Couples
Chapter 118
Kate's brows dive toward the bridge of her nose. "Auchincloss really wants to launch Pot Pie Palace on Thanksgiving Eve?"
"It's a prelaunch," Rick explains. "A sneak peek, really. But, look, Kate, that's the biggest night of the year for pizza delivery. People are so busy preparing for the next day that they don't want to bother with more cooking. Pot pies offer an easy alternative. People can pick them up, or we've hired a delivery service for the night. Customers can receive them warm and ready to eat with no fuss or bother. And we're offering dessert pies too, like we do at Imagination Patch. The baking-challenged can get pumpkin, mince, or that dark chocolate silk that you love. Pot Pie Palace will allow them to enjoy their family gatherings without the accompanying embarrassment or tired feet.
"The timing will be perfect! We're doing a social media blitz, and we've bought a few morning and evening drive radio spots to announce it. The staff can be with their families or wherever they like on Thanksgiving. We're closing both Pot Pie Palace and Imagination Patch for the day. But they'll be opening to feed the ravenous shoppers on Black Friday."
"Can Christine and Auchincloss handle all of that?" Kate inquires.
"They have some new help. I don't think Auchincloss intended to spill the beans, but when Lily and I popped in last week, she was immediately taken with the 'Big Man.' It turns out he's a top-level chef named Madison Conrad, who found himself in a deep hole. Auchincloss is trying to help him climb out of it. And after hearing the story, I offered my assistance as well. Also, some of our struggling writers will be picking up some extra bucks for the holidays by picking up the slack.
"Mark thinks the opening strategy will work, Kate, and you know how he is. He found Auchincloss a front-of-house person for Pot Pie Palace and ran the numbers. Actually, I think he ran the numbers at least ten times. I could almost hear his iPad sighing under the strain. However, I should make at least a brief appearance in both venues. If you and Lily can come, it will be even better. I've got the fresh turkey, so I don't have to worry about thawing anything. We should still have plenty of time for whatever we need to do for our family celebration. And if not, we'll have back up from some of the best chefs in town."
"All right!" Kate exclaims, crossing her hands in front of her face. "You've convinced me. But since I have the day off, what's your grand plan for the afternoon before Thanksgiving Eve?"
Rick rubs his hands together. "Easy! We take Lily shopping. She adores the shapes and colors at the market. And she'll get to see people she hasn't seen before scurrying around to get their holiday supplies. For her, it will be like watching a live cartoon. She'll love it! And hopefully, we'll tire her out enough to take a nap." Wrapping his arms around Kate, he pulls her close. "And if she takes a nap, we can, too. Naps are good."
Kate stretches up for a kiss. "Naps are great."
"Are you sure it's all right for me to come to your grandmother's house for Thanksgiving?" Bambi asks Esposito. "That should be family time."
"Family and friends," Esposito argues. "Before he tied up with Jenny, I used to bring Kevin. And Abuela will love you."
"All right," Bambi agrees hesitantly, "if you're positive."
"Absolutely!" Esposito declares.
Holding Lily firmly in his arms and with Kate beside him, Rick enters the front of the house at Imagination Patch. This first visit is the easier of the two business drop-ins the Castle family trio will be making. Rick immediately spots the familiar faces of several writer regulars. Not every table is filled, but the line waiting to pick up orders is longer than usual. Of course, he predicted that. He hopes that his predictions for Pot Pie Palace are as accurate.
Christine is taking a rare moment to breathe. With Madison turning out orders, they're having little trouble keeping up with demand. He was working with Chef Auchincloss at the other restaurant earlier but showed up in time to be on the line for dinner. Given Auchincloss's excitement at the opening, she was surprised the head chef sent Madison to help her. But her comrade in arms explained that once the pies were ready to go, Auchincloss insisted that he'd be fine and sent Madison to back up Christine.
Thinking about it, Christine supposes it makes sense for baked pies, anyway. Once they're ready to go in the oven, the actual baking doesn't take much effort. But for the cold filling, the chef would want to pipe the whipped cream not long before the pies go out the door. Still, she's seen Auchincloss with a piping bag. He could probably do a perfect job in his sleep. Maybe he has. She's had dreams like that. When she was in culinary school, she had a lot of them.
Still, it was considerate of Chef to send Madison to her. So come tomorrow, when she helps her mother put out the holiday spread, she'll be energized instead of exhausted and able to enjoy her family instead of desperately wanting to curl up and sleep.
But her partner in the kitchen doesn't have any family in New York. As far as Christine knows, he doesn't have any in the whole country. "Madison," she asks, "What are you going to do tomorrow?"
"Didn't you know?" Madison inquires. "Chef Auchincloss will be making meals for the homeless in The Bowery. He asked me to join him. Time to pass the blessings on, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is," Christine agrees. "How long will you be there?"
"All day. We'll be cooking until at least 7 p.m. Why?"
"I have to help my mother and eat with my family. But I think after that, I'll come down to join you."
Madison nods. "Good girl. Chef will be glad to see you."
"Have you got everything?" Alexis asks as Dana hefts two carefully packed recyclable shopping bags.
"Three pies, fruit salad, green bean casserole minus the fried onions, and candied sweet potatoes – no miniature marshmallows. Do you have the can with the turkey hand cookies you made for Lily?"
"I have it," Alexis confirms. "So I guess we're ready to go. Are you sure your parents are OK with you being with my family this year?"
Dana snorts. "Are you kidding? Most Thanksgivings, my father was off guarding some celebrity appearing in the Macy's Parade. So we'd either have a holiday dinner the next day or save the celebration for Christmas. Mom and I would eat macaroni and cheese while my dad was working. But this year, he promised Mom he'd take her for Thanksgiving dinner at the Four Seasons. So a third wheel is the last thing they need. But I will have to be around at least for part of Christmas."
"I get it," Alexis acknowledges. "I'll need to be with Dad and Kate and my Gram and Craig, on Christmas too. But we can work out the details after today. Thanksgiving, first. Let's go."
Jim Beckett stares down at his corn casserole. It's the same one he made for years when he and Johanna and Katie had Thanksgiving as a family. Then, after Johanna died, he stopped making it. But with Katie and Rick together and a grandchild who might be able to eat the dish this year, he worked harder than ever to make it perfect. He even bought one of those insulated carriers to use to take it to the loft.
Johanna looks down and smiles.