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      Lunch

      at 204 ROSEWOOD LANE with

      Grace Sherman Harding

      M y daughter, Olivia, and Grace Harding have always been best friends. In grade school they were both in Girl Scouts and attended summer camp together, and as teenagers they were inseparable. Many an afternoon was spent in my kitchen, making cookies for their boyfriends, bake sales and various class functions. Grace is a natural; she loves to cook even more than Olivia does.

      Grace married her high school sweetheart, Dan Sherman, right after graduation. They were far too young, of course, although Clyde and I were married when I was even younger—but that was during the war years and marriage at sixteen or seventeen wasn’t uncommon. Pretty soon I knew why Grace and Dan had rushed to the altar.

      Grace was pregnant with Maryellen. While Olivia went off to college, Grace became a wife and mother. In order to support his young family Dan enlisted in the army and left for Vietnam. Their younger daughter, Kelly, was born after his return.

      Although Olivia never said anything to me, I had the feeling that Grace’s marriage wasn’t a happy one. But she persevered and I do believe she loved Dan, although he could certainly be difficult. I admire the fact that she made the best of things. I also admire Dan for the way he took over much of the housework while Grace went back to school and got her librarian’s degree. And no doubt about it, his girls loved him. I suspect that Dan was a better father than he was a husband.

      Because she was often busy with her studies, I gave Grace a number of recipes that were quick and easy to prepare. My homemade soup recipes, in particular, became popular with her family through the years.

      The Chicken Noodle Soup, for example, originated in my mother’s kitchen. It’s good for what ails you, as she liked to say. The Creamy Tomato Soup with Basil was contributed by my dear friend Bess. She often brings it to the Senior Center potlucks, and I’ve seen grown men squabble over the last bowl.

      But back to Grace…I don’t think anyone was more surprised than me when Dan Sherman went missing—what was it? Eight years ago? Grace got home from work one afternoon and Dan wasn’t there. He’d apparently vanished into thin air—no message, no phone call, nothing. More than a year passed before anyone learned what had happened to him. It turns out he’d gone deep into the woods and taken his own life. I feel sad whenever I think about him.

      Grace was beside herself with worry that whole year, and the girls, too. Kelly, who was pregnant, convinced herself that Dan would return in time to see his grandchild. Needless to say, he didn’t, and it broke the poor girl’s heart. Eventually they all found peace with Dan’s death but it took a long time—and a lot of compassion.

      Then Grace met Cliff Harding. I feel personally responsible for that, although I’m no matchmaker. It just seemed that they were two lonely people who had a lot to offer each other. Although the course of true love didn’t run smooth (and I’m sorry to tell you that was mainly because of my son, Will), Cliff and Grace did end up together. In fact, they eloped in San Francisco. They told me how much they enjoyed visiting Chinatown, which is one reason I’ve included some of our favorite Chinese recipes. Spicy Hot Sauce Chicken Noodles are downright addictive, according to Cliff, and the Wonton Soup is a perennial favorite.

      I’ve never seen Grace happier. After the wedding (such as it was), she moved into Cliff’s place in Olalla, where he has a small horse ranch, and now rents out her home on Rosewood Lane. She’s brought a real sense of warmth to his house, which desperately needed a woman’s touch. I can picture her in that huge kitchen with a big pot of soup simmering on the stove, making Grilled Cheese Sandwiches for Cliff and whoever might be visiting.

      The next time you have people over for lunch, try some of these recipes, courtesy of Grace (and me!).