MY ACCOUNT

July 25

Hi mum,
 

I found something unexpected after my last letter to you – and it wasn’t an incredible cocktail recipe in the box. (Though I have more on that later.)

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It was a surprise visitor at my door when I got home from work yesterday. I was so wrapped up in my thoughts about the evening plans that I hadn’t even noticed someone standing there as I walked up the path to the porch. I nearly jumped when I heard someone say, “Oh hello, dear!”

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It was Lou. I think I’d mentioned her in my letter after the carnival. She was one of the women I met there - the older woman. And there she was, standing on my porch yesterday.  

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“Sorry I startled you! I was looking for Nora,” Lou explained, nervously patting a bag in her hands as she shifted its weight from one arm to the other.

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“Let me help you with that,” I offered, reaching out. I paused, though, when I noticed her nervous expression.

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“Oh. Uh, I was given strict instruction not to give this to you,” Lou stuttered, shifting the bag’s weight again. “It’s supposed to go to Nora or Jenna, and I know Jenna isn’t back from work yet.” She glanced over at Jenna’s driveway, as if to confirm that she was still out.

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“Ah! Is this for the potluck, then?” I asked her as I moved forward to open the door. I should have guessed that she was invited; she did get a shortbread delivery from Nora. I’d asked Nora about it after the carnival, after my interaction with Lou. I’d felt so uncomfortable after her comments that night, but Nora told me that was just Lou: an equal mix of unabashed and kind, and to Nora that meant genuine.

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“Yes, sort of.” Lou cleared her throat and then continued, “We haven’t been properly introduced – I’m Lou – but I think you probably knew that already. Oh, thank you,” she added as I invited her inside.

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I put on the kettle as I told her that Nora should be home soon, and offered her one of the assorted flavors of teas Jerry had brought over. Like condiments, Jerry apparently also enjoyed trying unique beverage flavors, and as Jenna and I are always drinking tea, he had thought we might enjoy his newest finds.

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Lou chirped surprised ‘Oh!’s as she sifted through the packets of tea: blueberry lemon zinger, passionfruit pepper, apple spice pine, rosemary pear. She settled on a hibiscus anise tea, while I took an orange saffron one for myself. (Surprisingly good!)

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The water had just finished boiling when Nora came in, quickly followed by Jenna and Jerry. When they saw Lou had brought a bag of items for the potluck, they all crowded around the kitchen table, careful not to reveal what was inside the bag, and Lou whispering quietly to them as the other three clucked over the contents. Then Jenna quickly wrapped the bag in her arms, hurried out, and returned a couple minutes later.

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“Really? You had to take it home this instant? I wasn’t going to look!” I rolled my eyes at Jenna.

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She stuck her tongue out at me and turned her attention to Lou, who was trying not to laugh. “So, Lou, did you decide what you’re going to make for the potluck?” Jenna asked as she slurped the peach pekoe tea I set in front of her.

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I was deep in thought wondering what secret could possibly be worth that level of protection, and so I wasn’t listening to Lou’s response until Nora poked me and hissed, “Mum! Lou’s asking if you can help. You’re just staring.”

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Of course, my face flushed deep red when I realized they were all watching me expectantly, and I’d had no idea what Lou had asked about. “Sorry – what? I wasn’t paying attention.”

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“Jenna’s been hounding me to decide on a dish for the potluck before the categories get filled, and I really wanted to make croquettes,” Lou explained. “But I’ve only ever done chicken before, and I know the potluck is centered more around seafood. I had the most exquisite salmon croquettes once, but I myself have never made them with fish before, and I’d definitely need help. Do you have any experience with that?”

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“I told Lou that you’ve made salmon croquettes, and she can just come here before the potluck and we can make them together,” Nora said to me, hopeful that I’d agree.

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“Y-yes,” I stuttered, my face still flushed. “We’d be happy to help. It’ll be fun,” I added decisively. Jenna beamed at me as Lou clapped her hands in glee.

 

In other news, I’m finally part of the cocktail creation committee, as Nora calls it. I was having a poke through the box after my last letter and found some interesting ideas to share with the group. They all agreed that they were worthy leads and because I’d already seen them, there was no point in them trying to surprise me with their creation ideas anymore. So, I’m officially in! …I feel an irrationally disproportionate sense of accomplishment about this. But it feels nice to be included.

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And I’m happy to report that we did attempt our first formulation. While it wasn’t a resounding winner, it was quite tasty. It was a frothy, whipped, frozen pineapple juice with just a touch of chili, with a salt and crystalized ginger rim. The acidic sweetness of the pineapple juice mixed with the chili, and then combined with the salt and spicy sugared ginger was a flavor explosion that hit all the major tastebud zones, but all of us agreed that it just wasn’t the signature dessert cocktail we’d all imagined. It’s missing that certain “dessert” element, so we’re going to keep working on it.

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The potluck is just a couple weeks away now, so we’re going to be focusing heavily on the cocktail for the next few days. Hopefully next time I write, I’ll have a definitive, winning recipe to share!

 

 

Love,

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Beatrix

 

P.S. I found a bunch of croquette recipes in the box, too. I’m excited to go through those. Didn’t we used to do a salmon croquette on the truck?