July 21, 2012

My dearest,

It’s listed under the salad section but you assure me that the portion of meat far outweigh the greens. It arrives, the entire duck leg, as advertised.

I decide to be good and not ignore the salad. Fortunately it’s as small a serving as you said it would be; I’ll put away the leaves of arugula and radicchio easily.

I take my fork and knife. I smile at you. You tell me to go ahead. Slicing a piece of meat, I pause before putting it in my mouth. I taste the salt that was used to cure the duck leg, the rich flavour of the fat it was poached in, the delicious caramelised smokiness of its crispy skin from being lightly grilled. It is, I tell you, absolutely wonderful.

We take every bite slowly. Why hurry? Food’s meant to be enjoyed, after all, and life.

Yours, ever and always.