Travelers to Unimaginable Lands by Dasha Kiper

Travelers to Unimaginable Lands by Dasha Kiper

Author:Dasha Kiper [Kiper, Dasha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2023-03-07T00:00:00+00:00


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On the appointed day, I dressed in red (considered a lucky color in China) and brought along a large coffee cake, oranges, and dumplings, which are also associated with good fortune. I had no idea how Min would receive me as I nervously rode the subway to Queens. Perhaps she’d see me as another intruder, and I would just make things worse for Julia. Happily, she greeted me with a big hug and dug right into the basket of food. “This is too much,” she said, clearly pleased, and insisted that we immediately eat the coffee cake. She made a pot of tea and handed me a small red envelope with money inside, which is traditionally given on the Chinese New Year. She seemed delighted when I gratefully accepted the envelope.

Min was small, frail, but she was still agile. If Damasio had been disarmed by Elliot’s composure, I was taken with how emotionally attuned Min seemed. She was amused when I was amused and eagerly nudged Julia to explain whatever struck my curiosity. As a host, she radiated warmth, her eyes glowing with purpose. The fact that we didn’t speak the same language did not deter us. Even when Julia took a break from translating, Min and I gesticulated wildly and seemed to understand each other. She was like any grandmother, wanting to feed her guests and eager to brag about her grandchildren.

During all this hubbub, Julia looked apologetic and uncomfortable, but I assured her that I was used to being manhandled by small, elderly immigrants—in my case, Russian Jews. By now I’d been around enough dementia patients to appreciate their ability to shift between confusion and amiability, which sometimes made them appear beguilingly “with it.” What I didn’t expect, however, was how endearing I’d find Min or how easily she would win me over with her obvious affection for Julia, taking every opportunity to touch, kiss, and caress her. At one point they stood arm in arm, almost melting into each other.

Looking at them, I remarked how happy Julia seemed. “Yes,” Julia responded brightly. “She’s my little dumpling, my little marshmallow. She has her own smile for me, a ‘home smile.’ ”

As the evening progressed, I became increasingly touched by Julia’s predicament. How could she distance herself from a relationship that was as loving and reassuring as it was unhealthy? Seeing them together, I felt guilty for what I was about to do. Nonetheless, I asked Min how often Julia visited and slept over. Julia gave me a nervous smile but dutifully translated my question.

Min replied, “Almost every day,” and reached for Julia’s hand. Julia looked shocked.

I then asked Min if anyone else helped her out. Min glanced at Julia and replied, “We help each other.”

“But is there anyone else?” I asked.

“No,” she said, decisively.

Julia now nudged her grandmother: “What about the aides?”

“Ah,” Min said, as though she’d just remembered. “They are very nice.”

Julia laughed and asked if she was sure about that. Min shrugged and said that although she didn’t need them, they were decent, professional women.



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