BobWrites

Old Abel was thought by his neighbors to be something of a hermit. For the last three years he lived alone in a stone cottage just outside of town. No one knew from whence he came or if somewhere he had friends or family. All they knew of him was that he fished, trapped rabbits and grew herbs and vegetables in a large garden behind his cottage. He almost never came to town so it was a truly unusual event when he appeared at the General Store carrying a small bundle slung over his shoulder, and stated that he was about to take a journey.

"Where are you going?" asked Ezra, the store's proprietor.

"How long will you be gone?" asked Emma, Ezra's wife.

They received no answer. Old Abel simply shrugged, turned on his heel, marched out of the store and down the road leading south.

Four days he walked, ever southward. He met few travelers along the road. When they greeted him he responded with a single nod, and continued his trek. Along the roadsides, berries, fruits and nuts were abundant. Abel's diet now consisted solely of these.

Abel was tall and gaunt. He wore a shapeless wide-brimmed hat that covered most of his long gray unkempt hair. His dark blue eyes shone beneath his shaggy black eyebrows. His nose was long and thin. A red scar slashed across his chin, contrasting with the now yellowing teeth. He wore a weather-beaten tan jacket atop a heavy dark blue sweater. On his feet were well-worn hikers boots. At his side hung a canteen.

At about five in the afternoon of the fourth day Abel entered the seaport town of Southhaven. There a southbound ship, The Peregrine, was completing its complement of seamen. Abel signed on as assistant to the cook. The ship's main cargo was blocks of ice from Canada, bound for Brazilian and Argentinean seaports, thence to be carted inland to underdeveloped villages not yet served by electricity. The Peregrine was the last of the ships plying this once active trade.

During those first days aboard ship Abel performed his duties well. He could be seen peeling root vegetables, stirring the pots and cleaning the dishes from the officers' mess.

Early on the morning of the third day, the Captain and First Mate entered the galley.

"The cook has a fever," said the Captain to Abel. "Can you take over for him until he recovers?"

Abel nodded. But the cook did not recover. The next day he died of his fever, leaving Abel in charge of the cooking. Shipboard, trepidation was rampant. Ships' food was usually bad enough; in the hands of an unskilled amateur it promised to be all but inedible.

So all were surprised as they gradually realized their food was in the hands of a gastronomic genius. Somehow Old Abel knew what amounts of which ingredients to combine, at exactly when in the cooking process to bring forward the subtleties of their flavors and textures.

Abel produced fish chowders, silky, with a creamy texture and a subtle hint of sherry. He created robust stews, brimming with tender meats and fresh vegetables, flavored with ginger, garlic and a generous splash of burgundy wine.

At the end of the first week, the Captain,all smiles,came to Abel,and asked if he'd like a boy to help with his chores. Abel shook his head 'No.' Somehow he managed to keep up with all the work himself without ever seeming overly busy. Later that day the First Mate looked in at the galley. He was impressed with how swiftly and efficiently the old man went about his preparations. He noticed too a grimace on Able's face, as though we was in pain.

Morale on the ship was the highest the Captain had ever experienced. Both officers and common seamen found themselves talking happily about food, anticipating their upcoming meal and speculating about what magic Abel would next perform.

At each port of call Abel would go ashore, followed by the cabin boy, to purchase supplies from the local markets. Both would return heavily laden, to be greeted by an excited crew. What new miracles would the old man now create?

The crew's favorite, by consensus, was bread pudding highlighted with the flavor of brown sugar,cinnamon,and nutmeg - topped with raisins and a dash of dark Jamaican rum.

At the end of three weeks, Abel asked to train the cabin boy in the art of service for the Captain's table. Of course Abel's tutelage resulted in Haute Cuisine service never before experienced by the ship's officers, save the Captain, who was a gourmet in his own right. Eventually he permitted Abel to select wines for the Captain's table table from his extensive collection. Abel selected impeccably. He trained the cabin boy to pour like a Sommelier.

The Captain began to have dreams of opening a restaurant with Abel as chief chef. 'A high class place', he thought, where ladies arrived in evening gowns and men in dress suits. Prices would be outrageous. A nautical decor would be nice - and he thought of Abel's delicate touch with fish - the finest he had ever tasted. 'The cabin boy can be the first waiter and he can help train the others.'

Many were regretful when the three month voyage was over. Some came to Abel to thank him and ask which ship he planned to sign up for next. But Abel only shook his head. The Captain came to the galley with Abel's wages. He asked Abel to sign on with him for the return journey. Abel only shook his head, "I go south," was all he said.

Next day, Abel was gone. He was last seen walking on a southward road with his sack slung over his shoulder.

For two days Abel walked at his steady ground-swallowing pace. During the mornings he stopped only to gather fruits and berries, apples and gooseberries being the most abundant. At sundown he built a fire and slept through the night. At midday of the third day he entered a town where he added provisions to his sack.

That afternoon as the sun struggled to warm the chilling air, Abel looked back to find he was being followed. A boy about fourteen years old was 100 yards behind him. Abel continued his walk, and again looking behind him, found the boy had continued to follow him.

At one point in the late afternoon Abel looked back but the boy was not to be seen. Abel felt disappointed. He was growing comfortable with the idea of company on the road. About an hour later Abel looked again and was pleased to find the boy had returned. Still, the boy kept his distance.

Finally Abel stopped and motioned for the boy to approach. The boy came closer, stopping about ten yards behind. He was short, dark skinned and wiry. He had bright brown eyes and a ready smile. He wore a faded green shirt too large for him, and well- worn short blue pants. His feet were bare. Abel liked him at once.

Toward evening Abel found a sheltered cove - a place to spend the night. He built a campfire and began to warm his hands. Again he gestured a welcome to the boy, who this time approached. As he drew near, the boy held out his hands to show Abel he had three eggs in them.

Abel smiled and nodded. He briefly searched for and found a thin flat rock that he heated in the fire. Then from his sack he selected two small containers. From one he poured a bright red powder. From the other he shook some dark green flakes. These he scrambled with the eggs.

As the boy caught the fragrance of the cooking eggs an expression of ecstasy came to his face - his eyes widened, his mouth smiled and his entire body shivered with anticipation. As they shared their meal, the boy closed his eyes and ate rapturously.

That night they slept side by side. Next day they walked together without speaking. Abel had slackened his pace so the boy could more easily keep up. All day they walked in silence. Toward evening, Abel, at last, spoke.

"Como se llama?" he asked in Spanish. The boy understood.

"Luiz. Y Ustd?"

"Abel."

"Where are you going?" asked Luiz, now in English.

"South, ever south," answered Abel. "And where are you going?

"With you!" Luiz responded quickly.

Abel raised his eyebrows. "It's very cold where I'm going."

The boy shrugged. "When it gets too cold I'll leave you."

Again they walked in silence. As evening approached Abel stopped beside a stream and began to gather wood for a campfire. The boy understood at once and he too gathered wood. Abel saw fish in the stream. He tried to catch one with his hands, to no avail. The fish were too quick for him.

The boy laughed and signaled for Abel to watch him. He moved 20 yards upstream where the water narrowed and flowed more swiftly. Here the fish had to jump to make headway against the current. As a fish reached the surface, the boy snatched it from the water. In a few minutes Luiz had caught four edible-sized fish which he presented to Abel.

Abel and the boy, both still silent, squatted in front of a low flat rock and Abel began his magic. He took a knife from his sack and swiftly scaled the four fish. He sliced them open and scraped out the unwanted organs. Then he lifted out the bones and cut the remainders in two. Soon eight fillets adorned the rock. Luiz studied him intently.

Now Abel reached into his sack and brought out packets of powders, dried leaves and crystals. Abel selected several and carefully poured part of their contents into a pile. These he mixed together and then rubbed them into the fillets. He finished the preparation by squeezing onto the fish the juice of a fruit he had gathered. Then he placed eight thin flat stones onto the fire and after a few minutes placed a fillet on each. Soon they were sizzling on their stones, emitting an ambrosial fragrance.

With the first bite the boy seemed transported to some gastronomical heaven. With eyes closed he chewed slowly. Each time he opened his eyes he looked at Abel with a worshipful expression. Then he began a barrage of questions. Who was Abel? How old was he? Where had he come from? How long had he been traveling? Where was he going? How long was the journey to take? How had he learned to cook? How large was his family?

For a while Abel was silent. Then slowly and deliberately he began:

"My name is Abel. I come from North America. I've been traveling most of my life. The only continent I haven't seen is Antarctica. That's where I'm headed now. I don't know how long it will take to get there." Abel paused as Luiz nodded that he understood.

Abel continued. "I learned to cook from my mother, and from books, and from watching others. I have no family."

"No family?" the boy repeated as if in disbelief. Now he began his own narrative. "My name is Luiz. I have lots of family." Luiz chirped brightly. "I have a mother, a grandmother, two sisters and five brothers. My family lives in Pequenista, a small village near Santiago." Luiz patted the large knife which hung at his side. "My uncle raped my eight year old sister, so I killed him." Luiz gazed sadly at the ground. "Now I can't return home. I miss my family."

"Can you read?"

"Yes, both Spanish and English."

"How did you learn?"

"I worked in a missionary's home where they spoke English. I minded their six year old son and I paid attention when he was at his lessons."

"Can you write?

"Yes," answered Luiz proudly, "In both Spanish and English."

"What plans have you?" asked Abel.

"To stay with you and learn to cook."

Next day Abel began Luiz's training. For several weeks, as they walked, Abel explained first the chemistry and then the biology of the four basic flavors - sweet, sour, salty and bitter. He described where on the tongue each held precedence. Then he discussed heat and cold, crispness, smoothness and cheweyness.

This led to a disquisition on the different characteristics of various meats, fish and poultry. Then on to different cooking techniques, different temperatures, and the effects of various cooking durations. Next, he went on to explain the uses of spices and herbs.

At first the boy said nothing but his attentiveness never flagged. When Luiz finally began to ask questions, Abel was pleased to find that the boy understood and remembered what he was being told. Abel found himself thoroughly enjoying his own unexpected volubility. Even better, it helped distract him from his intense pain, the ever-increasing pain.

Each night, as Abel prepared the evening meal, he demonstrated different preparation techniques. Abel coordinated his demonstration with some of the things he had spoken of during the day.

At the end of the first week Luiz began helping with the preparations. Abel was impressed at how quickly the boy mastered each of the skills. Now and again Luiz would vary something in Abel's recipes. Sometimes the experiment would fail, but sometimes the result was wonderful. Most important to Abel was that all the trials made sense and showed the boy's creative gustatory instinct.

Abel now found himself delighted by the pleasure that he and Luiz shared as the boy's skills increased . 'He's a treasure,' thought Abel. He was so engrossed in training the boy that he was distracted from gnawing pain that spread within his body - the ever present, intensifying torment.

While awake Abel showed no outward sign of his great discomfort. But the boy knew. He had lain awake at night as Abel tossed and groaned in his sleep. Many nights Luiz lay listening to the old man's suffering until he, sobbing in sympathy, finally slept himself.

Food wasn't the only thing they talked about as they walked. Luiz enthusiastically described the lives of his family. "We are very poor," said Luiz. ''Our home has a dirt floor. There are only three bedrooms for the ten of us. I shared a bed with my older brother Pedro. My mother shares her bed with my baby brother and my two-year-old sister. My grandmother shares hers with Nina, my eight year old sister. My other brothers each share a bed. My mother weaves straw mats to sell at the market. Pedro works in the orchards and fields for the Fruit Company. I'm the second oldest. When not minding the missionary's child, I also work in the fields."

In his turn, Abel described his long life. He was an only child, born into a wealthy New England family. After earning a bachelors degree he began traveling the world in order to sample and understand the cuisine of different regions. At times he took a job as a chef in order to hone his skills in the use of unfamiliar ingredients. Cooking and reading were his hobbies. Abel never married and was comfortable with the freedom of his life as a single independent man. His financial affairs, which he did not describe to Luiz, were handled by Harry Jensen, a lawyer who had been Abel's college roommate. Abel had complete trust and confidence in him.

Abel traveled with one credit card. Harry paid the balance in full every month. Once a year Harry sent Abel a full accounting of his investments which each year showed substantial increases.

It was late April when the two travelers finally approached Bahia Blanca. They stopped at an inn. Luiz went to a nearby stream to refill Abel's canteen while Abel went inside to speak with the proprietor. When Luiz returned he could see that Abel and the innkeeper were already on the best of terms.

"Luiz, Senior Paco has agreed to allow us to observe the operation of his kitchen."

Luiz showed a surge of excitement. The only kitchen he ever had seen was his mother's. It had occupied one side of his family's living room. Paco took them both into the kitchen where Luiz stood in awe of what he saw. A line of stoves and ovens, a sea of pots and pans, large walk-in refrigerators, cupboards stacked with dishes and glassware, containers of silverware, several sinks, and best of all, a wall fixture containing knives of different sizes and shapes together with an array of strangely shaped utensils. Four cooks and a dishwasher were at work. Luiz was fascinated.

Abel and the proprietor had agreed that Abel could help prepare the meals that evening. Luiz could watch. In the meantime Abel took each different pot in hand and described for Luiz the ideal use of each. Abel tapped with a ladle the bottom and side of each pot and then handed it to Luiz to heft its weight and feel its balance. Paco stood by nodding and smiling.

Luiz became most excited when Abel began to demonstrate the knives. He showed Luiz the center of gravity of each and the kind of motion for which each knife was best suited.

Paco brought out a side of lamb and Abel began butchering it swiftly. Each time Abel switched to a different knife, he explained to Luiz why he had made the change. The other chefs, whenever they had a free moment, came to watch Abel. Luiz could see that they all were impressed.

That night the two travelers slept at the inn as special guests of Paco. Paco begged his guests to stay another day "After all, Luiz still has so much to learn."

But Abel expressed an urgency to continue south. From thence forward, at every opportunity, Abel would befriend an innkeeper or restaurateur to continue Luiz's gastronomical education.

After they left Bahia Blanka, as they walked south, Abel began to describe to Luiz the satisfactions of a formal higher education, classical learning and university living. He emphasized the opportunities this presented for enjoying a richer life experience and his own regrets at not having pursued advanced degrees.

"How do you know so much?" asked Luiz in genuine wonderment.

"I'm self taught," answered Abel. "That has both its satisfactions and its limitations."

They walked on for a while in companionable silence. Luiz could see Abel struggling with his pain.

It was getting colder as they continued their trek. In Comodoro Abel shopped for winter clothing for them both. For Luiz he bought a knapsack, three sets of underwear, six pair of socks, two pair of pants, three long sleeve shirts, a heavy jacket, gloves, a hat, and an array of toilet articles. Luiz was confounded. He had never before worn underwear or socks. As Luiz tried on each article in front of a full-length mirror, Abel beamed with pride. Luiz was the son he never had.

The biggest problem was shoes. Nothing fit comfortably. Luiz' feet were too heavily callused to admit confinement in leather. Finally they selected a pair of flexible canvas loafers. On the road however, Luiz continued to go barefoot.

"Where do you get your money?" asked Luiz.

"Over my lifetime," answered Abel, "I have accumulated plenty of money. More than I need. I have a close friend, Harry, who manages it for me. Here is his business card. I've already spoken with him by telephone about you. Soon I'll have to leave you, but I want to provide for your future. If you choose to gain an education I will provide you with university fees, and money for expenses, plus $10,000 dollars a year for your family, for every year you study toward a degree. This will continue every year until you are forty. At that point I've provided $350,000 to be used at your discretion. My hope is that you will either buy or build a restaurant of your own. You may telephone Harry to arrange the details. He's expecting your call. If you decide that you'd rather not go in this direction, Paco or another innkeeper will be happy to give you a job in his kitchen."

"Can't I do both?" asked Luiz. "Can't I get the education and work at night and on weekends in the kitchen?"

"Yes," reflected Abel. "But the danger is in permitting the kitchen work to interfere too much with the formal education. Each day you'll only have a limited amount of time and energy."

"I want to bring my family from Chile to where we can all be together again."

"Let me think about it. Maybe I can arrange something."

"Do you really have so much money that you can do this?"

"Yes, and I'll have plenty left over to donate to charities."

"Why are you doing this for me?"

"It's what I'd have liked for myself when I was a young man. It's a pleasure for me to make it possible for you."

They entered the town of Ushuaia. "This will be where our journey together ends" said Abel.

Waiting for them in the doorway of El Piscador were Andre, the proprietor, Elaina, his wife, and Juanita, his sixteen year old daughter. The two travelers were greeted by a chorus of enthusiastic welcomes. Paco had called ahead to tell Andre of the two treasures he was about to befriend.

Andre's family lived in a large apartment on the second floor above the restaurant. Andre took Abel and Luiz upstairs to two guest rooms. When you're ready, come down to the Library," invited Andre.

The Library, a large high-ceilinged room, served as a repository for books, as an art gallery and as a lounge for guests of the restaurant. On two walls hung a dozen watercolors by Elaina and two by Juanita. Also hanging were oils by artist friends of Andre. The other two walls were fronted by floor to ceiling book-shelves crammed with books. The floor was covered with plush red carpet sprinkled with leather chairs and small side tables.

Andre was seated alone at a grouping of four chairs with a book on his lap. "Welcome again," he called as Abel and Luiz entered the room. "I've heard so much about you two. I'm honored that you've decided to stay with me."

"And I've heard many fine things about you and El Piscador," responded Abel. "They say your restaurant is the finest in Argentina."

"I hope to make it the finest in all the Americas," enthused Andre. "But it's much more than a restaurant. I raise my own livestock for the table. I have sixteen greenhouses out back to assure that I have the freshest organically grown vegetables and fruits all year long. I also have 400 acres of undeveloped land on which I hope to build a resort complex in the future."

Luiz listened wide-eyed.

Abel smiled. "Well, don't lose this room when you expand."

"It may have to become another dining room, but I'll add on another to replace it, with the same ambiance - only with more space for books and paintings.

That first evening Abel and Luiz helped in the kitchen. Abel had planned to spend his last weeks in Ushaiha.

It turned out that Luiz had a special talent for plating. He treated each dish as an architectural project. When Abel recognized this he taught Luiz how to blanch root vegetables, yet keep them firm enough to sculpt. After Luiz created the shape he wanted, whether abstract or in the form of a bird, an animal or a human, Abel then further cooked the shape until its consistency was such that it held its shape but was soft enough to eat. The plates turned out by Luiz were truly works of art. Luiz was a prodigy.

Andre too recognized Luiz's talent. There were two entries from the kitchen to the dining room. Andre taught his waiters to use the door which was farthest from the table being served. The waiters held their plates conspicuously before them as they paraded to their destination. Thus the maximum number of tables were passed so guests could view the arriving food. Whenever a waiter entered the dining room with a plate, guests stopped eating or interrupted their conversations, to view the work of art passing by. The guest receiving the food, as often as not, would be reluctant to begin eating as he and his table-mates first discussed their plates. If more than one guest in a group ordered the same dish, Luiz would vary his presentation, and use different garnishes.

Soon local food critics and gourmet customers were coming to dine several times a week. Andre watched Abel's food preparation carefully, knowing that the old master's time was limited. The other chefs also watched with admiration. Soon Andre began writing down Abel's recipes and enlisted Juanita to photograph Luiz's presentations.

Abel's afternoons, when the lunch peak had ended, were spent in the Library with Andre, discussing menus, recipes and memorable meals they had enjoyed in the past. During the first few days Luiz had hovered nearby, listening attentively. Today he wasn't to be seen. Abel suddenly remembered that Luiz had not been with them yesterday either. Then to his horror he realized that Janita also was not to be seen.

"Andre. Where are the children?" he asked with a sinking feeling.

"So Abel, you finally noticed. Please don't be angry. I want Luiz to sire my grandchildren. I'm unable to have more children myself so all my hopes are with Juanita, and she can't do better than Luiz. He's more than a talent. He's a genius! I hope to build a legacy with El Piscador that will last for generations."

"What does Elaina think of this?" asked Abel doubtfully.

"She objected at first, but she understands. Also, she's grown fond of the boy."

"Still," objected Abel. "This is no way to repay your hospitality"

"If he gives me a grandson I'll be well paid. Actually, I'm hoping for a troop of grandsons."

Later Abel confronted Luiz "Were you with Juanita today?" Luiz looked stunned and sheepish.

"I love her Abel," was all he said, blushing.

One day Abel taught Luiz the techniques for creating spun sugar. Luiz immediately saw possibilities for creating abstract cave designs in which to suspend forms of birds and animals. When these were first brought to table the diners burst into spontaneous applause. Next, Abel showed Luiz how to fashion tin molds into whatever shapes he pleased.

Within three weeks, food critics from nearby cities began appearing. On some nights guests prevailed on Andre to have Luiz come out and take a bow. Luiz, dressed all in white, smiled broadly at his reception. How impressed and pleased they all were to discover that this youthful prodigy was the creator of their pleasures. Abel declined to appear. He wanted Luiz to be the recognized star.

"May I speak with Luiz about his future," Andre asked Abel. Abel assented, commenting that his hope was that the boy receive a quality education.

"If he stays with me I promise to give him that opportunity," said Andre. "But in the end, of course, it will all be up to him."

"If you arrange for his family to join him I think he'll be happy to stay with you. You'll have to give them jobs when they're old enough to work."

"I'll bring in Juanita's tutor to teach the children," responded Andre. "When they're old enough, my friends at the Universidad National de la Patagnia will accept them as students. Here in Ushuaia we have faculties in Engineering, Economics, Humanities and Social Science.

Later that afternoon Andre brought Abel and Luiz to an empty out-building behind the house.

Luiz,” said Andre, “Up until now I've used this house for guests, but as long as you stay with me I'll set it aside for your family. It has six bedrooms and two rooms that can be converted to additional bedrooms."

Luiz, unable to contain his joy, ran back to the restaurant, calling back over his shoulder," I must tell Juanita!"

Abel smiled to himself. Clearly from now on, Andre's influence on Luiz would exceed his own.

Soon Andre had to cope with a six month waiting list for reservations. He raised his prices steeply which only further enhanced the Piscador's growing reputation The waiters were overjoyed with the resulting increases in their tips. Apparently all the diners were happy as never before.

One day, Andre arranged for Abel to meet an airplane pilot with a shady reputation. For an outrageous fee he arranged for the pilot to fly over the plateau of the Antarctic Peninsula Glacier and permit him to parachute down. Since this was illegal, Abel was confident the pilot would remain silent about his mission. Abel then purchased spiked boots and ski poles.

Next morning, Abel told Luiz that he was leaving him later that day. They embraced and clung to each other for many long moments. Luiz began to sob.

"Don't be sad Luiz. You have made my last days an unlooked for treasure. Be joyful that we found one another." But try as he might, Luiz was unable to feel joyful.

In their tearful last moments together, Abel gave to Luiz his treasured sack and the cash he was carrying, amounting to some three hundred dollars. "Luiz, we are like the two faces of Janus, one facing back and the other ahead. I'm the one looking back, seeing a road crowded with memories. You're facing forward toward a life promising all kinds of possibilities. I only wish we could stay together a little longer, but my strength is beginning to fail."

Abel trudged across the ice headed toward two high hills in the distance. Their peaks, black and ominous, disappeared as they jutted into low hanging clouds. The wind whipped and swirled, stinging his face.

As he approached the base of the peaks he found a hollow where new snow had accumulated atop the glacial ice. "This is a good place," Abel said aloud to himself.

From his belt he removed a small hand axe and trowel. He marked an area about six feet long and two feet wide. He then pushed the surface snow aside and chopped out the ice to form a long shallow hole.

He removed his jacket, carefully folded it to fashion a pillow and laid it at one end. He then removed his gloves, hat and boots and lay down on his back in the hole.

"I've chosen when to die and where to die and how to die. What more can a man ask?"

His final thoughts were of the boy as the whirling wind sucked away the last of his body's warmth. Snow covered him quickly.

Some years later two geologists studying the effects of global warming discovered his still frozen, perfectly preserved body.

"Look!" said the first as he brushed the snow from Abel's face, "He's smiling."