Food Therapy – Chapter 19
Thanksgiving.
The season to be thankful of the past year's joys, trials and tribulations. The season for friends and family to come together to have a meal together, to share experiences and to just have a good time. The first thanksgiving was celebrated by the Pilgrims to give thanks to God for being their guide, bringing them safely to the new world. It stands in North America today as a tradition celebrated yearly as part of the broad holiday season.
Today was to be Zack and Cody's happiest Thanksgiving in a decade.
Suite 2330, despite being void with the exception of the two brothers, was already bustling with energy. With utmost tenacity and skill, Zack cracked four eggs into a large bowl, watching as the yolks and transparent liquid flowed into the large bowl. Making a mound with the floor on the bench, he scooped open a well at the center and poured the eggs into it. Sprinkling some salt into the eggs, he started to work the eggs and flour together. Soon, he had smooth dough in front of him.
His brother Cody was working on the other portion of the collaboration. After placing the peanut butter in a small glass, he added the hot water to the mix and stirred with a fork until his desired level of smoothness was reached. The next ingredient was the always important soy sauce, followed by garlic, cream, sesame oil, and just a dash of chili sauce to tempt the taste buds.
The two brothers worked to finish the dishes, operating together in sync, much like how an efficient industrial kitchen line would be run.
"Cilantro?"
"In the bowl behind you."
"Thanks."
The dinner today was to be unique, unorthodox to a large extent. There would be no Turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, or any other conventional dishes that are seen around the dinner table during the holiday. Today, all guests would celebrate a very Martin Thanksgiving, and with two masterful chefs at the helm of the food preparation, it was bound to be a complex but great feast.
The first visitor to knock on the door of suite 2330 had been the Peruvian manager Esteban Julio Ricardo Montoya de la Rosa Ramirez, newly appointed general manager of the just-opened Cibo la Therapia. It had taken much thought for Zack to part with his loyal floor manager, but after some negotiation it had been agreed that Esteban would stay with Cody to train the waiting staff for a period of three months before he himself made the decision as to whether to return to Martini and Zack or stay with Therapia and Cody. For Esteban there wasn't too much of a problem. Having the late night visitor with the masterful palate as his boss would be a welcoming experience. Upon the opening of the door, Esteban had greeted the two brothers with a wide smile and hurried to help with laying the table, his instinctive restaurant management abilities not gone to waste.
The second visitor was Maya Bennett, a lovely female maître d' working at a restaurant located just opposite Ristorante Martini. Her encounter with Zack in the supermarket a month ago had been an experience neither would forget in a long time, and since that day they had already gone out for late night coffee innumerous times after their respective dinner services. Zack had made it clear that he intended to 'poach' this jewel from the competing restaurant, and so far Maya had made no indication that she desired otherwise. Cody, having seen the way the two greeted each other upon her entering the suite for Thanksgiving dinner, was happy for his brother. After a ten year dry spell Zack more than deserved such a relationship.
The third visitor was a surprise to Zack. Upon opening the door, he gasped.
"Chef Jean-Pierre!"
The elderly chef grinned.
"And how are you doing, Zackary? Or should I say…Chef Zack?"
After some pleasantries were exchanged, Zack steered Jean-Pierre into the kitchen with a desire to introduce him to Cody, only to be met by Cody's cheeky smile.
"I believe we've met."
Zack was flabbergasted.
"What? How…"
"Why do you think he has come today? I made a call to the CIA looking for the mentor whom you had told me so much about, and was pleased to find that he was still working there as a senior teacher. So, I made a trip down there this weekend to invite him for dinner today."
Jean-Pierre, now with a head full of white hair and a soft voice (a far cry from the days where he had once thrown foie gras at a student), spoke up.
"It was nice to meet your brother. After your fascinating story that day I have always wondered what he was like, though I didn't expect that he was your twin. What a surprise it was for me when he came down to see me that day, I thought he was you! He is the one you talked about that one day with the pasta, the one who inspired you to begin cooking, is he not?"
Cody looked surprised and pleased at the revelation of this piece of information, which was affirmed (somewhat grudgingly, as Zack didn't want Cody's ego to inflate that much) by Zack.
"I can sense that you two are alike in many ways. Both of you are skillful in the kitchen, and both of you cook with that special ingredient in all your dishes. I trust you still use it, Chef Zack?"
"Indeed Chef, and I've added one additional ingredient to the mix." Zack smiled. "Passion and love still remain the crucial ingredients."
There were no need for more words to be exchanged between the master and the student. A satisfied smile on Jean-Pierre's face already told Zack everything that he needed to know, that his training at the CIA, especially in that creativity class, had been tremendously useful and valuable.
The fourth and fifth visitors, Chef Paolo and Arwin Hawkhauser, were greeted with much enthusiasm by the two brothers, especially Zack, who had not seen them since ten years ago. Chef Paolo, a now-retired chef, stood in the kitchen during the food preparation process and gave advice where appropriate, which the two Martins were more than happy to take from the chef with over thirty years' experience in the industry. Arwin, being as goofy as usual, attempted to help with preparing food before being told very nicely but firmly by Cody to instead sit down on the couch and watch some television. After a bit of pouting he found joy in conversing with Esteban, their conversation mostly going along the lines of "You look really familiar. Are you sure we've never met?" Maya, being an extroverted lady, chimed in when appropriate, much to Arwin's surprise at having a girl interested in his conversation.
The sixth visitor, Mr Marion Moseby, was the last on the guest list of the small dinner party. Being an unofficial parent to the two boys when they were younger was both a pain and (as much as he hated to admit it) a joy. Mr Moseby was glad to be invited to the Martins' Thanksgiving celebration, which symbolized to him the development of the two young brothers as bildungsroman. Two young immature children have now grown up and learned from their respective life experiences to become successful in the paths that they have decided to tread. Mr Moseby had no doubt that Ristorante Martini (which he vowed to visit over the coming weeks) and Cibo la Therapia would be magnificent successes.
Dinner was served. As the guests sat down at the small dining table, the two brothers remained standing, eager to introduce the prepared dishes to the guests.
"As you can see, the Thanksgiving dinner we've prepared is somewhat unconventional and almost exclusively Italian, however I hope the message behind this shared dinner we're all having together today still comes through to everyone."
The guests smiled and nodded at Cody's introduction to the night's spread, a large collection of dishes placed neatly at the table, creating an amalgam of colors. Their collective aromas blended together to create a remarkably realistic Italian restaurant experience.
"If you'll all shift your eyes to Mr Moseby's end of the table, you'll see that we've prepared a traditional Crockpot Italian Chicken Vegetable Soup. Hearty and nourishing."
"And if you'll take a look at the plate directly in front of Arwin," the guests turned their head to admire the next dish. "We've got a simple Sun-dried Tomato, Feta and Pine Nut Salad for everyone pass around."
"As Chef Paolo and Chef Pierre might have noticed, a soup and a salad is a traditional part of an Italian meal. For the main courses, we have specially created a special dish for every single individual here sitting at this table to suit your individual tastes."
Everyone at the table was by now looking very impressed, even the two veteran chefs. Though there was no turkey for this dinner, it was clear that the perfectionist brothers have still strived to impress. Cody was the first to introduce his dishes.
"For Chef Paolo, who's on a vegetarian diet as I've been informed of before today, I've personally prepared what I call a Tricolor Tomato Ravioli, with spinach, tomatoes, capers, basil, and a healthy amount of cheese. I understand we did talk about moderation when I was younger, Chef, so I think a little cheese in your diet is fine."
"Thank you so much for thinking of me, my little protégé!" Chef Paolo, bubbly as usual, was pleased with his dish.
"For Mr Moseby, I've prepared a simple Fettuccini Carbonara, which I plan to install as one of the chef-recommended items on the new restaurant's menu. Bacon, garlic, Fettuccini pasta and fresh Parmesan cheese. It's one of the few dishes which I managed to master as a child, so I hope you enjoy it as much as we did then."
Mr Moseby voiced out his thanks before looking down at his bowl in awe, which contained possibly the richest looking carbonara pasta he had ever seen in his life.
"And for Arwin, to appeal to the child I believe is still within you (Mr Moseby and Zack snickered at this comment), I've attempted an entirely new experimental dish. Pecan Pancake Pizza, with added maple syrup flavoring and canola oil."
Everyone sitting at the table gave awed expressions upon hearing the name of the dish, having never heard of anything so avant-garde before. Chef Pierre, in particular, gazed at the dish and rubbed his chin thoughtfully, mumbling a few words to himself.
"A bold combination, but it probably works. I wonder why I've never tried that…"
Arwin picked up a slice of the pizza made just for him and analyzed it closely, before shouting at the top of his voice.
"It's shaped like a rhinoceros! You remembered!"
Amidst the scattered laughter around the table, Cody grinned, recalling a certain time long ago where Arwin had stayed over with them and drove their mother crazy with requests for rhinoceros pancakes.
"There's no way I could have forgotten, Arwin. Enjoy."
"And now it's my turn…" Zack cleared his throat dramatically, inciting a giggle from Maya and rolling of eyes from Cody.
"For Esteban, I've appealed to your Peruvian heritage by preparing a fusion dish, a combination of a Classic Peruvian Ceviche with Fusilli pasta. I've always wanted to experiment with fusion cuisine, so hopefully this first attempt will be satisfactory."
"Thank you very much, chef!"
"For the lovely Maya, I remember you telling me how you liked childhood comfort food, so I've prepared for you a simple Spaghetti with Meatballs in Bolognese sauce, just like how you described your grandmother making it."
"Sweetie, you remembered! Thank you!"
"And last but not least, and possibly the dish I'm most worried about because of the person I'm serving it to…" Chef Pierre gave a little chuckle at Zack's comment. "I went with a classic, also one of the dishes that are most popular at Ristorante Martini. Garden Penne, made with Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Red Onion, Red and Green Bell Peppers, diced tomatoes, black pepper, and a generous helping of mozzarella. And of course, I put in the most important ingredient: a whole lot of passion. I trust this will satisfy your expectations of me, Chef."
Mr Moseby looked at the combination of bright colours in Chef Pierre's bowl, and quipped.
"It looks beautiful, Chef Pierre, but regardless of how it tastes, you can be proud of having Zack try to fulfill your expectations. He couldn't even fulfill simple ones of mine, like not jumping on the hotel furniture."
After the vicarious laughter had died down from the small group, the two brothers took their seats and indicated for everyone to begin their meal. Soon the air was filled with generous compliments at the richness of the carbonara sauce in Mr Moseby's Fettuccini, the perfect amalgamation of Italian with Peruvian in Esteban's fusion dish, amongst others.
Maya then made an observation at the food on the plates of Zack and Cody.
"What are you guys eating? I've never seen anything like it!"
The loud conversation died down at the table as everyone turned their eyes to the plates in front of the two brothers. Zack and Cody looked at each other, and then described the dishes.
"Zack is having something known as Peanut Butter Pasta, made with peanut butter, soy sauce, whipping cream, sesame oil and fresh cilantro…"
"While Cody is having Lasagne di manzo con salsa al cioccolato bianco, or Beef Lasagna drenched in a generous helping of white chocolate sauce."
"Such clever yet unusual concoctions…" Chef Paolo thought aloud in his typical French accent. "How did you come up with these?"
The two brothers looked each other and grinned, knowing that the others would not be able to understand the true significance of the dishes that sat in front of them. The dishes, aside from the peanut butter and white chocolate sauces, were coated in a thick layer of delicious, delicious nostalgia.
The other important ingredient.
"It's a long story." said Zack and Cody simultaneously.
The guests have left, and suite 2330, previously bustling with conversation, was now quiet once again. The guests, upon voicing their thanks, had decided to leave and perhaps retire early for the night, especially with two elderly chefs amongst them. Mr Moseby and Maya were the last to stand from the pull-out couch, and generously offered to help with the washing up of the multitude of dishes that sat (nearly polished clean) on the dining table. The offer was gratefully accepted by the two brothers, and the four chatted joyously as they scrubbed, soaped, and dried.
As time drew onwards one of the four contributors in the washing up conversation slowly quieted down. Due to the enthusiasm of the other three in exchanging banter, however, his lack of participation grew unnoticed. Eventually the person in question put down the dirty rag in his hands and slipped out of the constrained kitchen area unnoticed, and on his way out he snatched up a wine glass and a bottle of Prosecco wine from the hidden liquor compartment under the kitchen counter.
The person made his way into his childhood bedroom, which would have been completely dark if it weren't for the moonlight that penetrated the transparent glass window, the sole connection between occupants of the room and the streets of the heart of Boston. Leaving the door slightly ajar, he sat down on the bed (or one of the beds, as he then realized that there were still two) cross-legged, as though he were a child again, looking up at the stars and moon in the night sky and wondering about the heavens.
With a small pop the bottle of wine was uncorked, and the clear, sparkling white wine left the bottle and met the glass, still bubbling gently as it was exposed to the air. The glass was raised, and a sip was taken, followed by an involuntary sigh as his heart was calmed and the alcohol sank deeper into his bloodstream.
One star twinkled brighter than the others in the night sky, catching his attention. It seemed to be calling out to him, nearly, its light falling on his eyes after a journey over trillions of miles. He squinted, and to his astonishment the star, one amongst millions visible in the night sky, spoke to him.
"Mom?"
Zack placed the glass on the bedside table shakily and crawled forward on his knees, pressing his face against the window, willing for the star to speak again.
"Mom…is that you?"
His voice sounded oddly quiet. The air in the room was still, its atmosphere surreal. When the star did not speak, he wondered if he had imagined it. He picked up the glass of wine and sipped from it again, wondering if the alcohol would allow the voice to come back.
It didn't.
He set down the glass and didn't resist as a lone tear rolled down his cheek, memories of the past flooding into him freely. Sniffing slightly, he wiped the wet streak across his cheek with the back of his hand and looked up once again into the night sky.
The star, mocking in all its mellow bright glory, stared back down at him.
Was it smiling?
"I miss you, mom."
Zack picked up the glass for the third time and held it in front of him, allowing its intoxicating fumes to enter his nostrils and drown him in fogginess. The relief from the pain of memory was welcoming.
"I miss you so much."
He drowned the glass and picked up the bottle, tipping it over the rim of the glass. A voice behind him shook him out of his partial trance.
"I can't believe you started without me."
Zack spun his head around, his eyes meeting his twin's. In his hand was an identical win glass, and on his face was a calm, surreal, and somewhat knowingexpression. Cody made his way up to his bed and climbed onto it beside his twin, who had returned his gazed to the sky. Taking the wine bottle from his hand, he filled up his own glass and sipped it gently.
The two brothers looked up at the night sky for a while.
"Hi, mom."
Zack looked at Cody in wonderment and anxiousness. Had his brother overheard him through the small gap through the door?
Cody looked at Zack and grinned.
"You're not the only one who talks to mom, thank you very much."
Feeling very much like a child, Zack pointed up at the star shining brightly in the sky.
"Is that her?"
"Yes, that's her." Cody smiled, realizing that Zack had sensed their mother in the same star as well. "She helped me through many a painful night before."
He sipped at his glass again, as Zack once again stared at the star, which was now twinkling faster than before, as though his mother was up in the heavens winking at him.
"You do know that she forgave you, don't you?"
Zack didn't break his gaze, still focusing on the faraway star.
"She gave us that sign that day when you saw her. She understands it was a mistake."
"Still…" Frustrated, Zack looked down into his lap and buried his head in his hands. "What I've done was…"
"Inexcusable, Zack. I know that. Every single person who heard about the incident felt it was inexcusable."
Groaning affirmatively, Zack felt himself sinking further into his self-doubt at Cody's words.
"But you know what?"
Cody then took his elder brother's hands in his own. Drawing Zack towards him to face him directly, he looked straight into the pair of eyes that were filled with insurmountable self-loathing.
"It's been ten years, Zack. What happened was a mistake. You need to let go."
Zack began to shake his head, but Cody interjected his next words with more of his own.
"Mom loves us, Zack, no matter how frustrated she was during the times where we irritated her by breaking things and foiling around in the hotel. We made a lot of mistakes when we were kids, and you know what? What you did was one of those."
Zack didn't say anything.
"The most important thing about making mistakes is that we must learn from them, and isn't that what you did? After the accident, you became more mature. You had goals in life, strived to achieve them, and ultimately did. I couldn't be more proud of you, Zack, and I'm sure neither can Mom."
Cody continued speaking with gusto.
"What you did was a mistake, Zack, but regardless of whatever errors you commit, Mom will still love you, Zack, because you're her son. And you know what? There are other people that love you too. Just look into the living room."
Zack looked at the small slit of light that shone through into the dark room. Mr Moseby and Maya sat on pull out couch, chatting happily.
"Mr Moseby loves you. He was like a parent to us, and remains so. You couldn't have imagined how upset he was when I first told him that you had gone missing. And Maya? You only met her a month ago, but I've seen the way you two look at each other, and I'm sure that whatever relationship that happens between you two will be fantastic. And how about all the other people that care about you? Arwin? Chef Pierre? There are so many people in this world who care, Zack, and I don't think they want to see you continue brooding for the rest of your life over that one mistake."
There was a long pause as Cody searched for more words. Zack remained silent.
"I forgave you, Zack."
Zack looked up.
"I forgave you ten years ago. So why, Zack, why?"
Cody was now pleading. Zack lowered his eyes again.
"Why can't you forgive yourself?"
The two remaining guests in the living room had let themselves out after seeing a particularly tender sight upon peeking into the slit into the suite bedroom, one that Mr Moseby had never imagined seeing in his entire life, after witnessing uncountable disagreements from the two in question when they were children.
Zack and Cody were seated on the bed, embracing. Few incidents in the past have revealed the tender brotherhood that lay beneath their stoicness, but tonight the air was rife with emotion, and the two twins have never felt closer. It had been the younger of the two that initiated the hug, a far cry from the elder brother's label as the protective one, but it felt comfortable all the same.
Cody was sitting on his bed with his knees held firmly to his chest, sobbing silently. Zack, feeling guilty for the nasty prank he had just played on Cody, slowly walked to the bed and sat down beside his little brother. He swallowed his young pride and gave a heartfelt apology, asking for Cody's forgiveness. Cody looked up and nodded. The two embraced.
Two wine glasses sat on the bedside table, both filled with Prosecco wine.
It took a while for the two to separate from their embrace. Sniffing slightly, Zack spoke.
"I understand that you forgave me, Codes, and so did everyone else."
Cody waited patiently for his brother to continue.
"And I want to forgive myself, but it's not easy. It's going to take time. I don't know how long it'll take, but I'll get there some day."
Cody smiled.
"And I'm glad, because I know that…till the day I manage to properly put what happened behind me, you'll be there. It's been ten years, and I've missed you bro."
Cody pulled Zack into yet another embrace.
Two chefs, brothers, twins, brought together by food, passion, and love.
Twenty-three floors down, the newly opened Cibo la Therapia sat quiet, its dining room and kitchen patiently waiting for the next day, where energy and aromas will once again fill its atmosphere. Proudly brandishing a fresh new sign dictating its name and an impressively decorated interior, it screamed of ambition, hope, and anticipation towards the future.
Miles away from the heart of Boston, the double-Michelin starred Ristorante Martini sat quiet, a tiny, surprisingly well-kept restaurant, with its granny smith apple walls and aubergine porch, and a sign, large yet unintimidating, welcoming guests to the haven known as Martini. By now one of the best restaurants in the country, it stood as a representation of experience, passion, and love.
High above in the night sky, a star twinkled merrily.
All was good.
Author's Note – Before I begin this long author's note to commemorate the final chapter (warning: long note here), I would like to apologise for stating in the previous note that this would be the Epilogue. After reviewing the content of this chapter I found it was more suitable for a final chapter instead of an epilogue, and therefore the Epilogue has yet to come (which is good news, I suppose, for those of you who enjoy it).
My reasons are simple. I found that the story couldn't be properly ended unless I get a scene where the two brothers are together to properly conclude the main content and satisfy the backdrop of the plot for my entire story. I also felt that Zack's tragedy didn't receive the attention it deserved, so hopefully ending the story this way paves the way for a more satisfying conclusion.
I also wanted to end the story by bringing back a few of the important characters besides the two brothers (and with the exception of Bailey) to create a more homely feel. I apologise if the reappearance of Jean-Pierre was uncalled for, but I felt it would be a nice sentiment for the disciple to greet his master after achieving success.
There will be no Author's Note in the upcoming Epilogue, so I figured I might as well say all I need to here. To all readers and reviewers, thank you very much for the support you have given the story. By taking your precious time to read the story I feel even more satisfied upon the completion of my longest story yet. Even after the story has completed I hope that reviews will still come in from new readers, as it can still help me improve on my writing.
I stated at the beginning of the story that I aimed to bring forward the pleasure of food to you all, and hopefully I have succeeded in enriching your minds (and rumbling your tummies). Food truly is one of the greatest arts that human kind has ever indulged in, and I trust that everyone will respect food for its incredible ability to bring people together.
A final shoutout to ilovesprouse and KatrinaEagle for being especially devoted in reviewing my humble story, and to the creators of the Suite Life series for giving us many wonderful characters to work with in this area of Fanfiction.
See you all (I promise this is true this time) in the Epilogue, and thus ends my final Author's Note for Food Therapy.
~SUITELIFEFAN