“What do you say, boss? Do I get an A?” Jack looked up from the salmon fillets he was rubbing with a mix of spices. He glanced at the large pile of asparagus. “Looks good,” Jack said. “Now blot ’em dry with some paper towels, put them in a bowl, and toss them with a little olive oil and salt and lemon juice.” “Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Abe held up both hands, palms out. “Easy for you to say. How much oil? How much salt?” “Just eyeball it.” “No way. I’m not screwing this up and taking the blame for any ensuing disaster.” “Okay, step aside, grasshopper,” Jack said. “I’ll handle the olive oil.” He washed his hands, dried them, and moved to the cutting board. He scooped up the asparagus and dumped it into a bowl. He drizzled the spears with olive oil, added some flaked salt, and squeezed half a lemon over the top.
