Henry Appleby has an appetite for life. As a recent high school graduate and the son of a wealthy family in one of Chicago’s affluent North Shore suburbs, his life is laid out for him. Unfortunately, though, he’s being forced to follow in the footsteps of his successful attorney father instead of living his dream of being a chef. When an opportunity comes his way to work in a real kitchen the summer after graduation, at a little Italian joint called Fiorello’s, Henry jumps at the chance, putting his future in jeopardy.<br><br>Years ago, life was a plentiful buffet for Vito Carelli. But a tragic turn of events now keeps the young chef at Fiorello’s quiet and secretive, preferring to let his amazing Italian peasant cuisine do his talking.<br><br>When the two cooks meet over an open flame, sparks fly. Both need a taste of something more -- something real, something true -- to separate the good from the bad and find the love -- and the hope -- that just might be their salvation.

Dinner at Fiorello's

On the platform, several people waited. They were loud, raucous, laughing and smoking, and Henry surmised they were coming from the bar down below. He hoped they were headed south. He was looking forward to a nice, quiet ‘L’ car. If he was lucky, he’d have it all to himself.


Fortunately his hopes came true as a southbound train arrived and swept the revelers away, leaving Henry alone on a blessedly silent platform.


When his train came, he got on and looked around. He breathed a small sigh of gratitude that his car was completely empty. He only had one stop to go before he’d have to switch trains for the Evanston Purple Line, but that was okay. Just a few minutes to himself was a tiny bit of heaven.


Even though he felt somewhat awake when he boarded the car, he must have fallen asleep the moment he sat down and let his head rest against the glass, because the next thing he knew, a CTA employee—an African American woman in uniform—was shaking his shoulder.


Chapter 54