“Prescott Huxley,” Dad says.
“My father,” I say.
Dad shakes hands with Lareina, his expression slightly guarded. He doesn’t really believe I married out of anything but a desire to get promoted. He isn’t entirely wrong. The promotion is a big part, but sometimes when I look at my wife, junior partnership is the farthest thing from my mind.
Aunt Jeremiah lifts her wine glass. “We already met.” Her eyes flick up and down Lareina’s outfit. “Nice dress.”
“Thank you.”
Bryce and Josh study her for a bit, like a team of predators eyeing some prey. I shoot them a warning look.
Finally, Bryce smiles. “I’m Bryce. This is Josh. If anybody asks, I’m the better-looking twin.”
Josh scoffs. Lareina laughs. “Both of you are equally handsome.”
“People who think that end up disappointed when they learn the truth,” Josh says with a small grin.
“You know, I wasn’t sure what to make, so I made a little bit of everything,” Akiko says as we take our seats. “I hope you enjoy the feast.”
“Thank you. I’m sure it’ll be lovely.”
Lareina’s polite answer brings a huge smile to Akiko’s face. “Aren’t you a darling girl?”
Bryce and Josh press their lips together and glance at the luxurious table setting mournfully. I try not to sigh as well, regretting that I didn’t stop by a McDonald’s drive-thru and grab a burger before coming over. When Akiko decides to get fancy and “make a little bit of everything,” it means we’re going to get a single bite—possibly two—of each course. We’ve hinted subtly, and otherwise, that we’d like more food, although Dad refuses to bring it up with her, saying he doesn’t want to cause any friction with his wife.
For whatever reason, our diplomatic petition hasn’t moved Akiko. She’s decided she’ll just add more courses to her dinners, which wouldn’t be a bad solution, except there’s been a concomitant reduction in the size of each item. Her portions aren’t enough to fully satisfy Grandmother, either. I’ve seen her crunching on potato chips after one of Akiko’s “feasts.” But she apparently doesn’t want to trouble Akiko either.
At least Akiko serves great saké. We all have cold saké and plum wine in a matching bottle set, and a glass of ice water.
The first course is served on a large, beautiful bone china plate edged with gold in a complex pattern. In the center are six bite-sized sashimi pieces—tai, salmon and ootoro—and on one side are edible garnishes composed of five green sprouts and three sesame-seed-sized pink flowers with a light drizzling of green and yellow sauces. It’s artistic and pretty to look at if your belly hates food. What’s even worse is that Akiko is an amazing cook.
Lareina stares at the plate, then leans toward me. “Does she know she can put stuff on the white parts?” she whispers, subtly gesturing at all the unoccupied space on the plate.
“Yes. Er, no.” I pick up a fork. “I don’t really know.”
My wife follows my lead, then hesitates. Everyone eats, including my brothers.
“This is amazing, Akiko. I’m so glad I’m on a diet every time I visit. How else would I control my appetite when you serve the finest dishes?” Aunt Jeremiah says.
“Oh my goodness, Jeremiah. But you’re so wonderfully slender! I’m not sure why you’d need to lose weight.”
“You may have a point. I wouldn’t want to stuff myself like a swine and have to replace my wardrobe. What a pitythatwould be.”
Akiko smiles and nods. Aunt Jeremiah has no problem being a complete sociopath with the rest of us, but with Akiko, for some reason, she always pulls back at the last moment.
“But youcould, of course. It’s not like you don’t make enough,” Dad says, clearly feeling protective of his wife.
“It isn’t about money, but time. Why do you always pick a fight with me?”
Her eyes gleam evilly.Here we go again. I gird my loins for another legal argument nobody cares about except my aunt and dad.
She continues, “You didn’t get your ass kicked enough when you recognized the brilliance of my thesis on the—”
“In Japan we have a saying:hara hachi bun,” Akiko says, almost in desperation. “Only eat until you’re eighty percent full. I always believe we should have just enough to nurture our bodies without overfeeding.” She nods, agreeing with herself. “Very good for longevity.”
“I’m going to live forever,” Josh mutters.
Bryce squints, trying to recall something. “Doesn’thachimeaneightin Japanese? Maybe she misunderstood and is only feeding us, like,eightpercent—”
