Family

Early into Covid, April 2020, Yang and the kids went to Wangjing No. 1 restaurant for lunch. It's been a family favorite for years. Including the before years. Spicy fish is the specialty. It's out of the way in an old complex arranged like an old hutong courtyard. As the kids entered with Yang, they were told foreigners were not allowed. Yang argued of course but to no avail. This was during the height of the covid xenophobic phase here. Maybe xenophobic is too strong of a word. While Covid had started in Wuhan a few months earlier, it had pretty much been eradicated in China. The only new cases were from overseas travelers who, if tested positive, were quarantined. Of course most of the overseas travelers where Chinese nationals and most of the foreigners looked Chinese. It was the foreign looking foreigners who got special treatment, like my kids at this restaurant.  Maybe I was too quick to dismiss xenophobic.

A few months after that, I travelled with Sabrina to her hometown. We arrived in the evening and the police arrived at our apartment at 11pm. To check out my passport. When did I last enter the country (2019)? What countries did I visit prior (US)? Whenever we travelled, this special checking of passports continued until the end of covid. Restaurants not allowing the kids didn't happen again although it wouldn't be long before everyone had to check in (via an app) at every place visited.

Why do I mention this? Not sure. I find it interesting. Oh, yea, because on the day before Yang, Aidan, and Lydia left for Toronto they returned to Wangjing No 1 restaurant. But this time, Sabrina and I joined. And Amanda. And Elisa. And Yang's mom. We got a table up front. Spicy fish was ordered. Two. Kung pao chicken for me. That egg dish I like. Amanda went from family member to family member including Yang's mom. There was teasing. There was laughter. There were moments.

We left. In two cars. Different mix of kids in my car this time. Back to Yang's apartment. More family time. Aidan playing with Amanda. Got her to coo by kissing her feet. And I had a moment. A moment where no matter how messed things up were and how much a price was paid this felt good. This felt like family.