Takeaway: Stories from a Childhood Behind the Counter

by Angela Hui

Not speaking the same languages fluently meant that, alongside general misunderstandings, I never had a heart-to-heart with my parents.

If blood makes us related and loyalty makes us family, then why did my parents feel like acquaintances?

I will bring back gifts and tell stories about how unique my home city is and how I always feel a sense of pride, but pride is actually the wrong word here, because how can I be proud of something that I’m born into?

There is something to be said about Asian parents and unreasonably high expectations. They love Tom, though, because he is kind and hardworking (but mainly because he brings them oranges).

Thank you Pomodoro technique for kicking me up the arse to write this book. I will live and die by you, you genius tomato clock.