Dictated Moans

Table for four

The sky had dipped into deep lavender by the time Asher pulled up in front of the house. Cassie, Sarah, and Emily hurriedly hurried with their make-up and dresses.

“Your carriage awaits, ladies,” Asher told them as soon as they stepped out.

Cassie had made an effort. Her mourning did not mean that she could dress like a homeless human. She laughed as she climbed into the front seat. “How very gallant of you.”

Sarah and Emily squeezed into the back, their chatter spilling into the car as they buckled up.

As they drove through the quiet streets of the town, the golden glow of streetlights flickered on one by one. It wasn’t a large town—just a modest collection of shops, old homes, and familiar streets lined with blooming flowers. But in the twilight, it looked almost like something out of a storybook.

“This place is adorable,” Sarah said, peering out of the window. “Like something you'd see in a movie.”

Emily nodded. “It’s got that sleepy charm. I love it. The kind of town where people actually say good morning to each other.”

“You are very right,” Asher said with a grin, turning down a street lined with brick buildings. “Here we greet each other."

"And we know everyone, know their dogs, their grandparents' names, and even what they had for supper," Cassie said with a laugh.

“I could live with that,” Sarah said dreamily. “Honestly, Cass, how did you ever leave?”

Cassie looked out the window, a small smile playing on her lips. “At the time, it felt like I had to. But… now, I’m not so sure.”

Asher pulled into a small parking lot tucked beside a low, vine-covered building. The sign above the entrance read “Gianna's Little Haven” in hand-painted script, warm light glowing from the windows.

The interior was cozy and intimate, with dark wooden beams across the ceiling and soft Italian music playing in the background. Tables were draped in red-and-white checkered cloths, each lit by a flickering candle. The smell of fresh herbs and baking bread wrapped around them the moment they stepped inside.

A smiling hostess led them to a table near the window. The four settled into their seats, shedding coats and stretching comfortably after the long day.

“Now this is exactly what I needed,” Emily said, reaching for the menu.

“I already know I’m getting something with pasta,” Sarah added. “Something creamy and life-altering.”

“I’ll just take whatever looks most like comfort food,” Cassie said with a tired but content smile.

After some deliberation, they placed their orders.

Asher chose the osso buco alla milanese; a slow-braised veal shank served over saffron risotto, the meat so tender it nearly fell apart with a glance. Cassie ordered tagliatelle al tartufo; ribbons of pasta bathed in a truffle cream sauce, sprinkled with parmesan and cracked black pepper. Sarah went with pollo masala; chicken breasts simmered in a mushroom and Marsala wine reduction, served with rosemary potatoes. Emily opted for gnocchi al pesto; soft potato dumplings coated in fresh basil pesto and pine nuts, finished with a hint of lemon zest. To accompany the meal, they ordered a bottle of bold red wine with notes of cherry, leather, and spice.

“This wine is incredible,” Emily said after her first sip. “Warm and moody. Like someone who reads poetry and never answers texts on time.”

Cassie laughed. “That’s dangerously accurate.”

Their conversation flowed easily, punctuated by clinks of cutlery and shared bites. The food was rich and comforting, the kind of meal that made you forget about everything else except the taste and the moment.

Halfway through the meal, a tall man with salt-and-pepper hair approached their table. He wore a charcoal blazer and carried himself with an easy familiarity.

“Asher?”

Asher looked up, blinking in surprise. “Damon?”

Asher stood and hugged Damon briefly.

“Wow, it’s been years,” Damon said. “I saw you from the window and decided to come and confirm if it was really you."

“Yeah, it is me” Asher said. “It’s good to see you, man.”

Damon glanced at the women, smiling warmly. He waved and they nodded their heads lightly. “I won’t interrupt long. Just wanted to say I’m sorry to hear about your mom. She was a good woman.”

Asher nodded. “Thanks, Damon. That means a lot. “If you’re in town for a bit, we should grab coffee or something,” Asher added. “Catch up properly.”

“Absolutely. Let’s do that,” Damon agreed.

With a final smile and a nod to the group, Damon slipped away, returning to his own table across the room.

“Old friend?” Cassie asked.

“High school,” Asher said. “We played on the same soccer team. Haven’t seen him since he moved away.”

Emily leaned in. “I love how people just run into old friends in towns like this.”

“That would never happen in the city,” Sarah added. “You’d live five blocks from someone for three years and never cross paths.”

Their entrees finished, the server brought out dessert—Tiramisu, delicately layered with espresso-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone, dusted with cocoa. They shared two plates between the four of them, each bite light, sweet, and just slightly boozy.

Cassie closed her eyes as she savored a mouthful. “Okay, this officially fixes all emotional trauma.”

“Science would back that up,” Emily said with mock seriousness.

They finished the wine slowly, letting the warm buzz sink in as the restaurant hummed quietly around them. Outside, the night had deepened, and a hush had fallen over the street.

Asher paid the bill before leading them back to the car. The air outside was crisp, and the stars above seemed closer, clearer than they had in the city.

They rode in silence most of the way back, the wine and the long day lulling them into peaceful reflection.

At Asher’s home, he unlocked the door and turned on the lights. “Make yourselves comfortable. Towels are in the hallway closet, and there’s tea in the kitchen if anyone wants it.”

Sarah and Emily thanked him and headed off to settle into the guest rooms.

Cassie lingered in the living room for a moment, her gaze drifting to the window where the porch light glowed softly against the night.

Asher came to stand beside her. “You okay?”

She nodded slowly. “Yeah. Better than I’ve been in a long time. Thank you, really."

"Anytime little sister. Go to bed now, we have a long day tomorrow. Goodnight," Asher said before hugging her lightly.