Short Random Stories

Fish Cheeks

You may have heard of this story by Amy Tan, but this is a perspective of that story through Robert's eyes. 

Me and my parents got a dinner from my classmate, Amy. Amy is the Chinese girl that is very awkward when it comes to me.

"Robert, be on your best behavior. This will be a nice casual dinner with your friend. I'm sure that this will be fine with you," My father, the prime minister, asked me.

"Yeah. Yeah. It's fine with me. Just, we should get some gifts for them, right?" I asked.

"Sure, but not a lot."

I nod and start getting myself ready for dinner. I put on a nice plain shirt with a tie and get myself.

I'm a little embarrassed that I am going to my classmate's house and I am bringing my entire American family. It may get even weirder If I our family's tradition starts to be brought out, Especially my family since they are pretty rude, Especially when it comes to dinner.

Me and my sister start to roll up many presents for the family and get into the Christmas. It's great to be with others. I'm quite happy about this. We get to bond family to family.

"Hey, Baby Robbie. Can you pass me the tape?" My sister says.

"Sure." I pass the tape to her, "I hope it satisfies you."

"It does." A long pause comes between us before my sister makes the craziest statement to me. "Do you like this girl?"

Her smirk is so real, so true while she focuses on wrapping the present.

"Haha, very funny. I don't. I'm only just here to be... supportive to my classmate. It doesn't hurt to spend time over Christmas with other people."

My sister nods and gives a big chuckle. "I don't know how you get love so young, but it is honestly so funny."

I throw some paper wrapping at my sister and she does the same to me, but our father saw us play fight and got us both in trouble.

7:26 pm, we are at her house with presents stacked high with all of my relatives. I walk up to the door. Standing beyond this door will be chaos, but I'll give my one hundred percent.

I ring the doorbell and the door opens. I awkwardly grunted hello as I scanned Amy's family. Amy didn;t look happy to see me, like she didn't want this to happen and probably wanted me to disappear.

We exchanged gifts and chatted a bit until heading to the table. This is what I was most scared of since my family might just burst up being rude.

We all sat, everyone at the table and we all past around our plates, utensils, and food laid out in front of us. As we sat, Amy's family just out right grabbed all of their foods without stopping and double dipped. We all just sat there awkwardly wondering what the heck is going on. When it was our turn, almost half of the food was already touched by Amy's family. I was kinda disgusted since the food was not food that we normally eat, but I wouldn't mind what I ate even if it was another families food because I want to try and bond with them.

"Amy, It's your favorite. Come and take some," Says Amy's father. She was so red, I felt so bad for her, but kinda weirded out of this family.

*BELCH* "It's a polite Chinese custom to show you are satisfied," Amy's father said very loudly and was very weird. I'm so creeped out. I hide my face and I get really red.

After dinner, I had a big sigh of relief. I laid down in bed and thought to myself what I should do.

"Let's never go back there," My dad says in frustration.

My sister gets up from her spot and pulls my dad aside. I can barely him them and all I can get from that is culture. I don't mind about the dinner. It was just so rude and I didn't like it, but if that's the way they all deal with their culture, I'll be fine with it.

Go check out her story. It's a blast!