A River of Stars: A Novel by Vanessa Hua

Author:Vanessa Hua [Hua, Vanessa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Asian American, Women, Literary
ISBN: 9780399178801
Google: 2lk_DwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2018-08-13T21:00:00+00:00

* * *

—

In the hallway, Scarlett fanned the wet spot on the suit, blowing on it while trying to lull Liberty back to sleep. She tucked the sling over the baby’s head and paced. Joe Ng bolted out of the apartment he shared with his mother, his jeans sagging so low he tripped on the hem. Auntie Ng stood in the doorway, the fight gone out of her. They’d been arguing ever since he spent savings earmarked for his tuition on a used motorcycle he restored to showroom perfection. Auntie Ng wanted Joe to finish school, to land a desk job in the glass towers where she toiled, cleaning offices in the Financial District.

Scarlett followed her back into the apartment. How better to imagine her son in the life she wanted for him than with a new suit? With this suit, he could interview tomorrow or next week, start off in Chinatown at a real estate office or insurance agency.

“The suit will inspire him,” Scarlett said.

Auntie Ng’s face, wrinkled with worry, resembled a paper sack crumpled and smoothed out. “The only thing that inspires him is the motorcycle.” He parked it on the sidewalk in front of Evergreen Gardens. The apartment was chilly, the window open to air out the stink of polishing cream and motor oil in bottles stacked against the wall.

“Get rid of the motorcycle,” she said, in a flash of inspiration—the most uneven trade yet, and Scarlett wasn’t sure if Auntie Ng would risk the wrath of her son. Auntie Ng sighed, glancing at Liberty, as if longing for the days when she alone satisfied her son’s needs.

“I have to check on the turkey.”

“He can never repay what he owes you,” Scarlett said.

Auntie Ng brushed her fingers on top of the combination television and DVD player. “Take this.”

To an outside observer, the exchange would seem reasonable, with a slight edge in Scarlett’s favor. She’d find many takers for electronics. Or would she? Old Wu had scavenged a slender silver stereo that he’d found in the street, and few would want a television boxy as a fish tank. Auntie Ng’s son probably planned to replace it.

“We don’t have room,” Scarlett said. She laid the suit on the bottom bunk. Auntie Ng placed her son’s jeans and shirt against the suit. Too big, but he’d fit.

“He’ll grow into the suit.” Scarlett tugged the keys out of her hands. “Or you can get Tailor Hu to hem it.”

Auntie Ng touched the lapel. “It’s a serious color. For serious business.” She turned the television on, a cartoon. “Your kids can learn English, by watching.” Just as Scarlett had invoked Auntie Ng’s son, so too would Auntie Ng appeal to maternal guilt. She was shrewder than Scarlett had supposed.

“It’s only a matter of time until he gets in an accident,” Scarlett said.

“He says he’s careful.” Auntie Ng stroked the suit again.

“He can’t stop a driver who doesn’t see him from running him over.”

Auntie Ng rubbed her temple. “I should ask him.

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