China Fun proved to be an exception to the rule. The food was fresh, cooked the minute it was ordered, and delightful. It was owned by Mr. Ho and had a great staff of people. One man in particular would always yell out:
Cathi! Henry! Hi!
We began to hang at China Fun. First Henry and I. Then Betsy, Jeff, and the kids moved here. Then Andy, Jen, and the kids. They made special things for the kids. We began having China Fun Tuesdays, where the family would meet and have dinner...our version of the Waltons, if you will.
Once when we went in we got: Cathi, Henry, Hi, How many? We answered 10, he assessed the situation, walked over to people who were in process of eating their dinner -- literally fork to mouth -- picked up their plates, said "You move" and put them at a different table so that we would be able to sit sooner.
No matter what time of day
No matter what day
He was there.
Smiling and saying
Cathi! Henry! How many?
Eleven years!
Tonight we went in to get something, and, he was not there.
Not there at all.
Other people, including the owner Mr. Ho, said Cathi, Henry
It was not the same.
Our server came over.
We said, "Where is he?"
She said, "Who?"
"He is always here!"
"Peter?" she said, "He is gone. Moved."
Eleven and a half years
Rough estimate 625 visits to China Fun
625 times, Henry looked at me and said
"What's his name?"
625 times he remembered us, and we were too embarrassed to ask him his name. Now he is gone.
His name was Peter.
He will be missed.
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