Page 80 of Clinically Bewitched
“Do you have anything vegan?” Athena asked.
“We have a vegetable tasting menu.”
“Perfect!”
“Same for me,” Stevie said. “But can you make sure the vegetables are prepared with love? The energy of the food really does matter.”
The waiter blinked. “I’ll... mention it to the chef.”
“And I’ll have whatever’s got the most protein,” Woody said. “I’m trying to build up my physical strength for an upcoming sweat lodge ceremony.”
“The steak,” the waiter suggested weakly.
“Perfect. But can you make it rare? Like, really rare? I like my meat to still have its life force.”
The waiter looked as if he wanted to cry.
I knew the feeling.
“And for you, sir?” he asked, turning to me.
“Whiskey,” I said.
“That’s not a food item, sir.”
“I know.”
Athena reached over and squeezed my hand. “He’ll have the salmon too. And maybe some bread. You look like you need carbs.”
The waiter fled.
“So!” Stevie said brightly, turning to my parents. “Tell us about yourselves! What do you do?”
“I’m a partner at Whitmore & Associates,” my father said. “Corporate law.”
“Oh, how interesting! Do you enjoy it?”
“It’s lucrative.”
“But does it feed your soul?”
My father stared at her. “It feeds my bank account.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
“It’s close enough.”
“And you?” Stevie turned to my mother.
“I’m on the board of several charitable organizations,” my mother said. “The New Haven Women’s League, the Symphony Guild, the—”
“Oh, how wonderful! Giving back to the community. That’s very aligned with the principles of Karma.”
“It’s not about Karma. It’s about social responsibility.”
“Isn’t that the same thing?”
“No.”
