As Chloe expounded on the upcoming food challenges, they filled their baskets with lettuce, tomatoes, shallots, leaks, dates, pomegranates, persimmons, clementines with stems and leaves attached, and other fruit and produce.
“What does she do with persimmons? I don’t think I’ve ever tasted one.”
“Well, you’ll get to taste and cook with them this afternoon. You and I will be making a cranberry and persimmon tarte tatin. It’s a tradition with this family and very yummy.”
They walked over to the café to join the men. Pierre noticed them walking up and quickly left his seat to join friends at the bar as Olivier waved them over.
Making their way through the crowded room, Nora asked Chloe, “Did you happen to see Pierre beat a hasty retreat as soon as we walked in?”
“Yeah, I did. Too funny,” Chloe replied. “Never mind. It seems to be more relaxing without him when you’re around. I still think you can find a way to change the situation. Maybe talk to him a bit more.”
“I can’t force him to talk to me. He simply doesn’t want to. Although he was surprisingly gracious telling me about their crèche. I could tell how important it was to him. He went into so much detail about each santon and how its personality fit into village life. It was very considerate of him.”
“Well, see?” Chloe said. “Cut him some slack.”
“I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong, but I keep putting my foot in my mouth. I feel badly that I’ve brought tension into the holidays,” Nora said.
“Mom! It’s not your fault he’s being a dork. Who knew he would act even more grumpy with you here? It’s crazy. But you know Oli and I have our theory about him—he thinks you like younger men because he saw you with Luc. And that reminds him of Angelique and then he gets pissed off. We just ignore him when he’s not being nice, and he usually comes around … or not.”
Nora let the subject go and indulged in a decadent chocolat chaud—avec chantilly—the latter at the insistence of Papi, who once again went out of his way to make her feel welcome.
Olivier explained Pierre had gone to have lunch with some friends who would drive him home later.
ChapterTwenty-Five
Chloe and Norahelped Mami set the table in the afternoon with three white tablecloths layered over each other, each representing a layer of tradition and reverence. On that they set three silver candlesticks representing the past, present, and future. Chloe continued to explain everything they were setting up. This trio not only evoked the passage of time but also reflected the Holy Trinity, blending Catholic symbolism. The shape of three round loaves of bread symbolized eternity and abundance.
Sprigs of fresh holly they had brought from the market were scattered about —adding a festive, natural touch connecting the sacred with the seasonal.
“See, mom?” Chloe asked. “I always was a good student, right? And I learned all that in French.” She finished with a smug grin that made Nora laugh and reminded her of times past. She pulled her daughter to her for a warm hug.
Everyone, including Pierre, stepped forward to light candles on the sapin de Noël and they collectively gasped at the effect as lights in the house were dimmed.
“We gasp like this every year,” Mami said as the others agreed. “But it is just so beautiful, and we think about previous generations who lived by candlelight. Imagine how that was.”
They made themselves comfortable in the salon. The candles on the tree lit the room, casting soft shadows and creating such an intimate ambiance. Each took a turn handing out les étrennes—small gifts. Chloe and Nora had shopped for theirs together, and Nora understood that the gifts were not extravagant, just things like books, lotions, sweets, candles, lavender sachets, and santons.
Pierre had brought gifts from Normandy: mini bottles of Calvados, the famous local apple brandy, and the famous Caramels d’Isigny, which made everyone very happy. Nora watched as his stiff demeanor softened and became warmer every so often. She saw hints of something he seemed to keep hidden from her.
All gifts, no matter how small, were graciously received with warmth and laughter. It was the giving and receiving that brought everyone together.
Before they sat down to eat, Papi announced it was time for the cacho-fio. He, being the eldest, and Chloe, being the youngest, carried a log together around the table three times and then lay it in front of the fire. Pierre sprayed it with wine three times.
Nora was enchanted as the family, including Chloe, sang a Provençal song which, they explained later, celebrated the beginning of the festivities and wished good luck to all. The log was laid in the fire by Oli and meant to burn for three days. It would be removed each night so it would last.
Three saucers of le blé de la Sainte Barbe were placed on the table. A vacant chair symbolized that a guest was always welcome.
Le Gros Souper was exactly as Chloe had described, simple and reflective of the solemnity of Christmas Eve.
Papi asked them all to join hands once they sat around the table so he could say grace. Nora was between Pierre and Papi, and she noticed the difference between holding hands with each of them. Papi squeezed her hand warmly while Pierre held Nora’s hand lightly with his fingers, as if it was a dead bird.
Nora knew Chloe was taking it in and didn’t dare look at her, otherwise they would have struggled to hold in their laughter. She hoped Papi’s grace would be brief.
"We give thanks for this meal and for the joy of sharing. It is our pleasure to welcome our dear Chloe’s mother, Nora, to our home in Provence and we hope she returns often."
The ‘amen’ from everyone was hearty, except from Pierre who muttered his. Olivier shot him a look which went unnoticed by the others except Nora and Chloe, who smothered smirks.
They lingered over each flavorful dishes, making their way through vegetable soup, spinach omelette, au gratin potatoes, salt cod, escarole salad, and artichokes with anchoïade, an anchovy sauce that Nora discovered was also very good on bread. Everything was served family style.
