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

Vito smiled. “They’ll make you feel better.”


“They already are.” Henry scratched one of the dogs behind the ears. The other sniffed at his thumb and started to lick at the gauze until Henry hid it away under the sheet.


“Okay, for the millionth time, I need to get back to work.”


Vito stood, staring down at Henry, making Henry wonder what was going through his head. Did he see Henry as someone to pity, someone to desire, a nuisance, something else? Vito’s expression was unreadable, and Henry wondered if that inscrutability was the beginning of Vito’s defenses going back up. Henry asked himself if Vito would return later that night the old Vito, the one who spoke in grunts and monosyllables. What would Henry have to cut the next time to get him to open up, to show him a little attention? What a thought! You didn’t just let that even go through your head. That’s nuts!


Chapter 68