5 ARRIVING IN CALIFORNIA
by Gay Ingram
I remember first time I see Doctor Woman. Mama San wake us early, long before sunrise bring new morning light. She say, “Put on special clothes.” I feel butterflies fluttering in my stomach when dress of red silk with gold threads slide past my face. My fingers feel clumsy as I struggle to fasten frogs. Mama San pull on my hair when she make tight braid, so hard it make water come to my eyes.
We set out from our hut; Ba-Ba lead way; Mama San carry Little Sister; and I, Mai Lin, tag along behind. We go long way alongside rice fields, rows of now-brown spears, marching across muddy patches. Soon my white slippers dirty from dust cloud I kick up as we walk on dusty road.
We walk long time until we come to cluster of tiny huts. There are other people
