Tina felt a slight panic: This isn’t as creamy as Mom’s is..and it doesn’t taste like hers either. But I did everything she said. *talking to Usher-like he can do something about it*
Five minutes later, Carmen lets herself in.
Carmen: Heyy Heyy, it’s Mom! Where are my children?
Tina raises her voice to be heard: Look who decided to show up! We’re in the kitchen, come on back!
Carmen: Mmm-hmm!..it smells good in here! How's it going?
Tina: It’s not going.
Carmen: What you mean, babycakes?
Usher: Mom, please calm her down. I tasted it, and it’s fine.
Tina: I need better than fine. It looks dry...it’s not creamy-looking like yours.
Carmen: Well, why didn’t you wait for me? I told you I was on my way.
Tina half-teases but is low-key serious and panicking, looks over her glasses and into her mother’s eyes:
Read my eyes, Mom...
*Tina wills her eyes to start welling up with tears, on the spot, and it’s pretty easy*
...you know full well if I had waited on you there would be nothing to eat.
Carmen teases: Heyy, don’t look at me in that tone of voice.
*Carmen starts laughing hoping Tina doesn’t really start crying..she knows her baby...so when Tina starts laughing, too, Carmen is relieved. But then Tina looks at the time and the panic grows again. Her face turns tomato red.
Tina whines: Mom, seriously though...I talked to you over an hour ago. You come waltzing in here with 30 minutes before everyone arrives. I don’t know what to do. I’m a food critic and this don’t pass the test!
Carmen: No use panicking. This can be fixed. I would neverrr leave you hanging, my dear. You gonna stress my little grandbaby. *talks to Tina’s belly* I’m here now. Mimi’s here and gonna save the day..yesh I am, little one! *to Tina* Get me that heavy cream and that basil paste. Im’a work my magic...It’s gonna be great.
Tina takes mental notes as she watches her mother whip that pasta into shape like a pro. This is why she wants to master cooking one day.