A tantalizing aroma filled the kitchen as Norris emerged in the evening, holding a steaming bowl. "Minestrone tried a new recipe. Tell me what you think?"


    Roseanne''s eyes swept over the dinner table, brimming with dishes like beef stew, green beans, barbecued fish, the minestrone, and meatballs in tomato sauce, all her favorites.


    Madge carefully picked the most tender fish and ced it in her bowl. "Your dad might not be the best at cooking fish, but this one? I''ve tasted it. It''s exactly how you like it. Here, have some more." Norris feigned offense. "What do you mean I''m not good with fish? I''m about people, not just fish!"


    A snort ofughter escaped them.


    "Right," Madge conceded with a yful roll of her eyes, "You''re a true master in the kitchen, whether it''s cooking, fishing, or just being yourself. Satisfied now?"


    Norris was pleased. "That''s more like it. I ran into old Mr. Johnson next door the other day. Even he asked for my recipes! You''re lucky I cook every day. You should just be quietly grateful."


    Madge pretended to be angry. "Fine, fine. I''m ''quietly grateful.'' Why don''t you eat before your mouth starts another argument now?"


    "That sounded pretty half-hearted. You don''t believe me? Ask Anne if my cooking isn''t top-notch." With that, Norris gently ced another piece of fish into her te. "Here, Anne. Try this and tell me how it tastes."


    Listening to her parents'' yful bickering brought a smile to Roseanne''s face.


    She took a bite of the fish, savoring the fresh sweetness that only needed ginger and scallions to remove the fishy taste, finished off with soy sauce for that perfect vor, keeping the fish''s natural taste intact. Norris was always the one doing the cooking, since Madge hardly ever stepped foot in the kitchen.


    After school, Roseanne would wait in the office for him to finish work, then they''d ride home together, often passing through the local farmers'' market where everyone knew Norris.


    On the other hand, Madge never shopped for groceries, iming she couldn''t pick good produce and found the market too noisy.


    Besides the fish, another specialty of Norris was scrambled eggs, learned solely because of Roseanne''s childhood fondness for the dish.


    It didn''t stop her from critiquing Norris'' cooking despite Madge''sck of culinary skills, which spurred him to refine his craft, eventually earning him the title of the family''s master chef.


    After moving away, Roseanne only had Murray forpany, taking on the role of preparing meals and waiting for him toe home to dine.


    It contrasted her childhood, where


    meals were always ready, courtesy of her father, and all she did was eat and asionally critique. When enjoying this treatment once again, Roseanne realized how much her parents cherished her.


    Roseanne praised, "It''s been a while, but I still think Dad makes the best fish, unbeatable by five-star chefs."


    Proud and touched, Norris assured her, "Whenever you crave it, I''ll cook for you."


    Holding back tears, Roseanne responded with a warm smile.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    After dinner, Madge prepared a fruit tter with the afternoon''s fresh purchases. Not finding anyone in the living room, she stepped outside and saw the father-daughter duo sitting in the yard.


    set


    With the early nightfall, the yard''s lights seemed dimmer, casting a cozy glow around the fire pit''s crackling charcoal, adding warmth to the atmosphere. Roseanne satfortably, warmed by the fire, with asional flickers of light dancing on her face.


    Madge joined them, offering the fruit tter. "The strawberries from our garden are ripe, sweet, and fragrant. You used to love them as a child. Try some."


    The strawberries glistened with water droplets on them, their sweet aroma wafting through the air.