His assignment as the kitchen assistant had become quite satisfactory for both Brother John and Alphaios. It was not an adventurous kitchen, for it was bound by a tradition as colorless as the stained glass in the church. They had quickly reached a place of easy comfort, but did not speak much beyond what was necessary to get the work done. It was the rule of simple silence.
It had not taken long, either, for Alphaios's coffee to become a kind of pact between them, a Sunday-morning understanding. No one else came into the kitchen between meals, and they kept the rich aroma far from the doorway. It was not that they wouldn't be happy to share their enjoyment, but if anybody were to find it out, this small pleasure would be unceremoniously terminated.
On this Thursday morning Alphaios felt unusually alive, as happens on certain days when winter turns to spring and summer turns to fall. John seemed to feel it too, for he had been singing to himself. It was after the morning angelus, and Alphaios was kneading dough for bread when an idea occurred to him. "John, did you notice the brothers seem a bit more cheerful this morning?"
"Seems like we all do. Why?"
"How would you like a small adventure?"
John turned suspicious. "What do you mean?"
"You know how it is when the air is fresh, like it is today? Even the food tastes better?"
"Well, yes, I guess so."
"What if we were to help it along a bit?"
"Just what do you have in mind, Brother?"
"Let's say we add some olive oil and rosemary to the bread. Just enough for a hint of flavor."
John drew back, discomfited. "Where'd you learn that?"
"In Italy. Where bread is a gift from God and consumed with the whole spirit."
"I don't think so. This isn't Italy, and it'd cause trouble. The brothers don't like surprises. You got your own taste of that at chapter, didn't you?"
"We'll be subtle. They won't quite know what's different. They'll just think it's the new spring day."
John looked intently at Alphaios, then slowly nodded. "Let's give it a try. But just enough for the noon meal."
Alphaios haggled contentedly with John over small measures of the seasonings, he lobbying for more, the kitchener for less. When finally they agreed, Alphaios added them to the noon bread and let the dough rise. When it went into the big ovens, a delicious fragrance wafted through the kitchen. It captivated John, but alarmed him as well; he fidgeted all the way through the meal service.
Several monks looked at the bread wonderingly, but the rule of silence prevented them from commenting. Tradition also prevented requests for second helpings.
It was hard for Alphaios to decide whether John was more relieved or more disappointed at the lack of response. In fact, there were no comments at all until chapter meeting the next morning, when Philemon spoke up. "Brother John, I don't want to seem unkind, but the bread at supper last night, and again this morning, was unusually bland. Have you run out of some essential ingredient?" Several monks nodded and mumbled their agreement, Brother Simon among them.
John sat a bit taller than usual. "No, my brother, no missing ingredients. But perhaps I can take greater care in the future."
In the face of this criticism, for reasons opaque to all his brothers but one, Brother John grinned throughout the rest of the meeting. Alphaios relaxed and savored the moment, happy for his friend and wondering what they could do next.
~*~*~