A Good Man by J.J. Murray

Author:J.J. Murray [Murray, J.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2013-02-25T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 34

On the ride to Ralph’s Wednesday morning, Justin broke the silence. “What y’all gonna make? I’m makin’ her an authentic Philly steak ’n’ cheese.”

“She’s getting gumbo and a po’ boy from me,” Tony said. “Something spicy, something sweet.”

“I’m from Memphis,” Gary said, “so you know I gotta make her the world’s best barbecue.”

“We Texans make the world’s best chili,” Aaron said. “And I use secret ingredients.”

Justin blinked. “You’re going to cook two beautiful women … chili.”

“Yeah,” Aaron said. “It will melt in their mouths.”

Gary laughed. “Never heard about no chili melting in anyone’s mouth.”

“Trust me, fellas,” Aaron said. “They’ll ask for seconds.”

Justin looked at John. “What about you, Artie?”

John sighed. “I’m having a little trouble deciding. I’m originally from Chicago. That means pizza, sausages, and cheesecake—not the best combination.”

“Nope,” Justin said. “For them. Sounds fine to me.”

John smiled. “I’ve been living in Alabama for over twenty years, so I’m going home-cooked. Fried chicken, real mashed potatoes, cornbread, and greens.”

“This is California, Artie,” Tony said. “I don’t know if all these beautiful people even eat greens. You might not be able to find any fatback either.”

“You gonna cook them greens at the mansion?” Gary asked.

“I’ll have to,” John said.

“You’re gonna stink up the whole house, man,” Gary said.

“Yep.” And that’s the point. Sonya will smell them percolating, and it will remind her of home.

“Well,” Justin said, “at least we’re all giving them something different.”

Gary shook his head. “And Shani ain’t gonna like any of it.”

“True dat,” Justin said.

“I guarantee she’ll love my chili,” Aaron said.

Gary shook the limo with his laughter. “I ain’t never heard no one ever say, ‘Yo, I just love chili.’”

“Just you wait, man,” Aaron said.

Out in front of Ralph’s, a small crowd of shoppers surrounded the limo, many taking pictures with their cell phones as the Team left the limo to stand on five X’s taped to the sidewalk. Graham and several camera crews waited near the doors.

“Gentlemen,” Graham said, “welcome to Ralph’s. You each have one hour to shop and only fifty dollars to spend on your meal for Jazz and Shani. A camera crew will follow each of you as you shop. Go!”

John headed first to the meat section. Whole chickens at sixty-nine cents a pound. Do I want to cook a whole chicken? It’d save money. I’d have to cut it up, though. My meal won’t cost that much anyway. Maybe a pack of drumsticks? No. That’s childish. Unless I give them some variety. There’s more meat in a breast. Hey, Foster Farms chicken parts are fifty percent off. Cool.

He put packs bursting with breasts, drumsticks, and wings into his cart. The camera crew recorded the event.

This can’t be a fun job for them, John thought. Maybe I should say something to liven it up? “On to the potatoes!” he said with a smile.

The sound man gave a thumbs-up.

Standing in front of the potatoes, John decided to think out loud. “Hmm. Yukon gold are the best for making mashed potatoes, but these russets are a buck ninety-nine for five pounds.

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