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Shani gaped at me for several seconds, uncomprehending. Then whoops and cheers went up around her, and she snapped free of her shocked paralysis.
“Are... are yousure?” she asked, pitching her voice to be heard over the commotion.
I hurried forward through the controlled chaos of the line to show her the phone’s screen. The Michelin Guide logo topped the page; the friendly Michelin Man waving out at us. Below, the headline read ‘St. Louis and surroundings: 1 of 1 restaurants.’ And then, a square photo of Shani’s signature osso buco, artfully arranged on a plate with its sides of parsnip puree and pickled greens.
The Elderflower Inn, St. Louis, USA. $$$ - Contemporary Cuisine, stated the caption beneath.
Shani stared unblinkingly at the little screen, her eyes resembling her own dinner plates. Then she let out a squeal that was so completely at odds with her normal imperturbable self that I couldn’t help laughing.
She lunged forward, wrapping her arms around me and Trixie. She bounced up and down like an excited teenager, still shrieking in glee. It wasn’t a proper hug with my huge baby bump in the way, and I couldn’t bounce with her because I currently weighed approximately the same as a beached whale.
But I added my shrieks to hers, Trixie joining us as she bopped her little palm excitedly against Shani’s shoulder.
Then, abruptly, Shani pushed away and gasped, “Oh, no—my pan-seared trout!” But fortunately for someone’s expensive entrée, one of the line chefs—a kid named Marcus who was ageniuswith pastry—had slid unobtrusively over to Shani’s station to babysit the delicate fish.
“Can you all cover the boss’s station while I take her out to announce the good news to the dining room?” I asked, and received a chorus of “Yes, chef!” followed by another ragged cheer.
Pocketing the phone, I dragged a dazed Shani toward the front of house, where Ayden met us with a look of concern.
“What’s up?” he asked. “We heard shouting in the back.”
Maleeka joined us, looking equally confused. “Yeah, I was in the office running numbers. What’s going on? Are you okay, Aunt Shani?”
“Oh, Aunt Shani isfantastic,” I assured her, handing Trixie over to her when the little girl reached out insistently. “It just so happens, we have an announcement about the restaurant!”
Maleeka jiggled Trixie against her hip until the toddler quieted, still looking confused. Then Ayden seemed to get it.
“Oh... you don’t mean—?”
I grinned at him and turned to the dinner crowd, where we were already garnering quite a bit of attention.
“Good evening, everyone!” I said loudly, raising my hand to request silence. “I’m thrilled to see the Elderflower Inn doing its usual brisk business! I have an announcement about the restaurant, and the talented chef who owns it. Can I please get a round of applause for St. Louis’ newest Michelin star chef—Shaniqua Jones!”
“Oh my god!” Ayden exclaimed, even as Maleeka murmured, “It’s about damnedtime,” in a tone of deep satisfaction.
Around the large dining space, customers were rising from their seats, clapping and cheering. One very familiar group stood in the reception area, clapping louder than anyone else. I sent my pack a wink, grinning widely.
Shaniqua, clearly overcome, stood next to me with her hand over her mouth and tears in her expressive brown eyes. I nudged her forward.
“Take a bow, my friend,” I told her. “You deserve it.”
With a deep breath, she stepped forward and squared her shoulders, letting her hand fall.
“Thank you,” she said, waiting for the applause to die down. “Thank you all. I don’t think we’d be here tonight if it weren’t for my dear friend, Mia Dimitriadis. Not only did she found the restaurant and get its first Michelin Star, but she and her pack are also responsible for running the amazing culinary school that educated most all of our talented kitchen staff.
“Your meal tonight was prepared by a team of amazing young people who overcame challenges that most of us can’t even imagine, just to be here. Can I get another round of applause for them? Let’s make it loud enough so they can hear it in the back!”
She and I both started clapping, and we were joined by another enthusiastic bout from the customers.
With a watery laugh, she waited until it died down again, then called, “Right, that’s enough of that, everyone! Your food is getting cold!”
Laughter rippled around the warmly lit dining room, as people reseated themselves and dove back into the amazing meals they’d come here to eat. I turned to Shani, Maleeka, and Ayden, accepting Trixie back from Maleeka.
“Seriously, I am so happy for you all,” I said. “Congratulations. I don’t think anyone has ever deserved a star more than this place.”
“Aunt Shani’s not wrong, you know,” Maleeka said. “We wouldn’t be here in the first place if not for you and Nat.”
I smiled at the warm glow kindling in my chest.