Get My Brother Back!

Chapter 1

"Shan, dinner!" I told him through the doorway. "Coming Li!" he replied. There were guests in the house, so we were being nice to each other. After I called him, I walked into the other room and bowed to everyone, just like the Little Red Book tells every women to do. I sat down on my mat, pressing my red floral dress against my legs so the dress wouldn't get wrinkled. Shan came out of the room and Baba followed.

"Come help me serve everyone Li." Mama called out from the doorway. "Coming Mama." I answered. As I walked, I made sure my braid was okay.

"Do not sit down before everyone is served! You know better Li." Mama scolded me once we were out of earshot. "Yes Mama." I knew that I was going to get scolded by Baba after everyone left. I grabbed the first course and served everyone. Shan and Baba already took their places on their mats. After everyone was served, I looked at mama to make sure I could sit down and she nodded her head yes. I bowed in front of everyone and hoped that they would forgive me.

All of the men talked about how great everything became once Mao Zedong came into power. All the women were quiet and ate. I knew that once we were done eating, all the women would go into a separate room and gossip, as we always did. Shan is unusually quiet tonight I thought. Of course, I did not say that out loud. That would be breaking one of the rules in the Little Red Book. After everyone finished the first course, Mama and I walked into the next room, got the second course, and served everyone. We sat and ate. Then Mama, Waipo, and I all cleaned the dishes while all the other women came in and we all gossiped. Of course, I only listened. I only speak when asked until I become married and have children. Then I am the ruler of the house and my husband is the ruler of the farm. But until then, sadly, I am to be kept quiet and help with chores in the house.

After all the company left, Waipo and I went to the backyard and stared at the stars while she brushed out my hair. I feel I can only be myself around Waipo. "Waipo?" I ask. "Yes Li?" she answers. "Why does everyone always talk only good about Mao Zedong and Communism and Little Red Book? Do they all think it's really that good?" I ask. Something that I can ask only Waipo. "Oh Hua, I am afraid I can't answer that question. I'm sorry." she answers. "That's okay, I understand." I said, even though I didn't. But I hate arguing with Waipo. I would rather just leave it a mystery. I had to do it for everything else, anyway. After we talked for a while, I decided I was tired enough to go to sleep, and I never got my scolding from Baba, so I said goodnight to everyone, got my scolding, and went to bed.