Once she heard her son say that, Andrea finally set her heart at ease and settled in to discuss with her son and daughter-in-law where they'd eat.
Stewart's tone was all warmth.
"Mom, you've been up all night gambling at cards lately. You've gotten thin."
"Let me take you to that new upscale steakhouse downtown. Everything there is healthy and nourishing—perfect for building you back up."
Andrea nodded, gratified.
"Good, good, good. I always knew it. You're the most devoted of all."
Once it was settled, Stewart came straight to the back kitchen, leaned half his body through the doorway, and gave me my instructions.
"Dad, I'm taking Daphne and my mother-in-law out to eat. Remember to lock up the restaurant, and come in early tomorrow to prep."
"Somebody booked more than a dozen tables for a graduation banquet tomorrow. I've already taken the deposit, so whatever you do, don't be late."
I answered flatly. "Fine."
And with that, the three of them walked out of the restaurant, talking and laughing.
The moment the door clicked shut, the place went completely silent.
Only I was left, standing at the stove in the back kitchen.
I didn't clean up the way they'd told me to. The first thing I did was walk over to the security recorder and quietly cut the power to every camera.
Then I walked slowly back to the stove.
Looking at the spotless kitchen, five years came back to me one frame at a time, like a movie.
I thought of the empty produce market at half past four in the morning.
Thought of my eyes, red for years from the grease and smoke.
Thought of the burns and knife scars on my hands, some shallow, some deep.
Then I thought of the three of them just now, calling me out in front of everyone.
I stood there a long while before I slowly took out my phone and dialed a number I hadn't called in a long time.
"Do something for me."
Once I'd gone through everything with the person on the other end, I left the restaurant.
That night, I didn't go back to the cheap, cramped rental near the restaurant.
Instead I boarded the overnight train home to my hometown.
On the train, I saw Andrea had put up a new social media post.
A selfie of her at the steakhouse, with the caption:
"My son-in-law's so good to me, insisted on bringing me here to build me back up. Born for the good life—there's just no stopping it."
I quietly gave it a like.
Yes.
You really were born for the good life.
I just wondered whether you'd be able to bear the good fortune coming after this.
A few hours later, I was back in my hometown.
I took a nice long hot shower, then fell into a deep sleep.
Early the next morning, I was jolted awake by my phone ringing hard.
I picked it up and looked. It was Stewart calling.
The moment the call connected, I heard him crying, frantic and panicked.
"Dad, where did you go? Something terrible happened at the restaurant!"
