I’m going out now she says I open one eye first then the other She’s in a fancy black suit with her dark hair blown out in ridiculous waves She’s wearing tons of makeup too Have fun I say She puts a hand on her hip and sighs at me What will you do for dinner she asks I lift the remote and switch from some action movie with a guy in a suit to an action movie with a guy in a tank top I shrug I’ll ask Santino to make something for you she says Santino’s our chef He lives somewhere in the south wing I think I can make something myself I say It’s true I can I am an expert at preparing all types of cereal Then I’ll give Santino the night off she replies Whatever I say and I push the volume button up with my thumb Bye The next thing I hear is the front door slamming Great I say to myself after the house is quiet Now I’m hungry I swear I wouldn’t have even thought of food if Mom hadn’t mentioned supper I push myself up off the couch and manage to get upstairs The orangey light in the kitchen means it’s after seven It also means it’s late August It also means school starts next week I’m not ready for that
I pour myself a bowl of something colorful and sweet with a little plastic toy inside of the box Then I lean on the kitchen counter to eat Ah says Santino as he steps into the kitchen I would have made you something It’s all right I say This sugary garbage he says is not all right I could have made that pasta from last week you liked so much My eyebrows shoot up I love his food I just don’t like the idea of being waited on like Mom and I are some kind of royalty We’re not We’re two fools living in a ridiculous mansion that neither of us paid for We’re just lucky because Dad was very very rich Was Santino obviously sees my interest in his pasta because he gives me a big grin Even though he’s already hung up his apron he grabs a pot from under the counter Penne with vodka sauce he says Fresh peas A little cream You don’t have to do this Santino I say but I’m already ditching my cereal You’re off the clock Please please he says I’m happy to What am I going to do tonight anyway Fall asleep in front of the TV What fun is that
Well it’s not that bad I think You know I’m happy to make a good supper for you and Mrs Mostro he says any time Thanks Santino I say Now get out of here he says turning his back to me and strapping the apron on again I’m about to head right back downstairs when the doorbell rings It makes me jump I turn and watch Santino at the counter chopping pancetta Well I say He’s not the butler he’s the chef Still when he’s around he usually answers the door And with our housekeeper Catalina off till after Labor Day I really expect him to step up But no Ah-ah Santino says not even bothering to turn from the cutting board to look at me I’m off the clock I laugh but he’s not kidding You expect me to open the door I say Santino pretends he can’t hear continuing to chop and whistle to himself So I shove through the swinging kitchen door into the big entryway Lightning cracks outside I didn’t even know it had started raining When I open the door a man rushes right past me his coat pulled up over his head Whoa I say flinching at the spray as he shakes off I’m terribly sorry to bother you at this hour he shouts over the thunder Car trouble
