For My Mother

Xuan was not a good cook. She had about as much skill as making pasta without destroying it or makinf a salad. She watches in a bid of awe and joy as she saw and had been guided by her mother. It was.....Enjoyable to say the least. She would wait patiently for he vegetables to cook.

"Don't worry, Xuan, you're getting it, you're getting it. Just breathe and relax." Mrs. Schultz's voice and motions guided Xuan every step of the way. It won't be longer than 5 minutes for the veggies to have a nice crust on the outside. Not too burnt, but enough to have more flavor. Once ready, the mother helped her adopted daughter gather the veggies and put them on a plate to bring it over to the table.

Then, Mrs. Schultz would hear the oven beeping and turned it off before removing the hot pan of pot roast. She would let the meat rest before starting to cut it in to reveal the tender juiciness of the meat. "Okay, girls, let's pray before we eat!"

Once Xuan had made good and ample amounts of the vegetables, she had brought them to the table with the help of her mother. Her small smile only growing wider as she began to really see everything coming together. Xuan would sit down at the table, and heard that they were going to pray before they ate. And she had no problems with waiting a bit more. Although, that roast did look mighty fine and very juicy...

Mrs. Schultz would begin prayer and thank God for blessing this day to be with her daughters and for keeping them safe. She also asked for His blessing on the food before they all said "Amen". After that, Mrs. Schultz would ask, "Say, Xuan? Would you like the first slice of pot roast?"

Hiro bounced a little in her chair as she said, "Yeah, yeah! Mom practically makes the best in this neighborhood!" It was clear from her expression that Mom's cooking must taste delicious and she couldn't wait to see if Xuan likes it or not.

Xuan hadn't really had her mother's cookies before. She herself wasn't the best cook, so she could reallg appreciate some good home cooking. The fact that it was from her mother made it even better, as it was sure to be made with the utmost love

"U-Um...Sure..." Xuan says shyly.

With Xuan saying yes, Mrs. Schultz would slice the first piece of pot roast, which was only a little thick but still tender. Junko would gently take Xuan's plate and gave her a good portion of rice while the slice is being put on it also. Then Hiro would take scoop up a bit of steamed vegetables and put it with the rest of the plate before handing it back to her new adopted sister.

The plating looked beautiful and worthy of a family restaurant and it smelled delicious too. Hopefully, Xuan likes it.

Xuan would ogle the plate with hungry eyes and hungry stomach both, as she had never had food made by her mother and sisters before. Surely it was just like oher food] but at the Sam time it was bound to be better just because it was made with her family's love. And upon taking that first bite, Xuan's wide smiles proved that idea to be right.

The other sisters would also begin eating as they watched Xuan trying her first bite of food that they had prepared together. When Xuan beamed a wide smile, Mrs. Schultz would smile also as she asked, "Well? What do you think, Xuan?" She would take a first bite of sautéed vegetables and Xuan had done a nice job preparing them. Once Xuan have her answer, the mother would be the next to compliment on her first time cooking.

Before they even got their answer, a lighting up of Xuan's expression with a smile and a small "Mmm..." coming from her would be able to tell them just ho much she actually enjoyed that food. THe purple-haired woman would give a few nods. "Its good...T-Thanks."

Mrs. Schultz nodded to Xuan as she said, "Thanks, honey. And I must say, you did very good for your first time cooking vegetables. They are crispy outside and nice and tender inside, plus they're very well seasoned. Very well done." She would take another bite of broccoli to state her point.

The family of women continued to eat and share food with each other until they have had their fill.