Chapter 7
When Lenny was nine years old, we went to have dinner together at a kopitiam.

I ordered a cup of Milo for the children to share. After that, I took out my water bottle and drank the plain water as we waited for our food. Lenny slapped Yvonne’s hand when she took a sip of the Milo. Yvonne scolded Lenny when he slapped her. I banged the table with my hand and told them to stop it, if not they would drink the plain water from my water bottle instead, and I would drink the Milo. Yvonne continued to scold Lenny. Lenny slapped Yvonne again.

“Why don’t the two of you learn how to share?”

“I want my own Milo!” Lenny yelled. “I don’t want to share with Ah Girl lah! She licks the straw, and the straw has her saliva!”

“You two drink plain water instead!” I grabbed the cup of Milo towards me and passed them the water bottle. “Share this instead!”

Lenny looked like he was going to cry, but Yvonne folded her arms and smiled. Lenny then spanked Yvonne’s arm and Yvonne stopped smiling.

My son, before he died, confessed to me that it was a plan. They had wanted me to drink the Milo instead because I always did not order any drink for myself to save money. Therefore, they surreptitiously planned this quarrel for me to drink the Milo without me worrying about the cost.

That silly boy.

“Mama, when I grow up, I will bring you to a big restaurant to have dinner every day. You just tahan now, okay?”