The Hidden Recipe

Chapter Five: A Call from Home

Work had settled into a manageable rhythm. Eddie was still on prep duty, but he was excelling. The repetitive nature of the job suited him, and he found a strange comfort in the tasks. The staff no longer treated him like an outsider; even Chef Zhang occasionally nodded in his direction, a silent acknowledgment of his effort.

Eddie hadn’t forgotten about the dumpling test hanging over him, but for now, he was content to focus on what he could control.

On their next day off, Tommy once again roped Eddie into running a food stall.

“It’s not so bad, huh?” Tommy teased as they set up their makeshift stand.

Eddie rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide his grin. “You just like bossing me around.”

“Maybe. But hey, it’s a good way to make extra cash. Plus, the people love us. We’re basically legends.”

The day started well. Eddie had grown more confident, even adding his own twist to the scallion pancakes they sold. Customers complimented their food, and the cash jar filled steadily.

It was shaping up to be a good day—until Tommy’s phone buzzed.

He glanced at the screen, his playful expression vanishing in an instant. Without a word, he stepped away from the stall, his face pale as he answered the call.

Eddie kept working, glancing over at Tommy every few seconds. When Tommy finally returned, he looked shaken.

“What’s wrong?” Eddie asked, immediately concerned.

“It’s my mom,” Tommy said, his voice tight. “She collapsed. They’re taking her to the hospital.”

“Go,” Eddie said without hesitation. “I’ll handle the stall.”

Tommy shook his head. “Forget the stall. We’re closing up. You’re coming with me.”

The hospital was a short cab ride away, but it felt like an eternity. Tommy barely spoke, his leg bouncing nervously as he stared out the window. Eddie didn’t know what to say, so he stayed quiet, offering silent support.

When they arrived, Tommy rushed to the front desk, asking for his mom’s room. The nurse directed them to the third floor.

Eddie followed Tommy into a small, sterile room where a frail woman lay on the bed, hooked up to monitors. Her face was pale, and her breathing shallow.

“Mom,” Tommy said softly, sitting beside her and taking her hand.

She opened her eyes weakly, a faint smile crossing her lips. “Tommy,” she whispered. “You didn’t have to come.”

“Of course I did,” he said, his voice breaking.

Eddie hung back, feeling like an intruder. But when Tommy glanced at him, he gave a reassuring nod, silently telling him he was there if needed.

The doctor arrived shortly after, explaining that Tommy’s mom had suffered a minor heart attack.

“She’s stable now,” the doctor said, “but we’ll need to keep her here for observation. Stress and poor diet likely contributed. She’ll need to make some lifestyle changes.”

Tommy nodded, his jaw tight. “Anything. Just tell me what to do.”

Eddie spent the next few hours helping Tommy with whatever he needed—getting water, talking to nurses, and grabbing food from the vending machine. As the hours passed, the tension began to ease. Tommy’s mom even managed to c***k a joke about the hospital food.

“You must be Eddie,” she said at one point, her voice faint but warm.

Eddie blinked in surprise. “Uh, yeah. How’d you know?”

“Tommy talks about you,” she said with a small smile. “He says you’re a good cook.”

Tommy groaned. “Mom, I said he’s learning to be a good cook.”

Eddie chuckled, some of the heaviness lifting from the room.

By the time they left the hospital, it was late. Tommy looked exhausted, but there was a hint of relief in his expression.

“Thanks for coming with me,” Tommy said as they walked down the quiet street.

“Of course,” Eddie said. “How’s she doing?”

“She’s tough,” Tommy said, his voice soft. “But I don’t know… I guess I’ve been so busy, I didn’t realize how much she’s been dealing with. She works so hard, you know? Always putting everyone else first.”

Eddie nodded, understanding more than he let on.

“You’re lucky to have her,” Eddie said.

Tommy glanced at him. “Yeah. I know.”

That night, Eddie thought about his own family—the sacrifices his parents had made, the pressures they faced. He hadn’t spoken to them in weeks, too ashamed of his situation to call. But seeing Tommy with his mom made him realize something: no matter how far he felt from home, they were still a part of him.

Maybe it was time to stop running from that.