Chapter 9
:
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Chapter 9
I slept a long sleep, dreaming too many sweet dreams.
When I opened my eyes again, I heard a woman’s gentle voice,
a man’s warm laughter, and a child’s innocent voice:
“Mommy, when can little sister come home with us?”
“I decorated sister’s room. Can I sleep with her later?”
The man sounded delighted:
“Of course! From now on, you’re Tommy’s big brother. As her brother, you must protect her, understand?”
Big brother…
It felt so safe. A smile touched my lips.
Brother carried me out of the hospital. Passing by a mansion,
Mom suddenly spoke up
ahead:
“Go around their house!”
“Why, Mommy?” Brother asked, holding me.
“That family took their biological daughter back, but abused her because of a fake daughter.”
“That poor
sin!”
child had gastric cancer, yet her own father pushed her off a building. What a
“Thankfully our Tommy won’t suffer like that! Never get involved with that family!”
Hearing this, a strange sadness washed over me, vanishing instantly.
Who were those people?
Had I forgotten something? What was I just thinking?
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Chapter 9
Sleepiness pulled at me again. I closed my eyes.
The voices and embrace of Mom, Dad, and brother felt so safe.
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Time flew by. Two years passed, and I started kindergarten.
One afternoon, riding the kindergarten bus home,
I met the Nguyen family Mom warned about. The young man looked utterly weary.
Seeing me, he froze, then crouched to my level.
“Haven’t seen you before. Which family are you from?”
“I’m from the Ramirez family! I’m Susan!”
Confused, I answered anyway.
Hearing my reply, he murmured my name softly,
a bitter smile flickering across his lips.
“My sister would be about your age now…”
After speaking, he patted my head and left. I grew more puzzled.
“Susan, why aren’t you coming in? Mommy made Honey Glazed Chicken Wings for you!”
Brother spotted me, quickly pulling me inside.
“Mom and Dad said don’t get involved with the Nguyens! Don’t talk to them again,
understand?”
I mumbled an “okay,” glancing back at the man.
He watched me from afar, eyes seeming to glisten with tears, radiating deep sorrow.
Because of his sister? But why didn’t he cherish her before she died?
I couldn’t figure it out, soon distracted by the aroma of Mom’s Honey Glazed Chicken Wings.
Oh well, how could a kid like me understand?
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At five years old, I started first grade.
When I got home that day, there was an ambulance parked at our neighbor’s house.
“Mom, what happened to the older brother next door?”
Mom pulled me aside,
r
“That boy took poison with his mother. What a tragedy!”
“Susan, these things aren’t for you to worry about. Just live happily!”
I half-understood Mom’s words, but soon forgot-fried chicken wings were all that mattered.
Munching on fried chicken wings, I gazed out the window,
Sunlight streaming in, perfectly warm, perfectly satisfying.
THE END
