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Dishing Out the Blues, by Krystyna Fedosejevs

28/2/2021

 
FOOD
“Oh no!” screamed Carolyn. “One left?”

She scooted around the kitchen. Couldn’t find more among paper doilies, or with placemats in the china cabinet.

The doorbell rang. Gunter returned from the train station with his mother.

It was the elderly woman’s first visit to the newlyweds apartment. Carolyn had hoped all would go well. Now this.

Dinner was served in the dining room. The guest lifted her portion of a torn napkin. Waved it for all to see.

Gunter could have apologized in the language his mother knew best, German. How his wife overlooked. Had no time to shop. Could’ve shopped if the stores had not closed before she made the discovery.

He placed the matching half onto his lap without saying a word.

Dishes were passed around. Servings taken. When the vegetable bowl arrived, their guest declined.

Sensing Carolyn’s disappointment, Gunter scooped up a double portion. Took one forkful. Made a face. Had no more.

“What’s wrong?” Carolyn whispered, leaning towards him.

“Tastes, well, uh... like...”

“Tastes like what?”

“Blah.”

Carolyn didn’t understand. She had spent time rounding up recipes she was told her mother-in-law would enjoy. Recipes with good reviews. Did Gunter advise incorrectly?

The guest said something in German to Gunter who translated it to Carolyn, who in turn replied in English to Gunter, who translated it into German for his mother. The cycle repeated itself until an understanding was met between them.

The guest rose, taking the bowl with vegetables to the kitchen. Carolyn and Gunter followed.

Vinegar was removed from the lazy Susan. Sugar and salt selected from the seasonings cupboard. An apple was picked from the assorted fruits bowl.

Carolyn and Gunter watched the experienced cook do her magic.

Back at the table, the vegetable bowl made its encore appearance. Everyone dipped in. Generous portions were taken.

The blues had lifted, thanks to the appetizing red sheen of cabbage.
Sue Clayton
1/3/2021 03:47:45 am

Why do we try to impress the in-laws. Her angst came through loud and clear in your words, Krystyna. When my elderly in-laws to second husband made their first visit I'd polished the parquet hallway to an appetizing sheen, but unlike the uplifting deliverance of red cabbage, they both slipped and fell.

Mary Wallace
1/3/2021 04:13:51 am

Sue It's because they know we'll never be good enough for their son. Krystyna I'm sure she only showed tou how to make the meal better because she didn't want her son to starve. Still always nice to get a cooking lesson and to let the mother in law feel superior at the same time.

Sandra James
1/3/2021 07:52:05 am

I found myself holding my breath waiting to see what would happen and such a sigh of relief that it ended well :) Great story, Krystyna, I really enjoyed it!

Padmini Krishnan
1/3/2021 10:24:59 am

It is good that there was no bad blood towards the end, but feel sorry for poor Carolyn. Very good storytelling, Krystyna.

Krystyna
1/3/2021 03:12:02 pm

Thank you Sue, Mary, Sandra and Padmini for reading and commenting.
In answer to your question, Sue, it was not so much a matter of impressing as it was to establish a bond. It’s a way to show respect for the mother of one’s husband. Carolyn and Gunter were newlyweds. That doesn’t mean that they need to accept or follow what the mother-in-law/mother expects them to do if they don’t agree with her.
In my story, it was wise for Carolyn to take in her mother-in-law’s advice because clearly she did not know how to prepare red cabbage.

Mary, you are spot on with your comment concerning the mother-in-law’s son. The situation, however, was more than that. The older woman wanted to proudly show her cooking skills.

Sandra, relief at the end was the plan and keep the suspense of not knowing throughout the story. Glad you sighed relief at the end.

Padmini, as you and others could very well detect, I was ‘Carolyn’, the newlywed who couldn’t communicate in a common language. Who didn’t know how to cook red cabbage properly. Thank you for your kind words about my storytelling.


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