Invisible

Chapter 03: In Our Culture

Teen continued to feel awful all the way through Saturday. Mum was at her weekend job all day, and Dad was on the computer. Teen was both sad and relieved at the lack of fuss. They missed the checks from Mr Charleton and Miss McIntosh when they were resting in the teepee - they asked how they felt and tried to make them more comfortable. With Mum and Dad, well, they just gave them very hot water and told them to sleep. Teen took their temperature again, 38.3, so much better than this morning. They closed their eyes to ease their headache, their mind drifting to the previous evening.

"It's a historical event," said Dad, sipping the Erguotou straight from the bottle, "Our Teen being ill. Teen's never ill, aren't you, child?"

They were having dinner. Dad was in a merry mood when he drank.

Teen coughed.

"Oh stop with that cough," Mum added, "You always know how to time it for the drama."

Dad chuckled.

Teen tried to force down the last few bites of their porridge, but their stomach really didn't want more food.

"I'm full." Teen's lips quivered. They really didn't want to waste food.

"Back to bed then," said Mum, adding their leftovers to her own bowl, "I want to see you asleep in an hour."

Teen took their temperature before letting themselves relax. 39.6.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Teen's high temperature was gone by Monday, though they still felt tired and they were battling with constant urges to cough. They got sent to Mrs Lennon's office as soon as they walked into the classroom.

"You're not in trouble," assured Mr Charleton, "There's just a lady who'd like to talk to you."

The lady introduced herself as Paula, and she was very nice. She asked Teen lots of questions about Mum and Dad, about their life in China, and their life now that they're in Newcastle. Teen tried their best to be helpful.

"Mum was the deputy headteacher at a primary school," said Teen, "she was a very good teacher and she's now learning to be a teacher again in another school. Dad does some sort of business about phones..." Teen breathed in a careful way to push away their urge to cough, "I don't know much about that..."

"That's ok," said Paula, "And who takes care of you when you're not in school?"

"Mum takes care of me. Dale picks me up every day and I do my homework at Mum's school and we..." Another urge to cough pushed away. "And we get takeaway and we get home and I go to bed." The next urge came on too suddenly, and two loud, nasty-sounding coughs escaped. "Sorry."

"All good," said Paula, "I can see you're not very well at the moment. Do Mum and Dad know you've got a cough?"

Teen nodded. "I try to keep it quiet as I have very dramatic timing."

"What do you mean?"

Teen shrugged. "It's just what they say."

"What about when you were very poorly a few days ago? Who took care of you then?"

Teen thought about the question carefully, and then answered with the truth: "Mr Charleton and Miss McIntosh when I was in the teepee. Dad gave me hot water and Mum made porridge. Mum also gave me medicine one day," Teen felt sad all of a sudden, "It didn't make me better like Mum said it would..."

"Did you see a doctor?"

Another shrug. More urges to cough pushed away.

"Did mum and dad check your temperature?"

"They felt my head," said Teen. The latter half of the sentence, and they kept saying I didn't have a fever when I took my own temperature and the thermometer said I had a fever, was caught in their throat. Another two coughs escaped their vigilant control.

"That's all, really," said Paula finally, "Thank you for your help, Teen. You've been very helpful."

"I did?"

"You did," said Paula as Teen opens the door. "And Teen? It's ok to cough. Better out than in."

Teen looked back and gave Paula a very shy smile. "That's what Mr Charleton said too. When I was in the teepee."

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

At pick-up time, Teen waited and waited, but couldn't find Dale. Mr Charleton was just about to take them to reception when a familiar voice caught their attention.

"Teen, here!" Mum waved as she strode towards the gate. "Sorry I'm late."

"Mum? What's going on?" Teen could not remember the last time Mum picked them up herself.

"We need to talk," said Mum, before turning to Mr Charleton, "Thanks for your concern, Mr Charleton. We're so happy that Teen's feeling better now."

Mr Charleton returned the pleasantries and went back to the school building.

"What is happening?" Teen continued to ask, "Is everything ok?"

Mum said nothing and walked faster. Teen felt increasingly uneasy as the silent car ride drudged on.

"Here's the troublemaker," said Dad as soon as the pair entered the home. "They feel fine now so they do something to ruin everyone else's day."

"What -"

Mum shushed them both. "We got visited by a social worker today, and she seems to think there's no one to take care of you at home when you were poorly?"

Teen avoided Mum's gaze. "What?"

"Don't fake ignorance," snapped Dad, "you said something to the school, then to this, this Paula. Should've known you're getting ideas from your Western friends about your Mum and Dad being bad. We work so hard -"

"Ming -" Mum tried to interject.

"- to provide for you. We got you here so you could get an education and a better life. It's an opportunity millions in China dream of, and you have to ruin it!" Dad was almost shouting now.

Teen blinked back tears. "I said nothing," they protest finally, "I said you both worked hard and you give me hot water and medicine. I never said you were bad parents - "

Dad snorted. "You never said we were good parents either. I thought you'd be better behaved now that you're in a Western system. You're not. You're still doing everything you can to bring shame to the family."

Teen finally had enough. They let out a big sob and ran into their room. The movement trigger a nasty coughing fit.

"... too sensitive... never amount to anything..." Teen could still hear Dad scorn loudly even as they closed their bedroom door.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Later that night, Mum came into Teen's room.

"Your dad is right, you know," Mum said, "You really shouldn't be talking about these things to outsiders."

Teen felt more tears run down their cheeks and said nothing.

"Do you remember the proverb? The ugliness of the family is not to be dispersed to the outside."

Teen nodded, vaguely remembering adults using this phrase when they were in China.

"Dad's mad because he felt this is a family matter, and in our culture, family matters are dealt within the family," said Mum.

Teen nodded. "Just like in our culture, we work hard even when we're poorly."

"That's my child," Mum's voice was suddenly full of pride. She even gave Teen a hug. "I'm glad you're feeling better now. Dad and I were so worried."