Chinese food vs Chinese food

George was excited when he opened the front door to the nest and shouted he was home. Julia poked her head out of the kitchen and waved to him with a large smile covering her entire face.

“What’s that you got papa?” she asked in her fake southern drawl pointing to the large bag he was carrying in his right wing.

“Oh this?” he replied laughing nervously, “well, I thought we should give you a day off from cooking. Someone in my office told me about a new Chinese restaurant which had opened near Villa Capriani, so I thought I would stop there and get ourselves some Chinese food.” George held the bag up to his nose, he continued, “It smells so good!”

Julia wasn’t impressed. “Well dad,” she replied darting back into the kitchen to wipe her hands on a kitchen towel and to make sure the dish she had on the stove hadn’t burnt. “I wish you had told me because I already started dinner, but can’t we have that tomorrow night?”

George sounded a little deflated until the sliding glass door to the deck opened and shut with a bang which meant that Rosa was on her way in. “Hi dad!” she waved and came over to give him a hug and a kiss. “What’s that you’re carrying?”

“Chinese food,” he replied.

Rosa looked at Julia who instead looked away. “I think that’s what Julia is making for dinner daddy. At least that’s what she told me.”

Julia looked back, “yes dad. Rosa asked if I could make Manchurian beef and broccoli and so that’s what I’m making.” She paused for a second wondering how she could let her father down slowly, so he didn’t feel useless. “But you know what, we could put both meals on the table and see who likes what dishes.”

George looked a little relieved. “I think that’s a great idea,” and with that, he walked into the kitchen giving Julia a quick peck on the cheek and putting the bag on the counter. “Where’s your mother?” he asked looking around for something to nibble on.

“Outside on the deck, daddy,” replied Rosa watching Wicket giving Brenda jumping lessons. No, George wasn’t going to ask for an explanation. Instead, he got an apple out of the fruit bowl and turned to leave the kitchen. Rosa followed behind.

“What sort of Chinese food did you get daddy?” she asked.

“Mongolian beef and broccoli,” he replied adding, “with fried rice and soup.”

Rosa laughed. “We can have a competition,” she said, “Julia’s against the really Chinese people.”

“Mongolian beef and broccoli isn’t authentic,” shouted Julia, “and I ain’t Chinese, so I can get away with it.”

George cringed. ‘aint’ he repeated to himself under his breath. “Yes, daddy,” whispered Rosa, “Julia is hanging around with some birds of dubious distinction.”

“What!” exclaimed George loudly, “dubious distinction? Where did you learn those words from?”

“Well daddy, I’m 10 now so I’ll be adult in 3 years, so I have to learn big words.” She sighed when she saw her father’s expression of disbelief. “From Aunt Elizabeth,” she finally admitted. “She was out on the beach earlier practicing for court.”

‘More like it,’ thought George continuing his walk onto the deck where he stopped when he saw Wicket and Brenda jumping in tandem. He turned his look to Sybil who was laying on her lounge chair which her thick sunglasses on. “Hello my dear,” said George rather loudly which made Sybil jump causing her sunglasses to fall off her beak and Brenda to jump into her father’s wings. He gave her a kiss and then set her down slowly before walking up to Sybil, picking her sunglasses and giving her a peck on the cheek.

“Daddy brought home real Chinese food,” Rosa informed her mother, “while Julia is still cooking her fake Chinese food.”

Sybil sat up and looked at George for an explanation. “I got some Chinese food from a new restaurant near Villa Capriani,” he told her.

“And that’s real, as opposed to Julia’s?” asked Sybil shaking her head. “I think that China and Italy aren’t even close or as Julia says it, aint.”

Rosa laughed. Nothing pleased her more than seeing her parents debating who was correct in any given situation. Brenda had retuned to Wicket who waved to George, but he ignored the cricket. “And soup,” added Rosa when she realised her parents had called a truce.

“Oh, I love Chinese soup,” remarked Sybil, “especially their hot and sour soup. Is that what you got, George”

Instead of answering Sybil, he turned and headed back inside, “this apple is horrible. Where did it come from?” Nobody knew or if anyone did, they weren’t admitting it.

“Yes, daddy?” asked Rosa not going to allow him to dodge the answer. George mumbled and before she could ask a follow up question, he had closed the door behind him and walked towards Timmy’s room. He opened the door slowly trying to evade one of Timmy’s errant Lego pieces flying around the room. Instead, he saw his son laying on his bed reading.

“Hi dad!” he said once his father had closed the door behind him. George immediately detected a slight sadness in Timmy’s voice.

“Everything ok?” he asked walking over to the bed and sitting at the end.

“Oh, yes,” replied Timmy taking a deep breath, “it’s just that I keep emailing Lego to see when they are going to come out with a rocket launcher and they keep replying soon. But soon is not a definite answer.”

George laughed. “Oh well, they probably don’t know either and don’t want to be reminded that they are behind schedule. I’m sure you’re on top of their list to get it first.” George doubted that in fact, he didn’t believe that Lego was coming out with a rocket launcher. He smiled. “I got Chinese food for dinner.”

“That’s what Julia is making,” he replied putting his book down and looking at his father. “Beef and broccoli,” he offered.

Timmy laughed. “Does Julia know that?”

“Yes, she does. But I told her mine was authentic.”

“And so were going to have a competition?” he asked now sounding a little more upbeat.

“I’m not sure,” replied George but knowing that Julia was incredibly competitive, he realised that that was exactly what it was going to be. “And soup,” he added.

“Oh goody,” replied Timmy, “I love Chinese hot and sour soup.”

George smiled and got up from the bed. “I think dinner will be ready soon. So, you better be ready to judge.” And with that, he left Timmy’s room and went into the dining room where the table was covered with food.

“Dinner’s ready!” shouted Julia to her mother on the deck and soon the table was filled with everyone.

“Yummy,” said Rosa looking at the food. “Which one is the real Chinese food?” Julia pointed to hers, while George pointed to the other, “and which is the soup?” she asked, “I want the hot and sour soup first.”

George cleared his throat. “Well,” he said rather meekly, “they were out of hot and sour soup. They only had egg drop soup.”

Rosa dropped her spoon and crossed her wings. “No daddy. You’re supposed to bring hot and sour soup oh my goodness,” she whined, “maybe I need to go shopping next.” And with that, she pushed her soup bowl away from her and sat back in her chair crossing her wings. “It could be worse sister,” said Julia, “at least it aint chicken and broccoli.”

“Julia!” shouted Sybil looking at George, “George, please tell your daughter that if she wishes to remain part of this family she has to start talking like a real person and not like a hill billy. Whatever next!” and in the same breath added, “please pass the soup. I’ll have Rosa’s portion as well!”