Ahmam's Islands: Translated from Taiwanese by Chung Wenyin

Author:Chung Wenyin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2012-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

“Indebted, how true.” Mom laughed and continued, “Marriage is indeed about debt. Women like me are either widows or are fighting with their husbands every day. Not a single day is peaceful.”

“It makes sense that people say marriage is like a harsh lesson in Taoist philosophy, because no matter how bad you have fought with your husband, in the night you still share the same bed with him.” Aunt Meijou said.

“That’s right. Without them, we would be bored.” The two women then laughed out loud.

Ahmam glanced at her mother speaking eloquently in the winter sun; she was deeply affected and lost in her conversation. As Ahmam was in her reverie, her mother suddenly rushed toward the kitchen and cried out, I’ve steamed it for too long!” It was not until that moment that Ahmam noticed the vapor violently dancing in the dim kitchen; the steam pot was hissing. Her mother was surprised to see Ahmam. She was both happy and pissed off. When she lifted the jumping bamboo lid, the vapor died down. She checked the cake and asked, “Are we having a rising year?” Though it was to see if the cake had risen enough, it seemed more like she was asking Ahmam. “You surprised me sitting there,” Ahmam’s mother said. “You could have turned down the stove for me. You are no longer a little girl and should help me with some work. Don’t be like your sister-in-laws. They eat rice everyday without knowing the price!” Mom was still like that; she always started her conversations with nagging. Then she softened and asked, “Have you taken breakfast?” She pressed the cake slightly to feel it and smiled satisfactorily. Cutting a tiny piece with a knife she passed it to Ahmam. Ahmam did not stretch her hand to take it and the steaming hot cake burned her mother’s hand. By instinct she dropped it. Both mother and daughter looked at the cake on the floor, her mother bent to pick it and started eating the part that had not gotten dirty. She said lightly: “You must be tired from the bus ride. Go to get some sleep.” Ahmam worried that her mother would blame her for dropping the cake.

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