"Pumpkin, Pumpkin, where are you?" I sigh, running a hand through my bangs. "Marinette, you know the pumpkins are in the cupboard. Unless, your talking about your pumpkin," my mother grins, and I groan. "Mama!" My embarrassing mother is referring to my boyfriend, Adrien Agreste, who is currently sweeping the bakery floor. "No, I'm looking for Pumpkin the cat." "Ah! I would try the cupboard anyway. You know cats like quiet spaces."
"You looking for your cat?" Adrien walks over to me, putting away the broom. "Yes, but I have a hunch. Follow me."
We're quiet as we enter the quiet pantry, and I flick on the light. Sure enough, there on a pumpkin sleeps my little black ball of fluff. "There you are! I was worried about you!" Pumpkin opens one sleepy eye, and yawns. I pick up my cat, cuddling his fluffy body to my chest, and I hear a rumbling purr starting up. "Hey, Marinette, you have all the ingredients for pumpkin soup in here." Pumpkin struggles in my arms and I hand him over to Adrien. "That sounds good. Where did you get the recipe?"
Adrien strokes Pumpkin thoughtfully. "My mother made Pumpkin Soup every Autumn, especially on rainy days, like this one." "Well, all my chores are done. Let's make soup!"
We grab all the things we need, and head upstairs, Pumpkin hard on our heels. Adrien digs an old yellow sheet of paper out of his bag.
Adrien seems to know how to make the soup by heart, and I can picture him sitting at the kitchen island, watching his mother cook while they told stories and jokes. I work on the garlic bread, and soon the kitchen is filled with the smell of warm spices and good food.
"Marinette, look! Pumpkin wants to stir the soup!" I laugh as Pumpkin holds a wooden spoon in his mouth, eyeing the simmering pot intently. "You may not be able to have soup, but I'll give you a treat."
At supper that night, Adrien tells us more stories about his mother. Some I've heard before and others I haven't. I'm happy to hear the stories of his younger days, and he looks happy as Pumpkin sleeps on his lap.
In bed that night, I stroke my cat. "You may Adrien very happy today, with making Pumpkin Soup. Maybe one day, when I have kids, I'll pass along recipes and stories to them. But I won't forget this day, when Adrien made Pumpkin Soup."