Gemotions

Bertram watched the cooking show with mounting fury. On the screen, Chef Antoine was demonstrating his “Signature Seafood Stew,” a dish Bertram had slaved over for years at the now-defunct "Seashell Shack." He’d poured his heart and soul into that recipe, a delicate blend of local catches and secret spices.

His jaw tightened. He grabbed the remote and turned up the volume, just to hear if the chef would reveal the secret ingredient. The smugness of the man was infuriating. Antoine was saying, "The key to this dish is the subtle hint of saffron," but Bertram knew that it was the blend of five specific types of pepper, not the saffron!

Bertram’s chest felt constricted. He rose from his chair, a sudden need to pace overtaking him. He grabbed his old notebook, the one that held the original recipe in his faded handwriting, a reminder of the many days in the kitchen. He glanced at the television, and his heart sank. The show went to a commercial break.