The Guy on the Left (The Underdogs 2)

“You owe me two more bucks, Nonny,” Dante says. “I got your checkers too.”

“That ought to teach you,” I say.

She sighs. “Love you, son. I’m going to go put this little light out.”

“Love you, Mom.”

“Love you, Troy!” Dante shouts just as she ends the call, and my heart flips in my chest.

Lauren’s Eggs Benedict

Commercial Specialist, New Jersey

Makes 6 servings

20 minutes

Hollandaise Sauce

2 Egg yolks

1 stick of butter

1 tbsp real lemon juice

3 English muffins

Margarine

6 Thin Slices Fully Cooked Canadian-style Bacon or Smoked Ham

1 Tsp. Butter

6 Poached Eggs

To prepare Hollandaise Sauce; slightly beat egg yolks, add one half stick of butter and lemon juice, stir over low flame until butter melts. Add the rest of the butter and stir until it thickens. * increase the amount of lemon juice to suit your taste. Keep warm. Split English muffins and toast. Spread each muffin half with margarine and keep warm. Cook Canadian-style bacon in 1 teaspoon margarine over medium heat until light brown. Prepare poached eggs. Place 1 slice bacon on split side of each muffin half and top with poached egg. Spoon warm sauce over eggs

Clarissa

“You look tired,” Troy says as I settle into bed.

“Thanks.”

“That’s not the way I meant it.”

“I know. I am tired. You spoiled me when you were here, and I guess I got used to it.”

“I’ll be home soon.”

“I know.”

“It’s been hard to get ahold of you.”

“I’m sorry. I meant to call you back last night and fell asleep when I put Dante to bed.”

“It’s cool. Everything okay?”

“Yeah, fine. Why?”