Last night was the winter solstice, which is apparently some Chinese excuse to freeze and eat a lot of good Chinese food made by P’s mom. P and I get into the house, drop our stuff and immediately make our way back out to go to the fruit stand.
(in Cantonese)
P’s mom: Where are you going?
P: FC wants to buy oranges.
P’s M: You don’t have to. (the subtext being, "it’s nice that you remembered that you’re supposed to bring oranges")
P: (to me, pushing me out the door) Go, let’s go!
The day after the longest night
C’mon – winter solstice is that one time of year to eat the soup with the squash and the dumplings and the whole “wish you good fortune” thing that always reminds me how I won’t be wealthy anytime soon… (well, this may be a Cantonese or Toisonese thing to do – I never know which… I’m such a lousy ABC!…)