Vincent and John came back together after eating at Nora's.
Vincent noticed I'd cleared everything off the table and looked at me. "Where's the food?"
I pointed at the trash can beside me.
"Why the hell did you throw it out? I'm still hungry!"
"That sounds like a you problem. Not my concern."
Vincent had no comeback. He went and made himself a cup of instant noodles.
I glanced at my son's round little belly. Vincent must have let John eat most of the leftovers at Nora's, which was why he hadn't gotten enough himself.
"Johnny, starting tomorrow, Mommy's going to bring back food from Aunt Nora's house for you. Doesn't that sound great?"
He jumped up and down, beaming. "Yes! Finally I don't have to eat your gross cooking anymore!"
"But here's the deal. If you choose to eat Aunt Nora's food, then you can never eat Mommy's cooking again. Ever."
"Fine! Who wants it anyway!"
He grabbed Vincent's hand. "Daddy's with me too."
I looked at Vincent. He grinned.
"I'm with my son."
"Fine."
The first day of the new arrangement, I set the food I'd packed up from Nora's house on the table.
John craned his neck to look and immediately scrunched up his face.
"These are leftovers."
"Of course they're leftovers. You're the one who loves Aunt Nora's leftovers so much, so eat up."
"Whatever. Leftovers are still better than anything you make."
In front of me sat four freshly cooked dishes, still steaming: braised ribs, garlic butter shrimp, clam and egg custard, and baby bok choy in garlic sauce.
Every single dish looked and smelled incredible.
In front of Vincent and John sat the food I'd brought back from Nora's in plastic bags. Cold. Picked over. There was barely enough for John alone.
Vincent frowned. "That's all there is?"
"Can't help it. That's all she had left today."
He reached his chopsticks toward my plates. I smacked them away with mine.
"I already told you. You chose to eat Nora's food. You don't get to touch mine."
"You made way too much. It's just going to go to waste."
"I'd rather dump it in the trash than give you a single bite."
"Judy, are you serious right now?!"
I ignored him and kept eating, one big mouthful after another.
Vincent slammed his chopsticks down and sat there glaring at me.
John polished off Nora's leftovers in minutes. Vincent didn't get a single bite.
"Daddy, I'm still hungry."
Vincent stood up. "Come on, buddy. Daddy's taking you out to eat."
John leapt off his chair. "Yes! I want pizza!"
The two of them strolled out the door without a care in the world and didn't come back until late.
The second day, the same thing sat in front of them: Nora's leftovers.
This time, it was nothing more than some watery gravy over plain rice.
John took one look and slapped the table. "How am I supposed to eat this?!"
Vincent grabbed the container and tossed it straight into the trash. "Don't worry, buddy. Daddy'll take you out again."
John stuck his tongue out at me. "We're going to KFC! Have fun being jealous!"
On the third day, before I could even head over to Nora's to pack up leftovers, Vincent cut me off.
"Don't bother. I'm taking John to eat at Nora's directly."
He crossed his arms. "You won't let us eat your food? Fine. We'll just go eat at her place."
John was practically vibrating with excitement. "Aunt Nora is so pretty and nice, and her food is amazing! I wish she was my mom instead. Daddy, can you just get me a new mom?"
Vincent shot me a smug look. "I'll think about it."
The two of them walked over to Nora's front door, and Vincent raised his hand and knocked.
