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Luke stiffened. “I didn’t ask you to compare.”
“You asked for my opinion. I gave it.”
Luke glared at his cousin. “What’s your deal, man?”
Weng scoffed and glanced away.
Luke was just about to reach over the table and teach his cousin a lesson when Uncle Eddie limped out of the kitchen with a steaming tray of food. He set the platter on the table and pulled out several bowls filled with sides of rice and vegetables.
Next he set two bowls of beef soup before them. “Eat up.”
Luke clamped his spoon between his fingers, still giving Weng the eye.
His cousin completely ignored him and tucked into the soup with gusto. Uncle Eddie watched Weng eat with a smile on his face. When he noticed Luke hadn’t made any moves to follow, he gestured with his hands.
“Go on.”
Luke dipped his head and spoke in Mandarin, “Thank you for the food.”
“You should visit more often, Weng.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
Eddie smiled fondly. “You’re growing up so fast. Just the other day, you were nothing but a toddler running around in your underpants and Luke was your age. Now you’re about to go to college and Luke is dating with the intention of marriage.”
“Marriage, huh,” Weng said, his mouth full of rice. “Congratulations.”
“We’re not that serious yet, Uncle.”
“What do you mean?” Eddie scrunched his nose. “That girl is always here. She might as well join the family.”
“Michelle’s always here? How come I haven’t seen her?” Weng arched an eyebrow.
Eddie rubbed his bristly cheek. “Michelle? That doesn’t sound right. Luke’s girlfriend has a name that starts with A.”
Luke choked on his food. His spoon clattered to the table and his hands dove around his neck as he tried to get himself together.
“Here, Luke. Drink this.” Eddie slid a glass of water toward him.
Luke grabbed it and shot it back. His eyes watered and his chest expanded with every tortured breath.
Weng was too busy staring at Uncle Eddie to care that Luke almost died. He balled his hands into fists and half-rose from the table. “Starts with A? You mean Ashanti?”
“That’s right. I knew it was some African name.” Eddie nodded and set his hand on Luke’s shoulder. “Are you okay, Luke?”
“I’m fine.” He wheezed.
Weng slid his gaze over Luke. His eyes were as sharp as knives. “What is he talking about?”
“I’ll go make you some tea,” Eddie said, shooting a concerned look at Luke before turning and trotting into the kitchen.
“Weng, it’s not what you think.”
“What I think?” His cousin rose to his feet and towered over Luke. “It looks like you’re playing Michelle and Ashanti.”
“Ashanti and I are just friends.”
“Then why did Uncle Eddie say that?”
