The Nguyen Kids: The Journey of the Ancestors' Gifts
Dad puts his hands on Jay’s shoulders We’ll get you settled first Okay Jaco buddy He was going to say Jacob Jay asked us to stop calling him that a few months ago I think it is harder for Dad and Mom to make the change than it is for me They are older Hello Chị Ba Mom says and then adds Liz Anne Jay as she points to each of us Kids this is your auntie Cô Ba Dad says Jay and I wave hello Liz goes over and hugs our auntie like Dad did Jay wipes his eyes Why can’t we all be together Mom and Dad want a break Don’t be such a baby Liz says still holding auntie’s hand 4
I’m not a baby Jay snaps back Liz Not helpful I say firmly but gently It is my job as the oldest sibling to take care of them both I adjust my glasses standing a bit straighter I take my job very seriously Liz pauses but then pulls me away Explore time She cannot sit still for long I touch my jade bangle around my wrist Grandma Nội’s gift to me She died three years ago Dad and Mom say we Vietnamese believe the spirits of our family our ancestors stay with us after they pass away We pray to them and they bring us luck I believe it Grandma Nội’s house is so different from 5
our house in Winnipeg Walking deeper into it I imagine when she lived here over 60 years ago Past the living room and the stairs is an area open to the sky Wow What happens when it rains The house may be skinny but it goes back forever Moving through the kitchen I imagine Grandma Nội making chả giò and bánh xèo the way she showed me Liz races up the flight of stairs two at a time as I climb step by step not wanting to rush There are two more levels of rooms and then the best part an open rooftop area on the fourth floor The house is cool but there’s something about it I can’t shake the feeling I had when I first walked in like I’m carrying an invisible backpack 6
Heading back downstairs I notice a closed door on the second floor Super strange It’s the only closed door in the whole house What could be in there Makes me so curious
