This post is part of StoryADay May (https://storyaday.org/) #StoryADay #StoryADayMay @storyadaymay #freeshortstory #food

Florence, Mamie, and Bennie Adagio live on Spadena Street. Florence and Mamie make a cameo appearance in BAR SINISTER, and in their own stories, “Adagio” and “Still Life With Peanut Butter”.

Three For Three

by Marian Allen

Mamie and Florence Adagio were so obsessed with cooking competition shows they had even infected Bennie, Mamie’s husband and Florence’s older brother. They watched at least one hour a day, every day, of one show or another, although they each insisted they not watch while they ate. Each implied that watching television while eating was the height of unsophistication and that only the one making the implication was holding the line, although the truth was that each chafed equally at the restriction.

They split hairs by discussing the shows while they ate.

“Do you know what would make a great show?” Mamie said. This was a common opening line. Too often for Mamie’s liking, this was a cue for Florence to jump in and commandeer the conversation. Mamie had, over the years, become adept at catching Florence with a fresh mouthful of food before she asked her question. Those teenage years as a waitress were paying off at last.

“What would, dear?” Bennie asked, earning a warm smile from his wife. Florence chewed as quickly as she could, but she couldn’t make up lost time.

“A show like Name That Tune. You know, where people say, ‘I can name that tune in five notes.’ or ‘I can name that tune in four notes.’ Then the one with the lowest bid has to try to name a tune by just hearing that many notes.”

Florence swallowed and said, “I’m afraid that was before my time, dear.”

Mamie gave a tinkling laugh that sounded like a bottle being broken against a bar. “The old episodes are available online, sweetheart. I’m surprised someone so young doesn’t know that.”

Bennie, ever the peacemaker, said, “How would that work for a cooking show?”

Mamie broke eye contact with her sister-in-law and said, “Contestants would say, ‘I can make a meal for five dollars,’ and so on. Then each one would have to do it. They’d be tested from the highest cost to the lowest cost, and the one with the lowest cost that did the job would win.”

Florence had a particular look that tried to communicate admiration but was undermined with chagrin. The version she showed now was one that was both amplified and concentrated.

Mamie delivered a masterstroke. She ducked her head as if in doubt. “Do you think that’s a good idea, Sister?”

What could Florence do but assure her that it was, indeed, a good idea.

“In fact,” Florence said, a wicked gleam coming into her eye, “let’s do it! I can make a meal for three for four dollars.”

That forced Mamie to say, “I can make a meal for three for three dollars.”

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Apparently, a lot of math was involved for Florence. How much did an ingredient cost, and how much could you use to stay within budget? She made an effort to expand the rules to make it acceptable for her to get Bennie, a budget analyst, to consult, saying that he would be equally available to both of them.

Mamie said, “Of course, dear, if you need him to help you.”

So Florence was on her own.

The evening of the showdown came.

Florence produced her meal: Macaroni and three cheeses with bacon bits mixed in and a side of fresh sugar snap peas in sage butter.

Mamie had to admit it was delicious.

Mamie produced her meal: A gigantic salad with chicken, bacon, cherry tomatoes, and hard-boiled egg with Green Goddess dressing and a side of avocado toast with lime and smoked paprika.

Florence ripped pages from her notebook and slapped her figures on the table. “Here’s how I did mine. How did you do yours?”

Mamie slapped a piece of plastic on the table. It said, Green Goddess Cobb Salad With Chicken And Bacon: $3.16.

“You just bought a thing?” Florence said, barely remembering to add, “Dear?”

Bennie said, “That was quite clever.”

“Was it?” Florence audibly gritted her teeth, then bared them in a dimpled smile. “But, alas!” She stuck her lower lip out and made sad eyes. “You’re over budget. You said three dollars, and this is more than three dollars. Even more, including tax. And the bread cost something.”

Mamie could have produced her sales receipt, which showed her actually under budget with her coupon for day-old bread and her Super Shopper points. Unfortunately, it also showed her Senior Discount, and she couldn’t bring herself to put that on display.

Instead, she picked up the plate of avocado toast and took it off the table.

“It’s still an entree salad,” she said, laughing as if in good humor.

“You’re both winners,” said Bennie. “Bring back that avocado toast and let’s have a feast. What a treat for seven dollars!”

“Seven dollars and sixteen cents,” said Florence, with an obvious attempt at drollery, “plus tax.”

MY PROMPT FOR TODAY: This salad kit I bought.

It was four meals for me: One with just spinach, bacon, and chicken with the dressing, one with the spinach, bacon, and tomato with a dressing I had in the fridge, avocado toast, and an egg sandwich. Value for money.

MA