今日吃瓜

鈥淏oys, grab some basil off Barry Basil. We need it for dinner.鈥�

Six pairs of hands pillaged poor potted Barry Basil last Saturday night.

The men and I plucked basil happily for our dinner party that the boys had suggested. It was exciting, our first proper dinner date, just us three.

鈥淒ad, I need to decorate the table, okay.鈥�

鈥淥f course kiddo, it鈥檚 not a dinner party without table decorations鈥︹�� I eyed them seriously as if I was about to unfold the Magna Carta in front of them, 鈥溾�� if there is one thing I can teach you, it鈥檚 how to do a party.鈥�

I winked at them as they busied themselves on the outdoor coffee table.

I threw the iPod into the stereo and as I peeled basil leaves into the fresh sauce on the stove, Pink Martini鈥檚 neapolitan Ninna Nanna awakened the evening from a slumbering afternoon.

鈥淒ad, this music is awesome.鈥� Beau came in from decorating to give me a kiss as I threw in the pasta. I pecked his upturned lips as I passed him the plates to set the table.

鈥淕osh, you guys have done an amazing job, this is so cool.鈥� I stood at the doorway admiring Chick proudly displaying the table with no room left on it bar three plates and cups.

鈥淲ho would you invite to our dinner party if you could?鈥� I asked.

鈥淢ummy!鈥� Beau jumped up. 鈥溾��and Anthony 鈥� 鈥檆ause he鈥檚 funny.鈥�

I laughed. 鈥淵es, I鈥檓 sure if you asked him he鈥檇 come, sweetheart.鈥�

Each plate contained an entwined highway of pasta fighting for tomato-laced meat and herbs. The moment I placed it in front of Chicky he picked it up and took it back inside to eat at the table quoting his reluctance to dine in such confined circumstances. He waved occasionally from the kitchen table.

鈥淐heers, my little man鈥︹�� I clinked glasses with Beau and inside with Chicky, 鈥溾��thank you boys for making such a great dinner party.鈥�

鈥淪alut, Papa!鈥� they smiled, spaghetti-lipped and basil-breathed.

With the men in the bath I sat down on the couch and finished my wine.

I smiled. It was one of those perfect nights.

info: You can follow John on Twitter @daddydearest_