Staring at the golden potato wedges, I was too full to eat anymore, but it brought back my childhood memories.
The land in R Province was cultivable. Every year during spring, Grandma planted two acres of maize. From soil preparation to sowing to manuring to irrigation, I had to be there to give her a hand. On our way back, we dug up some potatoes to make potato wedges.
Sometimes, we roasted them over the fire. When they were cooked, the dark, burnt skin was peeled and the golden potatoes smelled appetizing. With Grandma’s homemade sauce, they were the most delicious food I had ever eaten.
At that time, she often wiped the ashes on the tip of my nose and laughed. “When Letty gets married, I’ll help you take care of your baby and feed the little one roasted potato as well.”
My eyes misted over in reminiscence. A passer-by saw tears trickle down my cheeks. He handed me a packet of tissue and consoled me out of sympathy.
“Hey, I don’t know what you’re going through. But you’re still young and have plenty of time ahead of you. No matter what problem you’re facing, hang on and don’t give up. Eventually, it’ll pass. Cry it out, then start again.”
Taking the tissue from him, I nodded gratefully. With a faint smile, I gave him the potatoes wedges in return. “Thank you.”
After pulling myself together, I ambled along the street instead of hailing a cab.
Suddenly, my phone rang with a call from Ashton. “Shall we eat lunch together?”
Glancing up at the sky, I actually felt that the weather in K City was getting warmer. Lifting my hand to shield my eyes from the dazzling sunlight, I stared at the leaves on a tree blankly.
“I’m going to visit Aunt Sally.”
Pausing briefly, he said, “Flora told me that you didn’t drive when you left the house. Be careful as you move about.”
“Okay,” I replied while nodding my head before hanging up.
It was past noon. I hailed a cab and headed South.
Sally’s house wasn’t too far away. When I walked into the yard, she was about to have her lunch.
The woman was surprised when she saw me. “Lucky you! You’re here just in time for lunch.”
With that said, she stood up and took another set of utensils for me.
“Let’s eat together,” she looked at me and said.
I grinned at her and sat at the table. “Mmm… It looks yummy.”
After lunch, Sally wanted to take a walk, so she took me and strolled around the house.
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