ethnic communities

When the doorbell rings, Cale Fuoco runs to answer at his family home in Northern Seattle. The 7-year-old holds a small wooden board in his arms – a 2x4 with two eyes and a lopsided smile, which have been etched in marker on one side of the board.

“Meet my friend, named Plank” Cale says.

At the dinner table, Plank has a seat and place setting all to himself. After Cale retreats for a little math homework and some secret TV watching, Plank is abandoned at the table to Cale’s dads, Frank Fuoco and Benjamin Liu.