A Breakfast That Tasted Wrong
The girl’s name was Sadie Whitmore.
She lived with her grandmother in a small apartment outside downtown Charleston. Her father had died years earlier, and her mother, Rachel Whitmore, had recently gone through a serious medical emergency and was recovering in the hospital.
With money tight at home, Sadie had started looking for small ways to help her grandmother.
Grant invited her inside.
“Come have breakfast. You don’t have to ask anyone for leftovers.”
Sadie hesitated.
“I can’t pay for it.”
“I’m not asking you to.”
They sat near a large window in the hotel restaurant. Grant deliberately ordered several dishes management had described as guest favorites.
One was a ricotta breakfast cake served with cream and berries. The menu called it made with locally sourced premium dairy.
Sadie took one bite.
Her eyebrows drew together.
She swallowed and set down her fork.
Grant noticed right away.
“Something wrong?”
Sadie looked embarrassed.
“Do you really want me to tell you?”
“Especially if you don’t like it.”
She glanced toward the kitchen.
“It isn’t very good.”
The dining manager nearly dropped the coffee pot.
Grant smiled slightly.
“What’s wrong with it?”
Sadie pointed at the cake.
“There’s too much flour, the cheese doesn’t taste fresh, and the cream’s been sitting too long.”
The manager stepped forward.
“Young lady, our kitchen uses premium ingredients.”
Sadie shook her head.
“My mom worked in kitchens for years. She taught me this recipe. That isn’t premium ricotta.”
Grant’s smile faded.
“Could you make it better?”
Sadie looked straight at him.
“With better ingredients, yes.”
