Father’s scowl deepened turning his eyebrows into a furry brown caterpillar Miss Cameron The white woman who runs the Occidental Mission Home for Girls Han nodded Father glared at the open jar of nuts on the counter That woman feeds those wayward girls too many sweets Han screwed on the lid and returned the jar to the shelf But she pays for them so it’s good for business He eyed the book Father held May I have that back Father fanned the pages of Tom Sawyer stopping now and then to study an illustration His lip curled up as though the book stank Setting the novel down on the counter a little too hard Father asked Why aren’t you reading Three Character Classic for your Chinese class I already memorized my couplets for
tonight Han said Father’s big fingers drummed on the cover of Tom Sawyer Well then if you have extra time to read don’t waste it on this American nonsense Tucking the novel under his arm Father walked across the shop floor He disappeared down the hallway that led into the back bedroom That book belongs to Miss Cameron Han called after him A few seconds later Father returned Instead of Tom Sawyer he now held a small paperback Father carefully set the tired-looking book on the counter and pushed it slowly toward Han Your grandfather’s grandfather compiled this book of Chinese proverbs almost one hundred years ago His voice had turned gentle My father gave it to me when I was eighteen right after we arrived in San Francisco He knew living in a strange land would be hard and that I’d need something
to guide me Father smoothed the cover of the book as if it were a favorite pet or a beloved child’s cheek Except Han did not ever recall Father stroking his cheek so tenderly You are only twelve years old Han but your mother is not here to guide you and I’m busy with all this Father spread his arms wide His broad chest and muscular arms practically blocked the light coming through the windows The time has come for you to take possession of this collection of family wisdom He patted the book The sayings in here will teach you more than Tom Sawyer ever could Memorize these proverbs They’ll serve you in troubled times Han eyed the book The cover must have once been red but had since faded to the color of rotten salmon Proverbs was written in gold Chinese characters across
the front He slid the book back to Father You keep it It’s old and fragile I wouldn’t want to damage it Han hopped down from the stool and picked up the box of groceries Besides I’m busy too Helping out with the store Han balanced the box on one hip And at regular school every day I have to memorize multiplication tables and boring English grammar Father clicked his tongue Then I have to memorize couplets for Chinese school every night Han continued I can’t expect my brain to remember proverbs too Another tongue click louder this time A slow burn started in Han’s stomach Besides I like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer It’s exciting And funny He pointed at Proverbs I bet that’s not a bit funny Intelligence is endowed but wisdom is
