Chapter 604
“When their baby arrives, there won’t be anyone at home to help take care of it. They’ll have to hire a nanny.”
“But you can’t always trust nannies. No one is as attentive with a baby as its own grandparents.”
“And what if something happens while the nanny’s alone with the baby? What if she mistreats it?”
Patti’s views were unmistakably traditional. Claire tried to reassure her. “These days you can set up security cameras and require the nanny to keep the baby where you can see them.”
“But you’re right-having a nanny is one thing, but when the parents are keeping watch, it puts everyone’s minds at ease.”
“Exactly!” Patti said, lighting up.
She’d spent her whole life working hard. If she could help her son raise a grandchild, nothing would make her happier.
Now, as she and her husband grew older, they both dreaded the idea of no longer being needed by their children and grandchildren. The house would feel so empty and quiet.
Patti admitted, “That’s one thing I can’t match your grandmother at. She’s so open- hearted and content with being on her own.”
“She lives out in the country by herself, just a cat for company, and she thinks it’s wonderful.”
“Me, I like a full, noisy house. When Cindy was little and stayed with your grandmother, I was still the one running over to take care of her most of the time.” “I’ve always loved looking after kids.”
It was a shame, really, that Cindy never seemed to want to be close with her. Even as a child, Cindy had started learning to cook her own meals. Sometimes, Patti just couldn’t understand what went on in that little girl’s head.
Claire was the opposite. She always welcomed Patti’s help and would often gush over her cooking.
That evening, Patti was back in the kitchen. Pearce had come home with a few fresh crabs, and Patti had already cleaned and steamed them.
Pandora absolutely loved crab. In the summertime, there was never a shortage at the James house. Relatives working out of town sent them home by the box, and the family even farmed their own in the rice paddies. It was all so Pandora could enjoy the freshest crab possible.
“Steamed crab is ready, but would you like them tossed with chili, or maybe sautéed with green onion and herbs?” Patti was an artist in the kitchen.
There were crawfish, too spicy and aromatic, Cajun style.
Claire’s return felt like a holiday. The whole family brought out the best for her.
There was also a bowl of freshly made wild mushroom soup-a rare treat you’d be lucky to find anywhere else.
Dinner wasn’t even served yet and Claire had already finished a bowl, ladled out just for her by Patti.
“Anything you cook, I’ll eat—it’s always delicious.” Claire wasn’t just flattering her; Patti’s cooking genuinely was that good.
Patti’s face glowed with satisfaction.
She continued, “Back in my
@
grandfather’s day, he was a chef- realone My father picked up the
trade from him, and no matter how
hard times got, we never went
hungry.”
“I loved being in the kitchen from the time I was a kid. I learned everything at my
grandfather’s side.”
Claire could isten to those old
stories forever. Patti described how
her grandfather took her
everywhere….When he catered
piece of
banquet, he’d carve off a piece
roast meat and secretly Slip it to her.
“Gotta check the seasoning,” he’d wink, though by the time the real feast began,
Patti was already stuffed.
She’d kept the habit herself, always sneaking tastes to the little ones before the meal. So tonight, before dinner officially began, Claire was already half full.
She watched as Pandora picked at her crab with delicate grace.
Claire dug in too—she and Pandora were strikingly similar that way.
It was a picture of simple joy, watching grandmother and granddaughter enjoy their meal together.
Pearce and Patti themselves were far more casual-cracking shells loudly and eating with gusto, but never appearing coarse.
“Claire, your college entrance exam scores are coming out soon, aren’t they?” Pearce asked abruptly.