Like Fish In The Water

Last week I wanted Chinese food. My wife and kids were at a birthday party, and I knew they were going to be back late.
It was a beautiful evening. A Friday evening. The temperature was right, it still was winter, but almost not.
There was a breeze, and the day seemed longer, with the sun setting very slowly.
It crossed my mind that I shouldn’t go by myself. It felt like cheating almost.
Taking time for myself? Who do I think I am?!
I decided to go for it. After all, my wife and kids were at a party, having a good time.
I chose a Chinese restaurant close to my house. The waitress showed me to my table, a small round table in the corner of the room, secluded but with a good view.
While I was deciding what to eat, the waitress brought water, fried noodles, and two different kinds of sweet sauce.
I ordered Chop Suey and hot tea and looked around the room. I was alone.
The food came quickly. It looked delicious, hot steam coming up from the plate, its aroma making me anxious with anticipation.
I was eating when I realized there were only a fork and a spoon on the table. I did not like the idea of being taken at face value.
Should I blame the waitress for making the assumption that I wouldn’t know how to use chopsticks?
Some fish were swimming in a tank. Looking at them, I realized the waitress had no way of knowing whether I could use chopsticks or not.
“But looks can deceive,” I thought. “She really has no way to know”.
The fish were now in a corner of the tank, like a giant shifting shape in orange, white, and black.
The food was great, flavorful, and hot! And the textures!!!
The chicken was silky, the water chestnut crispy. There were also bamboo shoots, onions, tender mushrooms, and a side of white rice.
White rice, the simplest of foods and, at the same time, the perfect complement to highlight and neutralize the different flavors of the Chop Suey.

The fish were now being photographed by a tourist.

I finished my dinner and left.
When I looked back through the window, one of the fish was gone.