Kapitel 31: Chapter 31

Benedetta helped me clean up. I asked Evalena to take the peaches out of the fridge and bring them to the table where only the wine and glasses remained. I handed her fruit plates and knives. We sat back and I refilled our glasses. Then, using the dull side of the knife blade, I took a peach and began to loosen the skin, making it easier to peel. Benedetta and Evalena watched me in silence while I sliced my peach and dropped a juicy sliver into my wine glass with a splash.

"My father often ends his meals like this when peaches are in season," I explained in answer to their puzzled looks.

"Getting his peach drunk?" Benedetta asked with one raised eyebrow.

"That's right."

"What have we got to lose?" Evalena mused, and dunked a slice of her own unpeeled peach in her glass.

"Bene, go ahead. It tastes great," I encouraged.

"Can't be worse than Delilah's aguardiente." She peeled her peach and dropped a small slice into her glass.

"Now what?" Evalena asked.