Page 61 of Rewind

“I wanted to go all out for Amina. Besides, whatever we don’t eat, I’ll pack up for the two of you to take home.”

“We’ll be eating this for days,” Ethan groaned, but there was a huge smile on his face as he eyed the cuisine laid out for them.

Ethan pulled out the chair for Amina, and then for his mom before taking his seat next to Amina.

“May I offer you something to drink? I have some hibiscus tea, or fresh squeezed lemonade, Amina,” Mary offered.

Amina eyed the pitcher of an interesting looking beverage with fresh fruit floating at the bottom. “Hibiscus tea sounds amazing.”

Mary, poured Amina and a glass and handed it to her.

Amina took a sip. “Hmm, this is good.”

“Glad you like it. Now, please help yourself to the food.”

Amina didn’t know where to start with all the dishes, but Ethan was kind enough to explain what each of them was, and how they were pronounced. There were a variety of meat dishes, and what he calledbanchanwhich was basically side dishes. Amina fell in love with the yacheajeon, a savory pancake filled with vegetables and the pork belly that practically melted in her mouth.

Ethan ate his topped with kimchi and wrapped in lettuce.

Everything she tried from the japchae, a sweet potato noodle dish, to the pickled radish, and short ribs sent her taste buds into orbit. The conversation was light and they mostly talked about general topics like current events.

Mary really put her at ease and encouraged her to eat more.

Amina slumped in her chair once she reached her fill. “I don’t think I can eat another bite.”

“Oh, I hope you still have enough room for desert. I made a strawberry cake.”

Ethan rubbed his belly. “Eomma, every time I come over here I gain at least five pounds.”

Mary smiled proudly. “You could stand to gain a couple pounds. You’re getting thin. Amina, you’re going to need to learn how to cook some of these dishes for Ethan.”

A statement like this would have normally triggered Amina in the past because Mrs. Caldwell, always criticized her homemaking skills. Nothing was ever good enough, from the way she cooked, and cleaned and took care of Mark, even when Amina was working full time while he sat on his lazy ass.

“I wish I could cook like this. It seems so complicated.”

Mary smiled. “I’d be very happy to show you how. Once you get the hang of it, I’m sure you’ll become a pro.”

Ethan placed his hand on Amina’s thigh. “Eomma, Amina doesn’t have to cook for me if she doesn’t want to. If she wants to order take out for the rest of our lives, I’ll be fine with that.”

Mary raised her brow but didn’t make a verbal response.

Worried that she’d upset Mary, Amina rushed to say, “Oh, but I wouldn’t mind cooking for Ethan. I would in fact, love to. And if you really want to teach me how to cook these dishes, I’d love to learn. Everything tasted amazing.”

“Only if you want to babe.” Ethan replied.

She loved how Ethan was so protective of her, but she didn’t want his mother to dislike her.

“Ethan, relax. I know it’s her choice. I’m only offering because I know how much you enjoy these dishes.”

Ethan offered a sheepish grin. “I’m sorry Eomma. When it comes to Amina, I can be a little overzealous.”

Mary laughed. “It’s totally fine.”

“And you’re right. I’d love it if Amina cooked some of my favorite dishes but only if she wants to. You know what’s funny, is when I was kid and you’d pack my lunch, I wanted a ham or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich like the other kids. I was so ashamed of my lunches because my classmates would make fun of my food. And now those same kids are paying top dollar in high end restaurants to eat food like this.”

“I’d definitely pay top dollar to eat like this all the time.” Amina rubbed her belly in appreciation.

“Well, I’m glad you liked it.” Mary turned her focus on Amina. “Would you mind coming to the kitchen with me to get the cake, Amina?”

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