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 forced himself to turn away from the window. The boy would be better off without him. He told the girls so.


Henry walked east on Morse, thinking the newly washed air and the bright sunshine warming his face might make him feel better, lift his spirits a bit. After all, they had nowhere to go but up. But all he felt was alone.


He didn’t know where he was going, not in a literal sense, not in a figurative one. A couple of months ago, he had been a high school kid from a well-to-do family with the promise of an affluent path laid before him, if only he would follow in the family footsteps. Everyone would have been happier if he had only done so! But no, he had to pursue his dream of cooking for a living. Cooking! His father was right—it was a stupid dream. Look at him now—nothing more than minimum-wage kitchen help, the kind of person his dad employed to pass a tray around or park cars at their annual Christmas party.


Chapter 76