Sushi for One? Read Online Free PDF Page B

jovial voice matched Mr. Tomoyoshi’s wide girth and generous nature.
    “I’m doing well.”
    “Still playing volleyball?”
    “Yup. In fact, I’m coaching — ”
    “I still remember when your grandma brought you into the restaurant and you wouldn’t leave your volleyball in the car, and you ended up hitting it into your ramen noodles and splashing yourself.” He laughed.
    “Heh. Heh. Yeah.” Was that the only memory Mr. Tomoyoshi had of her? He mentioned it every time she spoke to him. What about her graduation party in his Japanese restaurant? Or her dad’s yakudoshi birthday party? Or the numerous other times she went in there to eat and didn’t have a horribly embarassing mishap? “So, Mr.Tomoyoshi — ”
    “How often do you see your grandma?”
    “I just saw her at my cousin’s Red Egg and Ginger party.”
    “Oh, Chester’s niece? That must have been nice.”
    For the other guests there, maybe. “Yeah. Good food.” Not that she’d had any of it.
    He chuckled. “You tell your grandma to have it in my restaurant instead next time.”
    Hmm. Traditional Chinese party in a Japanese restaurant. She wasn’t quite seeing it. “Sure. You’ve got the best food.”
    “Aw, thanks. You’re such a sweet girl.”
    Lex grimaced at the “girl” remark. “I’m still coaching a junior high girls’ volleyball club team.”**
    “Oh, good for you. Way to give back to the Asian community.”
    Lex wouldn’t mention that most of her girls were from downtown San Jose. Well, a few of them were Asian. “I’m happy to do it. They’re the daughters of the women that my mom coached.”
    “Ah, I miss your mom.”
    Lex swallowed convulsively. “Yeah. So anyway — ”
    “How’s your dad doing these days?”
    “He’s good. He’s bowling a lot.”
    “I see him every so often. He’s walking a little slower these days, you know?”
    “Uh . . .” Actually, it didn’t seem that way, but Lex wasn’t about to argue with one of her elders, let alone a potential sponsor. “Sure.”
    “Well, you should cut back on some of your volleyball so that you can take care of him. We’re all getting older.”
    Lex was fully aware of the cultural and moral obligation to care for her parent in his old age, even if said parent insisted he didn’t want to be cared for. But why did people always think she needed to be reminded and that she needed to give up everything in her life to do it? She’d seen friends and relatives who gave up dreams to care for their family, and it was just sad, frustrating, and tiring for them.
    Lex chose to ignore his comment. “Speaking of volleyball, my girls’ team will be traveling for playoffs over the summer, and I wondered if you’d be willing to sponsor us or donate to the traveling costs.”
    “Oh . . .”
    “In Mom’s memory, maybe?” Yeah, she’d get his sentimental side.
    “I’m sure I could do something. Let me get back to you, is that okay?”
    “Oh, yes! Thanks, Mr. Tomoyoshi.” In her mind’s eye, Grandma’s dragon claws receded into the milky mist . . .
    “Should I plan to make the check out to your dad for you?”
    “Uh . . . no, why?”
    “Oh, well, so you don’t have to take care of the more complicated money stuff.”
    That was the problem with growing up in the Japanese American community, where everyone knew Grandma and Lex’s family. The older people still tended to think of Lex as, say, eight years old. “I take care of all the team’s finances, Mr. Tomoyoshi. You can make the check out to the volleyball club.”
    “Okay. I’ll call you in a few days about it.”
    “Thank you so much, Mr. Tomoyoshi.” Lex dropped the handset into the cradle. “Take that, Grandma!”
    Trish yawned. “Yeah, yeah. So what about Kin-Mun?”
    Lex held her hand out to her. “Pass the remote.”
    Trish grabbed it and clasped it to her chest like the Holy Grail.
    “No way. I want to actually have a conversation with you.”
    “I can talk and watch TV at the same