Đức ordered the fish left wholesaid Mum likes to see the entire tailI asked how wide our table washe spread his arms to measureonly when we carry it in do we seethe tables have blocked the doorway
I hold the head end with the gingera nephew carries the tailhe backs down two stepsjust as the guests come inthe door presses against his elbowhot broth pours over his wrist
Don't let go at the tailthe head end is still hot
Lâm points towards the windowthat way leads to the yardI brace my stomach against the wooden silland push the tray halfway throughthree people outside take its weightall three pull towards themselves
I call for everyone to slow downthe fish's nose is already throughginger sticks to a guest's sleevehe changes hands beneath the trayI say keep it at that anglehe bends down looking for support
The tail brushes a pot plantsoil falls onto the tray's edgethe boy puts his hand over ita sprig of dill caught by his ear
Don't let go at the tailthe head end is still hot
They say they've set the tray downI still haven't pulled my hand backone edge is pressed against my chesthot ginger slips inside my collarLâm helps to take it outa shirt button pops into the yard
The guests pat an empty placeand call me over to eatthe boy is climbing through the windowhis heel keeps searching for a footholdI offer my shoulder for him to step onhe passes his shoes through first