Stone’s second cooking lesson started with Stone learning how to set a formal table. While Stone and his parents often dressed for dinner, they rarely had occasion for a fully formal place setting. But the staff ensured Stone knew where every knife, fork, and goblet should be set. He could not believe how many pieces there could be.
Then it was time to prepare lunch. Knowing his father liked breakfast; Stone suggested poached eggs with hollandaise sauce. The staff roared with laughter. “Baby boy, you have some pretty lofty goals. Even an experienced chef can ruin a good hollandaise when it breaks down,” Ms. McFarlin called out. Stone was devastated.
Gracey explained, “Hollandaise Sauce is tricky. It is much more difficult than it looks. I cannot even make it. But after you have learned more about cooking, I promise you, both you and I will learn to make it.
“I have a couple suggestions,” Gracey continued. “Cornish game hens with wild rice stuffing and grilled asparagus or we can make a shepherd’s pie.” Gracey had already ensured all the ingredients were available while Stone had napped the afternoon before.
“The game hens sound good,” Stone decided, and lesson number two proceeded. The preparation of lunch went smoothly. Gracey marked the recipes in the cookbooks and watched over the completion of each dish. With the assistance of the ladies, he plated lunch with a simple garnish of orange slices and served lunch.
Rudy's plan was working better than he had suspected. Having Gracey teach Stone how to cook not only provided Gracey a reason to earn her salary, but it gave Stone and Gracey more time to get to know one another; their strengths and their weaknesses.
Stone and Gracey's relationship was still very new, and the proposal happened so quickly they needed time to connect with each other. Rudy had heard of studies that showed a strong relationship in the kitchen led to a happier marriage and a better relationship in the bedroom.
Stone learning to cook would force him out of his comfort zone. Teach him to attack each challenge head on.
Gracey would learn to ask for help. It was Rudy's fault Gracey thought of herself as self-sufficient. While Gracey did not have everything she wanted, Rudy had ensured she had everything she needed. Rudy had subsidized her rent with Ms. Maple. Rudy established shuttle service to the office so Gracey would not walk to work every day. Rudy even paid Ms. Perkins the difference on Gracey's trips to the store. Ms. Perkins had been using the same coupons over and over and sent an invoice to Rudy each month. Rudy, in essence, had been an enabler to Gracey feeling she was self-sufficient.
The cooking lessons would also allow Gracey to ingratiate herself with the kitchen staff and the household staff. Someday Gracey would take over as mistress of the house. The staff needed to trust her and vice versa. Gracey would need to know the intricacies of running a household. Planning meals were just one of the tasks she would need to learn.
Someday, when Abby turned him, Rudy and Abby would need to move away before everyone noticed they were not aging.
“I proclaim lunch number two a complete success,” Rudy announced sated. “And since it is Friday, you have the weekend off. But be ready for Monday, I expect to be wowed again.”
Stone puffed with pride. He had even had some fun. He found out things about Gracey he did not know and she about him. They were growing closer to each other. This cooking together does have his advantages, Stone thought with a smile.
Gracey and Stone spent the remainder of the afternoon planning menus for the following week’s lunches. With their final selections made and their ingredient lists made; they went to the kitchen to ensure the pantry and refrigerators were stocked with what they would need. Stone thanked the staff for all their help and told them that he actually had an enjoyable time.
After dinner, the family gathered for a relaxing evening watching a movie. Stone even dazzled them with his skills by making his best dish, microwave popcorn.