“Yes, aren’t they beautiful? I want her to know she has two cultures,” I said and hugged him.

“Leo is lucky to be able to choose from two kinds of dumplings,” John joked.

It was a diverse, unconventional, and, above all, delicious spread. For many of my friends, it was their first time tasting shrimp sambal and oyster sauce, or figuring out their chopsticks to pick up the har gow. This was not the typical Chinatown fare they were used to.

Auntie Carrie gave Leo a mini cheongsam, and she looked adorable adorned in the red brocade, sucking regally on her pacifier. I jokingly called Leo Tai Tai, and Hilary burst out laughing.

I was happy to see Auntie Joan sitting relaxed in Father’s large recliner. It was in her restaurant that all our family gatherings took place, and she was finally not hosting, cooking, or serving. Instead, she was busy catching up with Auntie Betty, and they both kept chiding me for not bringing out the mah-jong table yet.

I hadn’t seen Auntie Miriam for many years. Woo’s Confectionery was still a mainstay of Sparwood. She grabbed me, hugged me tight, and handed me a red packet.

We looked up from our embrace to see Alfred arrive.

I had wanted to surprise my aunties and hadn’t told them he was coming. Auntie Miriam burst into tears at the sight of him, and everyone crowded around him, embracing him and pelting him with questions.

Father, however, eyed Alfred like he was the man his wife had betrayed him with. I couldn’t fault Father for this. After all, it was Alfred Mother had turned to after she left him, and it was Alfred she confided her feelings to. Despite this, Father was generous, welcoming Alfred to his home and allowing him to hold court for a while in his living room. To comfort Father, I brought him his granddaughter to carry proudly.

Alfred greeted me and handed me a red packet. He also brought me a gift: Teresa Teng’s single “Ú iā hue.” Alfred said, “The Hokkien title means ‘rainy night flower,’ or ‘the torment of a flower.’ It reminds me of your mother.”

I played the record, and Father and Auntie Choo Neo started singing along, Auntie deftly translating the lyrics. As the record spun to an end, Father never looked happier. Holding Leo close in his arms, he brought her around to all the guests, sharing with them his granddaughter, the guest of honour.

The day after the red egg and ginger celebration I told my aunties about Mother at dim sum. They took the news with sorrow and compassion. Despite the many years that had passed, they still considered Mother their friend. Auntie Miriam cried the entire time. Like me, I think she had always hoped Mother would come back.

Auntie Joan, Auntie Betty, and Auntie Carrie asked many questions about what I saw on my journey, and I was eager to tell them because it still felt like a dream to me. Our conversation around the fragrant bamboo steamers made me feel like I was finally moving forward.