Life's Maturing Ingredients

Draped over the lamp shade, a tassel acknowledged Nuosirdus’ moral academic obligation to society ‘completed’. Shining down, an illuminating bulb brightened the report card confirming she did everything correctly in the socially sanitized, contained classroom.

Peering out, a maturing teenager turning curious adventurer could see ‘the other side’s’ electric presentation evolve coming alive, reminding the local rural village residents, the city filled with corporate cement, golden paved roads, never sleeps and always has something exciting planned.

Applying a final make up round the innocent youth stood up from her cosmetic bureau, only to be greeted by a father figure blocking the whole doorway. “Father,” she gasped.

“Where are you going?”

“I am going out, Poppa, to the other side, experience independence.”

“Don’t you have to study?”

“I have fulfilled all my moral academic obligations; you see the tassel?”

“What about homework for your next grade?”

“There is no homework anymore, Poppa,” Nuosirdus honestly explained forcing her father to open the human gate.

Strolling towards the other side was a very common suburban practice, requiring a walk through the bush garden, lined with sweet smelling roses declaring life’s riches. At the journey’s midpoint a small fishing pond marked the border between the two areas. Hearing her father laugh in the background Nuosirdus flung her pocketbook over the shoulder, energized, challenge ready.

With the setting sun creating a magical, enchanting, sweet, romantic moment, “There are many exciting experiences instore for me since I have an education,” she thought making her way down the safe commuting path.

As the light disappeared, darkness settled in, taking center stage, signaling the chorus critters ‘carry on, create noises,’

“Is this the real world?” Nuosirdus wondered.

“No, it is all fake,” a shirtless old gentlemen lugging a tackle box and rod jumped out, “I read your mind.”

“Who are you?” Nuosirdus inquired.

“I am Mr. Zvejo and I have spent the entire day looking to make the ‘big catch’,”

“Big catch?”

“Yeah, flounder mackerel,”Mr. Zvejo clarified, “where are you going this late?”

“Late it's not late,”

“I have to be up dawn’s break, if I want to make the big catch.”

Nuosirdus graciously acted before trying to move on, “do you have a minute? I want to tell you something, let’s go to that bench over there.”

Trusting the stranger she joined him, “Nuosirdus,” he started.

“How do you know my name?”

“I just do,” Mr. Zvejo paused reaching into a satchel, retrieving two cans, “last century I had a buddy, wiser than all of us, in fact he invented this brew.”

“Brew, is an adult beverage synonym,”

Finding the metal pop top Nuosirdus pulled the tab and took a swig, “it tastes like the yellow river water,”

“Well, it has a special ingredient that will make you tell the truth,”

“But I always tell the truth, my name is Nuosirdus ,”

“Yeah, I got that, see your name printed on the can.”

“Wow,” Nuosirdus’ eyes widened.

“Here, have one for the road.”

As the pair separated Nuosirdus soon felt the concrete under her feet. A social gathering establishment stared her in the face, ‘Abbellire’, the glittering marquee announced, distributing a tempting aroma possessing the youngster proceeding towards the door, enticed by a nice gentleman smile, “Welcome,”

“Come right in and see the hostess,” he suggested.

Following orders, Nuosirdus approached the Maitre d podium, “What type of place is this?”

“We serve the finest Italian food on the island,” the luring dark skin authentically tanned lady answered.

“Italian,” Nuosirdus responded to herself letting the server take control. Once comfortable, a tempting menu proposed became proper reading material when a trusting lady came over sporting a genuine grin.

“My name is Abbel Lire and I own the establishment,”

“Really,” Nuosirdus pleasantly remarked.

“Well not really, my great Uncle who fought in the big war started this place when he returned a hero,”

“Why was he a hero?”

“He made the best infantry cheese sticks,” Abbel bit her lip before issuing the friendly confession penance, “Actually, he stole my uncle’s recipe on how you dress mozzarella with a breading ensemble, we like to embellish things here,”

“Well, I will start there,” Nuosirdus decided and Abbel disappeared, as quickly as she materialized.

A few minutes later gripping the appetizer plate Abbel requested, “is there anything else you would like?”

Thinking about it, she ordered from list A, then B, adding mixed matched sauces, and when all the entrees were delivered Nuosirdus enjoyed the delightful creations. “I must tell you,” Abbel commented, “you really went to town on all those meals.

“Have to be honest with you Ms. Lire, they were very good.”

After desserts came then left as crumbs, Nuosirdus bid farewell nourished and enriched.

Hours ticked away and the sunlight triggered a natural alarm clock waking Nuosirdus sparking a burning acid reflux stomach sensation, “Oh dear,” she swallowed leaving her bed. While developing a daily presentable image, she heard a discussion downstairs, “Daddy must be entertaining a breakfast buddy.”

Carefully descending the staircase, she found herself startled when Mr. Zvejos comfortably enjoyed bacon, eggs and sausage. “I see you are wearing a shirt today, Mr. Zvejos,” Nuosirdus observed.

“Yup, came over to meet my wise bud, and later I will head out to the pond,”

“Do you ever catch any?” Nuosirdus ’ Father curiously inquired.

“Sure, I catch a lot, you know following a six-pack experience, in fact I have enough to feed my entire family,”

“Mr. Zvejos, it is only you and your wife now,” Nuosirdus truthfully corrected, feeling a burp, “it is not nice to embellish.”

“What did you do last night?”

“Daddy, went to the other side, enjoyed a nice dinner and I am paying for it now,” Nuosirdus gulped gastric medication.

“Hope you paid by credit card,” her father joked.

“Well, I am going to feel that in a few weeks,” Nuosirdus noted returning to the steps.

“My dear,” Mr. Zvejos called out, “before you dream the whole day away combatting Italian fetish, something you should remember, legends win wars and honest embellishments only spice up life.”

“Yes, it does,” Nuosirdus agreed touching her lips softly protecting others, from another belching moment.