CHAPTER 1 Family Ghosts I Anne Nguyen believe in ghosts Not the kind of ghosts that hide in dark corners and yell boo Not scary ghosts but family ghosts Dad and Mom say we Vietnamese believe the spirits of our family our ancestors stay with us after they pass away They hear our prayers They watch out for us 1
My Grandma Nội died in early spring but we still remember her Today is the new moon the day each month we make offerings on her altar It’s my job as the eldest child I’m nine to clean the altar set up in our dining room As I wipe down the framed picture of Grandma Nội’s smiling face I smile I look forward to offering days They make me feel closer to her On the altar there are three ceramic bowls of jasmine rice three cups of black tea barbecue pork kale salad lasagna apples and oranges We invite the ancestors to share in our meal My seven-year-old sister Elizabeth brings out the chopsticks and I line them up neatly next to the bowls 2
You’re super helpful Liz Thanks She grins at me Attention makes her light up I miss her Liz whispers I hug Liz Me too Grandma Nội came to all my ballet shows She brought my favorite flowers pink carnations She slipped me guava candies when Mom and Dad weren’t looking I loved when she put both her hands on my face The green jade bangle she wore was cold and smooth along my chin altar We are ready Mom sets out chocolate chip cookies on the I rearrange the cookie platter Everyone in my family knows I like things super nice and neat 4
