I chuckle softly to myself. Whenever Mrs. Tokushige hosts her friend group’s mahjong game night, she places a carryout order from my food truck the morning of, even though she always promises to cook for them.

“I’ll pay extra to make sure we get lumpia. I know how quickly it sells out,” Mrs. Tokushige says.

“No need to pay extra. I’ll make sure you have some.” It’s the least I can do for how generous she’s been to us.

“Oh, and can you tell your mom we’re doing it at seven tonight instead of six? Sally Nida has to watch her grandson late today.”

The road turns bumpy and I slow down. “No problem at all.”

“Such a good daughter you are, giving her the day off so she can rest.”

If only Mrs. Tokushige knew that I practically have to order Mom to stay home. She’d work twelve-hour days every day if she had her way. But she needs at least one or two days of rest a week to do low-stress activities, like going for walks, playing cards, and reading. Since Dad passed away, she’s thrown herself into working at the food truck with me, which is good. It’s helpful for her to stay occupied, to have a focus other than missing him and worrying about money. But pacing herself is vital. I refuse to lose her to exhaustion after the horror of losing Dad.

I swallow back the lump in my throat. “I can handle it alone just fine. You know how she is. She’ll push herself to exhaustion if I don’t watch her. Can’t have that.”

“I’m sure she could use some time away after all that’s happening with that new food truck,” Mrs. Tokushige says. “The nerve of those boys to park next to you like that. And to argue with you all the time.”

I pull into the clearing on Makena Road and park right next to the Hungry Chaps truck. Already, a couple dozen people mill around the area. I bite back a grin, the excitement coursing within me. I’ve never had a crowd of customers waiting to eat my food before I even opened for the day.

“You should report them to the local authorities,” Mrs. Tokushige says, her voice booming with conviction through the speakerphone. “They shouldn’t get away with the trouble they’re causing you.”