The Day I Became a Grown-Up

by Paolo Herras

THE DAY I BECAME A GROWN-UP

was when I was six years old. I spent most of my mornings with my grandfather.

We sat down to daing na bangus (salted milkfish), fried eggs and garlic rice, the typical pinoy breakfast in our home.

To complete his meal, he made a warm cup of coffee, and poured a couple of spoons on his rice to add flavor.

I wasn’t allowed to drink coffee yet, because it’s for “grown-ups,” so he pinched a piece of bread, and dipped it in his coffee.

I had my first taste of being a grown-up.

That’s when I knew I would be just like him someday.