Mark then gets out of the church and goes towards their car. As he is walking out of the church premises, his father meets him just by the door.”
“How did it go, kiddo? Did you confess your feelings to her?”
“No, not really. Fate just doesn’t want us to be together.”
The two of them are walking towards their car, talking as they go. And as Mark is saying these things, he becomes depressed. His father sees this and pats Mark on the shoulder.
“You know, kiddo. Rejection may hurt, but it’s your decision if you would find someone else other than her. Whatever your decision is, just be a good man for the sake of God’s name.”
“Yeah, dad. I’ll consider what you said.”
“Tell you what, let’s go to Yummio. Let’s have a burger for today.”
“Really, dad?”
“Yeah, sure. I’ll deal with ma, don’t worry.”
“Oh, yeah, ma. She’d be mad if she can’t cook her Sunday Lunch Special.”
“I’ll try my best to go to Yummio, my guy. I’m sure she’ll let us go there.”
Arriving at their car they enter it.
George looks at his wife and says, “We’re going to Yummio for lunch.”
His wife gives him a confused look and says, “What about my Sunday Lunch Special I prepared for you, guys? I really bought the ingredients for it.”
“Save it for next week, senorita. We’re having an exquisite burger or whatever you want; Korean dishes or what have you.”
“Ok, fine, Georgie. I guess we’ll go to Yummio for lunch. I guess my Sunday Lunch Special will be postponed for next week.”
George and Mark said, “Yay!”
George starts the car and drives off towards Yummio.
Mark and George chant, “Yummio! Yummy Yummio! Yummio! Yummy Yummio!”
They chanted it over and over again, non-stop, until they reached their destination. They got out of the car and entered the restaurant. They sat at an unoccupied table, and then a waitress handed them the menu.
“What do you want to order, kiddo?”
“I want a quarter pounder, dad, and strawberry smoothie.”
“Alright, burger for me too. Only burger,” George says and then he turns to his wife. “What do you want, senorita?”
“I’ll have a burger too, that’s all.”
All this time the waitress stands beside them and waits for them to order.
George says to her, “We’ll have three burgers and one smoothie.”
“Ok, sir. I’ll repeat it again; three burgers and one strawberry smoothie.”
“That’s right.”
“Ok, they’ll be coming right up,” then the waitress leaves their presence.
George looks at Mark and says, “Do you have female friends, kiddo?”
His wife says to him, “What does that suppose to mean?”
“I don’t know, maybe I can meet my future daughter-in-law,” said George while chuckling.
She glances at Mark and says, “Oh yeah, Markie. Maybe we could see her.” She then just laughs.
Mark grins at them and says, “I have 2 female friends.”
“Oh, that’s interesting, kiddo. I know Samantha is your friend but who is this other one? You have lots of secrets you have kept from us.”
“Hmmm, you have a lot of explaining to do, Markie. Who is this other one?”
Mark giggles and says, “It’s just Ruth. She is my friend but she usually hangs out with her girlfriends. We talk sometimes and she’s a little naïve.”
“How so, kiddo?”
“I don’t know how to explain it, but she is a nice and decent person overall. When we meet, we usually talk. And when we talk, the conversation drags on longer than I would expect. That’s about what I can say about her.”
“Hmm. Markie, I think she could be your match. You should try considering courting her. That is if she is a Christian.”
“Oh, she’s a Christian, but a different kind.”
“What do you mean, kiddo?”
“Uhm, she trusts in Jesus, but she is a Jew.”
“Kiddo, that’s alright. Since Jesus came from the line of Israel, there is nothing wrong with it. It’s a matter of trusting in Jesus and obeying his commandments since true Jews are those who trust in Jesus.”
“I guess you’re right.”
George chuckles and says, “Can’t wait to have Jewish grandchildren. I kinda want to see them celebrating Jewish customs you know. It’s interesting for me to witness them play out to my grandchildren.”
“That would be foreign to me. Besides, I don’t even like her dad.”
“Oh, you don’t know that you two won’t get together, kiddo. Who knows? She may have a liking for you. Might as well ask her, you know.”
“Nah, I rather not. Even though she likes me, I don’t reciprocate those feelings she has for me.”
His mom giggles and says, “Oh, come on, Markie. Give her a chance. Maybe you will have a good relationship with her.”
“I dunno, ma. I like Samantha, but not Ruth. It’s good that we are friends, nothing more than that.”
“As you wish, kiddo.”
As they continued talking, their burgers finally arrived and were laid on their table.
George says, “Let’s pray.”
They bowed their heads, closed their eyes, and clasped their hands.
“I’ll lead the prayer.”
“Ok, Georgie. Please do.”
“Our father, we thank and bless you for the food you’ve given us. Nourish our bodies with the food we will eat. In Jesus’ name.”
And they all said, “Amen.”
After the prayer, they begin to dig in. Using a butter knife, they cut their burgers, using a fork to skewer, and then eat the burger. Some contents of the burger may alienate themselves from the main body, so they stab some of it, skewering them to the fork and the folks eat them.
While Mark’s parents are still eating the burger in an unorthodox way in the sense that it is uncommon for Filipinos to eat with a butter knife and fork, Mark finishes his burger faster than the speed of light. He then starts to drink his strawberry smoothie.
“You’re already done, kiddo? That’s a record. How did you get so fast at eating a burger?” George says
“I’m just very familiar with how to cut it and then eat it. Nothing special.”
“What do you mean it’s ‘Nothing special’, Markie? You probably have the best talent ever,” his mom says.
Mark laughs and says, “Don’t flatter me, ma.”
“Anyways, Markie. Can I get a sip from your smoothie?”
Mark raised his eyebrows and said, “Why didn’t you order it earlier, ma? This is supposed to be my drink.”
“Oh. Sorry, Markie. I just forgot that I gave you breastmilk when you were just a baby. I guess it’s a waste of my milk if it’s supposed to be mine.”
Mark sighs and says, “Wait. Let me drink some.”
Mark drinks a third of the smoothie and gives it to his mom. His mom thanks him. As she is about to drink the smoothie, Mark stops her.
“What is it, Markie?”
“I’ll get another straw, I don’t want another saliva to be in my straw.”
“Oh. Please do.”
Mark gets up and proceeds to the counter. He asks for a straw and he receives one. As he takes the straw, he goes back to their table. He then gives the straw to his mom.
“Thank you, Markie.”
As Mark sits on his chair, George finally eats all of his hamburger.
“Ah, I’m done. I’m stuffed,” he turns to his wife and wonders. “Why you haven’t finished your burger and you drink the smoothie.”
She frowns at him and he chuckles.
“Might as well give that to me, senorita.”
“Sneaky, good tactics.”
“Wait, dad. I thought you’re not having a smoothie, but then you want mine.”
“Well, I’ve changed my mind kiddo. Don’t worry, I’ll take only a few sips unlike your mother,” he then bursts out laughing.
She lightly elbows him.
“Ow.”
“Oh, come one, Georgie. That was a soft one.”
“I know, but eat that burger up if you want this smoothie.”
George takes a drink not with a straw but directly puts his mouth on the side of the mug and drinks it.
“Wait, dad. I thought you’re only having sips, not gulps.”
“Yeah, Georgie. You said you only want sips of Markie’s smoothie.”
“Oh. I don’t know. Maybe I’ll change my mind?” He then bursts out laughing again. “I’m just kidding with y’all.”
Mark and his mom sighed, shaking their heads.
She proceeds to finish her burger while George sips the smoothie. Just as she finishes the last of the burgers, George gives her the smoothie.
“I’m done drinking the smoothie, come drink some,” George says
“Oh. How does it taste?” Mark’s mom says.
“It tastes great, like you.”
“Bleugh. We’re in a public place, dad,” says Mark.
“What do you mean? I’ve said nothing wrong. Besides, it is the truth and I shall stand by it. By standing by the truth, we can reflect ourselves with it and transform into something pure and strong.”
“What are you, dad; Hitler? Being pure and strong?” Mark bursts out laughing.
“Oh, no. That’s not what I meant. What I’m saying is truth can make us pure and strong, not genetics or race.”
“Whatever, dad.”
The two of them burst out laughing.
“Mmm, this smoothie tastes delicious.”
They glanced at her as she drank a third of the smoothie.
“Ma, why so much? It’s mine.”
She looks at him and says, “I nurtured you in my womb, what’s yours is mine.” She then maniacally laughs.
George looks at Mark and whispers, “She’s out of it.”
“Why am I out of it, Georgie?”
George turns his head to her and says, “Oh, never mind what I’ve said.”
“Don’t you know that we, women, have a heightened sense of hearing? We’re like a dog, you know.”
George mumbles, “Tell me about it.”
“What was that?”
He grins at her and says, “Oh, I’m not surprised at that. Hehehe.”
“Anyways, I’m done with the smoothie. Do you want some, Georgie?”
“Nah, I’m fine, thank you.”
She pulls out her straw from the smoothie and puts it on her plate. She then gives the smoothie back to Mark.
“It’s yours now, Markie. I’m sorry for drinking too much from your smoothie. It’s just that it’s so good. I’m so full now. I’m already full when I’ve eaten my burger, I don’t know why I have to drink the smoothie. Haha.”
Mark takes the smoothie and puts his own straw in it.
He grins at his mom and says, “It’s ok ma.”
He then starts to sip the smoothie via his straw. While Mark is still sipping the smoothie, his parents are talking to each other.
‘This must be a good day, I hope I can have these moments every day. God is good, I’m glad he’s my God. Thank and bless you, Lord.’
Mark then gets out of the church and goes towards their car. As he is walking out of the church premises, his father meets him just by the door.”
“How did it go, kiddo? Did you confess your feelings to her?”
“No, not really. Fate just doesn’t want us to be together.”
The two of them are walking towards their car, talking as they go. And as Mark is saying these things, he becomes depressed. His father sees this and pats Mark on the shoulder.
“You know, kiddo. Rejection may hurt, but it’s your decision if you would find someone else other than her. Whatever your decision is, just be a good man for the sake of God’s name.”
“Yeah, dad. I’ll consider what you said.”
“Tell you what, let’s go to Yummio. Let’s have a burger for today.”
“Really, dad?”
“Yeah, sure. I’ll deal with ma, don’t worry.”
“Oh, yeah, ma. She’d be mad if she can’t cook her Sunday Lunch Special.”
“I’ll try my best to go to Yummio, my guy. I’m sure she’ll let us go there.”
Arriving at their car they enter it.
George looks at his wife and says, “We’re going to Yummio for lunch.”
His wife gives him a confused look and says, “What about my Sunday Lunch Special I prepared for you, guys? I really bought the ingredients for it.”
“Save it for next week, senorita. We’re having an exquisite burger or whatever you want; Korean dishes or what have you.”
“Ok, fine, Georgie. I guess we’ll go to Yummio for lunch. I guess my Sunday Lunch Special will be postponed for next week.”
George and Mark said, “Yay!”
George starts the car and drives off towards Yummio.
Mark and George chant, “Yummio! Yummy Yummio! Yummio! Yummy Yummio!”
They chanted it over and over again, non-stop, until they reached their destination. They got out of the car and entered the restaurant. They sat at an unoccupied table, and then a waitress handed them the menu.
“What do you want to order, kiddo?”
“I want a quarter pounder, dad, and strawberry smoothie.”
“Alright, burger for me too. Only burger,” George says and then he turns to his wife. “What do you want, senorita?”
“I’ll have a burger too, that’s all.”
All this time the waitress stands beside them and waits for them to order.
George says to her, “We’ll have three burgers and one smoothie.”
“Ok, sir. I’ll repeat it again; three burgers and one strawberry smoothie.”
“That’s right.”
“Ok, they’ll be coming right up,” then the waitress leaves their presence.
George looks at Mark and says, “Do you have female friends, kiddo?”
His wife says to him, “What does that suppose to mean?”
“I don’t know, maybe I can meet my future daughter-in-law,” said George while chuckling.
She glances at Mark and says, “Oh yeah, Markie. Maybe we could see her.” She then just laughs.
Mark grins at them and says, “I have 2 female friends.”
“Oh, that’s interesting, kiddo. I know Samantha is your friend but who is this other one? You have lots of secrets you have kept from us.”
“Hmmm, you have a lot of explaining to do, Markie. Who is this other one?”
Mark giggles and says, “It’s just Ruth. She is my friend but she usually hangs out with her girlfriends. We talk sometimes and she’s a little naïve.”
“How so, kiddo?”
“I don’t know how to explain it, but she is a nice and decent person overall. When we meet, we usually talk. And when we talk, the conversation drags on longer than I would expect. That’s about what I can say about her.”
“Hmm. Markie, I think she could be your match. You should try considering courting her. That is if she is a Christian.”
“Oh, she’s a Christian, but a different kind.”
“What do you mean, kiddo?”
“Uhm, she trusts in Jesus, but she is a Jew.”
“Kiddo, that’s alright. Since Jesus came from the line of Israel, there is nothing wrong with it. It’s a matter of trusting in Jesus and obeying his commandments since true Jews are those who trust in Jesus.”
“I guess you’re right.”
George chuckles and says, “Can’t wait to have Jewish grandchildren. I kinda want to see them celebrating Jewish customs you know. It’s interesting for me to witness them play out to my grandchildren.”
“That would be foreign to me. Besides, I don’t even like her dad.”
“Oh, you don’t know that you two won’t get together, kiddo. Who knows? She may have a liking for you. Might as well ask her, you know.”
“Nah, I rather not. Even though she likes me, I don’t reciprocate those feelings she has for me.”
His mom giggles and says, “Oh, come on, Markie. Give her a chance. Maybe you will have a good relationship with her.”
“I dunno, ma. I like Samantha, but not Ruth. It’s good that we are friends, nothing more than that.”
“As you wish, kiddo.”
As they continued talking, their burgers finally arrived and were laid on their table.
George says, “Let’s pray.”
They bowed their heads, closed their eyes, and clasped their hands.
“I’ll lead the prayer.”
“Ok, Georgie. Please do.”
“Our father, we thank and bless you for the food you’ve given us. Nourish our bodies with the food we will eat. In Jesus’ name.”
And they all said, “Amen.”
After the prayer, they begin to dig in. Using a butter knife, they cut their burgers, using a fork to skewer, and then eat the burger. Some contents of the burger may alienate themselves from the main body, so they stab some of it, skewering them to the fork and the folks eat them.
While Mark’s parents are still eating the burger in an unorthodox way in the sense that it is uncommon for Filipinos to eat with a butter knife and fork, Mark finishes his burger faster than the speed of light. He then starts to drink his strawberry smoothie.
“You’re already done, kiddo? That’s a record. How did you get so fast at eating a burger?” George says
“I’m just very familiar with how to cut it and then eat it. Nothing special.”
“What do you mean it’s ‘Nothing special’, Markie? You probably have the best talent ever,” his mom says.
Mark laughs and says, “Don’t flatter me, ma.”
“Anyways, Markie. Can I get a sip from your smoothie?”
Mark raised his eyebrows and said, “Why didn’t you order it earlier, ma? This is supposed to be my drink.”
“Oh. Sorry, Markie. I just forgot that I gave you breastmilk when you were just a baby. I guess it’s a waste of my milk if it’s supposed to be mine.”
Mark sighs and says, “Wait. Let me drink some.”
Mark drinks a third of the smoothie and gives it to his mom. His mom thanks him. As she is about to drink the smoothie, Mark stops her.
“What is it, Markie?”
“I’ll get another straw, I don’t want another saliva to be in my straw.”
“Oh. Please do.”
Mark gets up and proceeds to the counter. He asks for a straw and he receives one. As he takes the straw, he goes back to their table. He then gives the straw to his mom.
“Thank you, Markie.”
As Mark sits on his chair, George finally eats all of his hamburger.
“Ah, I’m done. I’m stuffed,” he turns to his wife and wonders. “Why you haven’t finished your burger and you drink the smoothie.”
She frowns at him and he chuckles.
“Might as well give that to me, senorita.”
“Sneaky, good tactics.”
“Wait, dad. I thought you’re not having a smoothie, but then you want mine.”
“Well, I’ve changed my mind kiddo. Don’t worry, I’ll take only a few sips unlike your mother,” he then bursts out laughing.
She lightly elbows him.
“Ow.”
“Oh, come one, Georgie. That was a soft one.”
“I know, but eat that burger up if you want this smoothie.”
George takes a drink not with a straw but directly puts his mouth on the side of the mug and drinks it.
“Wait, dad. I thought you’re only having sips, not gulps.”
“Yeah, Georgie. You said you only want sips of Markie’s smoothie.”
“Oh. I don’t know. Maybe I’ll change my mind?” He then bursts out laughing again. “I’m just kidding with y’all.”
Mark and his mom sighed, shaking their heads.
She proceeds to finish her burger while George sips the smoothie. Just as she finishes the last of the burgers, George gives her the smoothie.
“I’m done drinking the smoothie, come drink some,” George says
“Oh. How does it taste?” Mark’s mom says.
“It tastes great, like you.”
“Bleugh. We’re in a public place, dad,” says Mark.
“What do you mean? I’ve said nothing wrong. Besides, it is the truth and I shall stand by it. By standing by the truth, we can reflect ourselves with it and transform into something pure and strong.”
“What are you, dad; Hitler? Being pure and strong?” Mark bursts out laughing.
“Oh, no. That’s not what I meant. What I’m saying is truth can make us pure and strong, not genetics or race.”
“Whatever, dad.”
The two of them burst out laughing.
“Mmm, this smoothie tastes delicious.”
They glanced at her as she drank a third of the smoothie.
“Ma, why so much? It’s mine.”
She looks at him and says, “I nurtured you in my womb, what’s yours is mine.” She then maniacally laughs.
George looks at Mark and whispers, “She’s out of it.”
“Why am I out of it, Georgie?”
George turns his head to her and says, “Oh, never mind what I’ve said.”
“Don’t you know that we, women, have a heightened sense of hearing? We’re like a dog, you know.”
George mumbles, “Tell me about it.”
“What was that?”
He grins at her and says, “Oh, I’m not surprised at that. Hehehe.”
“Anyways, I’m done with the smoothie. Do you want some, Georgie?”
“Nah, I’m fine, thank you.”
She pulls out her straw from the smoothie and puts it on her plate. She then gives the smoothie back to Mark.
“It’s yours now, Markie. I’m sorry for drinking too much from your smoothie. It’s just that it’s so good. I’m so full now. I’m already full when I’ve eaten my burger, I don’t know why I have to drink the smoothie. Haha.”
Mark takes the smoothie and puts his own straw in it.
He grins at his mom and says, “It’s ok ma.”
He then starts to sip the smoothie via his straw. While Mark is still sipping the smoothie, his parents are talking to each other.
‘This must be a good day, I hope I can have these moments every day. God is good, I’m glad he’s my God. Thank and bless you, Lord.’
