I began preparations early. Around mid-afternoon to be exact. I chopped the vegetables and soaked the sheets of pasta. I had decided upon lasagne. It went well with salad and I wanted something light. I cheated with the dessert. I bought the tiramisu from Uncle Giuseppe’s Italian Delicatessen. It was the moistest, most delicious tiramisu I’d ever had. I was also going to make bruschetta and garlic bread. I cheated a little with the garlic bread, too, by buying pre-made garlic butter. I’d attempted to make my own in the past and it had been an unmitigated disaster. I wasn’t going to take any chances.
At six o’clock I set up the table outside. I put on a nicely starched, white tablecloth, which was dangerous when we were having lasagne. A single white candle and a small vase with three whit
