The Woman Who Lived In A Restaurant by Leone Ross, 2015
The magic trick:
Sensuous and sensual
There is something about food writing that gets very sensual. That’s kind of weird right? But I think most people would agree that it’s true.
So this story taps into that and then some. Yes, it’s set at a restaurant. And so there is some mention of rich menu items and fine ingredients. But it spends more time discussing unconsummated love; a love embraced but rejected at the same time.
There is a lot of desire here – simmering and stewing.
And that’s quite a trick on Ross’s part.
The selection:
The next day: come for a walk with me upstairs, he says. To the balcony. It will be good for you to have the air. The chef – she moves her shoulders in delight at the sound of his name and slices into the waiter’s heart – the chef, he has gone out to buy vegetables.
– I know, she says. – He tells me everything that he does. But I’ll stay here. It will be better.
– Better than what?
She laughs, shifts, pats his shoulder. – Better than missing his return, she says, as if he is a stupid child. She gestures to the front door, which is clear because it is too early for the madness of diners. – I will see him with the sun against his back, and he assures me that from that distance, he can see the purple shadows on me. It will give us much pleasure.
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