I fell in love with the minister's son in winter when I turned fourteen. He was not Chinese.For Christmas I prayed for the boy, Robert. When I found out that my parents had invited the minister' s family over for Christmas Eve dinner, I cried in panic What would' Robert think of our shabby Chinese Christmas? What would he think of our noisy Chinese relatives who lacked proper American manners? On Christmas Eve, my mother created abundant Chinese food. And then they arrived—the minister's family and all my relatives.Robert greeted hello, and I pretended he was not worthy of existence. Dinner threw me deeper into disappointment.My relatives licked(舔)the ends of their chopsticks and reached across the table.Robert and his family waited patiently for a large plate to be passed to them.My relatives murmured with pleasure when my mother brought out the whole steamed fish.Robert made a face.Then my father reached his chopsticks just below the fish eye and picked out the soft meat. 'Amy, your favorite, ' he said, offering me the tender fish cheek.I wanted to disappear. At the end of the meal, my father leaned back and burped(打嗝)loudly, thanking my mother for her fine cooking.'It' s a police Chinese custom to show you are satisfied, 'explained my father to our astonished guests.Robert was looking down at his plate with a reddish face.The minister managed to bring up a quiet burp.I was shocked into silence for the rest of the night. After everyone had gone, my mother said to me, 'You want to be the shame as American girls on the outside. 'She handed me an early gift. It was a miniskirt. 'But inside you must always be Chinese. You must be proud you are different. Your only shame is to have shame. ' It was not until years later that I was able to fully appreciate her lesson and the purpose behind her particular menu. For Christmas Eve that year, she had chosen excellent Chinese food. When I found out the minister' s family would come for Christmas Eve dinner, I cried mainly because______.