Closed for renovation

Daniel:

"Ma come on, I just got a new phone and you're already bugging me on it."

Daniel listened to his mother screaming at him in Mandarin. He knew that she was upset because she only spoke Mandarin at home preferring to be more "Americanized" at the restaurant for her customers.

"Look Ma I'll be there in a minute, I'm on my way."

When Daniel arrived at the restaurant, he saw the closed sign, up saying "closed for renovations." When Daniel walked in he heard his mother yelling in Mandarin over the phone. She was complaining to the company that sold her the stove, yelling about her warranty. When she finally hung up she turned to Daniel and started telling him everything that was happening before he even said hello.

"The stove stop working, I'm supposed to have a ten-year warranty on it and the company says it will be two to three weeks before they can send a new one."

Daniel nodded, "well that's a good thing Ma. At least they are willing to give you a new one. Also, this could be a blessing for you"

When his mother looked at him skeptically he rushed to continue.

"You have always wanted to renovate the restaurant, and you have enough money in the bank to do twelve renovations in this place. Just go ahead and do the renovations. They shouldn't take more than the time it will take you to get the new stove."

His mother sat down at one of the little tables in front of the restaurant. Her little bob hairdo swaying back and forth as she considered what he said.

"How will we find workers and what if it takes a long time? Your father will make me close the restaurant."

Daniel got up and sat next to his mother holding her small hands in his.

"Ma I will take care of this. Don't worry dad won't make you close the restaurant, I'll make sure of it."

Daniels mother nodded, then got up and walked into the kitchen.

"Ok, Daniel I will trust you. Now here take this."

His mother passed him a big bag of food. "Ma what is this?" His mother threw in a bunch of fortune cookies.

"Your friend Allison order food. I want you to take it to her so that I can get started on the renovations."

Daniel nodded excitedly, he was going to get to see Allison. He also was happy that he could explain why he hadn't called her in the past two days. Daniel hurried out of Ho Lei Noodle and walked in the direction his mother had written down.