A month before we left, a friend asked if he could tag along with us. He said he needed out: out of Albany, out…

He watched. Caress with the index’s paddy flesh paddy, then square off the block of rice. With two fingers, shape it: give it a…

Most people jump at the opportunity of “free.” At the end of our serving shift, I told the other server our tips were a…

“It’s not just about making tips,” Frank said. He’s always said it. “Don’t look at your job like that. Otherwise, you start thinking, ‘I’ll…

The giant textbook took up two tables – half of his, and half of the table to his right. He made enough room for…

He cuts the nori into tiny pieces. Not like mincing garlic; it’d leave the sheet in assorted flakes sizes and shapes, a confetti of…