In My Desperate Time

"Old Mr. Louis, are you asleep?"

I knock on his door at nine o'clock in the evening,

"Not yet. What's the matter?"

I hear his loud voice, and then the door opens from the inside.

"I just want to ask if you are in the mood for some night snack. I can cook some noodles or dumplings for you." I smile kindly at him, trying not to make myself look different than usual.

The old man shakes his head and says, "I don't like those food. You can make hot and sour noodles for me. Make sure the taste isn’t too blend."

I don’t expect him to be someone who likes spicy food. But making a bowl of hot and sour noodles doesn’t beat me.

"Okay. Wait for a second. It'll be ready soon."

I nod and leave the room immediately.

This is one step closer to please Mr. Louis.

Twenty minutes later, I bring the noodles upstairs and knock on the door again.

nothing happens after knocking for a

Louis falls asleep in

Now that is embarrassing.

to eat anything at night to lose weight. And I don’t want to eat anything too

throwing it away would

is still

is on, and I walk in with the

to me. He seems to be fascinated by something he is reading. He is so intrigued that he can’t even hear the knock on the door, let

"Are you hungry, Frances?"

jumps when my voice breaks the silence.

here? Don't you know you should knock

you can’t

come in unless I answer next

him the noodles after nodding, “This is

a meaningful smile. "You really think

the knock on the door. I assume he is asleep, so I brought it to

Frances takes the bowl from my hand, says while frowning.

the slight complaint, he