918
1980
Leaning gently on the lace tablecloth, Sugar’s graceful hand rattled the spoon rhythmically against the eggshell porcelain cup as she sipped the weakened coffee and milk.
“I must be careful,” she said. “I have a heart problem and I’ve already had my nitroglycerin pill. Too much caffeine makes my heart rate soar.”
She paused, her eyes following her son David as he made his way from the kitchen to his bedroom before she spoke.
“He checks the pantry before he goes to work. He gets anxious when our groceries run low. He was so young in the Chinese internment camp.”