"Where are the hasselback potatoes? I need them for the braised short ribs!"
The din of the kitchen is my soundtrack. It isn't anyone's kitchen but my own; my dream. Two years ago, I opened "Amuse Bouche" in the uber difficult restaurant scene of Los Angeles. Everyone said it was a crazy stupid idea. The only one who believed in me was my mentor and former boss, Cat Cora. I worked for her after I graduated from culinary school. She told me that she never had an Ivy League graduate work her line. She knew I was intelligent and my unique background made me interesting. She took me under her wing and in 2 years, I was her head chef at her flagship restaurant in Santa Barbara. After another 2 years, I wanted to branch out on my own in a new place: Los Angeles. I was drawn to L.A. for the glamour, the Hollywood scene, and more importantly, my daughter, Beth. Her mom, Shelby, was moving there, trying one more shot at stardom. I wanted to be closer to them, especially since Beth was about to turn 11. I wanted to be a bigger presence in her life.
"Quinn, can you come taste this?"
I go over to my sous chef and have a taste.
"Needs some acid. Add a touch of lemon juice."
"Yes, chef," she says with a smirk.
"Oh, quit it with that, Naomi! I am not Gordon Ramsay."
"Yeah, but he was here last night and he loved all the dishes you served him."
I just smiled back.
"I'll be in the office for a bit, girl. Hold down the fort?"
Naomi nods.
I collapse on my sofa, grateful that I decided to squeeze this loveseat in my office. I was exhausted. Awards season had just wrapped up and, on top of my restaurant, I did some of the catering for the Grammy and Oscar after parties. My first year in L.A. had been a whirlwind. The energy was certainly different from Santa Barbara, New Haven, and Lima.
I was thinking a lot about Lima lately. I was fortunate to have Mercedes here in Los Angeles and she made my move so much easier. I heard from Rachel on occasion, via the Glee email updates she religiously sent quarterly. I actually remembered that I had to call her back. She said that she and Jesse would be in town next week and they wanted to meet up with Mercedes and I. I glanced at the clock- 8:00 pm in NYC.
"Hello? Quinn?"
"Oh, hey Rach. Is this a good time?"
"Yeah, I just put JJ down to bed."
I kept forgetting that Rachel was a mom now, to a 18-month old boy.
"I was calling to set up a day and time to meet when you are all in town. Will you be bringing the baby?"
"Of course! We are taking him to Disneyland! But it will just be us adults for dinner. I was hoping we could eat at your restaurant? I haven't had a meal as good as the one you cooked for us up in Santa Barbara 3 years ago."
"That can't be true, Rachel. You live in New York City!"
"Well, they don't match up to your standards, Quinn. Does Wednesday night work for you and Mercedes?"
"Umm, yes that was one of the nights Mercedes said worked for her. I'm really excited to see you both. I'm thinking of adding some more vegetarian dishes to the menu and I wanted your palate's opinion."
"Yay! Oh, I have to go Quinn. JJ is crying and Jesse is still at his musical. See you next week!"
"Bye, Rachel!"
As we hung up the phone, I thought of Cory. I always thought those two would be together, married, raising a family. I was happy for Rachel, that she was able to let go of her pain and anguish. Jesse turned out to be a good guy, minus the egg incident. She really loved him. But I knew a piece of her would always belong to our quarterback. Heck, even a tiny piece of me belonged to him, despite how horribly I treated him in our relationship. Us Glee kids were never quite the same after he was gone.
knock-knock
"Come in!"
Naomi peeks her head in, saying, "Boss, sorry to disturb you but someone is insisting to see you. They won't take no for an answer."
"It's O.K., Naomi, just bring them back here. Who is it?"
"Someone who claims to know you from Lima."
Before I could even say anything, I hear her voice…
"C'mon, Tubbers. I know you ain't doin jackshit in there."
Santana.
This day suddenly got way more interesting…