The microwave beeped, so I grabbed a pair of chopsticks and took my plate to the table.
Mom went to the stove, where the kettle was steaming, with a smaller pot set on top Persian-style. “Tea?”
“Yes please.”
Mom poured two cups, using the special glasses she onlyserved Persian tea in, and kissed the crown of my head before she sat down.
“Mmmm.” The tea was perfectly scented with cardamom. And something else: “Cinnamon?”
“I like how you do it.”
I always put a pinch of cinnamon in my Persian tea.
I never knew Mom liked that.
“Thanks.”
Mom sipped her tea and watched me wolf down my food. I normally had a snack before a game, but I was so nervous I hadn’t been able to get anything down other than some purple Gatorade.
“We heard back from Laleh’s school.”
“Really?”
“She starts the gifted program on Wednesday.”
“Wow. You already told her?”
“Thought some fried rice might help her nerves.”
My sister loved fried rice.
“Oma said you asked Landon to homecoming?”
I coughed.
“Oh. Yeah. I meant to tell you.”
“It’s fine,” Mom said, but there was this thing in her voice.
Like maybe it wasn’t fine.
“Do you need to go shopping? I can take you.”
“I need a suit. Mine doesn’t fit anymore.”
Mom chewed her lip.
“Don’t worry. I can pay. And there’s this consignment shop Landon knows.”
Mom sighed. She reached up and twisted a lock of my hair around her finger.
“We can pay too. It’s your first dance. It’s a big deal.”
“It’s not that big a deal, Mom.”
“It is to me. And your dad.” She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “We’re going to help. All right?”
“All right.”
