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Robert Francis “Bob” Prevost was exhausted.
After not having much sleep coupled with an early wake up call due to early events and audiences, he’d been quite cranky all morning.
Edgard, god bless him, had just returned from Peru from his vacation the past weeks. He’d been very happy and glad when the young man returned with souvenirs back home courtesy of the diocese as well as the parishioners.
He’d have to make sure to send them some sort of message to thank them for their generosity. After Sister Veronica had seen some of the products Edgard had returned with, she was very much excited to start cooking and promised to create a taste of Chiclayo in the four grandiose walls of the Vatican Papal Apartments, though she had been surprised when he had asked to be allowed to also join her in the kitchen to cook.
After a busy Sunday Audience with the faithful beneath the Italian sun, he was famished for what great dinner would be served today. He’d quickly disrobe from the papal garments and don on his favorite pants and a pale blue polo shirt. He’d exit out the room, making sure to greet the Swiss Guards following him, requesting that they come and join them for dinner, to which they decline, citing that they were still on duty and are to alert at all times.
Bob, understandingly, nodded and greeted a good evening before pacing himself towards the kitchen, entering to see the ingredients for a ceviche and Seco de Carne had already been prepared by Sister Veronica, who was reprimanding the younger Edgard about being more careful with how he held the knife that he spots was placed on the cutting board.
“Buenas Noches, hijo” He greets, nodding towards Edgard who greets back. “Sister Veronica” he continues, who he sees bow her head.
“Buenas Noches, Santo Padre.”
“I see that you have already prepared everything. I am truly thankful for letting me into your… domain” he said jokingly, his nose scrunching as he let out a laugh.
“Of course, Padre! It’s not every time that it would be your birthday!” She exclaimed.
“Oh!” Bob exhaled, not having noticed the date.
“Come, we must cook your favorite!”
The three crowd into the kitchen, allowing the woman to take control, designating them to what they should be cooking. Bob grinned as the strong Peruvian woman commanded the kitchen like it was a warship, barking at Edgard to start cooking the rice to pair with the Seco as well as to start on the ceviche afterwards, making sure to warn him about the fish and to not allow it to be too acidic before turning to him to watch over the stew he was starting to cook. His stomach was already grumbling and his mouth salivating but the wait for the food to be cooked will all be worth it in the end, he thought to himself. He slowly coated the stewing pot with some oil, make sure to only do so once the pot had been hot.
He would place the goat cuts one at a time, making sure to space them out and searing the sides for a few minutes, thanking Sister Veronica as he pulled out the seared cuts into the plate she held out to him. After finishing all the cubed goat meat, Bob would be handed the onions and garlic to season the oil some more as well as scrape the bottom of the pan for the flavor left behind after searing.
Once the onions had sweated enough and lightly brown, she passed to him the ají amarilla paste that Edgard had brought back from Peru before commanding him to put in the set aside meat cuts and covering it with with the cilantro broth Veronica had gracefully made in advance, seasoning the whole thing with salt, pepper, and cumin before adding in some canned beer from Peru before stirring and letting it stew covered.
Although his stomach growling and his mouth salivating at the growing scent of the cooking Seco, he would help in setting up their communal meal, grabbing the plates and setting them up while Edgard took care of the glasses they would be drinking from.
“Hijo, go and check on the rice while I finish the potatoes.” Sister Veronica said as she drops both sweet potatoes as well as a regular potato into boiling water, cut in half and skinned for easier eating as well as preparing the Choclo (Peruvian Corn) to be served with the ceviche and potatoes.
Bob kept watch over the clock as he patiently counts down, his stomach growling even louder as the scent of the Seco escapes from the lot and covers the air, filling the room with the smell of his beloved Chiclayo.
He would discretely take a picture of the kitchen chaos, chuckling as he sends the photo to Chito who sends a laughing emoji back.
“What are you guys cooking? Is Brother Edgard okay? It seems Sister Veronica is about to shout at him? What did he do?”
“He messed up on the ceviche it seems. Tasted too fishy cause he didn’t add enough lime juice and seasoning” he replied back.
Not even a minute passed before Chito would send him a picture of him with fellow Filipino priests at the Collegio, eating dinner. Chito would also send him a picture of his food, some sort of vegetable food?
“What’s your food for tonight?” he asks.
“I’m having Pinakbet for today! Very yummy. You should allow me to cook it for you, Your Holiness!” Chito cracks, sending another laugh emoji after.
“I shall think about it, it looks delicious Chito.” He replies, pausing before sending another message. “Enjoy your meal and may God bless the meal that has been prepared for us.”
“Amen. Thank you Holy Father. God bless the food prepared for you as well.” Chito sends back.
After a few minutes of watching his phone, looking to see if Chito would text again to no avail. He was about to put his phone back into his pocket before it would ping once more.
Bob took it out and unlocked his phone, pulling down the notification bar before smiling brightly
“Happy Birthday, Bob! Enjoy your cake.”
Looking at the time on his pine, he saw that it was about time the stew was finished, judging as Sister Veronica was now finishing to plate up the other foods they would be eating. He would go and open the lid of the pot, adding the peas and letting that cook for a few minutes, stirring to also check for the consistency of the stew and deeming it thick enough and not needing any kind of slurry.
“Looks good” he whispered to himself.
“Well done, Padre.” Sister Veronica said.
He flinched, turning his head.
“You surprised me Sister!” he said, placing a hand on top of his chest.
“I apologize, Padre.” she said. “Shall we serve it up?”
“Ah, yes!” he stammered, finally calming his heart and reaching for the pot and carrying it to the prepared table and settling into his seat, only to be surprised to see a cake being carried by Edgard for him. They would jokingly sing a happy birthday song to him, laughing as they placed the cake in front of him and letting him make a wish and blow the candle on top of the cake before settling in; him at the head of the table with Sister Veronica to his left and Edgard to his right. He would lead the prayer and blessing of their meal before they began to dig in. He reached for the Seco, poured the thickened stew and placed it over the rice placed on his plate by Edgard.
Though he always longs for the simpler times, he had been called to serve and he would follow what God has prepared.
And as such, he savored the comforting taste of Peru until the very last scoop.
Letting it settle the yearning of home.
and of simpler days.
FIN