਀ ਀ Poetry and Prose from In Posse Review਀ ਀ ਀㰀⼀栀攀愀搀㸀 ਀ऀ㰀戀漀搀礀㸀 ਀ऀ㰀挀攀渀琀攀爀㸀  ਀㰀戀爀 ⼀㸀 ਀㰀琀爀㸀
਀㰀瀀㸀
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

਀㰀⼀琀搀㸀 ਀㰀琀搀 瘀愀氀椀最渀㴀∀琀漀瀀∀ 眀椀搀琀栀㴀∀㄀㔀瀀砀∀ 戀最挀漀氀漀爀㴀∀⌀ 昀    ∀㸀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀㰀⼀琀搀㸀 ਀㰀琀搀 眀椀搀琀栀㴀∀㄀㔀瀀砀∀㸀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀㰀⼀琀搀㸀

Burning Bush

਀㰀栀㈀㸀䔀⸀倀⸀ 䌀栀椀攀眀㰀⼀栀㈀㸀 ਀ऀऀऀऀऀऀऀ ਀ऀ㰀瀀㸀 䘀愀琀 搀甀洀瀀氀椀渀最猀 戀爀椀渀最 最漀漀搀 㰀攀洀㸀挀栀椀㰀⼀攀洀㸀㬀 琀栀攀 瀀漀搀最椀攀爀 琀栀攀 洀漀爀攀 愀甀猀瀀椀挀椀漀甀猀 琀栀攀 瀀爀漀猀瀀攀挀琀猀 昀漀爀 眀攀愀氀琀栀⸀  䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀✀猀 搀甀洀瀀氀椀渀最猀 愀爀攀 瀀漀猀椀琀椀瘀攀氀礀 攀渀最漀爀最攀搀⸀  䠀攀爀 搀攀愀搀 栀甀猀戀愀渀搀 眀漀甀氀搀 渀漀琀 栀愀瘀攀 眀愀渀琀攀搀 椀琀 琀漀 戀攀 愀渀礀 漀琀栀攀爀 眀愀礀⸀  䌀栀椀爀爀栀℀  圀栀漀 眀愀猀 猀栀攀 欀椀搀搀椀渀最㼀 娀栀椀ⴀ䴀椀渀最 眀漀甀氀搀 栀愀瘀攀 樀甀猀琀 愀猀 猀漀漀渀 渀漀琀椀挀攀搀 琀栀攀 搀甀洀瀀氀椀渀最猀 愀猀 栀攀 眀漀甀氀搀 椀昀 猀栀攀 眀愀猀 猀挀爀攀眀椀渀最 琀栀攀 瀀愀猀琀漀爀 愀琀 琀栀攀椀爀 氀漀挀愀氀 挀栀甀爀挀栀⸀  圀栀椀挀栀 猀栀攀 椀猀 愀渀搀 眀栀椀挀栀 栀攀 搀椀搀渀✀琀⸀  一漀琀椀挀攀Ⰰ 琀栀愀琀 椀猀⸀  䘀攀眀 琀栀椀渀最猀 洀攀爀椀琀攀搀 栀椀猀 愀琀琀攀渀琀椀漀渀Ⰰ 甀渀氀攀猀猀 琀栀攀礀 眀攀爀攀 洀漀渀甀洀攀渀琀愀氀Ⰰ 猀甀挀栀 愀猀 吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最 最攀琀琀椀渀最 戀愀搀 最爀愀搀攀猀Ⰰ 愀挀挀椀搀攀渀琀愀氀 琀栀爀漀眀椀渀最猀 漀昀 栀椀猀 渀攀眀猀瀀愀瀀攀爀 挀氀椀瀀瀀椀渀最猀 漀爀 琀栀攀椀爀 栀漀甀猀攀 猀氀椀搀椀渀最 搀漀眀渀栀椀氀氀 愀 昀攀眀 礀愀爀搀猀 戀礀 瘀椀爀琀甀攀 漀昀 猀椀琀琀椀渀最 愀猀琀爀椀搀攀 猀栀椀昀琀椀渀最 琀攀挀琀漀渀椀挀 瀀氀愀琀攀猀⸀  圀攀氀氀Ⰰ 愀 昀攀眀 昀愀琀 搀甀洀瀀氀椀渀最猀 昀漀爀 栀椀猀 猀栀爀椀渀攀 琀栀攀渀Ⰰ 挀漀猀椀攀搀 甀瀀 渀攀砀琀 琀漀 琀栀攀 䰀愀甀最栀椀渀最 䘀愀琀 䈀甀搀搀栀愀Ⰰ 漀渀 琀栀攀 猀栀漀甀氀搀攀爀ⴀ栀椀最栀 猀瀀攀挀椀愀氀氀礀ⴀ瀀爀攀昀愀戀爀椀挀愀琀攀搀 洀愀渀琀攀氀瀀椀攀挀攀⸀  䴀愀礀 栀攀 搀椀渀攀 眀椀琀栀 戀甀氀最椀渀最 挀栀攀攀欀猀℀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

All this percolates in her shivery unconscious as Li-Chun chats on the phone with her sister Pen-Ma, receiver cradled between head and shoulder. Her hands work deftly, scooping pork-and-chives mix into a palm-sized circle-shaped wrapper.

਀㰀瀀㸀 娀栀椀ⴀ䴀椀渀最 栀愀搀 搀椀攀搀 椀渀琀攀猀琀愀琀攀⸀  䈀礀 爀椀最栀琀猀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 䠀漀氀氀礀眀漀漀搀 栀漀甀猀攀 椀猀 栀攀爀猀⸀  ∀匀栀攀 眀漀甀氀搀渀✀琀 搀愀爀攀 挀漀渀琀攀猀琀 椀琀Ⰰ∀ 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 猀愀礀猀⸀  ∀䤀✀氀氀 戀攀琀 洀礀 䜀甀挀挀椀 瀀甀爀猀攀⸀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"You think?" Pen-Ma says.

਀㰀瀀㸀 䠀椀猀 洀椀猀琀爀攀猀猀 栀愀搀 栀愀搀 琀栀攀 愀甀搀愀挀椀琀礀 琀漀 愀琀琀攀渀搀 栀椀猀 昀甀渀攀爀愀氀 椀渀 栀攀爀 挀爀椀猀瀀氀礀ⴀ瀀氀攀愀琀攀搀 戀氀愀挀欀 瀀愀渀琀ⴀ猀甀椀琀 愀渀搀 猀瀀椀欀礀 猀琀椀氀攀琀琀漀猀Ⰰ 最爀椀渀搀椀渀最 栀攀爀 挀椀最愀爀攀琀琀攀猀 漀甀琀 戀礀 琀栀攀 爀栀漀搀漀搀攀渀搀爀漀渀 挀氀漀最最椀渀最 琀栀攀 挀栀甀爀挀栀 氀漀戀戀礀 戀攀昀漀爀攀 挀漀洀椀渀最 椀渀⸀  䜀氀愀洀漀爀漀甀猀 搀愀爀欀 猀栀愀搀攀猀 瘀攀椀氀攀搀 栀攀爀 攀礀攀猀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 琀栀攀爀攀 眀愀猀 渀漀 洀椀猀琀愀欀椀渀最 琀栀攀 倀爀愀搀愀 戀愀最 猀氀甀渀最 漀瘀攀爀 栀攀爀 愀爀洀⸀  倀攀渀ⴀ䴀愀 愀搀搀攀搀 椀渀猀甀氀琀 琀漀 椀渀樀甀爀礀 戀礀 搀椀最最椀渀最 栀攀爀 攀氀戀漀眀猀 椀渀琀漀 栀攀爀 戀愀挀欀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"What?" she'd hissed.

਀ऀ㰀瀀㸀 ∀吀栀愀琀 戀愀最✀猀 愀琀 氀攀愀猀琀 琀眀漀 琀栀漀甀猀愀渀搀 搀漀氀氀愀爀猀⸀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"What's the matter with you? Can't you see who it is? I should go over there and slap her face. If I had me some dirty dishwater, I'd empty it over her." Li-Chun ground her teeth.

਀㰀瀀㸀 倀攀渀ⴀ䴀愀 搀漀瘀攀 戀愀挀欀 椀渀琀漀 栀攀爀 猀攀愀琀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 昀漀爀 琀栀攀 爀攀猀琀 漀昀 琀栀攀 攀甀氀漀最礀Ⰰ 猀栀攀 欀攀瀀琀 栀攀爀 洀漀甀琀栀 猀栀甀琀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

Only three months ago the funeral had been. Yet, Li-Chun feels as if she's lived her whole life alone, that her time with Zhi-Ming had never been. How can someone be gone so quickly, only leaving behind residues of emotions and memories like sticky resin? She folds the wrapper in half, then with thumb and forefinger pinches the ends together quickly, a kneading motion that bears dumplings the size of miniscule clasped purses. Two rows of them now lie beached, white and curled, against each other on a tray.

਀㰀瀀㸀 倀攀渀ⴀ䴀愀 猀眀椀琀挀栀攀猀 琀漀瀀椀挀⸀ ∀䠀漀眀✀猀 倀愀猀琀漀爀 䰀漀瘀攀爀ⴀ戀漀礀㼀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"Ach, it would've been a perfect revenge. It would have rankled Zhi-Ming like sitting on an anthill." Such sweet revenge she'd been planning, she could taste it like stewed chicken kidneys. Timely, because she'd just found out, through an inadvertent call from a real estate lawyer's office, that he'd bought a mansion up in the Hollywood hills for his mistress, while simultaneously telling her to rein in expenses, such as Ta-Ting's piano lessons and her weekly pedicures. Perfect too, the revenge would have been, because Pastor Chen would sermonize Zhi-Ming about his infidelity while he would be perfectly aware this God's servant is diddling his own wife.

਀㰀瀀㸀 ∀䠀攀✀猀 猀琀椀氀氀 眀漀爀琀栀 琀栀攀 瀀爀椀挀攀 漀昀 爀攀瘀攀渀最攀 琀栀攀渀㼀∀ 倀攀渀ⴀ䴀愀 最椀最最氀攀猀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"I gave him last month's Glamor. Fifty ways to stimulate the G-spot. He read it in the john. Revenge has side benefits."

਀㰀瀀㸀 ∀䌀愀渀 䤀 最椀瘀攀 栀椀洀 愀 眀椀渀欀 椀渀 挀栀甀爀挀栀 漀渀 匀甀渀搀愀礀㼀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"Don't you dare." Li-Chun counts the New Year dumplings on the tray in her head. She picks up another wrapper, dabs it with beaten egg. She scoops and stuffs, scoops and stuffs. A shuffling noise makes her lift her head. Ta-Ting, her nine year old son, is standing at the doorway, a book in his hand and a box of matches in the other. How much has he heard? Li-Chun panics. But there is an impassive expression on Ta Ting's face. He holds the box of matches out. "I'm going to light the bush on fire and talk to it," he declares.

਀ऀ㰀瀀㸀 ∀圀栀愀琀㼀∀ 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 猀眀椀瀀攀猀 愀琀 愀 昀愀氀氀椀渀最 氀漀挀欀 漀昀 栀愀椀爀⸀  ∀䜀椀洀洀攀 琀栀攀洀 洀愀琀挀栀攀猀⸀ 夀漀甀 欀渀漀眀 礀漀甀 挀愀渀✀琀 瀀氀愀礀 眀椀琀栀 琀栀愀琀⸀  一漀眀Ⰰ 椀猀渀✀琀 椀琀 琀椀洀攀 礀漀甀 最漀 猀琀甀搀礀 礀漀甀爀 䈀椀戀氀攀㼀 圀栀愀琀 琀椀洀攀 椀猀 礀漀甀爀 氀攀猀猀漀渀 眀椀琀栀 倀愀猀琀漀爀 䌀栀攀渀㼀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"Can I eat a dumpling?" Ta-Ting approaches the kitchen counter, pincers a raw dumpling, stares at it. Li-Chun neatly plucks it from his hand and places it back on the tray. She flaps at him. "Go now. Shoo!"

਀ऀ㰀瀀㸀 ∀圀栀漀✀爀攀 礀漀甀 琀愀氀欀椀渀最 琀漀Ⰰ 䴀愀洀愀㼀∀ 吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最✀猀 攀礀攀猀 愀爀攀 爀漀甀渀搀 愀渀搀 挀甀爀椀漀甀猀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"Just your Aunty Pen-Ma. Now go."

਀ऀ㰀瀀㸀 ∀䤀✀瘀攀 昀椀渀椀猀栀攀搀 洀礀 栀漀洀攀眀漀爀欀⸀  䤀 䄀䴀 圀䠀伀 䤀 䄀䴀Ⰰ∀ 吀愀 吀椀渀最 椀渀琀漀渀攀猀⸀  䠀攀 猀琀愀爀琀猀 爀甀渀渀椀渀最 愀爀漀甀渀搀 琀栀攀 欀椀琀挀栀攀渀 椀渀 洀愀搀搀攀渀椀渀最 挀椀爀挀氀攀猀Ⰰ 眀栀漀漀瀀椀渀最 愀渀搀 礀攀氀氀椀渀最Ⰰ ∀䤀 䄀䴀 圀䠀伀 䤀 䄀䴀℀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"Pen-Ma, I'm going to have to call you back later." Li-Chun hangs up. She tries to catch his flying sleeve. "Can't you see I'm busy here? Go put up your dragon paper cuts for New Year. You don't want to miss any red packets, do you?"

਀ऀ㰀瀀㸀 ∀䘀䤀一䤀匀䠀䔀䐀℀∀  吀愀 吀椀渀最 挀漀渀琀椀渀甀攀猀 爀甀渀渀椀渀最 愀爀漀甀渀搀 琀栀攀 欀椀琀挀栀攀渀⸀ 䠀椀猀 栀愀渀搀猀 瀀椀渀眀栀攀攀氀Ⰰ 琀栀攀渀 栀攀 挀栀漀瀀猀 琀栀攀 愀椀爀 眀椀琀栀 琀栀攀洀 愀猀 椀昀 琀栀攀礀 愀爀攀 爀漀琀漀爀 戀氀愀搀攀猀⸀  㰀⼀瀀㸀

"TA-TING! Stop!"

਀ऀ㰀瀀㸀 䠀攀 猀甀搀搀攀渀氀礀 猀琀漀瀀猀 愀渀搀 瀀攀爀挀栀攀猀 栀椀猀 挀栀椀渀 漀渀 琀栀攀 欀椀琀挀栀攀渀 挀漀甀渀琀攀爀⸀  䠀攀 渀攀攀搀猀 愀 栀愀椀爀挀甀琀Ⰰ 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 琀栀椀渀欀猀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 爀攀挀攀渀琀氀礀Ⰰ 猀栀攀✀猀 戀攀攀渀 瀀爀攀漀挀挀甀瀀椀攀搀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"Is Pastor Chen staying for tea again today?"

਀㰀瀀㸀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 戀氀甀猀栀攀猀⸀ ∀倀攀爀栀愀瀀猀⸀  䤀琀 搀攀瀀攀渀搀猀 漀渀 栀椀猀 猀挀栀攀搀甀氀攀⸀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"I hate it when he does that," Ta-Ting declares. One hand finger-walks up the side of a bowl. "He stays so long. Besides, he's too skinny and he smells."

਀㰀瀀㸀 ∀吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最℀ 匀栀漀眀 猀漀洀攀 爀攀猀瀀攀挀琀 琀漀 礀漀甀爀 攀氀搀攀爀猀⸀∀  䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 琀甀爀渀猀 栀攀爀 戀愀挀欀Ⰰ 琀爀椀攀猀 琀漀 愀挀琀 戀甀猀礀 愀爀爀愀渀最椀渀最 搀甀洀瀀氀椀渀最猀 琀栀愀琀 搀漀渀✀琀 渀攀攀搀 愀爀爀愀渀最椀渀最⸀  䠀漀眀 洀甀挀栀 搀漀攀猀 栀攀 欀渀漀眀㼀  唀猀甀愀氀氀礀Ⰰ 愀昀琀攀爀 栀椀猀 氀攀猀猀漀渀Ⰰ 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 猀攀渀搀猀 吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最 漀昀昀 琀漀 栀攀爀 渀攀椀最栀戀漀爀✀猀Ⰰ 眀栀攀爀攀 栀攀爀 猀漀渀 䄀氀攀砀 栀愀猀 愀 倀氀愀礀匀琀愀琀椀漀渀⸀  吀栀攀 愀爀爀愀渀最攀洀攀渀琀 栀愀猀 眀漀爀欀攀搀 漀甀琀 洀漀猀琀 挀漀渀瘀攀渀椀攀渀琀氀礀 昀漀爀 戀漀琀栀 吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最 愀渀搀 栀攀爀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"Papa says he's a hippo . . . a real crud."

਀㰀瀀㸀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 眀栀椀瀀猀 愀爀漀甀渀搀 琀漀 猀攀攀 栀攀爀 猀漀渀 攀礀攀 栀攀爀 戀愀氀攀昀甀氀氀礀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"What're you talking about? Your papa seldom went to church."

਀㰀瀀㸀 ∀䠀攀 琀漀氀搀 洀攀⸀  䠀攀 琀漀氀搀 洀攀 椀渀 琀栀攀 栀漀猀瀀椀琀愀氀⸀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"Ta-Ting! Stop making things up. Now go and play outside."

਀㰀瀀㸀 ∀䠀攀 搀椀搀℀ 䠀攀 搀椀搀℀∀  吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最 搀愀猀栀攀猀 漀甀琀 漀昀 琀栀攀 欀椀琀挀栀攀渀⸀  䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 挀愀渀 栀攀愀爀 栀攀爀 栀攀愀爀琀 琀栀甀搀搀椀渀最⸀  䤀猀 椀琀 瀀漀猀猀椀戀氀攀 娀栀椀ⴀ䴀椀渀最 欀渀攀眀 眀栀愀琀 眀愀猀 最漀椀渀最 漀渀 戀攀昀漀爀攀 栀攀 搀椀攀搀㼀 䄀渀最攀爀 爀椀猀攀猀 氀椀欀攀 愀 猀甀戀洀攀爀最攀搀 欀渀漀琀⸀  䄀氀氀 栀攀爀 氀椀昀攀Ⰰ 栀攀爀 挀甀氀琀甀爀攀 栀愀猀 瘀攀渀攀爀愀琀攀搀 琀栀攀 搀攀愀搀⸀  䄀渀挀攀猀琀漀爀猀 最氀漀眀攀爀 漀瘀攀爀 攀愀挀栀 瀀爀攀猀攀渀琀 最攀渀攀爀愀琀椀漀渀 氀椀欀攀 猀愀椀渀琀猀 愀渀搀 洀愀爀琀礀爀猀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 栀攀爀 最甀琀 琀眀椀猀琀猀 椀琀猀攀氀昀 椀渀琀漀 甀渀栀漀氀礀 瀀愀渀最猀 漀昀 爀攀猀攀渀琀洀攀渀琀 愀渀搀 戀椀氀攀 愀琀 琀栀攀 琀栀漀甀最栀琀 琀栀愀琀 栀攀爀 挀栀攀愀琀椀渀最 栀甀猀戀愀渀搀 栀愀猀 猀甀挀挀攀攀搀攀搀 椀渀 樀漀椀渀椀渀最 琀栀攀猀攀 攀砀愀氀琀攀搀 爀愀渀欀猀Ⰰ 昀漀爀挀椀渀最 栀攀爀 琀漀 欀漀眀琀漀眀 戀攀昀漀爀攀 栀椀猀 最氀攀愀洀椀渀最 瀀漀爀琀爀愀椀琀 眀椀琀栀 椀琀猀 猀渀愀最最氀攀ⴀ琀漀漀琀栀攀搀 猀洀椀氀攀 愀渀搀 昀氀椀渀琀礀 攀礀攀猀⸀  匀栀攀 猀琀愀戀猀 栀椀猀 猀漀漀琀礀ⴀ愀猀栀攀搀 甀爀渀 洀漀爀渀椀渀最 愀渀搀 攀瘀攀渀椀渀最 眀椀琀栀 愀挀爀椀搀 椀渀挀攀渀猀攀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 猀栀攀 椀洀愀最椀渀攀猀 椀琀✀猀 栀攀爀 栀甀猀戀愀渀搀✀猀 挀愀爀椀漀甀猀 戀漀搀礀 甀渀搀攀爀渀攀愀琀栀 栀椀猀 琀漀洀戀 猀栀攀✀猀 瀀爀漀搀搀椀渀最⸀  䠀攀爀 昀椀渀最攀爀猀 椀琀挀栀 琀漀 瀀漀欀攀 栀椀猀 瀀漀爀琀爀愀椀琀 椀渀 眀栀攀爀攀 栀椀猀 攀礀攀猀 愀爀攀⸀  䠀攀爀 栀攀愀爀琀 戀漀椀氀猀 愀渀搀 昀爀漀琀栀猀 眀椀琀栀 甀渀昀甀氀昀椀氀氀攀搀 漀甀琀爀愀最攀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

Li-Chun can hear her son outside now, careening around, screaming at the top of his lungs. Listening, she makes out the words of a church hymn, "Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light!" With Zhi-Ming's betrayal still lodged in her heart, she contemplates how neatly he'd sidestepped her revenge by falling ill. Not with any evanescent subliminal disease, but with a crippling, monstrous, galloping brain tumor that the doctors didn't even dare to biopsy, because the odds of death by biopsy were about even with the tumor killing him.

਀㰀瀀㸀 吀栀攀 栀攀爀漀椀挀猀 娀栀椀ⴀ䴀椀渀最 攀渀愀挀琀攀搀Ⰰ 攀瘀攀渀 琀漀 琀栀攀 氀愀猀琀Ⰰ 眀栀攀渀 栀攀 眀愀猀 戀氀椀渀搀 愀渀搀 栀愀搀 琀漀 戀攀 昀攀搀 椀渀琀爀愀瘀攀渀漀甀猀氀礀℀ 䠀攀愀瘀椀氀礀 猀攀搀愀琀攀搀Ⰰ 栀椀猀 攀礀攀戀愀氀氀猀 爀漀氀氀攀搀 昀爀漀洀 猀椀搀攀 琀漀 猀椀搀攀Ⰰ 甀渀猀攀攀椀渀最 攀瘀攀渀 愀猀 琀栀攀礀 猀攀愀爀挀栀攀搀Ⰰ 瀀椀琀攀漀甀猀 攀瘀攀渀 眀椀琀栀漀甀琀 攀砀瀀爀攀猀猀椀漀渀Ⰰ 愀 搀攀猀瀀攀爀愀琀攀 攀渀琀爀攀愀琀礀 昀漀爀 琀椀洀攀⸀  䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 栀愀搀 栀愀搀 琀漀 眀愀琀挀栀Ⰰ 愀猀瀀栀礀砀椀愀琀攀搀Ⰰ 愀猀 琀栀攀 洀椀猀琀爀攀猀猀Ⰰ 琀栀愀琀 琀爀漀氀氀漀瀀Ⰰ 挀愀洀攀 琀漀 瘀椀猀椀琀Ⰰ 愀氀氀 瀀爀攀琀攀渀猀攀 愀渀搀 昀愀氀氀愀挀椀漀甀猀 挀漀渀挀攀爀渀 昀漀爀 琀栀攀 戀漀猀猀✀ 眀椀昀攀⸀  䈀甀琀 眀栀愀琀 猀栀攀 爀攀猀攀渀琀攀搀 洀漀猀琀 眀愀猀 琀栀攀 洀椀猀琀爀攀猀猀✀ 挀氀愀渀搀攀猀琀椀渀攀 琀漀甀挀栀 漀昀 漀眀渀攀爀猀栀椀瀀Ⰰ 椀渀搀攀砀 昀椀渀最攀爀 漀渀 栀攀爀 栀甀猀戀愀渀搀✀猀 眀爀椀猀琀Ⰰ 眀栀攀爀攀 愀 䌀栀椀渀攀猀攀 搀漀挀琀漀爀 眀漀甀氀搀 挀栀攀挀欀 昀漀爀 瀀甀氀猀攀Ⰰ 最攀渀琀氀礀 猀琀爀漀欀椀渀最⸀  圀攀氀氀Ⰰ 氀椀昀攀 栀愀猀 愀瘀攀渀最攀搀 栀攀爀Ⰰ 栀愀猀渀✀琀 椀琀㼀  䈀攀琀琀攀爀 琀栀愀渀 椀昀 猀栀攀✀搀 琀爀椀攀搀 琀漀 欀椀氀氀 栀椀洀 栀攀爀猀攀氀昀⸀  䠀漀眀攀瘀攀爀Ⰰ 猀栀攀 渀攀瘀攀爀 眀愀渀琀攀搀 栀椀洀 搀攀愀搀 愀渀搀 琀栀椀猀 栀攀愀瘀礀 最爀甀搀最攀 椀渀猀椀搀攀 栀攀爀Ⰰ 椀渀猀椀搀椀漀甀猀 愀渀搀 搀攀攀瀀Ⰰ 氀椀攀猀 栀攀愀瘀礀 氀椀欀攀 栀攀爀 漀眀渀 愀搀愀洀愀渀琀椀渀攀 挀爀漀猀猀ⴀ琀漀ⴀ戀攀愀爀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

An hour later, Li-Chun sniffs the air and smells something burning. She looks at her oven and the stove. Then, yelling in panic, she rushes outside to see flames licking upwards from the stunted hedge, brittle, desiccated from a few months prior.

਀㰀瀀㸀 ∀吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最℀ 吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最℀∀ 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 猀挀爀攀愀洀猀⸀  吀栀攀 栀攀愀琀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀 戀甀猀栀 攀渀最甀氀昀猀 栀攀爀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

Her son emerges from behind. In his hand he holds a Bible, open to the Old Testament. Solemnly, he holds up a hand as if to bless her. His face is fiery red from the fumes. His voice roars over the crackling bush, "Mama, I have something important to tell you. GOD SAYS I AM THE CHOSEN ONE."

Pen-Ma swears by therapy for anyone having a mental meltdown, like PeptoBismol for acid reflux. Li-Chun and Ta-Ting are waiting to see Dr. Martin in a cream-colored antiseptic lobby, a psychologist recommended by her late husband's neurologist. He and Dr. Martin are tennis buddies, which Li-Chun figures to be a solid reference, despite all her misgivings about psychoanalytic mumbo-jumbo.

਀㰀瀀㸀 吀栀攀爀攀 愀爀攀 渀漀 瀀氀愀渀琀猀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 攀渀琀爀愀渀挀攀 搀漀漀爀 昀愀挀攀猀 琀栀攀 戀愀琀栀爀漀漀洀Ⰰ 眀栀椀挀栀 椀猀 戀愀搀 昀攀渀最ⴀ猀栀甀椀 愀渀搀 攀瘀攀渀 琀栀攀 爀攀挀攀瀀琀椀漀渀椀猀琀 氀漀漀欀猀 愀猀 椀昀 猀栀攀✀猀 栀愀搀 琀漀漀 洀愀渀礀 眀愀猀栀攀猀⸀  匀栀攀 猀洀攀氀氀猀 漀昀 愀瀀瀀氀攀 戀氀漀猀猀漀洀猀 愀渀搀 栀攀爀 栀愀椀爀 眀愀瘀攀猀 愀爀漀甀渀搀 栀攀爀 昀愀挀攀 眀椀琀栀 栀甀洀椀搀 昀甀氀氀渀攀猀猀⸀   㰀⼀瀀㸀

Sitting with her Louis Vuitton purse carefully balanced on her lap, she glances at her child. Ta-Ting is methodically pinching first the left then the right side of his face. She flaps at him. "Stop fidgeting."

਀㰀瀀㸀 伀戀攀搀椀攀渀琀氀礀Ⰰ 吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最 猀琀椀挀欀猀 栀椀猀 栀愀渀搀猀 甀渀搀攀爀 栀椀猀 愀爀洀瀀椀琀猀⸀  ∀圀栀愀琀 愀爀攀 眀攀 搀漀椀渀最 栀攀爀攀Ⰰ 䴀愀洀愀㼀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

The receptionist is buzzed. She picks up the phone, listens without saying a word, replaces the receiver and looks across at them. "Dr. Martin will see you now." An android couldn't be more stoic.

਀㰀瀀㸀 䐀爀⸀ 䴀愀爀琀椀渀 漀瀀攀渀猀 栀椀猀 搀漀漀爀 愀渀搀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 爀攀挀攀椀瘀攀猀 愀 猀栀漀挀欀⸀  䠀椀猀 昀攀愀琀甀爀攀猀 愀爀攀 愀猀 䌀栀椀渀攀猀攀 愀猀 栀攀爀猀Ⰰ 猀琀甀戀戀攀搀ⴀ渀漀猀攀Ⰰ 昀氀愀琀 愀渀最氀椀渀最 挀栀攀攀欀猀Ⰰ 琀栀椀渀 眀椀爀攀ⴀ爀椀洀猀 眀爀愀瀀瀀攀搀 愀爀漀甀渀搀 栀椀猀 攀礀攀猀⸀  䠀攀✀猀 愀氀猀漀 瘀攀爀礀 猀栀漀爀琀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 愀氀氀 琀栀攀猀攀 氀攀愀瘀攀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 眀椀琀栀 愀 昀攀攀氀椀渀最 漀昀 戀攀椀渀最 栀漀愀砀攀搀⸀  䤀洀洀攀搀椀愀琀攀氀礀 甀瀀漀渀 攀渀琀攀爀椀渀最 栀椀猀 漀昀昀椀挀攀Ⰰ 猀栀攀 猀挀愀渀猀 昀漀爀 猀漀洀攀 栀椀搀搀攀渀 猀椀最渀Ⰰ 瀀栀漀琀漀猀 漀渀 琀栀攀 眀愀氀氀Ⰰ 攀渀挀愀猀攀搀 爀愀挀欀攀琀 瀀攀攀欀椀渀最 漀甀琀 昀爀漀洀 挀爀攀瘀椀挀攀 戀攀琀眀攀攀渀 戀漀漀欀猀栀攀氀瘀攀猀 愀渀搀 挀漀洀瀀甀琀攀爀 搀攀猀欀Ⰰ 愀渀礀琀栀椀渀最 琀漀 椀渀搀椀挀愀琀攀 琀栀愀琀 栀攀✀猀 椀渀搀攀攀搀 愀 琀攀渀渀椀猀 瀀氀愀礀攀爀⸀  匀栀攀 甀猀栀攀爀猀 椀渀 吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最Ⰰ 眀栀漀 瀀爀漀挀攀攀搀猀 琀漀 挀爀漀猀猀 漀渀攀 昀攀攀琀 漀瘀攀爀 琀栀攀 漀琀栀攀爀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 猀琀愀渀搀猀 眀椀琀栀 愀爀洀猀 愀欀椀洀戀漀 渀攀砀琀 琀漀 琀栀攀 氀攀愀琀栀攀爀 挀漀甀挀栀⸀  匀栀攀 甀爀最攀猀 栀椀洀 琀漀 猀椀琀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 栀攀 洀攀爀攀氀礀 猀挀爀愀琀挀栀攀猀 栀椀猀 挀栀攀攀欀Ⰰ 愀 最攀猀琀甀爀攀 爀攀洀椀渀椀猀挀攀渀琀 漀昀 栀椀猀 昀愀琀栀攀爀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 爀攀挀爀漀猀猀攀猀 栀椀猀 愀爀洀猀⸀  吀栀攀渀Ⰰ 栀椀猀 最愀稀攀 猀眀攀攀瀀猀 漀甀琀 瀀愀猀琀 琀栀攀 戀攀瘀攀氀攀搀 戀愀渀欀 漀昀 最氀愀猀猀 琀漀 琀栀攀 猀欀礀猀挀爀愀瀀攀爀猀 昀愀挀椀渀最 琀栀攀洀Ⰰ 栀椀猀 洀漀甀琀栀 猀氀漀眀氀礀 漀瀀攀渀椀渀最 氀椀欀攀 昀椀猀栀 爀攀氀攀愀猀椀渀最 愀椀爀ⴀ戀甀戀戀氀攀猀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"Dr. Khoo very kindly called me before you visit."

਀ऀ㰀瀀㸀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 椀洀洀攀搀椀愀琀攀氀礀 渀漀琀椀挀攀猀 琀栀攀 最爀愀洀洀愀琀椀挀愀氀 洀椀猀琀愀欀攀⸀  匀栀攀 瀀氀甀洀瀀猀 栀攀爀猀攀氀昀 漀渀 琀栀攀 氀攀愀琀栀攀爀 挀漀甀挀栀Ⰰ 琀甀挀欀椀渀最 栀攀爀 戀愀最 甀渀搀攀爀 栀攀爀 愀爀洀瀀椀琀⸀ऀ㰀⼀瀀㸀

"He explained you situation. I'm very sorry to hear about you husband."

਀ऀ㰀瀀㸀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 栀愀氀昀 爀椀猀攀猀⸀  圀栀愀琀 欀椀渀搀 漀昀 焀甀愀挀欀攀爀礀 椀猀 琀栀椀猀㼀 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"You disturbed by something." Dr. Martin then holds out a hand. "Please, I'm not asking you to trust me. I'm here to help, if I can. We only need talk about whatever you feel comfortable discussing."

਀ऀ㰀瀀㸀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 猀椀渀欀猀 戀愀挀欀 搀漀眀渀⸀  䄀 洀攀洀漀爀礀 爀椀猀攀猀 甀渀戀椀搀搀攀渀⸀  吀眀漀 搀愀礀猀 愀昀琀攀爀 娀栀椀ⴀ䴀椀渀最✀猀 昀甀渀攀爀愀氀Ⰰ 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 栀愀搀 昀漀甀渀搀 栀攀爀 猀漀渀 猀栀爀攀搀搀椀渀最 栀椀猀 爀攀瀀漀爀琀 挀愀爀搀猀 椀渀 栀椀猀 爀漀漀洀⸀  伀爀 猀漀 猀栀攀 琀栀漀甀最栀琀Ⰰ 甀渀琀椀氀 氀愀琀攀爀 眀栀攀渀 最愀琀栀攀爀攀搀 甀瀀 椀渀 愀 瀀椀氀攀 漀渀 琀栀攀 欀椀琀挀栀攀渀✀猀 戀氀漀挀欀 椀猀氀愀渀搀Ⰰ 猀栀攀 渀漀琀椀挀攀搀 愀 瀀愀琀琀攀爀渀 琀漀 琀栀攀 爀椀瀀瀀椀渀最⸀  䠀攀 栀愀搀 渀攀愀琀氀礀 琀漀爀渀 栀漀氀攀猀 琀栀爀漀甀最栀 攀愀挀栀 挀愀爀搀Ⰰ 栀漀氀攀猀 漀昀 搀椀昀昀攀爀攀渀琀 猀栀愀瀀攀猀 愀渀搀 猀椀稀攀猀⸀  䠀攀爀 焀甀攀猀琀椀渀最 洀椀渀搀 挀栀攀挀欀攀搀 琀漀 猀攀攀 椀昀 栀攀 搀攀猀攀挀爀愀琀攀搀 漀渀氀礀 ∀䌀✀猀 漀爀 ∀䄀∀猀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 琀栀攀 搀椀猀琀爀椀戀甀琀椀漀渀 眀愀猀 爀愀渀搀漀洀⸀   匀栀攀 愀猀欀攀搀 栀椀洀 琀栀攀 洀攀愀渀椀渀最 漀昀 眀栀愀琀 栀攀 眀愀猀 搀漀椀渀最Ⰰ 戀甀琀 栀攀 漀渀氀礀 挀漀眀攀爀攀搀 愀猀 椀昀 栀攀 眀愀猀 戀攀椀渀最 栀椀琀⸀  吀栀椀猀 爀攀渀琀 栀攀爀 栀攀愀爀琀⸀  䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 最愀琀栀攀爀攀搀 甀瀀 栀攀爀 猀漀渀 愀渀搀 猀愀椀搀Ⰰ ∀夀漀甀 挀愀渀 爀椀瀀 愀渀礀琀栀椀渀最 漀甀琀 礀漀甀 氀椀欀攀Ⰰ 樀甀猀琀 渀漀琀 䴀甀洀洀礀✀猀 瀀甀爀猀攀猀 愀渀搀 猀栀漀攀猀Ⰰ 漀欀㼀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

Li-Chun now takes a leap of faith. "Dr. Martin, I need to explain something to you." She quickly reprises this scene from memory to him, while Ta-Ting listens as if they are talking about some other unfamiliar boy. His eyes light up with magisterial wonder, a kind of impishness.

਀ऀ㰀瀀㸀 䐀爀⸀ 䴀愀爀琀椀渀 氀椀猀琀攀渀猀Ⰰ 渀漀搀搀椀渀最 漀挀挀愀猀椀漀渀愀氀氀礀⸀  䠀攀 猀攀攀洀猀 琀漀 戀攀 樀漀最最椀渀最 椀渀 瀀氀愀挀攀 愀猀 栀攀 戀漀戀猀 甀瀀 愀渀搀 搀漀眀渀 漀渀 栀椀猀 愀搀樀甀猀琀愀戀氀攀 猀漀昀琀氀礀ⴀ瀀愀搀搀攀搀 攀砀攀挀甀琀椀瘀攀 挀栀愀椀爀⸀  䄀昀琀攀爀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 昀椀渀椀猀栀攀猀Ⰰ 栀攀 猀琀椀氀氀 猀椀琀猀 琀栀攀爀攀Ⰰ 樀漀甀渀挀椀渀最 甀瀀 愀渀搀 搀漀眀渀⸀  䤀渀眀愀爀搀氀礀Ⰰ 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 戀攀最椀渀猀 琀漀 琀椀挀欀 氀椀欀攀 愀 洀攀琀爀漀渀漀洀攀⸀  匀栀攀 最氀愀渀挀攀猀 愀琀 吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最Ⰰ 眀栀漀 栀愀猀 攀搀最攀搀 漀瘀攀爀 琀漀 琀栀攀 眀椀渀搀漀眀猀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 渀漀眀 猀琀愀渀搀猀 琀爀愀挀椀渀最 栀椀猀 昀椀渀最攀爀猀 甀瀀 愀渀搀 搀漀眀渀 琀栀攀 最氀愀猀猀Ⰰ 洀愀欀椀渀最 猀渀愀欀攀ⴀ氀椀欀攀 琀爀愀挀欀猀 漀渀 琀栀攀 挀爀礀猀琀愀氀氀椀渀攀 挀氀攀愀爀渀攀猀猀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

Embarrassed, Li-Chun mumbles, "He's a very very bright boy. Nearly top of his class, every year."

਀ऀ㰀瀀㸀 䐀爀⸀ 䴀愀爀琀椀渀 猀洀椀氀攀猀⸀  䠀攀 爀攀愀挀栀攀猀 戀愀挀欀 琀漀 栀椀猀 搀攀猀欀 愀渀搀 爀攀琀爀椀攀瘀攀猀 瀀愀搀 愀渀搀 瀀攀渀⸀  䠀攀 氀攀愀昀猀 漀瘀攀爀 琀栀攀 挀愀爀搀戀漀愀爀搀 挀漀瘀攀爀⸀ ∀吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最Ⰰ 搀漀 礀漀甀 氀椀欀攀 琀漀 搀爀攀眀㼀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

Li-Chun looks at her son. He puffs out his cheeks, having inhaled a lot of air, and he stares back at the doctor unblinking. His jaws work under the strain, and his cheeks indent here and there as the pocket of air dances around. Dr. Martin waits.

਀ऀ㰀瀀㸀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 洀愀欀攀猀 琀漀 爀椀猀攀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀 挀漀甀挀栀⸀  䐀爀⸀ 䴀愀爀琀椀渀 氀攀愀渀猀 昀漀爀眀愀爀搀⸀  匀漀洀攀琀栀椀渀最 椀渀 栀椀猀 瀀漀猀琀甀爀攀 猀琀愀礀猀 栀攀爀⸀  匀栀攀 氀漀漀欀猀 昀爀漀洀 搀漀挀琀漀爀 琀漀 猀漀渀⸀  䐀爀⸀ 䴀愀爀琀椀渀 眀愀椀琀猀⸀  䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 愀最愀椀渀 昀攀攀氀猀 氀椀欀攀 愀 琀椀挀欀椀渀最 洀攀琀爀漀渀漀洀攀Ⰰ 漀渀攀 琀栀愀琀✀猀 氀椀欀攀氀礀 琀漀 挀漀洀戀甀猀琀⸀  匀栀攀 眀愀渀琀猀 琀漀 琀愀氀欀 愀戀漀甀琀 眀栀愀琀 栀愀瀀瀀攀渀攀搀 漀瘀攀爀 䌀栀椀渀攀猀攀 一攀眀 夀攀愀爀 眀椀琀栀 琀栀攀 戀甀爀渀椀渀最 戀甀猀栀㬀 猀栀攀 眀愀渀琀猀 琀漀 爀愀最攀 愀戀漀甀琀 栀攀爀 栀甀猀戀愀渀搀✀猀 戀攀琀爀愀礀愀氀Ⰰ 栀椀猀 甀渀琀椀洀攀氀礀 搀攀洀椀猀攀㬀 猀栀攀 眀愀渀琀猀 琀漀 栀愀瘀攀 愀 氀漀琀 漀昀 琀栀椀渀最猀 挀氀愀爀椀昀椀攀搀 愀渀搀 甀渀搀攀爀猀琀漀漀搀⸀  㰀⼀瀀㸀

Finally, Ta-Ting exhales. "Yes, I like to draw," he says.

਀ऀ㰀瀀㸀 ∀圀椀氀氀 礀漀甀 搀爀攀眀 猀漀洀攀琀栀椀渀最 昀攀眀 洀攀 漀渀 琀栀椀猀 瀀椀攀挀攀 漀昀 瀀愀瀀攀爀㼀∀ 䐀爀⸀ 䴀愀爀琀椀渀 攀砀琀攀渀搀猀 琀栀攀 瀀愀搀 愀渀搀 瀀攀渀⸀  吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最 氀漀漀欀猀Ⰰ 猀挀爀甀渀挀栀攀猀 甀瀀 栀椀猀 洀漀甀琀栀 戀甀琀 猀愀礀猀 渀漀琀栀椀渀最⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"Anything you like," Dr. Martin urges. "Whatever comes to you mind. A rainbow or an animal?"

਀ऀ㰀瀀㸀 吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最 最爀椀洀愀挀攀猀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"Maybe Spiderman or his nemesis, Dr. Octopus?"

਀ऀ㰀瀀㸀 吀栀椀猀 猀攀攀洀猀 琀漀 眀漀爀欀⸀ 吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最 琀甀爀渀猀 琀漀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 昀漀爀 爀攀愀猀猀甀爀愀渀挀攀⸀  圀椀琀栀 栀攀爀 栀攀愀爀琀 椀渀 栀攀爀 洀漀甀琀栀Ⰰ 猀栀攀 渀漀搀猀⸀  䠀攀 琀愀欀攀猀 琀栀攀 瀀愀搀 愀渀搀 瀀攀渀Ⰰ 栀甀渀挀栀椀渀最 栀椀猀 猀栀漀甀氀搀攀爀猀 漀瘀攀爀⸀  ∀䐀漀渀✀琀 氀漀漀欀Ⰰ∀ 栀攀 愀搀洀漀渀椀猀栀攀猀 戀漀琀栀 琀栀攀 搀漀挀琀漀爀 愀渀搀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

As he draws, Dr. Martin slips into casual chit-chat. He asks where they live, and what she enjoys about her Pasadena neighborhood. Li-Chun realizes that what she has mistaken for grammatical errors is actually an inability or recalcitrance of Dr. Martin's tongue and soft-palette to form the sound "oar." Thus, when he speaks, "more" sounds like "mew" and "for" like "few." It liberalizes her attitude towards him. That, and his manner towards Ta-Ting, patient and unexpectant.

਀ऀ㰀瀀㸀 吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最 渀漀眀 琀栀爀甀猀琀猀 琀栀攀 瀀愀搀 戀愀挀欀 愀琀 䐀爀⸀ 䴀愀爀琀椀渀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 最愀猀瀀猀 愀猀 猀栀攀 猀攀攀猀 眀栀愀琀 栀攀 栀愀猀 搀爀愀眀渀⸀  䤀琀✀猀 猀琀爀愀椀最栀琀 漀甀琀 漀昀 吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最✀猀 瀀椀挀琀漀爀椀愀氀 䈀椀戀氀攀⸀  䄀 昀漀爀洀椀搀愀戀氀攀 爀攀渀搀椀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 愀 戀攀愀爀搀攀搀 洀愀渀 琀栀爀漀眀椀渀最 愀 氀漀渀最 挀愀渀攀 愀琀 琀栀攀 最爀漀甀渀搀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 漀瀀瀀漀猀椀琀攀 攀渀搀 漀昀 眀栀椀挀栀 栀愀猀 愀氀爀攀愀搀礀 挀栀愀渀最攀搀 椀渀琀漀 愀 眀爀椀琀栀椀渀最 猀渀愀欀攀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀 

Dr. Martin looks up. "This is very, very good."

਀㰀瀀㸀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 椀猀 甀渀猀甀爀攀 眀栀攀琀栀攀爀 䐀爀⸀ 䴀愀爀琀椀渀 洀攀愀渀猀 琀栀攀 搀爀愀眀椀渀最 椀猀 最漀漀搀 愀爀琀 漀爀 眀栀攀琀栀攀爀 栀攀 猀攀渀猀攀猀 猀漀洀攀 猀漀爀琀 漀昀 瀀猀礀挀栀漀愀渀愀氀礀琀椀挀 戀爀攀愀欀琀栀爀漀甀最栀⸀   䈀甀琀 栀椀猀 渀攀砀琀 眀漀爀搀猀 搀愀猀栀 栀攀爀 栀漀瀀攀猀⸀  ∀夀漀甀 氀椀欀攀 洀愀最椀挀 琀栀攀渀Ⰰ 搀漀 礀漀甀㼀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

Ta-Ting crosses his arms. "I AM WHO I AM," he drones.

਀㰀瀀㸀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 栀愀猀 栀愀搀 攀渀漀甀最栀⸀  匀栀攀✀猀 瀀愀椀搀 最漀漀搀 洀漀渀攀礀 昀漀爀 琀栀攀 猀攀猀猀椀漀渀 愀渀搀 猀栀攀 眀愀渀琀猀 猀漀洀攀 爀攀猀甀氀琀猀Ⰰ 渀漀琀 琀栀椀猀 琀椀洀攀ⴀ眀愀猀琀椀渀最 戀愀椀琀ⴀ愀渀搀ⴀ猀眀椀琀挀栀⸀  ∀吀栀愀琀✀猀 䴀漀猀攀猀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀 䈀椀戀氀攀⸀  䰀愀猀琀 眀攀攀欀Ⰰ 栀攀 氀椀琀 甀瀀 琀栀攀 戀甀猀栀 椀渀 漀甀爀 昀爀漀渀琀 礀愀爀搀 氀椀欀攀 愀 洀攀渀漀爀愀栀⸀  吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最 栀愀猀 戀攀攀渀 甀渀搀攀爀 愀 氀漀琀 漀昀 猀琀爀愀椀渀⸀ 䤀琀✀猀 渀漀爀洀愀氀 挀漀渀猀椀搀攀爀椀渀最 栀椀猀 昀愀琀栀攀爀 樀甀猀琀 搀椀攀搀 琀栀爀攀攀 洀漀渀琀栀猀 愀最漀⸀  䤀✀洀 渀漀 瀀猀礀挀栀漀氀漀最椀猀琀 戀甀琀 攀瘀攀渀 䤀 挀愀渀 琀攀氀氀 礀漀甀 愀氀氀 琀栀椀猀 猀琀爀愀渀最攀 戀攀栀愀瘀椀漀爀 栀攀✀猀 戀攀攀渀 攀砀栀椀戀椀琀椀渀最 愀爀攀 猀礀洀瀀琀漀洀猀 漀昀 愀 搀攀攀瀀攀爀 猀琀爀攀猀猀⸀  䤀琀✀猀 渀漀琀 爀漀挀欀攀琀 猀挀椀攀渀挀攀Ⰰ 渀漀眀 眀栀愀琀 愀爀攀 眀攀 最漀椀渀最 琀漀 搀漀 愀戀漀甀琀 椀琀㼀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

Dr. Martin looks felled by her aggression. He takes a deep breath, gets up from his seat and starts pacing up and down.

਀㰀瀀㸀 䠀攀 猀愀礀猀Ⰰ ∀䴀愀礀 䤀 猀甀最最攀猀琀 琀栀椀猀Ⰰ 䴀爀猀⸀ 圀愀渀最㼀 䴀愀礀 䤀 猀甀最最攀猀琀 猀攀瀀愀爀愀琀攀 猀攀猀猀椀漀渀猀 昀漀爀 礀漀甀 愀渀搀 吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最㼀 䤀✀搀 氀椀欀攀 琀漀 猀攀攀 吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最 眀椀琀栀漀甀琀 礀漀甀爀 猀甀瀀攀爀瘀椀猀椀渀最 瀀爀攀猀攀渀挀攀Ⰰ∀ 琀栀椀猀 洀愀欀攀猀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 戀爀椀猀琀氀攀 眀椀琀栀 愀渀最攀爀Ⰰ ∀愀渀搀 䤀✀搀 氀椀欀攀 琀漀 猀攀攀 礀漀甀 愀氀漀渀攀⸀  䤀 琀栀椀渀欀 琀栀愀琀 眀漀甀氀搀 甀氀琀椀洀愀琀攀氀礀 戀攀 琀栀攀 洀漀猀琀 戀攀渀攀昀椀挀椀愀氀 爀漀甀琀攀⸀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"Oh, so you can charge us double?" Li-Chun storms to the windows, drags Ta-Ting's hand. She strides to the door. "What kind of a roughhouse Chinese-equivalent to Martin are you anyway?"

਀㰀瀀㸀 䨀甀猀琀 琀栀攀渀Ⰰ 吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最 猀栀漀甀琀猀Ⰰ ∀吀栀攀 䜀ⴀ猀瀀漀琀 椀猀 愀渀 愀爀攀愀 猀攀渀猀椀琀椀瘀攀 琀漀 猀琀攀愀洀 愀渀搀 氀漀琀椀漀渀 椀渀猀椀搀攀 琀栀攀 嘀椀爀最椀渀椀愀 愀渀搀 椀猀 琀栀攀 昀甀挀欀椀渀最 瀀漀椀渀琀 漀昀 昀攀洀愀氀攀 猀攀砀 眀漀爀氀搀 愀ⴀ爀漀 甀稀椀⸀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀
਀㰀瀀㸀 吀栀攀 猀栀爀椀渀欀 琀攀氀氀猀 栀攀爀 吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最✀猀 ∀戀椀戀氀椀挀愀氀∀ 瀀氀愀礀ⴀ甀瀀猀 愀爀攀 愀琀琀攀渀琀椀漀渀ⴀ猀攀攀欀椀渀最 戀攀栀愀瘀椀漀爀Ⰰ 琀栀愀琀 栀攀 椀猀 琀爀礀椀渀最 琀漀 猀攀攀欀 挀攀爀琀愀椀渀琀椀攀猀 愀渀搀 洀攀愀渀椀渀最 椀渀 琀栀攀 搀攀愀琀栀 漀昀 愀 戀攀氀漀瘀攀搀 瀀愀爀攀渀琀Ⰰ 琀栀愀琀 栀攀 椀猀 琀攀洀瀀漀爀愀爀椀氀礀 ∀搀椀猀琀甀爀戀攀搀Ⰰ∀ 瀀漀猀猀椀戀氀礀 ∀甀渀栀椀渀最攀搀∀ 椀渀 栀椀猀 椀渀愀戀椀氀椀琀礀 琀漀 搀攀愀氀 眀椀琀栀 栀椀猀 最爀椀攀昀 戀攀挀愀甀猀攀 漀昀 栀椀猀 礀漀甀渀最 愀最攀⸀  䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 猀椀琀猀 愀渀搀 氀椀猀琀攀渀猀Ⰰ 猀焀甀愀爀椀渀最 栀攀爀 猀栀漀甀氀搀攀爀猀Ⰰ 栀愀渀搀猀 搀愀洀瀀 愀渀搀 猀氀椀瀀瀀攀爀礀 漀渀 琀栀攀 挀氀愀猀瀀 漀昀 栀攀爀 䈀愀氀攀渀挀椀愀最愀 愀猀 猀栀攀 挀爀攀愀欀猀 琀栀攀 氀攀愀琀栀攀爀 挀漀甀挀栀 琀漀 最漀漀搀 攀昀昀攀挀琀⸀  䐀爀⸀ 䴀愀爀琀椀渀 琀愀欀攀猀 漀昀昀 栀椀猀 眀椀爀攀ⴀ爀椀洀猀⸀  㰀⼀瀀㸀

For the last four weeks, her own progress has been slow. The shrink tells her possibly she is enraged at herself. Possibly, her anger is directed towards the person who died for no other reason than that he died. He tells her anger has many faces; the other side of anger is sadness and loss. Possibly, her anger matches her sadness in equal measure and intensity.

਀㰀瀀㸀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 瀀漀渀搀攀爀猀 琀栀椀猀⸀  䤀昀 愀渀礀琀栀椀渀最Ⰰ 猀栀攀✀猀 愀渀最爀椀攀爀 琀栀愀渀 戀攀昀漀爀攀 琀栀攀爀愀瀀礀 猀琀愀爀琀攀搀⸀  䤀昀 愀渀最攀爀✀猀 甀渀搀攀爀猀椀搀攀 椀猀 猀愀搀渀攀猀猀Ⰰ 猀栀攀 昀椀渀搀猀 椀琀 愀猀 瀀攀爀猀甀愀猀椀瘀攀 愀猀 吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最 琀栀椀渀欀椀渀最 栀攀 椀猀 䜀漀搀✀猀 一攀眀 䴀漀猀攀猀⸀  䴀漀爀攀 琀栀愀渀 漀渀挀攀Ⰰ 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 栀愀猀 昀漀甀渀搀 栀椀洀 欀渀攀攀氀椀渀最 椀渀 昀爀漀渀琀 漀昀 琀栀攀 䰀愀甀最栀椀渀最 䘀愀琀 䈀甀搀搀栀愀 瀀氀攀愀搀椀渀最 昀漀爀 琀栀攀 倀栀愀爀愀漀栀 琀漀 爀攀氀攀愀猀攀 ∀栀椀猀 瀀攀漀瀀氀攀⸀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

When she tells Pastor Chen this, he gives her a sermon about worshipping false idols. And he does this while they are still breathless and disheveled on the carpet. Angrily, she snatches up her bra and covers her chest. "You're missing the point," she says.

਀㰀瀀㸀 䌀栀攀渀 瀀攀攀氀猀 栀椀洀猀攀氀昀 漀昀昀 琀栀攀 挀愀爀瀀攀琀 愀渀搀 猀琀愀爀琀猀 搀爀攀猀猀椀渀最⸀  ∀䤀 欀渀漀眀 礀漀甀✀爀攀 愀 最漀漀搀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀椀愀渀Ⰰ 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 礀漀甀 洀甀猀琀 甀渀搀攀爀猀琀愀渀搀Ⰰ 漀甀爀 䜀漀搀 椀猀 愀 樀攀愀氀漀甀猀 眀爀愀琀栀昀甀氀 䜀漀搀 愀渀搀 眀椀氀氀 琀漀氀攀爀愀琀攀 渀漀 挀漀洀瀀攀琀椀琀椀漀渀⸀∀  䠀攀 猀椀琀猀 搀漀眀渀 漀渀 琀栀攀 戀攀搀 琀漀 瀀甀氀氀 漀渀 栀椀猀 猀漀挀欀猀⸀ ∀䰀椀欀攀 洀愀渀礀 漀昀 洀礀 瀀愀爀椀猀栀椀漀渀攀爀猀Ⰰ 䤀 欀渀漀眀 礀漀甀 琀栀椀渀欀 礀漀甀 猀栀漀甀氀搀 最椀瘀攀 愀猀 洀愀渀礀 栀椀琀猀 琀漀 琀栀攀 樀愀挀欀瀀漀琀 愀猀 瀀漀猀猀椀戀氀攀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 漀甀爀 䜀漀搀 椀猀 搀椀昀昀攀爀攀渀琀⸀ 夀漀甀 挀愀渀✀琀 眀椀渀 栀攀愀瘀攀渀 氀椀欀攀 琀栀愀琀⸀  吀栀攀爀攀✀猀 漀渀氀礀 漀渀攀 爀漀愀搀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 琀栀愀琀 爀漀愀搀 椀猀 琀栀爀漀甀最栀 昀椀搀攀氀椀琀礀 琀漀 䨀攀猀甀猀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀⸀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"You mean, like Zhi-Ming and his harlot, and me and you?"

਀㰀瀀㸀 䌀栀攀渀 猀琀漀瀀猀 挀漀氀搀⸀  䠀攀 攀礀攀猀 栀攀爀 甀渀挀攀爀琀愀椀渀氀礀⸀  匀椀琀琀椀渀最 椀渀 栀椀猀 戀漀砀攀爀猀 愀渀搀 栀椀猀 栀漀氀攀礀 猀漀挀欀猀Ⰰ 栀攀 氀漀漀欀猀 洀漀爀攀 氀椀欀攀 愀 戀漀渀礀 挀愀爀瀀攀琀戀愀最最攀爀 琀栀愀渀 愀 爀攀猀瀀攀挀琀攀搀 洀愀渀ⴀ漀昀ⴀ琀栀攀ⴀ挀氀漀琀栀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀 

"You need to be less aggressive, Li-Chun. Seek God's forgiveness."

਀㰀瀀㸀 吀栀攀爀攀✀猀 渀漀 搀攀挀攀渀琀 眀愀礀 琀漀 挀漀渀琀爀愀搀椀挀琀 漀渀攀✀猀 瀀愀猀琀漀爀Ⰰ 渀漀 洀愀琀琀攀爀 栀漀眀 漀昀琀攀渀 漀渀攀 猀挀爀攀眀猀 栀椀洀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

So, she tells this to her shrink, by way of preamble. "I don't need to seek anybody's forgiveness. Certain people, even as they lie churning in their grave, need to seek God's forgiveness."

਀ऀ㰀瀀㸀 ∀䠀漀眀 眀愀猀 礀漀甀 眀攀攀欀㼀∀ 䐀爀⸀ 䴀愀爀琀椀渀 爀攀瀀氀椀攀猀Ⰰ 甀渀昀愀稀攀搀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"Just wonderful! Ta-Ting is commencing his mass exodus. Soon, I'll expect to see the slaughter of first-borns."

਀ऀ㰀瀀㸀 䐀爀⸀ 䴀愀爀琀椀渀 氀攀愀渀猀 漀瘀攀爀 栀椀猀 搀攀猀欀 愀渀搀 猀挀爀椀戀戀氀攀猀 愀 渀漀琀攀⸀  䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 攀礀攀猀 栀椀洀 猀甀猀瀀椀挀椀漀甀猀氀礀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"Let's talk about that today. Tell me about these antics of Ta-Ting's. How do they make you feel?"

਀ऀ㰀瀀㸀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 琀栀爀漀眀猀 甀瀀 栀攀爀 栀愀渀搀猀⸀  ∀伀栀Ⰰ 䤀 搀漀渀✀琀 欀渀漀眀⸀  䈀攀眀椀氀搀攀爀攀搀Ⰰ 䤀 最甀攀猀猀⸀ 圀漀爀爀椀攀搀⸀  䄀渀最爀礀 琀栀愀琀 栀攀 眀漀渀✀琀 琀愀氀欀 琀漀 洀攀⸀  吀栀攀 甀猀甀愀氀 猀琀甀昀昀⸀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"What else?"

"਀ऀ㰀瀀㸀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 瀀愀甀猀攀猀Ⰰ 猀挀爀愀戀戀氀椀渀最 昀漀爀 眀漀爀搀猀⸀  圀栀攀渀 吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最 眀愀猀 琀眀漀Ⰰ 栀攀 栀愀搀 愀 戀漀甀琀 漀昀 昀攀瘀攀爀 愀戀漀瘀攀 ㄀ ㈀ 昀漀爀 愀 眀攀攀欀⸀  䔀瘀攀爀礀 渀椀最栀琀Ⰰ 愀氀氀 渀椀最栀琀Ⰰ 猀栀攀 猀愀琀 栀漀氀搀椀渀最 栀椀洀 椀渀 栀攀爀 愀爀洀猀Ⰰ 昀攀攀氀椀渀最 栀椀猀 昀攀瘀攀爀椀猀栀 琀爀攀洀漀爀猀Ⰰ 眀椀氀氀椀渀最 椀琀 漀甀琀 漀昀 栀椀洀 愀渀搀 椀渀琀漀 栀攀爀⸀  䐀漀挀琀漀爀猀 眀栀漀 愀猀欀 猀琀甀瀀椀搀 焀甀攀猀琀椀漀渀猀 栀愀瘀攀 渀攀瘀攀爀 欀渀漀眀渀 搀攀猀瀀愀椀爀⸀ ∀䤀✀洀 瘀攀爀礀 眀漀爀爀椀攀搀⸀  䤀 搀漀渀✀琀 甀渀搀攀爀猀琀愀渀搀 眀栀礀 栀攀 琀栀椀渀欀猀 栀攀✀猀 䴀漀猀攀猀⸀  䤀琀✀猀 洀礀猀琀椀昀礀椀渀最⸀  圀栀愀琀 搀漀攀猀 椀琀 愀氀氀 洀攀愀渀㼀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

Dr. Martin taps his fingertips together. "I've told you what I think it means. Why don't you tell me what you think it means?"

਀㰀瀀㸀  ∀倀愀猀琀漀爀 䌀栀攀渀 挀漀愀挀栀攀猀 栀椀洀 漀渀 琀栀攀 䈀椀戀氀攀 攀瘀攀爀礀 眀攀攀欀⸀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"So you think there's a connection between his behavior and the lessons?"

਀㰀瀀㸀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 挀漀氀漀爀猀⸀ ∀䤀 搀椀搀渀✀琀 猀愀礀 琀栀愀琀⸀  䴀愀礀戀攀 栀攀✀猀 樀甀猀琀 攀渀琀栀甀猀椀愀猀琀椀挀Ⰰ 渀攀攀搀椀渀最 琀漀 爀攀攀渀愀挀琀 椀渀 搀攀琀愀椀氀 眀栀愀琀 栀攀✀猀 氀攀愀爀渀攀搀⸀  䠀攀 挀愀渀 戀攀 愀爀琀椀猀琀椀挀Ⰰ 礀漀甀 欀渀漀眀㼀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"But you think not?"

਀㰀瀀㸀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 瀀愀甀猀攀猀⸀  ∀䤀 栀愀瘀攀 琀栀椀猀 昀攀攀氀椀渀最 栀攀 眀愀渀琀猀 琀漀 琀攀氀氀 洀攀 猀漀洀攀琀栀椀渀最⸀  䈀甀琀 栀攀 眀漀渀✀琀 琀愀氀欀 琀漀 洀攀⸀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"What do you think he's trying to tell you?"

਀㰀瀀㸀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 攀砀瀀氀漀搀攀猀Ⰰ ∀䤀 栀愀瘀攀渀✀琀 愀 挀氀甀攀℀ 䤀昀 䤀 搀椀搀Ⰰ 䤀 眀漀甀氀搀渀✀琀 戀攀 栀攀爀攀Ⰰ 眀漀甀氀搀 䤀㼀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

Dr. Martin switches topic. "Tell me about you church. What's it like? How long have you been going?"

਀㰀瀀㸀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 猀攀渀猀攀猀 愀 搀攀氀愀礀椀渀最 琀愀挀琀椀挀 戀甀琀 猀栀攀 愀挀焀甀椀攀猀挀攀猀⸀  䄀琀 琀栀攀 攀渀搀 漀昀 愀 氀漀渀最 昀漀爀琀礀 洀椀渀甀琀攀猀Ⰰ 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 栀愀猀 爀漀瘀攀搀 漀瘀攀爀 栀攀爀 攀渀琀椀爀攀 挀栀甀爀挀栀 栀椀猀琀漀爀礀Ⰰ 攀洀瀀栀愀猀椀稀攀搀 栀攀爀 昀攀爀瘀攀渀琀 戀攀氀椀攀昀猀Ⰰ 攀瘀攀渀 挀愀氀氀攀搀 栀攀爀猀攀氀昀 愀 ∀猀椀渀渀攀爀Ⰰ∀ 戀甀琀 猀漀洀攀栀漀眀Ⰰ 洀愀渀愀最攀搀 琀漀 猀琀甀搀椀漀甀猀氀礀 愀瘀漀椀搀 愀渀礀 洀攀渀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 栀攀爀 愀昀昀愀椀爀⸀  㰀⼀瀀㸀

Just as she gets up to leave though, Dr. Martin says, "Perhaps the next time Ta-Ting reenacts a biblical episode, you should indulge him, play along."

਀㰀瀀㸀  ∀圀栀礀㼀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"If you believe he's seeking communication with you in the only way he knows how, playing along, engaging by his rules, is a way to signal you're listening."

਀㰀瀀㸀 ∀䠀洀洀洀 ⸀ ⸀ ⸀ 瀀攀爀栀愀瀀猀⸀∀

"I was just thinking. That's unusual for a pastor of a large congregation, is it not? To take such an interest in one little boy?"

਀㰀瀀㸀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀✀猀 栀攀愀搀 猀渀愀瀀猀 甀瀀⸀ ∀圀栀愀琀 愀爀攀 礀漀甀 椀洀瀀氀礀椀渀最㼀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

Dr. Martin shakes his head. "Nothing at all. It's heartwarming to hear that there're still such dedicated priests out there. The one stray lamb in the flock causes a rejoicing up in heaven."

਀㰀瀀㸀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 戀氀椀渀欀猀 爀愀瀀椀搀氀礀⸀  䄀氀氀 琀栀椀猀 眀栀椀氀攀Ⰰ 猀栀攀✀猀 戀攀氀椀攀瘀攀搀 䐀爀⸀ 䴀愀爀琀椀渀 琀漀 戀攀 愀渀 椀最渀漀爀愀洀甀猀 愀戀漀甀琀 琀栀攀 䈀椀戀氀攀⸀  吀栀攀 瀀愀氀琀爀椀渀攀猀猀 漀昀 栀攀爀 瀀攀爀挀攀瀀琀椀漀渀Ⰰ 栀攀爀 攀爀爀漀渀攀漀甀猀 愀猀猀甀洀瀀琀椀漀渀 愀戀漀甀琀 䐀爀⸀ 䴀愀爀琀椀渀 渀漀眀 猀琀爀椀欀攀猀 愀 瀀愀爀愀氀氀攀氀 搀礀渀愀洀椀挀Ⰰ 愀 爀椀猀椀渀最 攀瀀椀瀀栀愀渀礀 愀戀漀甀琀 挀攀爀琀愀椀渀 瀀爀攀猀甀洀瀀琀椀漀渀猀 猀栀攀✀猀 洀愀搀攀 戀攀昀漀爀攀 栀攀爀 栀甀猀戀愀渀搀 搀椀攀搀⸀  䄀 搀椀猀琀愀渀琀 洀攀洀漀爀礀 愀猀猀愀椀氀猀 氀椀欀攀 戀愀挀欀眀愀猀栀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 猀栀攀 椀猀 漀瘀攀爀眀栀攀氀洀攀搀 戀礀 瘀攀爀琀椀最漀 愀猀 猀栀攀 氀攀愀瘀攀猀 䐀爀⸀ 䴀愀爀琀椀渀✀猀 戀甀椀氀搀椀渀最⸀ 匀栀攀 戀愀爀攀氀礀 猀琀攀愀搀椀攀猀 栀攀爀猀攀氀昀Ⰰ 漀渀氀礀 昀椀渀搀椀渀最 栀攀爀猀攀氀昀 愀昀琀攀爀 猀栀攀✀猀 氀愀渀搀攀搀 椀渀 琀栀攀 眀爀漀渀最 挀愀爀 瀀愀爀欀Ⰰ 琀爀礀椀渀最 琀漀 椀渀猀攀爀琀 栀攀爀 挀愀爀ⴀ欀攀礀猀 椀渀 愀 氀攀洀漀渀 挀漀氀漀爀 嘀漀氀瘀漀 琀栀愀琀 氀漀漀欀猀 渀漀琀栀椀渀最 氀椀欀攀 栀攀爀 漀眀渀 挀愀爀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀㰀戀爀㸀 ਀㰀瀀㸀 䴀愀渀礀 琀栀椀渀最猀 愀爀攀 渀漀琀 眀栀愀琀 琀栀攀礀 猀攀攀洀⸀  䤀渀 琀栀攀 猀眀攀攀瀀椀渀最 琀椀搀攀 漀昀 栀攀爀 愀渀最攀爀Ⰰ 猀栀攀✀猀 戀爀甀猀栀攀搀 愀猀椀搀攀 愀 挀漀渀昀甀猀椀渀最 甀渀挀攀爀琀愀椀渀琀礀 眀椀琀栀漀甀琀 爀攀愀氀椀稀椀渀最 椀琀猀 椀洀瀀漀爀琀⸀  刀攀瀀氀愀礀椀渀最 椀渀 栀攀爀 洀椀渀搀 渀漀眀 椀猀 琀栀攀 挀漀渀瘀攀爀猀愀琀椀漀渀 猀栀攀 栀愀搀 眀椀琀栀 吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最 戀攀昀漀爀攀 栀攀 猀攀琀 昀椀爀攀 琀漀 琀栀攀 戀甀猀栀⸀  圀栀愀琀 栀愀搀 栀攀爀 挀栀椀氀搀 猀愀椀搀㼀  吀栀愀琀 栀椀猀 昀愀琀栀攀爀 琀栀漀甀最栀琀 倀愀猀琀漀爀 䌀栀攀渀 眀愀猀 愀 栀礀瀀漀挀爀椀琀攀⸀  吀栀愀琀 栀攀✀搀 琀漀氀搀 栀椀洀 猀漀 椀渀 琀栀攀 栀漀猀瀀椀琀愀氀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

On the phone with Pen-Ma later, Li-Chun gasps out, "Do you realize what this means? Zhi-Ming must have known all along." Wind rolls out of her, the sounds bassooning like reedy breaths. "Here I've been burning up thinking I'm unavenged, when all along…" The enormity of her realization makes her wheeze in soundless laughter. "I totally missed it. Son of a gun. I thought he was twisting in his deathbed for time, for life, when in fact, he's just twisting. Twisting because he's been betrayed just as he has betrayed." Li-Chun heaves.

਀㰀瀀㸀 吀栀攀爀攀✀猀 搀攀愀琀栀氀礀 猀椀氀攀渀挀攀 昀爀漀洀 倀攀渀ⴀ䴀愀⸀  吀栀攀渀Ⰰ 愀 挀愀甀琀椀漀甀猀Ⰰ ∀䐀椀搀 礀漀甀 琀愀瀀攀 氀愀猀琀 渀椀最栀琀✀猀 攀瀀椀猀漀搀攀 漀昀 䐀攀猀瀀攀爀愀琀攀 䠀漀甀猀攀眀椀瘀攀猀㼀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

Li-Chun realizes there are damp tracks trickling off her chin. She swipes at them. "I'm cracking up. I'm literally fizzing."

਀㰀瀀㸀 倀攀渀ⴀ䴀愀 挀漀甀最栀猀⸀ ∀䄀爀攀 礀漀甀 猀甀爀攀 娀栀椀ⴀ䴀椀渀最 欀渀攀眀㼀 䤀昀 猀漀Ⰰ 搀漀 礀漀甀 琀栀椀渀欀 吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最 欀渀漀眀猀㼀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

Li-Chun collapses on the floor. "I don't know. I hope not. Oh, I really hope not. Damn Zhi-Ming!"


Over the next few days, a vague feeling of disappointment pursues her. Instead of release, Li-Chun feels deflated. She's unsure of many things. In the light of cold reason, she again becomes confused. Did Zhi-Ming know or not? However, despite the highs and lows of her emotional roller-coaster, one thing she does know. It congeals like dried lard, becoming rock-solid. And it spurs her to action. When next Pastor Chen walks in the door, she makes him a nice cup of Oolong. She sends Ta-Ting off to play at Alex's. Perched on the kitchen stool, she sedately laces her fingers. "You know, Da-Wu, I'm so proud of the progress Ta-Ting has made with the Bible. Just this morning, he's beating his bread with his short ruler."

਀㰀瀀㸀 倀愀猀琀漀爀 䌀栀攀渀 昀爀漀眀渀猀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

"He's preparing for Passover. I've never been prouder of my little Moses." Li-Chun measures her next words. "In fact, I'm so proud I think he can carry on now without guidance. More than that, he should proceed on his own, for his own good."

਀㰀瀀㸀 䠀攀爀 昀甀氀氀 搀爀椀昀琀 渀漀眀 爀攀愀挀栀攀猀 倀愀猀琀漀爀 䌀栀攀渀⸀  䠀攀 挀漀渀琀攀洀瀀氀愀琀攀猀 栀椀猀 伀漀氀漀渀最⸀  ∀䐀漀 礀漀甀 爀攀愀氀氀礀 琀栀椀渀欀 猀漀Ⰰ 匀椀猀琀攀爀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀㼀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

The formality rocks her a little. She hesitates.

਀㰀瀀㸀 䠀攀 猀攀渀猀攀猀 栀椀猀 愀搀瘀愀渀琀愀最攀⸀  ∀䤀琀 琀愀欀攀猀 愀 氀漀琀 漀昀 猀琀甀搀礀 琀漀 戀攀挀漀洀攀 愀搀攀瀀琀 愀琀 搀攀挀椀瀀栀攀爀椀渀最 䜀漀搀✀猀 洀攀愀渀椀渀最⸀   夀攀愀爀猀 漀昀 琀甀琀攀氀愀最攀 甀渀搀攀爀 琀栀攀 爀椀最栀琀 洀愀猀琀攀爀⸀  䤀昀 礀漀甀 椀渀琀攀爀爀甀瀀琀 栀椀猀 瀀爀漀最爀攀猀猀 渀漀眀Ⰰ 栀攀 洀椀最栀琀 戀攀 昀漀爀昀攀椀琀椀渀最 愀 最爀攀愀琀 瀀漀琀攀渀琀椀愀氀Ⰰ 洀愀礀戀攀 愀渀 攀挀甀洀攀渀椀挀愀氀 漀渀攀⸀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

Li-Chun purses her lips. "I don't think Zhi-Ming would have liked his son to become a priest." She studies her fingernails. "After all, it's not like he was surrounded by flawless examples. And he knew it before he died."

਀㰀瀀㸀 吀栀攀爀攀 椀猀 愀 搀攀攀瀀 猀椀氀攀渀挀攀⸀  圀栀攀渀 猀栀攀 氀漀漀欀猀 甀瀀Ⰰ 栀椀猀 昀愀挀攀 栀愀猀 琀甀爀渀攀搀 愀 洀漀琀琀氀攀搀 爀攀搀⸀  䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 爀攀洀愀椀渀猀 搀漀最最攀搀⸀  ∀䤀 栀愀瘀攀 琀漀 琀栀椀渀欀 漀昀 吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最 渀漀眀⸀  䤀✀洀 搀漀椀渀最 椀琀 琀栀攀 戀攀猀琀 眀愀礀 䤀 欀渀漀眀 栀漀眀Ⰰ 最漀椀渀最 戀礀 洀礀 最甀琀 昀攀攀氀椀渀最猀⸀  䤀 栀漀瀀攀 礀漀甀 甀渀搀攀爀猀琀愀渀搀⸀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

His hand grasps hers. "I don't think it's a good idea. As your pastor, I earnestly advise against it."

਀㰀瀀㸀  䤀渀 琀栀愀琀 洀漀洀攀渀琀Ⰰ 愀 眀椀猀瀀 漀昀 愀椀爀 攀猀挀愀瀀攀猀 栀攀爀 氀椀瀀猀⸀  䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 爀攀愀氀椀稀攀猀 琀栀愀琀 琀栀攀 栀漀氀氀漀眀渀攀猀猀 猀栀攀✀猀 戀攀攀渀 昀攀攀氀椀渀最 琀栀攀 氀愀猀琀 昀攀眀 搀愀礀猀 椀猀 琀栀攀 氀漀猀猀 漀昀 搀椀最渀椀琀礀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 爀攀愀氀椀稀愀琀椀漀渀 琀栀愀琀 愀氀氀 栀攀爀 眀椀猀搀漀洀 栀愀猀 愀挀栀椀攀瘀攀搀 椀猀 愀 瀀礀爀爀栀椀挀 瘀椀挀琀漀爀礀⸀    㰀⼀瀀㸀

Some of the desolation she's feeling must have seeped through. She looks up to find Pastor Chen puckering his lips like drawstrings, and there's no mistaking the wistfulness in their edges. "I'm not perfect, but I forgive you," he says.

਀㰀戀爀㸀

It's the night of Passover. Ta-Ting has barricaded all the doors with strips of newspapers. He's painted the doorway with red x's, incanting a prayer as he does so. He has slaughtered a year-old lamb out in the living room, slashing his toy hatchet at his white pillow. Every action is fraught with significance.

਀㰀瀀㸀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 眀愀琀挀栀攀猀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀 搀漀漀爀眀愀礀Ⰰ 戀椀琀椀渀最 栀攀爀 氀漀眀攀爀 氀椀瀀Ⰰ 栀攀愀爀琀 欀渀漀挀欀椀渀最 椀渀 琀愀渀搀攀洀Ⰰ 愀猀 栀攀爀 猀漀渀 昀漀椀氀猀 栀椀猀 瀀椀氀氀漀眀 眀椀琀栀 琀栀攀 瀀漀欀攀爀 愀渀搀 戀愀氀愀渀挀攀猀 椀琀 漀渀 琀漀瀀 漀昀 琀栀攀 昀椀爀攀瀀氀愀挀攀 最爀愀琀攀⸀  䠀攀 琀甀爀渀猀 琀漀 栀攀爀Ⰰ 栀椀猀 攀礀攀猀 愀最氀漀眀 眀椀琀栀 洀礀猀琀攀爀椀漀甀猀 攀渀攀爀最礀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 栀攀 猀愀礀猀Ⰰ ∀圀攀 愀爀攀 琀漀 攀愀琀 琀栀椀猀 洀攀愀琀 爀漀愀猀琀攀搀 漀瘀攀爀 琀栀攀 昀椀爀攀Ⰰ 愀氀漀渀最 眀椀琀栀 戀椀琀琀攀爀 栀攀爀戀猀Ⰰ 眀椀琀栀 戀爀攀愀搀 洀愀搀攀 眀椀琀栀漀甀琀 礀攀愀猀琀⸀  圀攀 愀爀攀 渀漀琀 琀漀 攀愀琀 椀琀 爀愀眀 漀爀 戀漀椀氀攀搀⸀∀  㰀⼀瀀㸀

She makes him dinner, watches as he eats his fried chicken with his Spiderman cloak tucked into his belt, sandals on his feet, a staff in his hand. She prepares herself. With rawness in her heart, she says, "Ta-Ting, you'll be glad to know Mama has decided no more lessons with Pastor Chen." She steals a glance.

਀㰀瀀㸀 䠀攀 琀攀愀爀猀 漀昀昀 愀 氀愀爀最攀 戀椀琀攀 漀昀 挀爀椀猀瀀礀 猀欀椀渀Ⰰ 挀栀漀洀瀀猀 眀椀琀栀 最甀猀琀漀⸀  㰀⼀瀀㸀

"Aren't you happy? No more memorizing the Bible. You never liked him, did you?"

਀㰀瀀㸀 ∀䤀 搀漀渀✀琀 挀愀爀攀⸀  倀愀猀琀漀爀 䌀栀攀渀✀猀 礀漀甀爀 昀爀椀攀渀搀⸀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

Li-Chun's throat convulses. "Did Dr. Martin tell you that?"

਀㰀瀀㸀 吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最 猀栀愀欀攀猀 栀椀猀 栀攀愀搀⸀  䈀攀琀眀攀攀渀 洀漀甀琀栀昀甀氀猀Ⰰ 栀攀 猀愀礀猀Ⰰ ∀䔀愀琀 椀渀 栀愀猀琀攀Ⰰ 琀栀椀猀 椀猀 琀栀攀 䰀漀爀搀✀猀 倀愀猀猀漀瘀攀爀⸀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

His seriousness quells her protests. Her alarm simmers long, becomes a gloaming unease. The weather conspires, almost gleefully. Over the course of the evening, the wind has increased to gales, rattling the bay windows, the louvered shutters, circling in the chimney. They try to watch T.V. in the den, but the keening gusts make Li-Chun shiver. Gales are rare in L.A. and Li-Chun flips channels with foreboding in trying to catch the weather report, much to Ta-Ting's annoyance, who wanted to watch Spiderman 2 on one of the cable movie channels.

਀㰀瀀㸀 䤀琀✀猀 漀渀氀礀 氀愀琀攀爀 琀栀愀琀 攀瘀攀渀椀渀最Ⰰ 眀椀琀栀 吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最 栀愀瘀椀渀最 昀愀氀氀攀渀 愀猀氀攀攀瀀 眀椀琀栀 栀椀猀 栀攀愀搀 椀渀 栀攀爀 氀愀瀀Ⰰ 琀栀愀琀 䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 戀爀漀漀搀猀⸀  匀栀攀 漀戀猀攀猀猀椀瘀攀氀礀 昀氀椀瀀猀 挀栀愀渀渀攀氀猀Ⰰ 琀栀攀渀 愀氀洀漀猀琀 戀攀猀椀搀攀 栀攀爀猀攀氀昀Ⰰ 猀瀀漀琀猀 琀栀攀 䈀椀戀氀攀 漀渀 琀栀攀 琀愀戀氀攀 渀攀砀琀 琀漀 栀攀爀⸀  匀栀攀 最爀愀戀猀 椀琀Ⰰ 琀甀爀渀猀 琀漀 䔀砀漀搀甀猀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 猀氀漀眀氀礀 戀攀最椀渀猀 琀漀 爀攀愀搀⸀  䄀猀 猀栀攀 爀攀愀搀猀 愀最愀椀渀 琀栀攀 昀愀洀椀氀椀愀爀 愀挀挀漀甀渀琀 漀昀 琀栀攀 渀椀最栀琀 漀昀 倀愀猀猀漀瘀攀爀Ⰰ 愀 挀爀攀攀瀀椀渀最 焀甀椀攀琀 猀琀攀愀氀猀 漀瘀攀爀 栀攀爀⸀  匀栀攀 猀甀挀欀猀 椀渀 栀攀爀 戀爀攀愀琀栀Ⰰ 琀栀椀渀欀椀渀最 愀戀漀甀琀 琀栀攀 猀椀砀 栀甀渀搀爀攀搀 琀栀漀甀猀愀渀搀 洀攀渀Ⰰ 眀漀洀攀渀 愀渀搀 挀栀椀氀搀爀攀渀 漀渀 昀漀漀琀Ⰰ 栀攀愀搀椀渀最 漀甀琀 椀渀琀漀 琀栀攀 搀攀猀攀爀琀Ⰰ 甀渀氀攀愀瘀攀渀攀搀 戀爀攀愀搀 椀渀 欀渀攀愀搀椀渀最 琀爀漀甀最栀猀 眀爀愀瀀瀀攀搀 椀渀 琀栀攀椀爀 挀氀漀琀栀椀渀最Ⰰ 瀀甀猀栀椀渀最 琀栀攀椀爀 氀椀瘀攀猀琀漀挀欀 愀栀攀愀搀 漀昀 琀栀攀洀⸀  圀椀琀栀 琀栀攀 眀椀渀搀 猀栀爀椀攀欀椀渀最 椀渀 琀栀攀 挀栀椀洀渀攀礀Ⰰ 猀栀攀 椀洀愀最椀渀攀猀 䜀漀搀✀猀 氀攀琀栀愀氀 猀瀀椀爀椀琀Ⰰ 猀栀爀漀甀搀椀渀最 琀栀攀 渀椀最栀琀 椀渀 甀琀琀攀爀 搀愀爀欀渀攀猀猀Ⰰ 搀攀挀椀洀愀琀椀渀最 琀栀攀 䔀最礀瀀琀椀愀渀 昀椀爀猀琀ⴀ戀漀爀渀猀 椀渀 愀渀 漀爀最椀愀猀琀椀挀 欀椀氀氀椀渀最 猀瀀爀攀攀⸀  吀栀攀 挀氀漀甀搀猀 爀愀椀渀 戀氀漀漀搀 琀栀愀琀 渀椀最栀琀⸀  䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 栀甀搀搀氀攀猀 漀瘀攀爀 栀攀爀 猀漀渀Ⰰ 戀爀攀愀琀栀攀猀 椀渀 栀椀猀 挀爀椀猀瀀 戀甀琀琀攀爀礀ⴀ猀洀攀氀氀椀渀最 栀愀椀爀氀椀渀攀⸀  䤀渀 琀栀攀 挀漀爀渀攀爀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 琀漀爀渀 渀攀眀猀瀀愀瀀攀爀猀 氀椀攀 椀渀 愀 瀀椀氀攀⸀  䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 眀栀椀猀瀀攀爀猀 椀渀琀漀 栀攀爀 猀漀渀✀猀 栀愀椀爀⸀ ∀䘀漀爀最椀瘀攀 洀攀⸀  倀氀攀愀猀攀 昀漀爀最椀瘀攀 洀攀⸀∀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀㰀戀爀㸀 ਀

The next morning, as Ta-Ting grabs strawberry Poptarts on-the-go as the school bus honks outside, Li-Chun's hands flutter over his shoulder, catching him in flight. There's a quickening as she looks her son in the eye and says, "Well done, Moses. Commemorate this day, this day you came out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, because the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand."

਀㰀瀀㸀 吀愀ⴀ吀椀渀最 最爀椀渀猀Ⰰ 栀椀猀 洀漀甀琀栀 瀀攀瀀瀀攀爀攀搀 眀椀琀栀 挀爀甀洀戀猀⸀  ∀䠀漀猀愀渀渀愀Ⰰ 䴀愀洀愀⸀∀

She watches him sprint across the driveway and hop into the waiting bus. Her heart flips even as she waves to him, even as she sees him greet his friends, Passover temporarily forgotten, the crossing of the Red Sea still to come.

਀㰀瀀㸀 䰀愀琀攀爀Ⰰ 眀栀攀渀 猀栀攀 最愀琀栀攀爀猀 甀瀀 琀栀攀 渀攀眀猀瀀愀瀀攀爀猀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀 氀椀瘀椀渀最 爀漀漀洀Ⰰ 栀攀爀 攀礀攀猀 昀愀氀氀 漀渀 琀栀攀 搀愀琀攀⸀  吀栀攀礀 眀攀爀攀 昀爀漀洀 愀琀 氀攀愀猀琀 猀椀砀 洀漀渀琀栀猀 愀最漀⸀  䄀猀 猀栀攀 氀椀昀琀猀 琀栀攀洀 甀瀀 愀 昀攀眀 瀀愀最攀猀 愀琀 愀 琀椀洀攀Ⰰ 猀栀攀 渀漀琀椀挀攀猀 琀栀愀琀 琀栀攀礀 愀爀攀 愀氀氀 昀爀漀洀 愀爀漀甀渀搀 琀栀攀 猀愀洀攀 瀀攀爀椀漀搀 漀昀 琀椀洀攀⸀  䄀 猀琀愀爀琀氀椀渀最 搀椀猀挀漀瘀攀爀礀 搀漀挀欀猀 愀琀 琀栀攀 挀漀爀渀攀爀 漀昀 栀攀爀 洀椀渀搀Ⰰ 猀漀洀攀 爀甀搀椀洀攀渀琀愀爀礀 氀漀最椀挀Ⰰ 甀渀琀椀氀 猀眀愀氀氀漀眀椀渀最 栀愀爀搀Ⰰ 猀栀攀 瀀甀猀栀攀猀 栀攀爀 昀椀猀琀 椀渀琀漀 栀攀爀 洀漀甀琀栀 愀猀 栀攀爀 攀礀攀猀 戀攀挀漀洀攀 爀愀瘀攀渀 漀渀 琀栀攀 栀漀氀攀猀 琀漀爀渀 漀甀琀 漀昀 琀栀攀 洀漀猀愀椀挀 漀昀 渀攀眀猀瀀愀瀀攀爀猀⸀  匀栀攀 爀攀挀漀最渀椀稀攀猀 琀栀攀 瀀愀爀愀氀氀攀氀 栀漀氀攀猀 渀漀眀 愀猀 猀栀攀 渀攀瘀攀爀 搀椀搀 戀攀昀漀爀攀Ⰰ 琀栀攀猀攀 愀爀琀椀挀氀攀猀 瀀愀椀渀猀琀愀欀椀渀最氀礀 挀氀椀瀀瀀攀搀 漀甀琀 戀礀 娀栀椀ⴀ䴀椀渀最Ⰰ 琀栀椀猀 戀甀爀渀椀渀最 搀攀猀椀爀攀 椀渀 栀攀爀 猀漀渀 琀漀 攀瘀漀欀攀 栀椀猀 昀愀琀栀攀爀 愀氀椀瘀攀⸀  䤀琀 眀愀猀 娀栀椀ⴀ䴀椀渀最✀猀 昀愀瘀漀爀椀琀攀 瀀愀猀琀椀洀攀Ⰰ 猀愀瘀椀渀最 眀漀爀琀栀礀 愀爀琀椀挀氀攀猀 愀戀漀甀琀 愀氀氀 猀甀戀樀攀挀琀猀Ⰰ 昀爀漀洀 挀氀椀洀愀琀漀氀漀最礀 琀漀 漀戀猀挀甀爀攀 栀漀爀琀椀挀甀氀琀甀爀攀Ⰰ 漀搀礀猀猀攀礀猀 琀漀 漀甀琀攀爀 猀瀀愀挀攀 愀渀搀 氀愀渀搀洀愀爀欀 愀爀挀栀椀琀攀挀琀甀爀攀⸀ 䄀 猀琀愀挀欀 漀昀 琀栀攀洀 猀琀椀氀氀 氀椀攀 漀渀 琀栀攀 戀攀搀 猀琀愀渀搀Ⰰ 眀愀椀琀椀渀最 琀漀 戀攀 挀氀攀愀爀攀搀 漀甀琀⸀   䰀椀ⴀ䌀栀甀渀 昀攀攀氀猀 愀渀 椀渀渀攀爀 猀瀀椀爀愀氀椀渀最Ⰰ 愀 琀甀洀甀氀琀 漀昀 昀攀攀氀椀渀最Ⰰ 愀渀搀 猀瀀椀渀渀椀渀最 猀栀攀 昀椀渀愀氀氀礀 猀攀攀猀 琀栀攀 眀爀椀琀椀渀最 椀渀 琀栀攀 猀愀渀搀⸀ 䤀渀 琀栀攀 搀攀愀搀 漀昀 渀椀最栀琀Ⰰ 䜀漀搀✀猀 欀椀氀氀椀渀最 猀瀀爀攀攀 栀愀猀 渀漀琀 瀀甀爀最攀搀 栀攀爀 漀昀 栀攀爀 甀渀爀攀焀甀椀琀攀搀 愀渀最攀爀 渀漀爀 漀昀 栀攀爀 猀椀渀⸀  䤀琀 栀愀猀 渀漀琀 礀攀琀 戀爀漀甀最栀琀 昀漀爀最椀瘀攀渀攀猀猀⸀  䈀甀琀 瀀攀爀栀愀瀀猀 椀琀 眀椀氀氀 栀愀瘀攀 猀瀀愀爀攀搀 栀攀爀 猀漀渀⸀  䈀攀琀爀愀礀愀氀 戀礀 猀漀洀攀漀渀攀 猀栀攀 栀愀猀 氀漀瘀攀搀 猀洀椀琀攀猀 氀椀欀攀 昀爀攀猀栀 猀氀愀甀最栀琀攀爀Ⰰ 愀氀氀 琀栀攀 洀漀爀攀 瀀愀椀渀昀甀氀 戀攀挀愀甀猀攀 漀昀 氀漀瘀攀⸀  圀椀琀栀 栀攀爀 漀眀渀 愀挀琀椀漀渀猀 猀栀愀洀椀渀最 栀攀爀Ⰰ 䐀爀⸀ 䴀愀爀琀椀渀✀猀 眀漀爀搀猀 愀戀漀甀琀 昀愀挀攀猀 漀昀 愀渀最攀爀 爀攀猀漀甀渀搀 椀渀 栀攀爀 洀椀渀搀㬀 琀栀攀 甀渀搀攀爀昀愀挀攀 漀昀 栀攀爀 愀渀最攀爀 椀猀 琀栀攀 戀攀氀漀瘀攀搀 洀椀爀愀最攀 漀昀 栀攀爀 猀漀渀㬀 攀瘀攀爀礀琀栀椀渀最 琀栀愀琀 猀栀攀 搀椀搀 渀漀琀 洀椀猀猀Ⰰ 琀栀愀琀 洀愀搀攀 栀攀爀 挀栀甀爀渀 昀甀爀椀漀甀猀氀礀 愀琀 栀攀爀 栀甀猀戀愀渀搀 椀猀 攀瘀攀爀礀琀栀椀渀最 栀攀爀 猀漀渀 栀愀猀 氀漀猀琀 椀渀 愀 昀愀琀栀攀爀⸀  吀栀攀 眀攀椀最栀琀 漀昀 琀栀愀琀Ⰰ 猀栀攀✀搀 栀愀瘀攀 挀愀爀爀椀攀搀 椀琀 愀氀氀 椀昀 猀栀攀 挀漀甀氀搀⸀  䤀昀 猀栀攀 挀漀甀氀搀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀

Li-Chun walks over to her husband's portrait. She stares at it for a long time, until his features become pinpoints of light and color. Then, with swift unerring aim, she punches in his eyes with a two-fingered prong. And it's cathartic.

਀ ਀ ਀ ਀㰀栀爀 ⼀㸀

E.P. Chiew

਀ ਀㰀瀀㸀䔀⸀倀⸀ 䌀栀椀攀眀✀猀 渀愀琀椀瘀攀 氀愀渀最甀愀最攀 椀猀 䌀愀渀琀漀渀攀猀攀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 猀栀攀 眀愀猀 猀挀栀漀漀氀攀搀 椀渀 䴀愀氀愀礀 眀椀琀栀 䔀渀最氀椀猀栀 愀猀 愀 猀攀挀漀渀搀 氀愀渀最甀愀最攀⸀  ∀䄀琀 愀戀漀甀琀 愀最攀 琀攀渀Ⰰ∀ 猀栀攀 眀爀椀琀攀猀Ⰰ ∀䤀 戀攀最愀渀 琀漀 爀攀愀搀 氀漀琀猀 漀昀 猀琀漀爀礀戀漀漀欀猀 椀渀 䔀渀最氀椀猀栀Ⰰ 洀漀猀琀氀礀 䔀渀椀搀 䈀氀礀琀漀渀 ⠀氀漀瘀攀搀 䴀爀⸀ 倀椀渀欀眀栀椀猀琀氀攀 愀渀搀 吀栀攀 匀攀挀爀攀琀 䘀愀爀愀眀愀礀 吀爀攀攀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 猀琀椀氀氀 搀漀⤀Ⰰ 瀀爀漀戀愀戀氀礀 戀攀挀愀甀猀攀 愀琀 琀栀攀 琀椀洀攀 挀栀椀氀搀爀攀渀✀猀 戀漀漀欀猀 眀爀椀琀琀攀渀 椀渀 䴀愀氀愀礀 眀攀爀攀 猀愀搀氀礀 lacking. English began to predominate as a communication language for me. It also became the secret language between my sister and I when we didn't want Mom to਀甀渀搀攀爀猀琀愀渀搀 眀栀愀琀 眀攀 眀攀爀攀 最漀猀猀椀瀀椀渀最 愀渀搀 挀漀氀氀甀搀椀渀最 愀戀漀甀琀⸀∀  䄀戀漀甀琀 栀攀爀 昀愀瘀漀爀椀琀攀 愀甀琀栀漀爀猀Ⰰ 猀栀攀 眀爀椀琀攀猀㨀 ∀䤀✀洀 愀 最爀攀愀琀 昀愀渀 漀昀 䄀渀渀椀攀 倀爀漀甀氀砀 ⠀昀漀爀 栀攀爀 猀甀戀樀攀挀琀 洀愀琀琀攀爀Ⰰ 栀攀爀 愀戀椀氀椀琀礀 琀漀 眀爀椀琀攀 漀爀最愀渀椀挀Ⰰ 瘀攀爀猀愀琀椀氀攀Ⰰ 甀渀愀猀猀甀洀椀渀最 瀀爀漀猀攀⤀Ⰰ 吀椀洀 䜀愀甀琀爀攀愀甀砀 ⠀昀漀爀 栀椀猀 猀琀漀爀礀琀攀氀氀椀渀最 猀欀椀氀氀猀⤀Ⰰ 䬀愀稀甀漀 䤀猀栀椀最甀爀漀 ⠀昀漀爀 栀椀猀 愀戀椀氀椀琀礀 琀漀 搀攀氀瘀攀 猀漀 搀攀攀瀀 椀渀琀漀 挀栀愀爀愀挀琀攀爀⤀Ⰰ 䔀⸀䴀⸀ 䘀漀爀猀琀攀爀 ⠀昀漀爀 栀椀猀 挀氀椀瀀瀀攀搀 椀爀漀渀礀⤀Ⰰ 䔀搀椀琀栀 圀栀愀爀琀漀渀 ⠀昀漀爀 栀攀爀 猀栀愀爀瀀 猀漀挀椀愀氀 猀愀琀椀爀攀 愀渀搀 眀椀琀⤀Ⰰ 䄀渀琀漀渀 䌀栀攀欀栀漀瘀 ⠀昀漀爀 栀椀猀 猀栀漀爀琀 猀琀漀爀椀攀猀 琀栀愀琀 爀攀洀愀椀渀 氀漀渀最 愀昀琀攀爀 礀漀甀✀爀攀 搀漀渀攀 爀攀愀搀椀渀最⤀Ⰰ 䜀爀挀椀愀 䴀爀焀甀攀稀 ⠀昀漀爀 栀椀猀 氀漀瘀攀 漀昀 眀爀椀琀椀渀最 愀渀搀 琀栀攀 眀漀渀搀攀爀洀攀渀琀 琀栀愀琀 瀀攀爀瘀愀搀攀猀 椀琀⤀Ⰰ 匀愀氀洀愀渀 刀甀猀栀搀椀攀 ⠀昀漀爀 栀椀猀 椀爀爀攀瘀攀爀攀渀挀攀⤀Ⰰ 䠀攀渀爀礀 䨀愀洀攀猀 ⠀昀漀爀 栀椀猀 瀀愀爀琀椀挀甀氀愀爀 戀爀愀渀搀 漀昀 瀀猀礀挀栀漀氀漀最椀挀愀氀 洀礀猀琀攀爀礀⤀Ⰰ 䨀攀昀昀爀攀礀 䔀甀最攀渀椀搀攀猀 ⠀昀漀爀 琀栀攀 挀漀洀戀椀渀愀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 猀琀漀爀礀琀攀氀氀椀渀最 猀欀椀氀氀猀Ⰰ 栀椀猀琀漀爀椀挀愀氀 爀攀猀攀愀爀挀栀Ⰰ 瀀攀渀挀栀愀渀琀 琀漀 最攀琀 搀攀琀愀椀氀猀 爀椀最栀琀⤀ 愀渀搀 䜀椀渀愀 伀挀栀猀渀攀爀 ⠀昀漀爀 琀栀攀 愀戀椀氀椀琀礀 琀漀 琀漀甀挀栀 愀渀搀 琀栀攀 猀琀愀爀琀氀椀渀最 瀀栀爀愀猀攀 琀栀愀琀 氀椀最栀琀猀 甀瀀 栀攀爀 瀀爀漀猀攀⤀⸀∀   

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਀㰀戀爀 ⼀㸀 ਀㰀搀椀瘀 椀搀㴀∀氀漀最漀∀㸀㰀攀洀㸀䤀渀 倀漀猀猀攀㨀㰀⼀攀洀㸀 倀漀琀攀渀琀椀愀氀氀礀Ⰰ 洀椀最栀琀 戀攀 ⸀ ⸀ ⸀ 㰀⼀搀椀瘀㸀 ਀㰀瀀㸀㰀椀洀最 猀爀挀㴀∀琀攀搀栀攀愀搀⸀最椀昀∀  愀氀椀最渀㴀∀爀椀最栀琀∀ 愀氀琀㴀∀氀漀最漀∀ ⼀㸀㰀⼀瀀㸀 ਀㰀栀㌀㸀㰀愀 栀爀攀昀㴀∀栀琀琀瀀㨀⼀⼀眀攀戀搀攀氀猀漀氀⸀挀漀洀⼀䤀渀倀漀猀猀攀⼀椀渀搀攀砀⸀栀琀洀∀ 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀爀椀最栀琀∀㸀 刀攀琀甀爀渀㰀⼀愀㸀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀☀渀戀猀瀀㬀 㰀⼀栀㌀㸀

਀㰀⼀琀搀㸀㰀⼀琀爀㸀㰀⼀琀愀戀氀攀㸀㰀⼀挀攀渀琀攀爀㸀㰀⼀戀漀搀礀㸀㰀⼀栀琀洀氀㸀