Kayla Joya

Ms.Ervin

AP Literature - 2nd Period

October 21, 2020

Coddle and Wine

The Italian countryside always looked its best in the spring. It was the vineyard that reflected this

best though. His sweet Tuscan abode with the rolling hills and mountains of green grape vine

flowers blossoming, already showing signs of the good harvest to come, still housed an air of

emptiness about it- until this morning. The glow of the hills bounced onto the terrace where he

stood grasping the smooth wrought iron railing that lined the outdoor eating space. He would

seldom spend his mornings now. But for Katie, he didn’t mind. The small blue speck of the Silia

exited down the path to the servant quarters, past the empty mansion he called home. Silia could

barely be seen when he heard the rustling coming from the kitchen, accompanied by a familiar

yet foreign, bitter sweet ​something​ wafting out to the terrace from the kitchen. Katie waltzed in

her long scarlet hair in a messy bun barely held together by some baker’s twine she’d found

inside- a smile seen behind her eyes. She wiped her hands on her makeshift towel apron and

began to open her mouth as if to speak. He beat her to it.

“Thank you for meeting me.”

She nodded and set down the coddle in front of him. Coddle, an irish stew made of leftovers-

mostly containing blood pudding sausage and potatoes: an Irish staple.

“It’s Coddle.”

“I hate Coddle.”

“I know” she said with a playful smile, setting down his plate of the hearty meal and quickly

returning to the kitchen to prepare her own. He looked at the coddle, something about it looked
different. His eyes wandered to her side of the table a small glint of sparkle caught his eye. The

ring sat staring him down as he felt for his own matching band which had hung around his neck

for the past five years,waiting. Even through the soft spring breeze hung in the air, the silence

was deafening; it had been years but there was still so much warmth.

She came back to set down her silverware and he spoke, “It’s happening this time.”

“I know.”

“That’s why you’re here.We need to talk business.”

“I know.”

“There’s already been some changes made. You’re off the label completely now.”

“I know.”

“But that doesn’t mean you won’t get what’s owed to you.”

“I know.”

“I’m sorry we had to make our financial arrangements under these circumstances but, I wanted to

have a grown up conversation.”

“And I’d expect nothing less from you.” she had set down her plate and struggled to undo her

apron. “Could you?” He nodded taking off the stained white apron revealing another clean white

frock he’d gotten for her as a present. Finally after fixing her skirt, she sat down.

“You know, she’s a nice girl, absolutely beautiful. ”

“Young?”

“Why should it matter?”

“Just curious I suppose- seeing as I won’t meet her.”

“Oh but you’re absolutely welcome, I’m sure my mother would hate to hear that you’ve come

down without at least saying hello. She misses you terribly.”

“Maybe I’ll drop in to see your mother, she’s always been so kind. We still write, you know?”

“Oh I never hear the end of it. We- I mean… She wants you back.”

“I always tell her I’d come home if it was a unanimous agreement between you two.”

“Well, that’s hardly fair. Especially now, you know I can’t.”

“I know.”

She lifted her spoon about to eat the potatoes.

“Would you like a drink? I still have the bottle of Guiness- the seasonal one. It’s still wrapped

too and hasn't been touched in 10 years, like I promised. ”

“I suppose there’s no point in you keeping it.”

“No I suppose not… Did you want some? You always boasted how good it would taste with

coddle. We’ve just passed the date anyways- don’t you think it’s rather marvelous… It would’ve

been ten years last month.” He paused and touched the ring that still hung around his neck and

felt their initials still engraved, in perfect condition. She did the same, afterall, it was a matching

set.

“Don’t worry I remember, I don’t think I’d ever forget the happiest day of my life.” She stopped

touching the ring and appeared to wipe something from her eye. She’d never been a crier, she

was much too proud. Her strength was her downfall; he felt as though he could never fully

understand what went on inside her head, even still he couldn’t help wanting to be directly by her

side. Close enough he could reach out and grab her worries right out of her mind. He cleared his

throat.
“So, did you want some?”

“No, thank you. I try my best not to think of the past. ”

“ You’re right, we missed the date. How about we toast to something a little different then?

Something less depressing?”

“You should toss it, it hasn’t any meaning now.” She’d been fiddling with her ring again and

finally set it down.

“How about some wine? We repackaged, you know?”

“I would assume you’d have to… Now, especially.”

“Did you want some? Nice merlot- your favourite.”

“ Actually, I haven’t drinken since...” She looked off into the distance focusing on each

individual hill and outlining the shapes in her mind. They both knew since when. Katie recalled

the countless times she herself had spent the afternoons smelling the sweet flowers below her

now. Oh how she missed it.

He laughed, playing with his food. Her brightness fit perfectly anywhere she stepped foot. Even

sitting, the confidence she exuded could make any man fall in love, she was after all incredibly

fascinating. She’d always spoken what was on her mind- that’s what made him fall.

“Not even the cider? I can’t imagine a fiery Irish lass like yourself not stopping to have a sip of

cider on a cold winter’s day. Never could stop you myself.”

“ I’ve changed.”

“Not a bit really.”

“Oh but I have, I’m even dying my hair. I’ve gotten a secretary job in Derry. Life’s going quiet

grand really.” The same smile that had sat on her face when she first came in had finally faded.
“Ha ha. I guess I’d forgotten how much you’d try to make me laugh.”

“It’s not a joke. I’m selling the farm”

“Oh, Katie!” He stood rushing to her side of the table, kneeling beside her now. “Katie, Katie

why didn’t you tell me?”

The green in her eyes seemed to dull when she thought too much of Derry, a city she’s always

despised. She brushed him off. He continued on.

“Katie, darling, if i had only known…” He was holding her now, he hadn’t realized how much

he missed her in his embrace.

“Katherine.” She crossed to the other side of the table.

“What?”

“ I go by Katherine now. Kathrine never loved you, Katie does, I’m Katherine.” she whispered,

fixing her skirt and taking a breath, “I hope it’s alright I sent Silia to the apartments, no point in

her cooking, something I could always do perfectly fine.”

“And even still you made a dish I’ve always hated.”

“I guess I did it to spite you one last time.” Her smile was finally back. They had both returned to

their respective seats.

“Well I guess I won’t eat it Miss Katherine.” He pushed his dish away with a wink.

“ I guess you’ll never try mine then”

They sat in silence once again in the midst of her banter, she’d slipped back on the ring. He took

the ring hung round his neck and did the same. She looked into his eyes and sighed, “You know,

Katie always suited me better.”

Finally, he picked up his spoon and ate.