The Family Feast
Every Christmas we would spend Christmas dinner at Uncle Mariano Tabios’ home. This has become a tradition for our family. He always serves his specialty “fried chicken” and Italian and other dishes that he normally cooks at his job as a short order cook but we always claim that he was a chef. When having a party, he had one rule that must be followed by everyone with no exception: “There will be no discussion about religion or God of any kind!” My Uncle’s wife, Auntie Pompei, was a member of Jehuva’s Witness, and my Uncle was agnostic! I never heard my uncle curse or get mad until one Christmas dinner after my Uncle shouted his usual dinner call: “Okay, people, time to eat! There’s plenty of food!” one of my Aunt’s in-law said: “Before we eat I would like to say a little prayer to thank Jehuva for the food we are about to eat!” There was a few seconds of silence and wide eyes then a thunderous voice suddenly erupted: “You (expletive)! I cooked all the food you are about to eat and you thank Jehuva instead? Get the (expletive) out of my house or I’ll blow your (expletive) brains out!” The poor guy didn’t know the rule! After a lot of pleading, explanations and apologies, he finally calmed down and we ate happily after!
