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

He turned to start toward the door, and she called after him, “You get him taken care of, and you get back here as soon as you can.”


“I will,” Vito called over his shoulder. He took off his apron and hung it on a hook by the door. And he was gone.


Outside, he looked up and down Jarvis for a sign of Henry. At first he didn’t see him. The street was crowded. It was almost always teeming with people, day or night, and this late afternoon was no exception.


And then he realized he was looking for Henry at eye level. Vito looked down, closer to the ground, and spotted him about a block away, sitting on the curb, legs splayed out before him, holding his own hand, looking shell-shocked.


Vito hurried over to him. He squatted down beside him and put a hand on his back. He spoke softly. “What’s the matter with you, huh? You wanna bleed to death?”


Henry looked up at him and then rolled his eyes. “I’m not gonna bleed to death.”


Chapter 63