Page 25 of Just Another Meet Cute
Dinner with Mom and Dad was totally different. We talked. Or rather they did. Most of the time I didn’t really have anything to say. Mom tried to include me, but it felt awkward and forced. Sometimes I stuffed myself as soon as I came home just to escape from dinner.
Ryan’s Báshook her head and tapped my bowl with the tip of her chopsticks. “How is it?”
“It’s delicious! This isn’t like the ph? at the restaurants though,” I said, pointing at the giant plate of bones and meat at the center of the table. “What do I do with that?”
“It’s likeThe Hunger Games. Just grab whatever piece you can before someone else does,” Kathy said as she bent over Aunt Lily/Lila and piled pieces of meat into her own bowl.
Ryan smacked his chopsticks against hers. “Hey, stick to the plate on your table.”
“But you know there’s nothing left over there once Ollie and Nathan get through with it.”
“Too bad for you.”
Narrowing her eyes, she stuck her tongue out at him and slumped back to her table. “Wait until you get demoted back to this table next week. I’m not leaving you anything.”
“That’s why I’m soaking it all in now,” Ryan said with a laugh.
Ignoring her grandkids, Bánodded at me. “Why is it different?”
“Well, the broth is definitely different,” I added with a slurp.
Another aunt cocked her head in my direction. “How?”
“It’s not as clear. But the taste is also richer and thicker …” I sipped another spoonful and racked my brain to figure out what was different. “And it tastes kind of smoky for some reason? I don’t know. Maybe it’s just me.”
“Smoky?” Uncle Tuan let out a booming laugh. “I think you’ve been eating too much Texas barbecue.”
I gave him a sheepish smile. “Maybe.”
To my surprise, Báshook her head and laughed. “She’s better than all of you. How did you guess my secret?”
“Secret?”
She leaned toward me and placed her small hand on my arm. “I roast all the vegetables and herbs over an open flame until they’re charred, to bring out the flavor before I simmer the broth overnight and all morning.”
In awe, I blinked at her. “Oh, wow. And you do thiseveryweek?”
“It’s a lot of work. But my family’s worth it.” Her eyes sparkled as she gave me a wink. “Sometimes.”
A wave of nostalgia washed over me as she patted my arm and, for a split second, it was like I was sitting with my own Báagain. Not that they looked anything alike. My Báwas into bright colors and flashy jewelry, while Ryan’s Báwas dressed in simple muted colors. But she had the same soothing grandma aura. Maybe it’s a requirement to be a Bá. It was like biting into a warm donut: soft and pillowy with the right amount of sugar glaze to make you happy.
And I hadn’t felt this way since my grandma died.
Resisting the urge to give her a huge hug, I flashed her a bright smile instead.
“I guess you are pretty good. Just for that, you deserve a prize.” One of his other uncles stole a chunk of meat from the center plate—right out from under Ryan’s chopsticks—and put it in my bowl. “Here.”
Giggling at Ryan’s indignant “Hey!” I broke off a piece of the tender meat and popped it into my mouth. “Thanks.”
“At this rate, I might as well go sit in the corner again,” Ryan complained with a mock scowl.
I shrugged innocently. “If you want. You’ll definitely be missed though.”
“Ouch. That’s harsh.” Uncle Tuan laughed and gave me a high five. “I like you. You get a permanent seat at this table from now on.”
“I better leave before I get kicked out. I’m done anyway.” With a deep sigh, Ryan stood up and walked behind my chair. “By the way, where did you get that jacket from?” he asked, pointing his chopsticks at the jacket draped on the back of my seat.
I almost choked on the mouthful of noodles I had just put in my mouth. It took a few minutes and a full glass of water to clear my throat enough to speak. My fingers played with the soft fabric for a second or two before picking it up. “Actually, I wanted to tell you—”
