Page 44 of Words Unspoken

“God made you too short,” Max returned. He sat beside Michael at the breakfast bar. “I like her. I want one.”

Michael rolled his eyes. One of FenLei was more than enough.

“Only one of me. That enough,” FenLei put a second breakfast together and put it in front of Max. “Hope you like egg like this.”

“It is perfect.”

The doorbell rang and FenLei bustled over. She pulled her nephew in, grabbing bags from him while chatting away in her native tongue. In moments the kitchen was stocked, and more pans were placed on the stove, breakfast for the remaining guests started. The nephew left. He had not said a word the entire time.

“So how long have you been working here FenLei?” asked a curious Max.

“Ten year. First time I see you,” she accused. “Who all these people?”

“We are family. Expect to see more of us,” replied Max. “You are a very good cook.”

“Thank you. You a charmer. You charm pants right off lady upstairs.”

Max choked on his toast and Michael laughed heartily.

FenLei put a plate on the floor and FedEx began eating. “In my country we kill dog and cook it.”

“She is kidding, right?” Max looked at Michael.

Michael shrugged, smiling. He was pretty sure FenLei just liked shocking people.

“You married to lady upstairs?” questioned FenLei.

“Engaged. We get married very soon.”

“Good. Those other two with babies married?”

“Yes,” Max decided FenLei deserved to get interrogated in return. “Are you married?”

“Yes. Thirty years. Now he boring old man,” she poured orange juice in two glasses and placed it in front of them. “He my boring old man.”

“Kids?”

“Five. Three in college so you need stop cook and let me do job,” she waved the spatula at them as she complained. “I need money to pay school.”

Max looked at the orange juice. “I am not really a fan of orange juice, thanks.”

FenLei stopped and stared at him. “Full of vitamin. You drink.”

Michael waited. This was going to be good.

Max smiled, relying on charm. “Thank you FenLei but I will be fine without it.”

“Ha! Vitamins you need. You get cold and die unless you drink vitamin orange juice. Then they accuse me of murder because I let you no take vitamin,” she pushed the glass closer to Max. “No die, drink. I no go jail.”

Michael calmly sipped his glass of orange juice and looked at Max.

“I would prefer - ”

“Drink!” her voice whipped out like a miniature drill sergeant.

Max picked up the glass and had a sip.

Michael laughed.