Last time our family table was blessed with a sample of Audrey’s genius, everyone moaned and carried on with loud praise. But this time everyone absorbed the bliss in relative silence. There were a few quiet words of thanks to Audrey, but nobody wanted to gush over food that poor Mom had wanted to cook for us in a more ordinary way. As I glanced around the table, I saw Zach and Jude and Dylan shoveling it in almost guiltily. That’s when Mom threw down her napkin. “I would injure myself more often if it meant I could eat this. Well done, honey. Boys—it’s okay. Be honest.” There was an immediate
...more
