Chapter 30

* * * *

Jojo watched Adam follow Erwin to the espresso machine. Somehow Erwin enlisted Adam’s aid in running the complicated machine that Jojo’s father bought a year before and that no one knew really how to operate. Judith and Ruth were transferring leftover food into Tupperware containers. Jojo stood to help with the dishes. As Janeth did the initial rinse and soap, Jojo rinsed the dishes, putting them on a dish rack next to him.

“It’d be easier to run the dishwasher,” Jojo said in Cebuano.

Janeth shook her head. “That’s a waste of water. Besides, this is like old times, when you used to stand on a stool and help me rinse and dry. It just seems like yesterday.”

Jojo didn’t say anything but his smile said it all. It seemed simpler back then. “Thank you for cooking for Adam.”

“You’re welcome. I was happy to do it. You’ve never brought anyone to the house before so hopefully he loved the food.”