powered by
bravenet.com
| Home | About Holly | Donate |
Living the Life of Holly |
Column # 128 Going
Chinese |
| Sarah wants something different for lunch. Ok. Fine. But is she just trying to upset her father or is she ready to try something new? |
Living the Life of Holly “I think we should have Chinese food for lunch today.” Came the suggestion from the back seat. Ralph hadn’t learned to expect opposites from his twelve year old daughter yet. “You do?” It took his full concentration to keep the car on the road. If she had decided to start shooting up heroin he wouldn’t have been more surprised. “Yeah.” “Wow.” I said. “That’s a first.” Sarah and I smiled at each other. Ralph turned towards her. “You can’t order a hamburger there. They don’t have American food there. And they don’t have toys.” “I know.” Sarah said, insulted. “I want to eat CHINESE FOOD. That’s why I want to go to the CHINESE RESTAURANT. God. Dad. Why don’t you get it?” Ralph looked to me for the Holly Translation services. “Honey-girl. I think it’s great that you want Chinese food. I’m honored to be with you the first time you try it.” “Aren’t you and Daddy going to eat?” “No. We already ate.” Ralph said. “I still want Chinese.” “Fine. But if we go there you have to eat Chinese food.” He insisted. “I KNOW.” Ralph pulled into a little fast food restaurant in a strip mall. It was empty. “Great.” Ralph said, as we walked in. “There’s no line. No waiting.” “This’s so cool. Sarah. You’re trying something new!” I said. “I know.” She smiled. We walked up to the counter. “Well. What do you want?” Ralph asked, impatiently. “How is she supposed to know?” I pushed my best friend out of the way. “Let’s help her.” Sarah contemplated the pictures. “No. I don’t want any of that stringy stuff with sauce and rice and all that stuff.” “Sarah.” Ralph huffed. We ignored him. “Honey. What do you feel like eating?” I asked. “Chicken? Beef? Vegetables?” “I don’t know if I want Orange Chicken or Lemon Chicken.” Ralph’s head spun around. “How do you know about that?” “Mommy had it one day. It looked good.” “Wow.” He said, stepping back. It was starting to sink in. “My little baby girl wants to eat Chinese food. Maybe she’ll like it. Maybe we won’t have to eat hamburgers for every meal. That’s incredible.” We ignored him. Sarah approached the counter. “What I would like is half an order of Orange Chicken and half an order of Lemon Chicken.” “Impossible. Can’t do like that.” The owner announced. “Why not?” Sarah asked. “Can’t do like that.” He repeated. “That’s what I want.” Sarah shrugged. Ralph stepped forward. “You have to choose. You can’t have both.” “Ok.” She said. “I’ll have the Orange Chicken.” She thought a moment. “And I want Won Ton Soup.” “How do you know about Won Ton Soup?” I laughed. Come on. This was a big occasion. Her first ethnic meal. “I read about it in a book. What is it, anyway?” I thought a moment. “Um. It’s kinda like chicken noodle soup. Only the noodles are bigger and there’s a little piece of surprise meat tucked inside the noodle.” “That’s perfect!” The waiter brought the meal out. He gingerly placed it in front of a very surprised Sarah. I leaned over. “Honey. Did you sneak up and order extra? You must have been very hungry.” The portion was big enough to feed four adults. “I can’t eat this much. Even you couldn’t eat all that, Dad. Who eats here, horses?” The soup was placed next to her entrée. It had to be half a gallon served in one huge bowl. I know. Where were those cute little soup bowls that you would normally get? Sarah’s mouth dropped open. Little tears were forming in the corners of her eyes. This may be the last time she ever orders Chinese in her whole life. I laughed. “Honey. Eat what you want. You can take the rest home.” Ralph marched up to the counter. “Why did you give her so much food?” The owner silently handed him a bill for eighteen dollars. “For one Orange Chicken and some soup?” Ralph asked, outraged. “Yes.” The owner said. “Is very good food.” Ralph glared at me and paid the bill. She ate three pieces of Orange Chicken and two Won Tons before she announced that she was full. “You’re full? That’s it…..” I interrupted Ralph. “Congratulations, Darlin-girl. You just ate your first Chinese food. Did you like it?” “I love it. I want to save some to eat at home with Mommy.” She said. “She’s going to like it too.” You’re not getting a hamburger. This’s your lunch. That’s all.” Ralph said. “They don’t have hamburgers here, remember Dad?” “Yes.” He sighed. “I remember. But maybe we can’t come back till you’re a little older and you can eat a little more.” “Dad.” Sarah said, struggling under the weight
of her leftovers. “I said I wanted Chinese food. But, I never said
I wanted enough to feed everyone in China.” Comment on this column in The Forum Or Send Holly your comments. Tell her what you really think! Your comments might be published on her website, or in her weekly Yahoo Group e-mail. Send Comments Wanna vote for your favorite column? Fan's favorite column picks will be added to the Fan's Favorite Five page. Send your pick for your favorite here. Fan's Favorite Column Pick Don't miss out! Sign up to receive a free copy of Holly's column via e-mail each week, click HERE to send a blank e-mail request. (All e-mail addresses are private... NEVER, EVER shared.) Copyright © 2003 by Holly Winter |