A Nice Family Meal ...

I’m exhausted.” There was no need for her to tell me, I was already clearing the table. “I took out the clean dishes and sorted them out earlier.” I went into the kitchen and brought the rest of the stuff from the table. My mom was still sitting at the table, opposite my sister, telling her to finish what was left in her plate. When she couldn’t eat anymore, my mom asked me if I could gather all the remainder of the sauce and put it all on a plate, but in the middle of giving me her instructions she stood up and said that she’ll just do it. I put the pickles and the permezano cheese back in the fridge as my mom joined me in the kitchen. I loaded the dishwasher, put in the detergent, and turned it on. I didn’t get a thank-you for making dinner but it didn’t matter. What mattered was that we all sat down and had nice, peaceful meal on this Monday. And that was worth all the effort.