When you arrive, take off your shoes. There’s no room in our house for this country’s winter dirt. In only your socks, can’t you feel the hardwood? Between these brown panels, there live lost necklaces made from rubber bands -- bands you’d used for masquerading as Cinderella because princesses don’t wear made-in-China hair clips.

When you enter, don’t go looking for a clothes hanger. Leave your jacket on. Our heater broke years ago, but grandmother’s hands are never frozen....

    Dear Customer,

    My first shift back is next week. The restaurant’s going to be renovated with lacquered wooden stools and blossoms from the florist. I’ll be taping a Wear Your Mask sign to the front door, so please wear one. Normal surgical masks are preferable, but any facial coverings -- except for gas masks (they frighten the children) --  should suffice.

    During the restaurant’s closure these last months, I’ve seen you at the supermarket buying cherry tomatoes. I...

    Dear Customer,

    My first shift back is next week. The restaurant’s going to be renovated with lacquered wooden stools and blossoms from the florist. I’ll be taping a Wear Your Mask sign to the front door, so please wear one. Normal surgical masks are preferable, but any facial coverings -- except for gas masks (they frighten the children) --  should work.

    During the restaurant’s closure these last months, I’ve seen you at the supermarket buying cherry tomatoes. I...

    Dear Customer,

    My first shift back is next week. The restaurant’s going to be renovated with lacquered wooden stools and blossoms from the florist. I’ll be taping a Wear Your Mask sign to the front door, so please wear one. Normal surgical masks are preferable, but any facial coverings -- except for gas masks (they frighten the children) --  should work.

    During the restaurant’s closure these last months, I’ve seen you at the supermarket buying cherry tomatoes. I...

    Dear Customer,

    My first shift back is next week. The restaurant’s going to be renovated with lacquered wooden stools and blossoms from the florist. I’ll be taping a Wear Your Mask sign to the front door, so please wear one. Normal surgical masks are preferable, but any facial coverings -- except for gas masks (they frighten the children) --  should work.

    During the restaurant’s closure these last months, I’ve seen you at the supermarket buying cherry tomatoes. I...

    Dear Customer,

    My first shift back is next week. The restaurant’s going to be renovated with lacquered wooden stools and blossoms from the florist. I’ll be taping a Wear Your Mask sign to the front door, so please do wear one. Normal surgical masks are preferable, but any facial coverings -- except for gas masks (they frighten the children) --  should work.

    During the restaurant’s closure these last months, I’ve seen you at the supermarket buying cherry tomatoes....