The Palest Ink by Bratt Kay

Author:Bratt, Kay [Bratt, Kay]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781503949447
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Published: 2015-10-27T07:00:00+00:00

Pony Boy saw his mama peeking out of the window as soon as he rounded the corner on his block. When he was close enough, their eyes met and he smiled. She shrieked and her face disappeared. He knew that she could read him with one look and know that he’d received a letter from Lixin. Hurrying up the path, he put his hand on the door and it opened before he could turn the knob. She stood there wiping her hands on the apron tied to her waist.

“You got a letter,” she stated more than asked. These days he wasn’t stopping at home between jobs, so seeing him had obviously alerted her that finally, a new letter had come. He’d practically run through his route before heading home, and he was proud that he’d kept from ripping open the envelope in his impatience to see how his little brother was faring. It had been far too long since the last letter had arrived, leaving all of them in an unspoken cycle of worry.

He nodded to her, then hung his mailbag on the hook beside the door.

He noticed Wren and smiled. He’d finally introduced her to his family and like he’d predicted, they loved her. Mei had really taken up with her and Wren enjoyed bringing her special bows for her hair and even castoff clothes that with some adjustments, Wren and his mother made into new things Mei could wear. He appreciated her visits, even if he wasn’t there to enjoy her company as well.

After he and Wren locked eyes for a moment, his attention went to the bed where his father lay, and he struggled to keep his worry from showing. His father had been having a bad few days and the grayness in his face belied his attempt at a reassuring smile.

“Bring it in, Pony Boy. Read it,” he said, waving his hand weakly for Pony Boy to come sit beside him.

His mother shut the door behind him and went to the small wok balanced on the propane cooker. She switched it off, moving the noodles from the heat. Mei looked up from her place on the floor where she sat watching Wren cutting shapes from thin sheets of red paper, her eyes full of worry.

He sighed, then hurried across the room, perching on the bed and taking care not to bump his father. He looked down at the man who’d always been so strong and fearless, but now was relegated to being cared for by everyone else. “How are you feeling, Baba?”

His baba waved his hand in the air again. “Doesn’t matter. Open the letter.”

“What does he have to say?” his mother asked, her voice impatient as she wrung a dishtowel in her hands. “Hurry up, will you?”

Pony Boy ripped the end from the envelope and pulled out the sheet of paper. With one glance at the familiar writing, he felt a lump rise in his throat. He swallowed once, then he began to read.

“Dear family, I hope this letter finds you well and that Baba’s health has continued to improve.

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