Stealing Buddha's Dinner

Bich’s family goes to visit Rosa’s hometown of Fruitport, Michigan. Rosa was accepted back into her family when Vinh was born, and so Bich has to become used to dozens more cousins, tias, and tios. Rosa’s parents, Juan and Maria, are from Texas. In the summers, they throw huge barbecues, “cooking slabs of meat on giant grills fashioned out of oil drums” (167). Bich always brings books on these trips and tries to keep a low profile. She resents her new family and how uncomfortable and alone they make her feel, and notes she must feel, at these parties, how Rosa feels at the Vietnamese parties.

They go back to Fruitport every Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, and Rosa’s mother makes tamales from scratch. There are mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, string beans, frijoles, arroz con pollo, pumpkin empanadas, and mashed sweet potatoes with marshmallows. Bich only feels entertained during dinner, and Rosa takes offense to her resistance to Fruitport. Bich cannot explain to her that it isn’t dislike, it’s unfamiliarity. When they get home, everyone silently goes their way.