Read Online Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party by Ying Chang Compestine - Free Book Online Page B

cheered.
    Pink Cheeks twirled Mother’s pearl necklace around in the air. I closed my eyes, only to force them open when I heard clattering. She had flung the necklace across the room and it hit the wall, sending loose pearls everywhere.
    Mother buried her face in Father’s shoulder. Father wrapped his arms around me. I wished I
could turn into a little rabbit and hide inside his coat.
    Waving a big cleaver above his head, the Red Guard with paintbrush eyebrows slashed a ragged X into the back of Father’s chair. White stuffing burst out. Feeling the strength of Father’s arm and the warmth of his body, I again imagined becoming a dragon and gobbling them up.
    Why did Comrade Li bring these Red Guards to our home? Did he want to chase us out so he could have our entire apartment to himself? Had he found out we were hiding coffee and chocolate from him? Or was he angry with us for being friends with the Wongs?
    Pink Cheeks and another Red Guard girl with mouse eyes stomped into my bedroom.
    Please, please don’t take my Bao-bao, I prayed.
    Father whispered, “Be strong, my dear.”
    I held my breath. Cackles came from my bedroom. I wanted to run inside to save Bao-bao, but my legs would not move.
    Trotting into the living room, Pink Cheeks dangled Bao-bao by a leg. “Look at this silly little thing.”

    â€œOh, it even has a dress on,” said Mouse Eyes. “Let me see what’s under here.” She ripped up Bao-bao’s new dress with the girl in the sun hat.
    Anger filled my chest. I let go of Father and ran to them. “Leave her alone. She’s mine!” I grabbed one of Bao-bao’s arms.
    Pink Cheeks jerked back. The arm came off with an awful ripping sound.
    I dropped it to the floor and couldn’t bear to look.
    The Red Guards roared with laughter.
    Grabbing a heavy photo album from the floor, I threw it at them. “I hate you!” I screamed.
    Silence filled the room. Father grabbed me and hugged me tight.
    With a big grin, Comrade Li stepped forward and said, “Dear comrades, when the enemy hates us, that’s when we are doing a good job. Work harder!” He waved his hand.
    When had we become his enemies? What had we done?
    Mouse Eyes picked up Bao-bao and her arm and threw them into the fireplace.
    â€œOh, no!” cried Mother.

    I couldn’t bear to watch the fire swallow Bao-bao. Bao-bao, I am sorry I couldn’t protect you. I buried my face in Father’s sleeve and squeezed his arm tightly. I didn’t want the Red Guards to see me sobbing.
    Thud! Crash! Another wave of cheers and shouts filled our home. Paintbrush had knocked the picture of the Golden Gate Bridge off the mantel with his cleaver. Short Legs had swept the blue vase onto the floor with a broomstick. Jumping behind Father to avoid the flying pieces, I thought of the powerful dragon that could spit fire. I wanted to burn them to ashes.
    Father pulled away from me and stepped in front of Comrade Li.
    â€œWe’re on a revolutionary mission. No time to talk.” Comrade Li shoved him aside and walked into our kitchen.
    Father’s face trembled. I realized he could not protect us.
    Mouse Eyes lifted our radio up above her head as Comrade Li walked out of our kitchen, holding a bag of rice and eating a banana. He motioned her to stop, but it was too late. She smashed it on the floor. The black plastic box cracked open, showing tubes and wires.

    Stuffing the last bite of banana into his mouth, he mumbled, “Stupid! I could have used it to further the Revolution.”
    Comrade Li turned to Father. “Listen! If you dare to say or do anything more against the Revolution …” Dropping the banana peel in front of Father, he mashed it under his boot, turned, and marched out the door. Pimple Face, Short Legs, Mouse Eyes, and Paintbrush followed, with their arms full of our clothes, dishes, and food. Clutching the chocolate box filled with my