I cannot believe that I'm coming to accept that animals talk. And that they actually have something to say. It is very strange. [The last of the potatoes is peeled and she starts slicing them into inch thick cubes.]

He tried. He failed. He called one of my cousins, a top chef in one of Paris' restaurants to come teach me. He to, failed. I simply never had the time or motivation to learn before. We had enough to order take out, or I could play for a meal in one of the local cafes. My mother, sisters, even little Henri, they all loved to cook. Apparently my father and I are the only ones that have the talent for making poison out of porridge.