fish story

Looking at Tilapia fish swimming around in a tank at the Midtown Global Market.

ELIAN: What are those fish doing in there?

PAPA: They're swimming around. People can buy those fish to eat.

ELIAN: (BLINK. BLINK. BLINK. AWKWARD SMILE. LOOKS AT MAMA. LOOKS AT PAPA.)

MAMA: (BRACING HERSELF. STILL PRETTY SURE THE BOY DOESN'T REALIZE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE CHICKEN WE EAT AND THE CHICKEN THAT LIVES ON A FARM AND SHE HASN'T HAD THE HEART TO BREAK IT TO HIM.)

ELIAN: Is that true?

PAPA: Yes. You know when you went fishing at Leech Lake? Some people fish and then eat the fish they catch.

ELIAN: (SILENCE.)

Then we slowly walk away, making our way to a happy place.