Dumpling Soup, Hot Tea, and Flower

As the clock struck six, Lucy eagerly took her usual seat at the small table by the window of the Chinese restaurant in Chinatown, San Francisco. She had been coming here every day for the past week, always at the same time, always hoping to see her beloved Michael walk through the door.

This Chinese restaurant was called the Jade Palace. It was a bustling and lively place, filled with the sounds of clattering dishes, the sizzling of woks in the kitchen, and the chatter of customers. The decor was simple but cozy, with red lanterns hanging from the ceiling and paper lanterns strung along the walls. The smells of various dishes being cooked filled the air, making Lucy's stomach growl as she waited for her lover, Michael.

"Good evening, miss," the waiter said, approaching her with a smile. "Can I start you off with something to drink?"

"No thank you," Lucy replied, her eyes fixed on the door. "I'm waiting for someone."

The waiter, whose name is Cheung, nodded understandingly and walked away, leaving Lucy to her thoughts. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Michael was never late. In fact, he was always early. But as the minutes ticked by and he still hadn't arrived, Lucy couldn't help but worry.

Cheung nodded understandingly and walked away, leaving Lucy to her thoughts. As the minutes ticked by and Michael still hadn't arrived, Lucy couldn't help but worry.

The hours passed. Cheung continued to check on Lucy, trying to persuade her to order something. But she insisted on waiting, even as the restaurant started to fill up and the aromas of the various dishes being served made her stomach growl.

As the evening wore on, the Jade Palace started to fill up with customers. Families and friends laughed and chatted over plates of steaming dumplings and sizzling stir-fries. Waiters bustled about, expertly weaving through the crowded tables with trays of food and drinks.

Despite the lively atmosphere, Lucy couldn't shake the feeling of worry and sadness as she waited for Michael. She tried to focus on the comforting sounds and smells of the restaurant, but her mind kept drifting back to the fear that something had happened to him.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the waiter approached her with a sad look on his face. "Miss, I'm sorry, but it's been over two hours now. Maybe your friend isn't coming?"

Lucy's heart sank at the thought. She had been so sure that Michael would be here. But as the reality of the situation hit her, she couldn't hold back the tears.

The waiter, moved by her sadness, brought her a bowl of dumpling soup and a cup of hot green tea, on the house. "Here you go, miss. It's the least I can do. I hope it brings you some comfort."

"Here you go, miss," Cheung said, placing a bowl of dumpling soup and a cup of hot green tea in front of her. "It's on us. I hope it brings you some comfort."

Lucy managed a small thank you as she took the offered food, trying to compose herself. "I'm sorry, Cheung. I know I must be a burden, just sitting here all this time without ordering anything."

Cheung waved a hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it, miss. I understand. Love can be a complicated thing. Just take your time and let me know if you need anything else."

Lucy gave him a grateful smile and took a sip of her tea, feeling a little bit better. As she and Cheung chatted about mundane things, like the weather and the latest news, she couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort in the familiar routine.

"So, miss, what brings you to the Jade Palace?" Cheung asked, trying to make small talk.

"I'm just waiting for my friend," Lucy replied, her eyes fixed on the door.

"Oh, I see," Cheung said, nodding understandingly. "Well, I hope your friend shows up soon. In the meantime, is there anything else I can get for you? Another cup of tea perhaps?"

"No thank you, Cheung," Lucy said, forcing a smile. "I'm okay for now."

Lucy and Cheung continued to chat about mundane things like the weather and the latest news. Despite the uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach, Lucy found comfort in the familiar routine of their conversation.

"So, Cheung, have you worked at the Jade Palace for long?" Lucy asked, trying to take her mind off of her worries.

"No, not really," Cheung replied, smiling. "I've just been here for about five days now. I started as a dishwasher, but the owner told me he needed help for waiter. Sometimes I work at the bar at night. I love it here. The people are nice and the food is always good."

"I can imagine," Lucy said, taking a sip of her tea. "The food here is always delicious. I come here all the time with my friend."

"I'm glad to hear that," Cheung said, a hint of sadness in his voice. "It's always nice to see our regular customers. So, tell me, what's your friend's name?"

"His name is Michael," Lucy said, a smile forming on her lips at the thought of him. "He's the love of my life."

Cheung's eyes softened at her words. "Ah, young love. It's a beautiful thing. I hope everything works out for you two."

Lucy couldn't help but feel sadness as she thought about the possibility that things might not work out. "Me too, Cheung. Me too."

They continued to chat, but Lucy couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Michael was never late. In fact, he was always early. But as the minutes ticked by and he still hadn't arrived, Lucy couldn't help but worry.

"Cheung, do you think everything is okay?" Lucy asked, unable to hide the concern in her voice.

Cheung gave her a reassuring smile. "I'm sure everything is fine, miss. Maybe he just got held up. Just try not to worry too much."

Just as he was about to finish the tea, the door to the restaurant burst open and a group of police officers rushed in, shouting.

"Is there a Lucy here?" one of them called out, scanning the room.

Lucy's heart skipped a beat as she stood up, her soup and tea forgotten. "Yes, that's me. What's going on?"

The police officer approached her, a somber look on his face. "Miss, I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but your friend Michael has been involved in an incident. He was accidentally shot during a street mob fight on his way to this restaurant. He's been taken to the hospital, but I'm afraid it doesn't look good."

Lucy's knees gave out beneath her and she would have collapsed to the floor if the police officer hadn't caught her. "No, this can't be happening," she sobbed. "I have to see him. I have to be with him."

The police officer helped her to her feet and offered her a handkerchief. "I'm sorry, miss, but there's nothing more you can do. Michael asked me to give you this." He handed her a small bouquet of flowers.

Lucy took the flowers, tears streaming down her face as the police officer whispered to Lucy's ear, it was Michael's last massage.

"I'm sorry I couldn't make it to dinner, my love. But please know that I will always love you, no matter what. See you."

As the police officer led her out of the restaurant, Lucy knew that her life would never be the same. She would always carry the memory of this day and the love that she and Michael had shared, even as she moved on with her life. But for now, all she could do was grieve and try to find a way to move forward.

The days and weeks following Michael's death were a blur for Lucy. She went through the motions of everyday life, but her heart felt heavy and empty. She found solace in the routine of work and the comfort of her friends and family, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake the feeling of loss.

One day, as she was walking home from work, she came across a small flower shop. The vibrant colors and sweet scents of the flowers caught her attention and before she knew it, she found herself walking inside.

As she browsed the selection of flowers, a gentle voice spoke up behind her. "Can I help you find something specific?"

Lucy turned to see an elderly Chinese woman with kind eyes and a warm smile. "I'm not sure," Lucy replied, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I just felt drawn to come in here."

The woman nodded understandingly. "Sometimes flowers have a way of speaking to us when words cannot. Do you have someone special in mind?"

Lucy's heart tightened at the thought of Michael. "Yes, I do. But he's not here anymore."

The woman's smile faded slightly. "I'm sorry for your loss. But perhaps these flowers can bring you some comfort and remind you of the love you shared."

Lucy couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over her as she selected a bouquet of Michael's favorite flowers and arranged to have them delivered to his grave. As she left the flower shop, she couldn't help but feel a small glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, she could find a way to move on and honor the love she and Michael had shared.