True To You (Taking Chances #2) (10 page)

SEVEN

“Eat, more, more.” Melanie’s mother flashed a toothy grin as she dumped several heaping spoonfuls of fried rice into Ben’s bowl. She took a seat in one of the empty chairs at the round table. “You like?”

“
M goi
⁵
,” he enunciated with care. “Yes, I like it very much, Mrs. Koo. This is a wonderful meal.” He gestured in appreciation at the dishes of food occupying every inch of the wooden turntable. “I’m sorry my sister couldn’t make it tonight. This time of year is still difficult for her. She did ask me to send her regards.”

Furrowing her eyebrows, Mrs. Koo offered him a polite nod and turned to Melanie. “He talks so fast. I couldn’t understand a word he said after thank you. But his attempt was not too bad for a
gwai lo
,” she mumbled in Cantonese out of the corner of her mouth. “When is he going to tell us how Billie did on her final? You said he was done with the grades.”

“Ma, let the guy eat first,” Sam interjected in Cantonese. “You don’t want to bother him when he’s hungry.”

Mrs. Koo’s eyes widened as she wiped her hands on the white apron tied around her waist. “You are right. Let’s wait until more food comes out. Your father’s Peking duck is extra crispy tonight. The teacher may decide to let Billie retake her test when he tastes it. Let me find out if it’s ready.” She stood up from her seat and hurried to the kitchen.

Melanie felt a light squeeze of her left knee. Reaching over, she grasped Ben’s hand under the white tablecloth. Her eyes met his and she couldn’t help but smile at the enthusiasm written on his face. “You doing all right?”

“Yeah, but I’m sure I lost your mom just now. I need to remember to speak slower. My nerves are getting the best of me.”

“Don’t worry, Ben. You’re doing fine.”

He adjusted the knot of his necktie to loosen it a little. “That’s better. Now it doesn’t feel like a noose.” Turning to Melanie, he asked, “Does it look okay?”

“You look great. The green stripes match your eyes.” Apart from his tense posture, he looked every bit like the kind and charming man she had come to adore since the day they met. If only her parents would see past the color of his skin, they would realize that, too.

“First impressions are everything, and I want to make a good one. It’s not every day you get to meet your girlfriend’s parents.”

“I thought you didn’t-”

Before Billie could finish her sentence, Sam set her rice bowl down in one swift motion.

“
Yee Ga Je
! Why’d you step on my foot?”

Sam shot Billie an apologetic glance and gestured for her to get up. “Come on, we still need to set some tables before the dinner crowd shows up.”

Groaning in pain, Billie limped after her sister toward the far side of the room. When they were out of hearing range, Melanie breathed a sigh of relief to be left alone for a few minutes. “I hope you don’t mind all the interruptions. There’s still work to be done before customers start arriving. The first reservation is at six-thirty.”

“No problem. Any idea when I’ll get to meet your dad? Does he need to cook all night?”

“He’ll come out to eat after he’s talked to the other cooks on duty. This is one of the few days of the year when he’s willing to pay for extra help in the kitchen.”

“Do you think I could help out? I feel bad sitting here while everyone’s working.”

“You’re our guest. Anyway, it’s going to get a little crazy tonight so you’re safer out here.”

“I’ll have you know I do have experience as a waiter. I worked in a Mexican restaurant one summer back in high school. I got good at memorizing orders instead of writing them down. It was easier doing that than having to remember how to spell chimichanga. I never could remember if it was one
m
or two.”

“A chimi what?”

“A chimichanga. It’s Spanish for thingamajig. You take a tortilla, fill it with rice, cheese and meat, and wrap it up-”

“Oh, you mean a burrito.”

“Yes, but this one is deep fried.” Pausing to grin, he admitted, “I wasn’t sure if you knew what a burrito was. Not to be stereotypical, but I didn’t think Chinese people liked Mexican food.”

“We are known to eat almost everything, including man’s best friend,” she replied with a wince. “But I happen to love dogs, so not all stereotypes are accurate.”

“Of course not, mine included. I shouldn’t have assumed.”

“It’s okay. It’s hard not to make assumptions because there is some truth to them. We stay open on Christmas because we know people expect that from a Chinese restaurant.”

“Don’t you miss celebrating at home with your family? It was one of my favorite memories growing up. We would eat a traditional meal of turkey and ham and have homemade eggnog and fruitcake for dessert. Afterwards, we’d watch
It’s a Wonderful Life
together.”

With wide eyes, she answered, “Our definitions of
traditional
are definitely not the same. The only time I’ve eaten turkey was at the dorm cafeteria during college. And I’ve never had fruitcake.”

“Good thing I brought one,” he stated with a grin, pointing to a cake topped with pecans that sat on the table. “We can have fun mixing our traditions together. I think fruitcake will go well with fortune cookies, don’t you?”

“Well, you should know that fortune cookies were likely invented in California. But don’t worry, we will have some authentic Chinese pudding later called almond tofu. There are actually no soybeans in it, but it got its name because it looks white and creamy.”

Ben burst out laughing. “Whenever I hear the word tofu now I think of Melvin.”

“You’re terrible.” Melanie rolled her eyes, then abruptly dropped Ben’s hand as someone approached their table. “Ba, come sit down and eat.”

Before Mr. Koo could pull out his chair, Ben had made his way over and extended his hand to the silver streaked man. “Sir,
lei hou ma
⁶
? Thank you for having me over for dinner. The food is wonderful.”

Melanie stood up, stumbling over her words as she made the introductions. “Ba, this is Ben, um, Mr. Peters, Billie’s teacher.”

Revealing a shy smile, Mr. Koo clasped Ben’s hand and nodded. “Nice to meet you,” he uttered with careful pronunciation. “Sit, eat.” He sat down across from them and piled his plate high with food.

Silence settled over the table as they continued eating. Melanie’s eyes flitted back and forth from her father to Ben as she contemplated what to say. Somehow her announcement had sounded better in her mind. “Where’s Ma?”

Mr. Koo began speaking in Cantonese until he noticed Ben’s furrowed eyebrows. “She on phone,” he finished in English.

“Oh, I see.”

“You teacher?” Mr. Koo directed his question at Ben.

“Yes, sir, I am. I teach math.”

“You like teaching?”

“Oh, I love it. The kids are fun to work with. I can see myself doing this job for the rest of my life.”

“Mr. Peters is one of
Mui Mui’s
favorite teachers,” Melanie piped up. Perhaps she could take advantage of her mother’s absence and work on getting her father’s approval first. “This is the first year she’s not struggling in math.” She translated her words into Cantonese for her father’s benefit.

“Good.” Lifting a white ceramic teacup to his lips, he took a few slow sips. “I was teacher, too, before.”

Melanie’s eyes widened. “You were a teacher? When? You never told me this.”

“Before I meet your mother. I teach history in high school. But I lose job after we marry. And when you born, I find job in restaurant. Waiter get tip, make more money than teacher. But I think teacher have better job.”

Melanie couldn’t believe her ears. Or her eyes. The rare grin on her father’s face lit up his dark brown eyes in a way that made him appear youthful and carefree. Though he never said much, the perpetual lines on his forehead hinted at the burdens he carried. She had always assumed he was worried about finances, but now she guessed at another reason for his frowns. “Ba, I never knew that. I thought you liked to cook. I didn’t know you would rather teach.”

“Cooking not bad. But family… more important.” The words tumbled out as he struggled to put his thoughts into English. Turning to Ben, he directed his next question at him. “You agree?”

“I completely agree, Mr. Koo. Family always comes first. In fact, that is why I’m planning to go back to school to get my masters degree. That way I’ll have more job options in the future when I have a family to support.” He flashed a smile at Melanie as he said the word
family
.

Melanie looked at him in surprise. Family? Future? Ben was steering this conversation down a far more serious road than her father, and possibly even she, was ready for. “Let me pour you some more tea, Ba,” she piped up in an effort to steer them toward another topic. Setting the teapot down, she picked up a serving spoon next. “Here, have some fish, too.”

“
M goi
,” Mr. Koo thanked Melanie and focused his attention on Ben again. “You want wife go to work?”

“It will depend on her. If she wants a career, I will support her. If she wants to stay home, I’m good with that, too. I believe it’s important that we are both free to do what we are passionate about, to do what God has gifted us in.”

“You okay if wife make more money, but want stay home?”

“Ba, don’t you think that’s a little personal?” Melanie interrupted. Talk about an interrogation. Where was her father going with these questions?

“It’s okay, Mel, I don’t mind answering it. As the head of the family, I will make sure the finances are taken care of. Just like you do, sir, for your family.”

“Good, good.” He took one last bite of food before standing up. “I go work. Eat more. Later,” he added with a small smile, “you wash dishes.”

“No problem, sir. I would be happy to.”

“Do you need any help, Ba?” Melanie asked as her father headed toward the kitchen.

“No, not now.” Switching to Cantonese, he admonished her, “You don’t need to be afraid of introducing your boyfriend to me. I trust your judgment, daughter.”

Melanie stood up and walked over to her father, chagrin written all over her face. “How long have you known?”

“Since the last time he was here in the restaurant. It has been three months, am I right?”

“Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I didn’t know what you would think. I know he’s not what you expected.”

He held his hand up to silence her. “Or not what you expected? Life often works out that way and often times for the better.”

The knots in Melanie’s shoulders loosened as she viewed the kindness in her father’s eyes. “Ma doesn’t know, does she?”

“No, but you should tell her. Tonight. Be patient with her. She does want what’s best for you.”

Her father’s words hung in the air like the blade of a guillotine ready to fall. What choice did she have but to be patient? Dating Ben left her feeling like she had her hands tied, waiting for her mother’s judgment to pass. Even with her father’s approval, she only had a temporary respite. Getting her mother to accept Ben would be a long, uphill battle-on her hands and knees. Was she ready to start climbing?

“Melanie? What did your dad say?”

She turned around to find Ben at her side. “Good news. I think he approves of you. He doesn’t let just anyone into his kitchen.”

“Was he serious about having me do the dishes? Not that I mind…”

Shaking her head, she walked back to her seat with Ben behind her. “No, but for him to joke about it was a good thing. For him to joke at all was amazing. I’ve never seen him that enthusiastic about anything as when he was talking about teaching. I don’t know why he never told us about that.”

“Maybe he didn’t want you to feel bad that he changed careers when they had you.”

“I know,” she answered with a wistful smile. “But it makes more sense now why my parents are always telling us to work hard and to save up. And why my mother keeps pushing us to marry a doctor or engineer, even though
she
married a teacher.”

“It’s
because
she married a teacher. I get it. Your parents don’t want you to go through the same hardships they went through. That’s why I decided to go back to school. I’m not willing to give up something I’m passionate about, but I do want to show your parents I can provide for you.”

“I…,” Melanie faltered, suddenly speechless. “Do you realize what you’re saying? How can you talk like this? You don’t even know everything about me. Aren’t you racing ahead of yourself?”

“No, I’m not getting ahead of myself.” Reaching over to stroke her cheek, he spoke with tenderness. “I know we haven’t been together long, Melanie, but I’m serious about us. You are like the answer to a math equation I’ve spent years trying to solve, and now I’ve finally solved it. I know everything I need to know about you. It’s going to sound like a cheesy love song,” he confessed, “but I fell for you the day we met, and I fall for you more with every breath I take.”

“Truly, madly, deeply do…,” Melanie’s voice trailed off as her whole body warmed under Ben’s gaze.

“Are you quoting song lyrics?”

“Ah!” Melanie jumped to her feet as a gush of cold liquid assaulted her from behind. She turned around to see her sister holding an empty glass in one hand. “Sam! What happened?”

“I must’ve tripped,” she apologized, all the while shifting her eyes to the kitchen door.

“Oh!” Melanie exclaimed when she caught sight of their mother’s raised eyebrows.

“
Aiya
!” Mrs. Koo cried as she set a platter of Peking duck on the table. “
Siu sam
⁷
!”

Grabbing a handful of napkins off the table, Sam began dabbing at Melanie’s back. “Sorry about that, but you two looked way too cozy there,” she murmured under her breath. “Be glad I wasn’t holding soda.”

Melanie shivered as ice water trickled down her back, causing her cotton blouse to stick to her skin. A slew of not-so-kind words rested on the tip of her tongue, but she bit them back. Instead, she spat out a curt, “Thanks,” between chattering teeth.

“I’ve got an extra shirt in the car,” Ben offered. “It’s a bit big, but it’ll beat wearing a wet shirt all night. Let me go get it.”