Devonne Brown

Artist unknown.

“Everything on this menu must have at least ten thousand calories,” Miranda said as she picked up her Chardonnay.

Janet thought by the looks of her, she could use ten thousand calories. She could get a salad or a steak anywhere. But they were in an exquisite Indian restaurant that served the best Korma she’d tasted since she left London. Miranda was being difficult. 

“Why did you agree to come to lunch with me then? I told you where we were going.” said Janet. She was exasperated again, but not surprised with her sister. Miranda couldn’t go out to lunch without finding something to complain about.

“I figured they’d at least have a salad bar with blue cheese dressing, even if it was an Indian restaurant,” Miranda said and took another drink of wine, a long one this time. She was totally pissed off that her sister had dragged her to this place. 

The waiter brought Naan bread to the table. Miranda tore a hunk from it and began to chew. “Is this the equivalent of chips and salsa in a Mexican place? I like it better. I don’t know what to order. Why don’t you choose for me, but don’t get me the goat. I can’t bear to think of myself eating something with eyes like that.”

“We’ll have mild chicken Korma and Butter Chicken,” Janet told the waiter. “We need more wine too.” 

“At least the wine is good. I can’t believe I let you drag me to this place. What kind of music is that anyway? It gets on my nerves,” said Miranda. She pulled her gloves off one finger at a time. It was about time too. She’d been tearing bread with her gloved fingers. With all her dignified airs, she looked kind of stupid eating bread with kid gloves on her hands. 

The waiter returned with three bowls. One heaping bowl of rice, one filled with a light orange mix, and one filled a bright orange mixture of some sort. “How can you tell which is what?” asked Miranda.

“First of all, they taste different. The light one has coconut milk in it. That’s the Korma. The bright one is the Butter Chicken. It’s actually the most popular dish in the world. You just live in a very small part of the world where it hasn’t reached you yet,” said Janet. 

“When did you get to be so worldly,” said Miranda, fiddling with her diamond and sapphire gold bracelets. 

“I never said I was worldly, but I’ve read a good bit, and I make up stuff sometimes. Put some of each on a pile of rice, I think you’ll like them,” Janet told her.

Miranda reluctantly tasted each one then smiled. “They’re way better than salads, that’s for sure. Though I think I’d still rather have steak on Saturday nights.”

Janet poured some more wine in their glasses, “Aren’t we lucky today is Friday? It’s really good if you soak it up with the Naan bread too.”

“Nah,” said Miranda, “too many calories, I’ll stick with the Korma ,rice, and wine.”