How to be Nice

I decided that I would grill Pat’s long requested sword fish and scallop dinner. OK, maybe she didn’t request sword fish and scallops but the grilled fish request had come often and with increased vigor. However sword fish and scallops is part of a limited list of acceptable fish to me. And, I was being nice.

The rain started right after I turned on the grill.

On the way into the house I was splattered by those robin egg sized rain drops that portend a summer storm but by the time I was in the kitchen the grill was being pinged by an onslaught of hail. I could see the hail dance atop the sizzling drill and disappear in a puff of steam.

I could also see the ice lined bowl containing the swordfish and scallops. A demanding combination that was unforgiving about tardiness and premature warming.

Still, Pat looked at me rather quizzically as I grabbed the scallop’s grilling pan and a raincoat and proceeded to head outside for the essential preheating. “Wait and it shall pass,” she instructed.

Still I headed outside in my rain resistant (not rain proof) coat, threw the pan on the fire and returned drenched. Maybe waiting a few minutes wasn’t a bad choice after all.

After ten minutes of careful observation we determined that the rain was letting up so I grabbed the fish and went outside. No sooner had I dropped the fish on the grill than the skies opened up again.

I was committed, or at least I should have been.

Every time I opened the grill the thermometer dropped precipitously. Scallops, which require constant turning, alternated being shielded by the grill cover and being doused with the cold rain. The serving platter sat inverted on the grill shelf, waiting for the fish to be done and a quick flip before receiving its burden

Pat laughed at me and waved through the windows of her dry and comfortable shelter. I had no choice but to laugh between my impatient peeks at the all too slow cooking food.

At last the fish was declared done; the decision based equally on both culinary and self preservation requirements.

I sat soggily at the table eating a well prepared meal. Somewhere between the first and last scallop the sun came out and lit the glistening grass in it warm rays.

Sometimes it doesn’t pay to be nice.