disclaimer: Don't own nothing. Don't sue. The cookbook in this chapter, as well as the recipe, are my creation, and not based on any cookbook as far as I know.
Author's note: Thank you to everyone that reviewed. It really made me feel better. Keep those reviews coming, which will hopefully inspire me to keep the chapters coming at a good rate. I bet you are all surprised to see an update so soon, given my past history. I am going to try and be better this summer.
Chapter 6: Doug's Birthday
Doug looked at the book lying on the desk. It was amazing how depressing it was for a present that was so thoughtful. He opened it to look at the message inscribed on the flyleaf. "To my favorite brother: In the past few years, you have become a pretty good cook, but I thought you might want to take it to the next level. Try the mango salmon (page 258). The sauce looks amazing. Hope you enjoy it and happy cooking. Love Pacey".
He tossed the cookbook back on his desk, and looked at the title that was written in bold red lettering across the cover: Cooking for One. It seemed that even his brother thought that there was no chance that he would ever find someone. Destined to be alone. Damn.
Maybe it was a logical conclusion. His last date was – he had to think pretty hard to remember – over three years ago. Two dates with a woman named Allison. In the last five years, he had been on a total of maybe eight dates. But still, with one birthday present, he felt like he was doomed to being alone. Just because he had not been successful in finding the right person, did that mean that special someone for him didn't exist?
Doug sighed and turned back to the mountain of paperwork on his desk. Paperwork was never the best part of his job, but on his birthday, it seemed especially depressing. He pulled out the form that he had been working on. Suddenly, Holly stepped into the office. "Sheriff, there is someone here to see you."
He looked up in surprise, for he wasn't expecting anyone. Jack poked his head into the office. "Happy
Birthday Doug!" In his hand was a dilapidated picnic basket. "How's the birthday going so far?" he asked.
"Fine," he lied. "I had breakfast with Pacey. He gave me a cookbook," Doug said, gesturing toward the book that was perched on top of one of the piles on his desk.
Jack walked over and picked it up, reading the cover. "Cooking For One. Ouch. That seems kind of depressing."
Even though Doug had just been thinking the same thing, he felt the need to defend Pacey's gift. "It's not too bad. It looks like it has some good recipes in it."
Even though he tried to sound upbeat, it didn't fool the other man. Jack tried to change the subject, "so why didn't you have a party to celebrate your thirty-fifth birthday? I mean, thirty-five is a big deal."
Doug looked up at Jack unable to explain the hopelessness that had characterized his thirty-fifth birthday. How could he explain how this date marked the end of his dreams? How he had looked into the future and had expected to be married with a couple of kids by now. Even five years ago, it still had seemed as if there would be enough time for those dreams to come true. He sighed. There was no reason to explain his real rationale for avoiding his birthday. "Thanksgiving is only two weeks away and too much family togetherness in the Witter family is often a bad thing." Luckily Jack seemed content with his explanation.
Doug looked at the object in Jack's hand. "So what's in the basket?"
Jack set the picnic basket on the desk and opened it with a flourish. "Chipped beef on toast." He began laying the food out on the desk. "When Pacey found out the menu, he refused to participate, even though he did donate a birthday cake," Jack explained, pulling a Death by Chocolate Cake out of the basket.
"How did you know I liked chipped beef?"
"Don't you remember Pacey's birthday party…"
"When mom made my favorite and thought it was Pacey's favorite," Doug finished, laughing. "I can't believe you remembered that!"
"It was quite a memorable evening, believe me. I think all the details are permanently etched in my mind."
"So, are you going to tell me that you actually cooked something? Is it edible?" Doug asked with mock concern, having witnessed firsthand Jack's ineptitude in the kitchen.
"It wasn't hard. The store had frozen creamed beef, so all I had to do was heat it up." As Doug's raised eyebrow, he confessed, "OK, so I burned the first batch, but this is fine. Don't worry, I tasted it." And then they were both laughing.
As they ate in silence, Jack tried to formulate the question that had been bothering him all day. "In all the times we have eaten together, only once have I seen you eat beef. Usually it's chicken, or fish, or even completely vegetarian. Are you just pretending to like chipped beef to humor me?"
Doug was touched by the worry in Jack's eyes. "I do like chipped beef, but I don't let myself have it too often because of the calories." Doug paused for a minute. "I need to make a confession. Do you know why my mother thinks that chipped beef on toast is my favorite meal?" When Jack shook his head, Doug answered, "because it's the only thing she can make without screwing it up!"
Suddenly they were both laughing. Eventually they settled down and finished the meal. Doug chewed thoughtfully, and then declared, "not bad. Just like mom's," and then they were laughing again.
When they had finally consumed all of the food in the picnic basket, they both leaned back in lazy contentment.
"Hey, are you up for dinner tonight?" Doug asked. "I've been thinking of trying," he paused, flipping through the pages of the cookbook until he found what he was looking for, "Salmon with Mango Sauce."
"Sure, but isn't it called 'Cooking for One'? I'm assuming that you plan on eating as well."
Doug laughed, "Of course I plan on eating. There's no rule that say that the recipe can't be doubled to make food for two, is there?"
Jack grabbed the book out of Doug's hands and pretended to look for the non-existent rule. "Damn. I'm sure I saw it in here somewhere." He continued to search before tossing the cookbook down in mock defeat. "I guess it's allowed. Same time, same place?"
"Better make it a half hour later. I have to stop at the store on the way home and pick up supplies."
Jack nodded, and began picking up the remains of lunch. "I'll see you tonight, then."
As Doug watched Jack walk out of his office, he realized that the specter of Birthday's Past had abandoned him, and that his thirty-fifth birthday no longer felt like the confirmation of lost dreams. He smiled and reached for a notepad, where he began to write out his shopping list.
salmon
2 mangos
Cajun spice mixture
coriander
….
Author's note: Here's the recipe, if anyone is interested.
Baked Cajun Salmon with Mango Sauce
Servings: 3-4
1 lb Salmon
Olive Oil
Cajun spice mixture
cooking spray
Sauce:
2 ripe mangos, pureed
juice of 2 limes
4 tsp coriander
pinch of celery salt
Spray baking pan with cooking spray. Brush salmon with olive oil. Sprinkle with Cajun spice mixture and salt, to taste. Bake uncovered 15-18 minutes at 450 degrees until salmon flakes easily with a fork.
For sauce: combine ingredients and serve cold with the hot salmon. Sauce can be prepared in advance.
