cracking up. I mean, she's laughing so hard that she's wiping tears from under her eyes.

  "I kid you not, the dish guy was flapping his arms around, bobbing and tilting his head, and clucking like a chicken. It was one of the funniest things I've seen in my whole life."

  My mother is barreled over, clutching her sides.

  It's so surprising, seeing Palmer like this. He isn't the arrogant asshole chef I knew him to be.

  He's funny and warm. And he's charismatic.

  And when it's all time for us to sit at the table, even my father seems to love him.

  "I'm a huge Buffalo Bills fan—always have been," Palmer says, and my father slaps him on the back.

  "A man of my own heart!" my father says. "Any Bills fan is a friend of mine."

  For a minute it almost feels like I'm in some alternate universe. Who are these people, and what have they done with my parents? Who is this man?

  Things are going so well, and everyone is getting along better than I could've ever hoped for.

  For some reason it's stunning… having man like Palmer, sitting here and sharing a simple family lunch with us, in this humble home because of his extreme wealth and fame… and what I thought was arrogance.