Celina wore a softened expression, one of compassion as she spoke. "I'm glad that it has touched you in a such a way. Every bite is like a taste of home. Even though it's designed to be shared by family, I find it equally moving when shared between friends. I was once told that the three meats represent departing, making a journey, and returning home."
"That's quite an interesting message to convey," Mr. Dodge commented between bites of his food.
"It's not as unusual as you may think. Many cultures from around the world convey messages through the food they serve," Celina replied, turning her attentions from Hutch.
Taking a moment, Hutch wiped away his tears and steadied himself. He now knew that Celina understood precisely who he was, and she was aware of the significance behind what she had done. There was a message in her actions, and he also now understood why Casimir had sent her, instead of coming himself; it was all for the sake of brokering a truce, a call for peace between them, and it deserved an appropriate response.
Taking a piece of his bread in his right hand, forgoing human etiquette, he used it to pick up a dollop of the hummus, before using the fingers of his left hand as a spoon to scoop up a bit less than a mouthful of the rice. Pressing it into the hummus to spread it out along the inside of the bread, he waited for Celina to turn and watch what he was doing. When her eyes found his, he picked up a piece of the elk, the representation of a journey taken and placed it on top of the rice, folding the flat bread around it before dipping the end into the sauce of apple and beet.
It would be improper, in any culture he knew off, for him to put his response on her plate or to expect her to accept it directly from his hand. She was not his wife, not his family, not even truly his friend. Before consuming the response, he had made, he lifted it to her so that she could clearly see what he was trying to say. A sweet smile and subtle nod told him that she understood. His reply saying, it will take time, but the journey has started.
The remainder of the meal was enjoyed over light conversation. There seemed to be no more need for subterfuge or double-talk as they spoke on common subjects until the end of the meal was upon them.
"Oh my, this has been wonderful. Thank you, for letting me join you," Celina said, having eaten her fill of the feast. "If my husband wasn't out of town for a business trip, I'm certain he would have come to join us as well. I know he misses the ease of lunches like this."
"Ah, so you are married," Mr. Dodge replied with a grin. "Mind you, I think it would be more surprising to find that a woman as lovely as you were unattached."
Celina giggled. "Oh no. I'm very much attached. I've been married for twenty-seven years, coming up on twenty-eight in the spring. I hope the apple blossoms are in full bloom again this year for our anniversary. It's a magical time of the year." She seemed to radiate pure bliss when she spoke of her marriage. "Even after all of these years, I still look forward to every moment I get to spend with him."
Hutch had been waiting for the opportunity to ask her about her family, to hear directly from her that she was still married to Casimir, to learn where he was and if he were reachable. He was a touch surprised to hear that Celina, being there, was less a part of a plan and more of a necessity of circumstance, even though in the broader scope of things it was wisest course he could have taken. But now that she had been the one to bring up the subject, Hutch refused to miss out on the opportunity to find out more.
"Does he spend a lot of time away?" he asked, hoping that it sounded like a natural follow-up question.
"More than either of us would like these days, but it's the nature of the business. Casimir is the heart of this company. He's spent his entire career working to build Cascel into a company that it is today. One that we can all be proud to be a part of. I may be the CEO, but he does far more in the background than most will ever realize. I'm basically here just to keep the board's attention focused on where it needs to be. Strangely enough, if not for Casimir, we never would have met here today."
"No, I don't suspect we would have," Hutch replied, knowing full well that this meeting had far deeper roots than a charitable donation made in his name. "If only he was here so I could thank him, personally."
"Perhaps someday," Celina replied, her smile growing wider as if filling with hope.
"Hello again," Clara said as she came around the corner, her arrival being a bit unexpected. "Sorry to interrupt, but someone here is going to be late for a meeting if she doesn't get going."
"Oh dear, is it time already?" Celina sighed as she slipped out of her seat, straightening her dress as she stood. "It's unbelievable how quickly time can fly." Placing her arm around Clara's shoulder she gave her a slight squeeze and peck on her temple. "My daughter Clara, everyone. As brilliant and punctual as her father, but with the business acumen of her mother. They sang your praises earlier, my dear. Keep up the good work."
"Thanks mom," Clara remarked, pursing her lips, eyes to the floor, obviously uncomfortable with their connection being revealed in such away.
Hutch was left speechless. Stunned by the revelation, his mind stuck on the thought that Salvador not only had a wife, but also a daughter that was only a year or two older than him. Everything he had learned in that moment was a contradiction of the Casimir Salvador, that he knew, to be a brutal, tyrannical monster, a destroyer of tribes, murderer of families, as bitter and violent as he was cold and strategic.
"Well then, I certainly hope that you've enjoyed our time together as much as I have," Celina remarked, returning Hutch's attention to her. "And even though I must leave you, don't feel the need to be in a hurry to leave yourselves. Enzo should be back in a couple of minutes with the dessert menu. I recommend the tuxedo cake, but order whatever you want. If you can't eat it now, take it home for later. Just see to it that this one sits for a bit and takes a break. I swear, if it wasn't scheduled, she'd probably skip lunch altogether."
"Mom!" Clara snapped, a bit harshly.
"Fine, fine. Back to work for me," Celina said, turning her full attention to Hutch. "Don't forget to consider what we spoke about. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the opportunities available to you, Hutch. When you're ready, call that number."
Hutch nodded. "I won't forgot. And thank you for lunch."
"Indeed, thank you for a such a wonderful experience," Mr. Dodge said, patting as his belly, his grin having not faded in the slightest, "as well as the pleasure of your company."
"Totally. That was the best sandwich I think I've ever had," Ren added. "It was amazing getting to meet you!"
"I enjoyed meeting you as well. May the rest of your day be equally as pleasant," Celina replied giving a bow of her head. "I'll see you at home later," she spoke directly to Clara before turning and leaving, Rod following behind her.
"Wow, she's really your mom?" Ren was the first to speak.
"That she is," Clara said, trying her best to appear unphased, straining to hold back the waiver in her eyes behind a forced, artificial smile.
"That must be amazing to have a mom like her," Ren continued, oblivious to her dismay.
"Doubtful," Hutch remarked, wanting to stop Ren from making the situation worse, as he focused his attention on Clara. "The pressure to live up to those standards must be overwhelming. It was easier to be around us before we knew. Now, you don't know if we will only be kind to you because of who your mother is. It must be difficult to trust anyone's authenticity once they know who you are. What a nightmare."
"Huh?" Ren was confused.
"H… how…" Clara was stunned and struggled to form her thoughts into words. "How do you know that?" Her question was barely audible, coming from behind her hands that she had inadvertently lifted to cover her mouth.
"My mother isn't winning any awards for her choice of profession. I live in a trailer park, and my father has done everything possible to deny my existence. I can sympathize. You're expected to live up to a high standard, while I'm expected to be the low one. I hated it. Every time someone discovered who and what my mom was, I became the kid destined to fail. At best, I might amount to next to nothing, a minimum wage lackey. At worse, a career criminal, alcoholic or drug addict. It's not the same as what you face, but I understand the judgement you're under and the desire for no one to find out who you are."
"I live in the same park as Hutch," Ren chimed in, less enthusiastic than he had been, perhaps understanding the mistake he'd made. "My dad died when I was younger. Grandpa's been amazing, but all anyone ever sees is me being raised by a single mom who works two part time jobs, one as a bartender at the same club as his mom, and the other as a cashier at the grocery store."
"And I grew up as a poor farmer's third son, and barely managed to get a nineth grade education. I did the best for my family, but it was a struggle to stay comfortable," Mr. Dodge added.
"You see. You won't find a group of people in this building more understanding and less judgmental than us. We know you are not your parents or the expectations they have for you." Hutch said, motioning towards Celina's now vacant spot. "Take a seat, Clara, and join us for dessert."