Bitter Almonds
In the fourth episode of From Scratch, Lino and Amy are sharing a meal with Zora, her partner, Ken, and a few friends. The topic slowly moves from food to Ken’s family and how Zora has already met his dad. Lino feels sad as he has not been able to patch things up with his father. ..
Amy and Lino are looking for Antonio Russo to give him a gift from his cousin in Sicily. They are able to trace him and give him the gift. He is also an artist and runs an art center. He invites Amy to volunteer for the children’s program and she is happy to. She is good with kids but she doesn’t think she is ready to be a mother when Zora brings up the topic. ..
Amy wants to work on her art but Chloe is frustrating her at work. Chloe also wants to promote her to manage artists at the gallery but she is disappointed that Chloe doesn’t see her as an artist and more work will mean less time for her to work on her art. She is even more conflicted when Russo offers a full-time job but the money is less than the gallery. ..
Lino’s boss is going through a hard time and wants to close down the restaurant. Lino wants to lease out the restaurant from the owner and use their savings to start a pop-up restaurant. Amy is supportive and has no qualms about Lino’s decision. Lino asks for help from his mother back in Sicily and she agrees to send fresh products to the restaurant.
Amy calls her dad to ask for his opinion on whether she should take the job offer at the art center or not. Her dad tells her that it is a matter between husband and wife, but Lino thinks that she should take the job because it would make her happy. He believes that they can manage without their savings if they go after their dreams. Lino’s restaurant opening went well, so he is optimistic about their chances. ..
After a fallout between Zora and Amy, the two friends decide to go to a doctor to get help for their friendship.
The doctor refers them to an oncologist who informs them that Lino has a rare soft tissue cancer called leiomyosarcoma. Lino will need aggressive treatment and needs chemotherapy to shrink the tumor before having surgery. The doctor also recommends that they bank Lino’s sperm before chemotherapy if they want to have kids in the future. He will need to start treatment in a week and he can’t work at the restaurant.
Lino is sick and he wants to undergo the treatment, get through it, and get back to work. He goes for his first chemotherapy treatment and he asks Amy to let him do it alone. Amy agrees and says she will pick him up but she is late. Lino takes a cab and goes to his restaurant. He realizes that he will have to close the restaurant.
Chloe agrees to find a way for Amy to keep their insurance. She doesn’t go into the details but agrees to help Amy find a way to keep the insurance. Lino’s treatment continues, he grows weaker and starts losing his hair. Amy is also finding it hard to talk to her family as she promised Lino she won’t tell them about his condition.
Zora stops by Amy’s house as she finds it strange that the restaurant is closed and wants to make up with Amy. Amy tries to make her leave but Lino faints and they rush him to the hospital.
Lino needs to build back his strength before surgery in a few weeks. Lynn and Zora show up at the hospital to support them. Amy talks with Lino and asks him to inform his family too.
The Episode Review
The restaurant was closed for months on end due to a health issue with the owner’s son. Lino was left with a difficult decision to make; either keep the restaurant open or close it completely. He chose to close it, but it was all worth it because he now has a new opportunity to pursue his dream.
This episode was a tear-jerking reminder that we never know what is going to happen next in life. You might want to keep a box of tissues next to you while watching this episode!
