(Life in America)

José specializes in simple, hearty meals: breakfast burritos, cheeseburgers, tacos, and the like. His food is nothing fancy but always delicious, and it draws a steady stream of regulars who appreciate his reliable presence and no-nonsense approach. His food truck is a welcome sight around this part of New York City.

Though he carries a distinctly Hispanic accent, José has no problem engaging in streetwise exchanges with native speakers. Yet, he is totally unprepared for an encounter with Ivy, who is writing a story about mobile food vendors for the best-known New York magazine.

"Morning, José," Ivy greets as she peers at the chalkboard menu headlined with "CA$H ONLY."

"I'll have a breakfast burrito, please." She pays him in the meantime.

"Coming right up," he replies, not breaking his rhythm.

As he works, Ivy can't help but notice the calm efficiency with which he operates.

"You seem like a man who has life all figured out. What's your secret?"

He glances up, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "No secret," he says, wrapping up the burrito and handing it to her. "Just keep things simple."

Ivy takes a bite of her burrito, savoring the flavors. "But don't you ever think about the bigger picture? The meaning of life and all that?"

He wipes his hands on a towel and leans against the counter of his truck. "I don't have a lot of time to think about things. You know what I mean? Philosophy! Go ask Mr. Li, owner of 'Floating Life' over there. His customers talk the big talk all night, I'm told."

Author: renqiulan