Read Online Red Thread Sisters (9781101591857) by Carol Antoinette Peacock - Free Book Online

gesturing toward somewhere far away. “When it’s seven at night here, it’s seven in the morning in China.”
    â€œFriend up then!”
    â€œWhich friend, sweetie? What’s her name?” her mother asked.
    Wen hesitated. Should she tell them about Shu Ling so soon? She might start to cry. She didn’t want her parents to see her upset and think she wasn’t grateful for being in their family.
    â€œFriend’s name is Shu Ling,” Wen started. “She is my best friend.”
    â€œHave you been friends for a long time?” her father asked.
    â€œVery long time.” Her voice cracked. That was all she could say for now.
    So instead, Wen began to walk up and down the hall.
    â€œPacing like that won’t help.” Her mother handed her a potato. “Here, help me finish dinner while Dad goes to pick up Emily from her playdate.”
    Silently, Wen scraped the potato, watching its skin fall off in long, thin curls.
    â€œYour friend, Shu Ling.” Her mother glanced up from seasoning the tomato sauce. “You must miss her very much.”
    Wen didn’t answer. How could she tell her mother that without Shu Ling, part of her still stayed back at the orphanage? How could she describe how she strained at night, listening for Shu Ling’s breathing, and heard only her own heart beating? And how could she say that sometimes she stood still, waiting for Shu Ling to rest her arm on her shoulder, and felt nothing but the weight of her own sadness? Wen couldn’t peel herself open that way in front of her mother.
    â€œPotatoes done.” She slid the cutting board toward her mother.
    At dinner, Wen couldn’t eat.
    Finally it was time. “Seven!” Wen called. “Hey, it’s seven!”
    Wen’s mother showed Wen a piece of paper with many numbers. Her mother told her to use the landline, because it worked better, and to dial very slowly.
    Wen cradled the receiver to her chest. She could almost hear Shu Ling’s voice saying, “Mei mei
, you called!”
    And then she’d say,
How are you, Shu Ling?
and
I miss you so much
and
Who do you play with now?
and
Have you had any cat-ear dumplings yet?
and
Did any new babies come in?
    As she pushed the buttons on the phone, one by one, Wen’s fingers shook.
    The phone rang for a long time.
Wasn’t anybody there?
    Finally she heard a click, followed by a loud “
Ni hao.
Hello.”
    â€œAuntie Lan Lan!” Wen shrieked. “It’s me, Wen!”
    â€œAh, Wen!” Auntie Lan Lan answered. “How is America?”
    Auntie Lan Lan sounded very far away. Wen raised her voice. It felt good to be speaking her own language. “America is great, Auntie Lan Lan, and my English came back,” said Wen. “And the school has shiny floors, just like you said.”
    â€œI knew it!” said Auntie Lan Lan. “You are getting smarter every day. Soon you’ll be rich, too.”
    â€œCan I talk to Shu Ling?” asked Wen.
    After a moment, Wen heard the low voice she knew so well.
“Mei mei?”
    â€œShu Ling!” Wen shouted.
    Shu Ling whispered something.
    â€œTalk louder, Shu Ling!” Wen said.
    â€œHow are you,
mei mei
?” she asked softly.
    â€œI miss you,” said Wen.
    Shu Ling got very quiet. Then Wen heard her begin to sob.
    â€œShu Ling, please don’t.” Wen gripped the receiver.
    â€œOh,
mei mei,
” Shu Ling choked.
    â€œWhat is it, Shu Ling? Are you still there?” Wen asked.
    Shu Ling didn’t speak.
    â€œShu Ling, say something!” Wen begged.
    Finally Wen heard Shu Ling let out a long cry, almost a moan. The phone dropped with a thud.
    â€œWen, it’s Auntie Lan Lan again. Shu Ling can’t talk anymore.”
    â€œWhy not?” Wen fought back her tears.
    â€œShe’s too upset, I think. She’s going back in her cot to lie down. She misses you too much right now. Maybe