by Laurie Beth

Created on: September 08, 2008

Cooking

I am making a clam dish. He is watching.
6 slices bacon (crumbled)
He talks of nothing.
The seafood sparks him, though dully.
He looks quite satisfied with himself.
We should take a vacation, he tells me.
2 medium carrots (thinly sliced)
I stare blankly at him. We should try the Caribbean, he says.
4 inside stalks celery (sliced, with leaves)
I always liked the beach, he continues with odd force.

Gives me time and space to
Get reading done. Get essays done. Get work done, facts learned
Loved ones ignored.
1 small onion (chopped)
You can pack everything you like. We'll have it sent down.
He expects praise. This is an innovative idea.
We can afford this luxury of shipping clothing.
5 cloves garlic (pressed)
We should buy a beach house; he is barely looking at me now.
You can have your very own kitchen overlooking the ocean
Isn't it nice? Isn't it swell?
Isn't it rich, like the old song says?
He is no longer waiting for a response.
1 pound red potatoes (cubed, with skins)
His sister calls; she will be attending our gathering.
I am slightly uplifted. I always liked her.
2 bottles (8 oz. each) clam juice
He says he will buy me a new cookbook.
His laptop beeps and buzzes urgently.
He tends to it, again, as if it were a colicky newborn.
50 ounces whole baby clams
I wonder what the sun will do to my complexion, in the Caribbean.
I wonder if there are many friendly people there.
1 Bay leaf
He is typing furiously. It never ends.
His co-workers make very important phone calls.
His cell phone erupts in symphony. I do not understand.
I have a faint desire to understand.
I am too focused to respond.
4 cups heavy whipping cream
We should maybe start researching those houses, he shouts over the din.
I smile to indicate I've heard.
3/4 teaspoon thyme leaves
The symphony quiets.
He mentions: business is picking up even more.
Imagine that.
We should be so happy.
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire
I am concentrating. He is not.
He ponders whether they should expand.
The economy is booming-
For the motivated ones.
1 tablespoon butter
He remarks that he is a very efficient worker.
He looks only briefly at me, then at the cabinets.
1 dash white or cooking wine
The wine sparks him, just as dully.
We should make sure we have enough wine for tomorrow, he warns.
I did. I looked.
Most of the board will be there, he cautions.
I looked at the wine.
You're sure? All right, then.
Salt and pepper to taste
The cacophony returns.
He is finally, truly sparked.
He runs to his electronics.
1 lemon cut in wedges
I wonder what it is to feel a spark such as that one.
No matter, I am concentrating.
This dish will be extraordinary.
No, Larry, he says; there is joy.
We'll make him partner next year. Make him earn it.
Cook, saut, boil, stir
Serve with lemon
I like to cook.
I do.

Learn more about this author, Laurie Beth.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.