Chapter 2 — Taste of Home

She was wearing a light gray house dress and was watering a betel pot on the balcony. Sunlight fell on her hair. A little more gray hair than when I first moved in. Hearing the noise, she turned her head and smiled. “Leaving so early today?” I put my bag on the cabinet in the entryway. “Mom, the rice is in the refrigerator. Remember to warm it up at noon.” She nodded. “I know, you two, be careful on the road.” While changing shoes, Luc Canh Hoa looked at her one more time. The mother-in-law noticed, smiled and asked: "Why are you looking at me?" He said: "Mom, today the rice is especially bland." The watering can in the mother-in-law's hand stopped. Very short. So short that I thought I was mistaken. She quickly said: "A little lighter is good, good for your health." My heart felt a little more relaxed. After leaving the house, the elevator goes down. The numbers jump through each floor. Luc Canh Hoa held my hand. “Don't stress.” I'm speechless. “I'm not stressed.” He said: "Your palms are sweaty." I bowed my head and looked. Indeed it is. All day long, I couldn't work in peace. In the morning of the meeting, the manager presented the new project. After listening for a while, three boxes of boiled vegetables in white water appeared in my mind. At twelve noon, I stared at the phone. Mother-in-law doesn't text. Half past twelve, still nothing. One hour later, I couldn't help but send her WeChat. “Mom, have you warmed up the rice yet?” A few minutes later, she answered. "Already ate." I looked at those two words for a long time. Then ask again. “How was your day?” This time, the "typing" line above the chat box appeared for a long time. Then disappeared. appeared again. Disappeared again. Finally, the mother-in-law sent a voice message. I put on my headphones and click open. Her voice came from inside. Slowly. “Nam Am, today is still a bit salty.” I sat in front of my desk, my fingers immediately stiffened. The colleague next to me asked me where the plan file was. I don't hear it. The words in the headphones seemed to be played over and over again. Today is still a bit salty. Don't add a grain of salt. Where does the salty taste come from? I looked at the screen and suddenly felt my eye sockets heat up. Not so sorry that I want to cry. It's an indescribable feeling of panic. It was like something I had always believed in suddenly revealed a crack. When I got off work, Luc Canh Hoa came to pick me up. After getting in the car, I gave him the phone. After listening to the voice message, his face also changed. He didn't scold anyone. Don't rush to conclusions either. Just stop the car on the side of the road and be silent for a few seconds. Then he said: "Go home and look at the cameras." I raised my head to look at him. He held the steering wheel, his voice very steady. “Not to investigate Mom.” “But to clarify things.” I nodded. Outside the car window, car lights during rush hour light up one after another. I leaned back in my chair and suddenly remembered the camera in the living room. That's what Luc Canh Hoa installed when her mother-in-law first moved in. Her knees are not good. We were afraid that she would fall at home alone and no one would know. The camera only films the living room and dining table. At that time, my mother-in-law still laughed at us. “I'm not a child.” I also laughed. “In our house, mother is the subject of special protection.” At that time, no one thought about it. One day, because of a meal, I opened that camera to watch. 03 When we got home, my mother-in-law was folding towels in the living room. The TV is showing an old movie. The sound is not loud. Seeing us walk in together, she smiled and said: "Going home so early today." My movement of changing shoes stopped. Luc Canh Hoa naturally continued. "The project is over, come home early and have dinner with mom." Mother-in-law laughed. “What does Mom need that I need you two by my side? You young people just mind your own business.” She put the folded towels in the closet. I looked at her back, feeling even more confused. If she was really dissatisfied, why did she still arrange the house so carefully? If you're not dissatisfied, why do you say it's salty every day? Dinner was cooked by Luc Canh Hoa. He cooks noodles. The mother-in-law ate less than half the bowl and said she was full. I sat across from her, wanting to open my mouth several times. The words came to my lips and then I swallowed them down. I was afraid that I asked too quickly and would make her feel awkward. I'm also afraid that she will use the phrase "nothing" to get it over with. Under the table, Luc Canh Hoa gently touched my knee. That was the signal between us. Don't rush. I bowed my head to drink soup. The soup is very light. Nh

So strong that I can clearly taste the green vegetables. But the mother-in-law did not comment. After eating, she still struggled to clean up her bowl as usual. I stopped her. “Mom, just leave it there, I'll do it.” She said: "You're tired from work all day." I laugh. “I'm not tired today.” She looked at me once and then stopped arguing. After nine o'clock, the mother-in-law returned to the room to rest. After the door closed, the living room suddenly became quiet. Luc Canh Hoa turned off the TV. The screen went dark, reflecting me and him. I stood next to the tea table, momentarily motionless. He asked: “Let's see now?” I nodded. We returned to the bedroom. The moment the door closed, I realized my shoulders were still tense. Luc Canh Hoa opened the computer. The camera software requires a password. When entering the password, his fingers also slowed down a bit. I sat next to it, staring at the screen. An image of the living room appears. At seven twenty in the morning, we left the house.