Description:

          "Marika misreads her husband's absence and distance to mean a depreciation of their love.  She concocts ever more exotic gourmet meals, goaded on by her mother and girlfriends, in an effort to win him back.  She goes to an old gypsy woman whose remedy coincides with her husband doing something about the strengthening of their relationship, and her becoming pregnant.  Great Joy!
           "Her best friend falls in love.
           "Marika helps a friend remake the menu of his restaurant, working in a restaurant kitchen for the first time, and there having a young precocious cook become infatuated with her.
           "Her best friend's relationship ends badly.  Marika nurses her through a month-long depression.  The menu receives rave reviews.  She takes her friend to the gypsy, whose cure shatters their relationship.
           "Her husband is given a bonus and vacation, which they decide to spend on a garden party.  Her family, her many friends, and even her best friend arrive, and they eat, drink and dance."

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9125 lines
22,590 words
305 pages
8.06 kb/page