Armin sets the table with his mother’s best china and silverware. He replaces the candle with a fresh one and sets the candlestick in the center of the table. He pops the cork from a South African red to let it breathe before dinner. He runs his hand down the lace tablecloth smoothing any wrinkles. He wants everything to be perfect. Armin returns to the kitchen to begin cooking. Fresh garlic sizzles as it hits the oil in the pan. He sautés the minced garlic until the aroma fills the room. He coats the outside of the steak with a crust of salt, pepper, and nutmeg before placing it in the pan. It sputters in applause. He sears both sides before covering and reducing the heat. It is a large portion of steak and needs to cook for several minutes. …show more content…
They are a delicate potato pastry that Armin thought would compliment Bernd. He placed several bite-sized pastries on his plate next to the steamed Brussels sprouts drizzled with green pepper sauce. Armin set the lid to the pan aside, releasing a plume of steam and an aroma that made Armin emotional. Soon his connection to Bernd will be forever. He carves the steak into several slices, the gradient of pink is beautiful. With several pieces on his plate, he returns to the dining room, eager to eat dinner, to feed that hunger in his psyche.
Armin lights the candle and blows out the match. He dims the lights and sits at the head of the table. The setting sun's last rays dance on the ceiling. The shadow of the mountain creeping, slowly encompassing everything in the room. He pours a glass of wine and places his napkin on his lap. Fork and knife in hand he cuts a slice in two bites. The piece seems to palpitate on the tines of the fork. His eyes close, his lips part and he takes a bite. It tastes like pork, but more