Curry Chicken

I loved my Mom. I don’t ever want anyone to think otherwise. As I have said before, these stories are a celebration of the woman that she was and especially her good nature when it came to humor.

As for my Dad.

Well he is my best friend, even to this day.

My Dad loved telling this story about Mom, but in reality he never quite realized that he was poking fun at himself as well.

Like all couples that had been together for a long time, life became a routine that often wouldn’t allow either person to see what was in front of their eyes.

Mom and Dad had enjoyed a wonderful afternoon on their deck, which was connected to the kitchen by two patio doors. 

As supper time approached, Dad mentioned that he would love some curry chicken and rice. It was a favorite meal of theirs and actually a favorite of anyone that tasted it. Mom made a mean curry chicken. Not too spicy but oh so good.

Apparently Dad had bought some fresh chicken legs that morning so Mom went off to cook, an ever present glass of homemade white wine with her.

Dad went to the kitchen several times while Mom was doing her thing and commented that the wonderful smell was making him hungry. Mom assured him that it would not be long. Dad went to sneak a taste, but Mom shooed him out of the kitchen.

She did not like anyone in her space when she was cooking. Mom was very routine and everything had to follow a certain order, especially when she was enjoying the nectar of the Gods.

By the way, that’s wine.

When supper was ready, Dad went to the table and as always Mom Gave him his meal first.

Dad tried it, but there was something just not right about it.

 Mom sat down with her plate, along with a fresh basket of Pillsbury crescent rolls and passed Dad a roll.

As Dad buttered the roll he said, “Joyce maid, there is something wrong with this.”

Now Mom didn’t like her cooking criticized. “Well you don’t have to eat it if you don’t like it.”

“I never said that. I’m just saying there is something wrong with it. It doesn’t taste quite right.”

Mom buttered her roll and instead of tasting hers, she went back to the pot where the chicken was.

“It looks ok to me Bill.”

“Ok.”

Dad went back to eating the chicken and rice.

“Joyce maid you did something different. The chicken tastes funny.”

At this point Mom tried her chicken. A puzzled look came on her face.

“You’re right Bill. There’s something missing.”

Again she got up from the table and went back to the pot. She took off the lid and tried the juice from the chicken that was in the pot.

She immediately started laughing.

Dad turned around in his chair.

“What’s wrong? You did something wrong didn’t you?”

Mom went to her cupboard and brought something to the table, laughing all the while. She put it in front of Dad.

“I forgot the curry.”

What makes this even funnier was the fact that anyone who has ever eaten curry chicken will agree to two things.

The smell is unmistakable and of course the curry turns the chicken a shade of orange.

Neither of them picked up on either of these facts.