Adam Blake - 90. Chapter 90

“We arrived just a little after dinner time, Mom had waited, Gerry introduced the boys, lunch was a chef salad with mixed fruit juices. I thought Mom made too much but that wasn't the case. Gerry mentioned to Mom about going to Franco’s for dinner. She thought it was a great idea. I called Bill and invited his family as well, then called Franco’s and made a reservation, I used Bill’s name.

That evening, Gerry was excited. “Dad, my gift was delivered right after we ate here last time. Do you think she’ll remember?”

“She’ll remember and you are going to be getting a lot of hugs and kisses, so be prepared.” We met Bill in front of the restaurant, I forgot to include someone’s girlfriend in the total, but knowing Moma, that wouldn’t be a problem. Bill went in and got the table, he told Theresa that there would be one more. She added a chair and a place setting, then Mom and Dad walked in. They were seated at Bill’s table. I waited until they were seated and their drink orders were taken when I walked in with the boys. As soon as Theresa saw me, she headed back to the kitchen. Moma came rushing out, I almost was smothered with her hugs, then she saw Gerry, he ran behind me, Thomas and Adam started to laugh, Moma grabbed both of them and gave them a hug and a kiss on their cheek. Gerry forgot for a moment, then Moma caught him. He got many kisses.”

“Come, I want to show you something” I knew what she wanted to show him, the refrigerator. “Gerry, I was so surprised when I got a call from my distributor saying he had a package from home for me. I expected something small from one of my sisters, instead, this is what I got. You shouldn’t have done this, it must have cost you a lot of money.”

“No, my Dad paid for it. He always said a good deed deserves a good deed back.” She went to hug and kiss him again, laughing he ran to me.

I told Bill about the seminars, and that the boys would be staying at Mom and Dad's while I was teaching. We chatted about school. Billy’s first semester at college and Scotty’s football, “Bill, that boy plays football like you did. I’d bet he’ll be eligible for a scholarship when he’s a senior.”

“That will be a while, but he loves football.”I knew what Scotty’s Christmas gift would be this year. “Billy, have you read my book?”

“No, I don’t have a copy.” I went to the car and got a copy. I wrote in it “to the Olympian”

He looked at what I wrote, “You never give up?”

“No, and neither should you.”

Dinner was way overboard, we had an antipasto that had a little of everything that Gerry sent plus olives and marinated mushrooms. The platters were huge, I noticed some of the other guests looking over, I told Moma to give them a small taste, she did, one piece per guest. I watched as they ate the food, smiles, I looked at Gerry, “You made a lot of people happy today.”

He snuggled in under my arm as he smiled.

Dinner took hours, literally, everything was fresh, and the food just kept coming. You would think that was all, nope, Moma had a doggy bag for everyone, the kids had cannoli, the rest of us had the leftovers, and believe me there were enough for three meals. I looked at Bill and Billy, “We have to run tomorrow morning.”

I thanked Moma, and as we were leaving, Gerry had a gift for her. It was a beautiful ring. “Moma, this ring is given to the top chefs in my country, I want you to have it.”

“Oh Gerry, I’m not a top chef, I just cook with love, simple foods.”

“That is what makes you a top chef.” He placed the ring on her finger, yep another hug and kiss.

In the car going to Mom’s, “That was a nice thing you did.”

“If I could, I’d ask her to come to my country and cook for me.”

I believed him. Sunday morning, after our run, I headed to the Academy to prepare for my seminar. I had arranged for the lunchroom, to be set up, and Marcel would provide food for the breaks.