Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Warehouse Auction (4)
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After calming down the super excited Nancy,
I slowly looked over the menu.
Brisket - Beef brisket. The king of Texas barbecue.
Pulled Pork - Pork shoulder shredded nice and tender.
Sausage - Texas-style with jalapeños and cheddar cheese.
Pork Ribs - Pork ribs.
Beef Ribs - Beef ribs. Also known as dinosaur ribs.
The menu was no joke right from the start.
After a moment of thought, I placed my order with the staff.
"Three pounds of brisket, two pounds of pulled pork, two sausages, and one rack of pork ribs, please."
"And for sides?"
"Coleslaw, potato salad, mac and cheese, and cornbread."
Dorothy whispered to me in a small voice at my bold order.
"...Jake, isn't this too much?"
"It's fine. Perfect amount for four people. We can pack up whatever's left."
The staff started slicing the meat on the cutting board.
First up was the brisket.
The surface looked pitch black at first glance, like it was charred.
But that 'bark' formed during the smoking process was proof of proper barbecue.
Sure enough, as the knife went in, it sliced smoothly, revealing juicy pink flesh inside.
"This brisket was smoked for 16 hours,"
the staff explained proudly.
"Post oak wood, steady at 225 degrees. Our pit master kept the fire going from 3 a.m. without a break."
The heart of Texas barbecue was 'low and slow'.
Low temperature for a long time. That's how even the toughest cuts get melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Next came the sausage.
There was a satisfying 'snap' when the staff cut into it.
"Hear that casing pop? Perfectly cooked."
It was crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside—just like the saying goes.
The cross-section showed beautiful green jalapeños and yellow cheese.
Finally, the pork ribs.
Cooked to the point where the meat was just barely pulling away from the bone.
"We do dry rub style here. Seasoned with spices only, no sauce."
The tray was piled high with meat.
The staff weighed it and rang it up.
"$150."
Not cheap, but it was a special day.
When we got to the table, Nancy's eyes went wide.
"Whoa... Jake, this much meat?"
"Of course. Everything's bigger and more in Texas. That's Texas style."
Sam was excited too and chimed in with an explanation.
"You know how Texas barbecue got started? Back in the mid-1800s, German and Czech immigrants opened butcher shops. No refrigerators back then, so they'd smoke the unsold meat to preserve it. That's where it began."
"Ah, so that's why the sausage is German-style."
Dorothy nodded.
"Haha, exactly. Then it mixed with Mexican barbacoa traditions to become modern Texas barbecue."
I put some brisket on Nancy's plate.
"Here, try this first. No sauce to start."
Nancy took a cautious bite.
Her eyes grew wider and wider.
"How is it? Good?"
"Whoa, the meat... it just melted in my mouth!"
A real magic trick—the meat vanishing in her mouth!
I'd seen her chew and swallow, so I chuckled.
"Yeah! It's so tender, salty... smoky flavor, amazing!"
"Right? That's the charm of barbecue."
Dorothy took a bite and was impressed too.
"It's really tender. Way softer than the steaks at our shop."
Sam nodded as he tried the pulled pork.
"Man, pork can be like this? Tears apart with your fingers."
Another hallmark of Texas barbecue was the sauce.
There were four kinds on the table.
Original - Tomato-based with a touch of sweetness.
Spicy - Hot sauce with jalapeños and habaneros.
Mustard - German-style mustard sauce.
Vinegar - Tangy vinegar-based sauce.
"Nancy, now dip in sauce and try. Which one looks good?"
"Hmm... the red one first!"
"That might be spicy... just a little."
Nancy dipped a tiny bit and took a bite, then gasped.
"Spicy! But... so good! Sweet too."
I checked out the sides we'd ordered.
Coleslaw cut through the richness of the meat.
Crisp cabbage with sweet-tangy dressing.
Then mac and cheese, soul food of the American South.
Rich cheddar sauce with macaroni—always perfect.
Cornbread was made from cornmeal.
Slightly sweet with a crumbly texture.
As Nancy and I sampled the sides one by one, Sam tore off a bite of rib and showed us.
"Check this out, see that pink ring? That's the smoke ring. Proof it was smoked right."
"No way. How does that color happen?"
Dorothy asked curiously.
"When you smoke the meat real slow and proper, the smoke seeps in and creates it. Science, pure science."
"Sam knows so much."
"Any Texan worth his salt knows his barbecue."
Nancy tugged at my sleeve as she listened.
She whispered to me.
"...Jake, Jake. But don't other places have barbecue besides Texas?"
"Of course."
I stroked her head as I answered.
"North Carolina does a lot with pork, uses vinegar sauce. Tangy stuff? Oh, Kansas City barbecue's famous too. They do pork, beef, chicken, turkey—all barbecued. Slather on thick sweet sauce."
"Whoa, Kansas City barbecue sounds tasty!"
"Might be perfect for our little princess's taste."
Just imagining it made her mouth water—Nancy gulped.
Then she tilted her head and asked again.
"So which one's the best?"
"Depends on the person. But for me, Texas is king. Especially this beef brisket—Texas original."
"Then Texas is the best for me too! It's really, really good!"
Nancy said with a happy face.
"And Jake's the best too!"
"Haha, seeing our little princess eat so well makes me happy too."
Dorothy watched Nancy quietly and said,
"...I can't even remember the last time we came to a place like this. Thanks, Jake. Really."
I laughed it off as no big deal, but Sam shook his head.
"No, Jake. This happy family meal is thanks to you. You've been through so much, and now good things keep coming your way... what a relief."
"It's all because of your help, Sam."
"Aw, come on."
About an hour later, the tray was nearly empty.
"So full..."
Nancy leaned back in her chair with a sigh.
"But it was so, so good. I wanna come back."
"Of course we will. Next time, try other stuff too."
"Really? Promise?"
"Promise."
I hooked pinkies with her.
As always, followed by a fist bump.
Outside, the sun was setting.
I asked Nancy, who was holding my hand.
"Nancy, got any more room in that tummy?"
"Why?"
She looked up with expectant eyes.
"Gotta have dessert. Pie after barbecue? Wouldn't feel right without it."
We stopped at a nearby bakery and got pecan pie. A Texas specialty.
Perfect weather, so we sat on park benches and shared it.
"This is insanely good! I could eat 100 desserts!"
Nancy, sitting between me and Dorothy, kicked her feet happily.
I watched with a smile and pulled out the photo envelope.
"Those photos you developed?"
Sam asked.
"Yeah, the WWII ones from this morning. Wanna see?"
Sam nodded.
I took out the photos and passed them around.
"This soldier's getting the Silver Star. Must've been a real hero."
Sam said, impressed.
"Can we find out who he is?"
"Dunno... face is blurry, no name."
Dorothy held one up.
"This woman's gorgeous. Just says 'M'?"
"Yeah. Probably his sweetheart."
Nancy looked at the photos and said,
"Did these people make it home?"
"Hope so."
Then Sam asked,
"Jake, what're you gonna do with these?"
"Thinking of posting online. Someone might recognize them."
"Good idea. Even after 80 years, there could be descendants."
The sun was setting.
As we walked to the parking lot, Nancy squeezed my hand tight.
"Jake."
"Yeah?"
"Today was really, really happy. Best day ever."
"Me too. Happy 'cause I was with you, Nancy."
I said softly to Dorothy watching from the side.
"Let's go eat good food like this more often. All of us together."
"Of course. Thanks."
Sam patted my shoulder.
"Thanks to you. I'm proud of you, Jake."
"Me too! I'm proud of you, Jake!"
Nancy mimicked Sam all grown-up.
She patted my butt, and we all burst out laughing.
It was a pretty great, happy day.
On the way home,
everyone looked satisfied. Nancy dozed off in the back seat.
"Must be tired from eating so much."
Dorothy stroked Nancy's head at my words.
She murmured with a smile,
"Nah, she's just too happy."
Sam smiled faintly too.
We arrived at Dorothy's trailer park.
I carefully picked up the sleeping Nancy.
"She's heavy..."
"Nah, light as a feather. Our Nancy's gotten too skinny."
I carried her up the stairs. Light even for her age.
When I laid her on the bed, she mumbled in her sleep,
"Jake... don't go..."
My nose tingled for some reason.
Dorothy murmured with a bittersweet look.
"...Nancy sees you like a dad, I guess."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Talks about you a lot lately. Never said it, but Dad's absence hit her hard."
We went outside and said goodbye.
"Thanks for today, Jake."
"My pleasure. I had fun too."
"Really... we're lucky to have you."
Dorothy hesitated, then hugged me tight.
My nose tingled again; I patted her back a few times.
"Drive safe."
Dropped off Sam and got back to my trailer.
Lay in bed, thinking about the day.
Family laughing over barbecue.
Nancy's pure joy. Dorothy's warm gaze. Sam's kind advice...
Then the war photos from the developed film came to mind.
Someone's forgotten story. Records of youth from 80 years ago.
I pulled out my phone and went online.
Posted on the 'Arizona History Forum'.
[WWII Film Found in Phoenix - Looking for Owner!]
Attached a few photos and a description.
[Film found in a camera bought in Phoenix. Features WWII veteran and woman with initials 'M'. Looks like he got the Silver Star. Want to return to family. Any info appreciated.]
Posted it and looked out the window.
Stars twinkling.
What a long, fulfilling day.
Precious time with family. Killer barbecue. Echoes of the past.
'The people in those photos must've dreamed of simple happiness like this.'
I closed my eyes.
Hoping for good news on the photos.
As I drifted off, it felt like I heard Nancy's voice.
I smiled and fell asleep.