Three Keys by Kelly Yang

Author:Kelly Yang
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

The school was decorated in red and white balloons, our school colors, on the day of the big cookout. Excitedly, I carried the aluminum pan full of my mom’s fried rice and chicken chow mein across the field. My mom was carrying the stainless steel serving spoons that she’d bought with her new credit card. There were families everywhere, all holding hot pans of tasty food.

“Mia!” Jason called. He was in a chef’s hat and apron and standing proudly in front of a table of deliciousness. I waved and walked over to where he was presenting three bowls of his roasted pork belly for me and my parents to taste. “Tell me this is not the best pork belly you’ve ever had!”

I took a bite. The meat, oozing with flavor, melted on my tongue. The kick of the caramelized chili balanced perfectly with the golden crispy skin. “This is the BEST pork belly I’ve ever had!” I declared, and my parents agreed.

“It better be,” Mr. Yao’s voice bellowed from behind us. “It cost $3.99 a pound! I tried to get him to make something cheaper—”

“Yeah, he wanted me to bring canned beans.” Jason rolled his eyes.

“What’s wrong with canned beans?” Mr. Yao protested. He looked over to my parents, who said hello. He pointed at the two of them and asked, “Who’s watching the motel if you’re both here?”

My parents immediately tensed, as though they were still working for him. Before they could answer, Mr. Yao declared, “You know what, it’s not my problem anymore!”

Instead, he peered down at my mom’s dish and asked her what we brought.

“Fried rice and chow mein,” my mom said. “Would you like to have some?”

Mr. Yao clapped his hands together. “Now, that’s my type of Chinese food!” he said, eying the dish like it owed him money. My mom chuckled and started serving some up for him with her new serving spoons.

As Mr. Yao wolfed down my mother’s rice and mein, I skipped over to find Lupe. She was on the other side of the field with her dad. They were serving tamales, guacamole, and chips. I picked up a tamale, letting it cool in my hand.

“Can you believe this?” Lupe asked, pointing at all the banners and other decorations that the school made especially for the cookout. They said things like Kindness matters! and What’s free and priceless? Being nice! “I wish my mom were here. She’d love this!”

I put my arm around Lupe’s back, and we gazed across the field. The sunset had turned the sky into a canvas of colors. “When will you guys know if she’s crossed back safely?” I asked.

“Hopefully in the next couple of days. She’s in the desert as we speak.”

I gave her a little squeeze, knowing how dangerous that trip could be. “She’ll be back before you know it,” I assured Lupe. “Hey, have you tried Jason’s pork belly yet?”

Lupe shook her head and her body stiffened, but I pulled her hand. Finally, she let me drag her to the other side of the field.

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