Gina Calanni - How To Bake The Perfect Apple Pie

Javier semi-grunts.

The waiter presses his lips together. “Enjoy your lunch.” He turns on his heel and heads back towards the kitchen.

My Caesar salad is overflowing with faded lettuce and doused in dressing. Almost like this business meeting, my lunch had potential but is a bit disappointing. I pick up my fork and poke at a few pieces of lettuce.

I take a bite. It’s okay but definitely not worthy of a return visit. I glance at Javier. He is picking at his food like a child who doesn’t want to eat his vegetables. Elaine is chewing the same bite of her salad that I would have already digested by this point. I roll my eyes and immediately focus on my own salad. I don’t want anyone to think I have antagonistic feelings towards her.

“Your salad looks delicious, Javier. How amazing is it?” Elaine takes another bite of her salad and peers at Javier. Her jaw is working overtime. She must be one of those power-chewers who tries to break down their food before it even makes it to their stomach.

Javier shakes his head. “Elaine, you might have good team management skills but I’m going to demote you as far as choosing lunch spots goes.” Javier takes another bite of his less than appealing salad.

“Oh stop, this is one of the best salad places in the city.” Elaine sips some of her water.

Javier’s eyebrows furrow. “The best salad places? I doubt there is much competition.” He guffaws.

“So, Lauren, since you didn’t bring the rest of the list, why don’t you stop by my office when we get back so I can check them out?” Elaine inspects my face and gives me a condescending glare.

“All right, that’s a good plan, but I want the five chosen today.” Javier waves for the waiter. “Can I get the check?”

The waiter hands him a black folder. Javier eyes the paper and hands it back to him with his corporate card.

“Lauren, you can get it next time.” Javier raises an eyebrow at me. “On your company card.” He hands me an envelope.

I open it to find a platinum corporate Visa card inside with my name on it. I bite my inner cheek to refrain from making a silly “I’m going shopping” statement.

“Thanks, Javier.” I put the envelope in my purse.

Javier signs the slip the waiter has placed in front of him. “Elaine, you’re going to have to swing by a drive-thru on the way back. That salad…” Javier shakes his head. “I just need something more.”

Elaine’s lips form two straight lines before she twists them into a flashy smile. “Sure thing, Javier, let’s hurry. I’ve got my work cut out for me with Lauren’s team to figure out.”

For the second time I have to bite my cheek, except it’s not to make a silly joke, it’s to keep myself from saying something not so pleasant. This is going to be a long day.

Chapter Three

My head is pounding an uneven rhythm, most likely from the multiple causes of it. One, I’m starving. Two, stress, which also includes number three, Elaine. It’s five after seven as I pull into my garage. My shoulders are heavy and there is a gnawing pain in the back of my neck. I hit the remote on my garage door to close it and climb out of my car. My legs are like overcooked spaghetti noodles. I wobble my way to the stairs. I never imagined being a manager would be this difficult. The idea of more power equals more work or decision-making was always something I understood or assumed, but dealing with Elaine today was beyond difficult. Every candidate I chose, she found something wrong with.

We finally agreed on five people, two from her pile, two from mine and one we both were iffy about but I suppose we were ready to call it a day. Prior to my Christmas holiday, Javier had not mentioned Elaine helping me. He had made it clear that it was my choice. So the lunch meeting really threw me for a loop. I’m not sure if Elaine coming along was his idea or one forced on him by her? Maybe he doesn’t think I can choose people on my own? Maybe he is regretting his decision in promoting me? My airway constricts; I let out a breath from my lips.

I inch my way up the stairs to my townhouse. It’s a three-story colonial-style home. I bought it several years ago and fortunately for me the previous owners did some pretty amazing renovations. Reaching the top of the stairs is like winning an award. There is a prize waiting inside for me, a liquid kind and I cannot wait to pop open the bottle of wine and unwind. Ha! I unlock my door and put my purse on the side table. I’m extremely safety-conscious so I immediately lock my door again.

The 2005 Shiraz is glaring at me from my wine rack. I bought this one a while ago. It’s been on my rack for at least a few years. Normally, I would wait to share a bottle like this with someone special, but today is my first day as a manager and this calls for a celebration. Besides, I’m supposed to be video chatting with Jack at any moment. I wish we were talking in person. My stomach is empty and a wrecking ball of nerves is swinging around inside. This long-distance thing is really a drag, especially after the day I’ve had. If only he were here when I got home tonight, waiting for me, so we could celebrate this moment together. The idea of talking to a computer screen makes my stomach churn.

I texted Jack from the bathroom at work to let him know I was still working on my team list with Elaine. I roll my eyes. I argued with myself about whether or not to text him in front of her, but then opted for the privacy of my bathroom stall. It was not my most prideful moment.

I pop the cork of the bottle and let the burgundy liquid fill up the glass. Well, not fill up…I like to keep my glass half full… It’s better for aerating and a much tastier sip. I lift the glass and take a long swig. My shoulders drop. Ah, definitely worth the wait. It’s woodsy. I sigh. Anything woodsy reminds me of Jack and his delicious scent. It’s sandalwood and apples and makes me want to take a long walk in the forest with no hope of ever leaving.

Which is what I signed up for when I said yes to his proposal. But now…now I’m lost. I’m spinning around in this forest of so many different paths and I’m not sure if Jack and I will ever meet up to join in our journey of life together. I know it’s only been a day. But…I miss him. After these last twelve hours, it would be so great to fall into his arms and take in his scent—forget about Elaine and her overstepping. I shake my head.

A vibrating sound is coming from my purse. I rush from the kitchen to the living room to retrieve my phone. The contact pops up at the top of the screen. It’s my mom. I roll my eyes. I’m sure she wants to talk wedding stuff.

“Hello?”

“Hi honey, how was your first day as a manager?”

“Good. Really good, but I only just got home.” I hesitate about telling her goodbye immediately.

“Oh dear, honey, it’s after seven. Is this going to be your new schedule?”

“Ah, I hope not.” I laugh.

“Well, anyways, I wanted to see if you’d had a chance to check out the Pinterest boards I made for you. I’d really like for us to settle on a theme so that I can focus on that.”

“Oh, yeah I’m sorry, Mom, I haven’t had a chance to check them out. I was really busy all day at work and like I said I just got home. I haven’t even eaten yet.” I pat my stomach as I head back to the kitchen.

“Oh honey, that’s not good. I’ll let you go then. Have a good night.”

“Thanks, Mom, I’ll check out the Pinterest thing as soon as I get a chance.”

“The sooner the better.” She laughs.

“Goodnight, Mom.”

I hit the end button and put my phone on the counter. Now, what to eat? I desperately want to talk to Jack, but I might pass out from hunger. The salad at lunch was hardly appetizing and definitely not filling. My stomach growls almost as if on cue. It’s wouldn’t be a good idea to chat with him on an empty stomach. Being hungry is not a good quality. Especially since every moment I speak with him I want to be pleasant and fun, not grumpy.