China Dog Read Free

like an equal, throwing his head back with his mouth wide open. Other Chinese always came to him when they needed someone to fill out forms, or to read and answer letters from the government. In Chinatown, this gave him special status – a sense of power. This air of confidence, along with his flashing eyes and quick laughter, were like a magnet. But along with this expansive, easy charm, there was a shark-like quality that seemed to devour people.
    A week after our ride home in Tom’s car, he came to visit us. He drove up in a shiny sea green car with gleaming chrome bumpers and a wrap-around windshield. What impressed me most were his sunglasses. They were mirrors that rested on the bridge of his nose and reflected his world around him. What impressed my mother, though, were his gifts of food. He brought a barbecued duck, oranges, assorted
dim sum
from Chinatown, and lychees for Lily.
    My mother was obviously flattered that a man with Tom’s exalted reputation of wealth and influence should decide to visit us so soon.
    “Ah, Leung
Sen Sun
, how are you? Come in. Come in. How good of you to come and visit. Sit down. Sit down.”
    “My pleasure. Now that we’re all in
Gam Sun
we must stick together. I’ve brought some small gifts for your family.”
    “Oh, you needn’t be so full of ceremony. Just come and visit.”
    “No trouble at all.” Tom gave the bag of food to my mother,but first he took out the bag of lychees and handed them to my sister. Lily blushed, murmured thank you; she held Tom’s gaze.
    My father exchanged brief pleasantries with Tom and returned to work. Tom sat down on a wooden chair. Lily and I sat across from him. My mother placed the
dim sum
that Tom had bought on a plate, sliced some oranges, and filled a pot with water to boil for tea. I could tell by the way she fussed that she was embarrassed by the meagreness of our home. Tom looked at the unfinished plank floors, the dangling cords with the bare light bulbs, and the worn-out equipment for washing clothes. His eyes, though, always returned to rest on Lily’s face.
    Next Sunday, Tom visited our home again. Once more he offered gifts of steamed buns, barbecued meats, and fruit. But this time he had a stack of Chinese movie star magazines for Lily. “Here, these are for you, Lily.”
    “Ah, Leung
Sen Sun
, thank you so much. You have gone too far, too much trouble.” Lily beamed and shyly accepted the gift. She told Tom that Hung Bo Bo was her favourite singer and her favourite actress, and that she always went to her movies in Hong Kong.
    “Perhaps next week, I could come and take you and your sister to Chinatown to see the movies. Chung
Tai Tai
, would you like to come as well?”
    “I won’t be able to come. Too much work in the laundry. It’s very kind of you to invite the girls. You really shouldn’t go to such expense.”
    “Oh, Mah, it would be so much fun. I haven’t seen a movie since I left Hong Kong. It’s very kind of Leung
Sen Sun
to invite me and Irene.” Lily leaned eagerly forward in her chair, her hands clasped together in her lap. I hadn’t seen her so excited since she arrived. From the dark look she shot in my direction, I knew that my wishes were not a consideration.
    “Well then, it’s settled. Next Sunday I’ll come and take the girls for lunch in Chinatown, and then to the movies.” Tom sat back in his wooden chair and inhaled deeply on his cigarette. I watched the smoke come out of his mouth and curl upwards, slowly disappearing.
    The next Sunday, Lily wore a blue-and-white striped full-skirted dress with a collar that tied in a bow at the front, and black slip-on flats on her feet. I wore a red shirt-waist dress with a gathered skirt and ruffles around the collar, and black patent leather shoes with buckles. Lily waited eagerly; I was resigned. That afternoon I rode alone in the back seat of Tom’s car. At the movies, my sister sat in the middle.
    After that day’s outing, Tom came to visit us