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
I look over at my six-year-old brother playing on the couch Jacob no more messes We’re having dinner soon Not yet Grandma Nội eats first he replies without looking up from his small building blocks I shake my head Jacob may be spoiled as the baby of the family but he pays attention Dad takes out five joss sticks long and skinny incense and lights them He hands one to each of us me Liz Jacob and Mom Dad closes his eyes He begins to whisper his prayers like the rest of the family It sounds half English and half Vietnamese I only know a few Vietnamese words I hold the joss stick with both hands and close 5
my eyes I cough as the flowery smell fills my nose and reaches down my throat I say very softly Hi Grandma Nội It’s me Anne We went on vacation to Vancouver to visit Mom’s family I can’t believe grade four starts in a couple weeks Mrs Smith’s invitation-only ballet class starts the middle of September too This is going to be a super-great year I miss you 6
