Page 260

“I’m proud that I could do it. Not the attack—I wish it never happened. But I’m proud my body was capable when people needed me.”

Hudson reached across the table and took my hand and squeezed it gently.

Lucy stepped back up to the table. “Remember, no emotional breakthroughs.”

Hudson released my hand reluctantly. “How much time do we have?”

Lucy examined the digital display beside the platter. “A little over six minutes if you want to beat the record.”

Hudson and I exchanged a quick look. The sentimental mood vanished, replaced instantly by raw competitive drive.

“We can beat it,” he said.

“We’re going to beat it.”

The final stretch became tactical. We focused on the high-coverage items and avoided heavy breading. Hudson took the remaining noodles and added two egg rolls to his plate.

“Risky,” I noted.

“I can handle it.” He picked up an egg roll with maximum confidence. “Watch me.”

I did. He finished it.

With under four minutes left, only a small pile of chicken wings remained.

We split them.

At twenty-one minutes and fourteen seconds, the platter was completely clear.

For one second, neither of us moved. Then the manager stopped the timer and raised both arms in the air.

Scattered applause sounded through the restaurant.

I stood on my chair for levity’s sake, shaking my fists and shouting things like, “We’re the champions,” and “Take that, Golden Wok!”

Hudson leaned back against the vinyl booth cushion, full beyond any reasonable measure and absurdly satisfied.

Lucy brought over the bright red T-shirts with gold lettering across the front: I DEFEATED THE GREAT WALL. Then, she retrieved the instant camera from beneath the register.

Hudson put his arm around my waist.

“Should we look serious?”

“No,” he said.

“Victorious?”

“Yes.”

Lucy raised the camera. “Three, two, one.”

Hudson turned and kissed my cheek just as the camera flashed. I laughed through the picture.

Lucy pulled out the photograph and set it on the counter to develop. “That’s going to be better than the first one.”

She took a second picture for us to keep.

The first photograph developed enough to reveal us.