Katherine LaRusso has the lifestyle most would envy: huge mansion, six-figure allowance no normal teen would have, imported sports cars, private parties, and a crew of unwavering supportive friends. Growing up, she realized all the material possessi...
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- KATHERINE -
FAMILY dinners at my aunt and uncle's house have always been a cherished escape, a vibrant memory I cling to since I can remember. They were my favorite, not just for the delicious food or the boisterous laughter, but because they were a stark contrast to the lonely reality of meals at my own home. My mother, lost in the haze of her addictions, was rarely ever present, either too drunk or high to cook or even acknowledge my existence. My father, a workaholic driven by necessity, was perpetually absent, his long hours leaving me to fend for myself.
More often than not, dinner at our house meant skipping a meal altogether, or microwaving something quick and tasteless to eat alone in front of the TV screen. That is until today. Apparently in some desperate attempt to get in my uncle's good graces, Samantha had decided to bring her "friend," Kyler, to our family dinner. Samantha had been practically buzzing with nervous energy all day, chattering about Kyler's supposed charm and wit. I, however, remained unconvinced. I couldn't fathom what she saw in him.
And so, here I was, spending my Friday night trapped at the dinner table, directly across from Samantha and her oblivious plus-one. Samantha was practically vibrating with excitement, hanging on Kyler's every word. Meanwhile, my uncle Daniel, was attempting to explain the intricacies of sushi to Kyler, who seemed more interested in the decorative chopsticks than the actual food. "The yanagi, or yanagi ba, depending on the region, is a knife used exclusively for cutting sashimi," My uncle explained, holding up a gleaming slice of fresh fish.
"I picked up this bad boy on my first trip to Okinawa. Voilà." He presented it with a flourish, the delicate pink and white flesh glistening under the warm dining room lights. "The famous... LaRusso ponzu toro," Daniel murmured. My own mouth practically watered. It looked absolutely divine. The glistening toro, draped in the tangy ponzu sauce, was a stark reminder of how long it had been since I'd enjoyed a fresh, home-cooked meal, let alone something as exquisite as this. The aroma alone was enough to make my stomach rumble in protest.
"Oh, no, thanks. I don't like sushi." Kyler announced, his nose wrinkling slightly. A wave of stunned silence washed over the table. Amanda and Daniel exchanged bewildered glances, clearly taken aback. "Uh, are you sure you just don't want to try a little piece? It melts in your mouth," Daniel offered, trying to be polite. I had to bite my lip hard to stop myself from bursting out laughing. The irony was too much. This guy, who was clearly trying to impress my uncle with his supposed sophistication, was turning down a delicacy that most people would kill for.
"Uh, no," Kyler grimaced, his face contorting into a mask of disgust. "Fish kind of grosses me out." I could have sworn he was fighting back a wave of nausea. "No, you do like fish," Samantha insisted, her voice a little too high-pitched, a little too desperate. She was clearly trying to salvage the situation, to convince my uncle that this guy wasn't a complete and utter embarrassment. "What about the fish sticks at school?" She offered. I couldn't help the amused smirk that spread across my face. This was getting better and better by the minute.
