Page 49 of Lavender and Linebackers

“You eat at Jonah’s like four times a week. Every week,” Rico announces as if we all don’t already know this.

“That’s because Vivi wants me there,” he declares, defending himself.

“Does she, though?” Rico taunts with a few oohs in the background.

He turns to face Jonah. “Tell them, Jonah. She asks for me if I’m not there.”

Jonah holds up his hands in surrender. “She does ask for him.”

“Boom. I told you.” He points at Rico’s face.

“Well, you still haven’t told us what your favorite food is to cook.” Rico waves at the board.

“Mine is Southern mac and cheese.” This comes from a deep voice, and all of us turn to look at Camden.

“Ha!” Rico laughs. “You playin’. There’s no way. Yours has to be something swanky like pan-seared scallops with creamy risotto, or lemon-butter chicken paillard.”

“I heard him talking once about making a classic coq au vin,” Bryan adds.

“Exactly!” Rico smirks.

“Well, it is,” Camden says flatly. “My mother used to make it for me.”

The entire group goes quiet. Not all of us have lost a parent yet, but some have. There’s a certain level of empathy and respect that is given when moments like this occur.

“Well, you should make it for us sometime. We’d all love to try her mac and cheese.” Sully claps him on the shoulder.

“And there you go again. Trying to weasel your way into someone’s house to eat!” Rico shakes his head.

“That’s not what I was doing.” Sully frowns. “Superman never invites people over. Maybe it’s time we take a field trip to his house.”

Camden pulls away from him. “No,” he tells Sully and then walks off.

I’ve been to Camden’s place once. He lives in the penthouse at the Ritz-Carlton Residences on Bayshore Boulevard. It’s the fanciest place I have ever been. I didn’t even want to sit on the couch.

“Well, I like to cook barbecue. I bought this new wood pellet grill when I bought my house, and I’ve had a great time making all kinds of meat on it. I’m going to get a flat top grill next.”

“We’ve got the Green Egg.” This comes from Bryan. “I like it, but sometimes it gets too hot and burns the food. There’s a learning curve.”

“You ever make burnt ends?” Rico asks.

“Of course I do.”

“You give me a shout-out, I’ll come over to help you eat them.”

“You gonna bring Tammy with you?” Darius asks with an innocent voice, and everyone cracks up. “Ryder can grab a girl, and you can make it a double date.” The laughter gets louder.

Tammy is Rico’s blow-up doll that he keeps in the passenger seat so he can use the HOV lane on the expressway.

“Man, why do you gotta go there and disrespect poor Tammy? She’s never done anything to you.”

“She’s never done anything at all. Or has she?” Now the laughter has escalated, and I can’t help but think that I love these guys.

“Danica, to answer your question, my favorite dish to make is kimchi fried rice,” Sully tells her.

“What the hell is that?” Rico frowns.

“Well, kimchi is salted, fermented vegetables, and I take it⁠—”