San Francisco Boy

by Lois Lenski

  “Did you stay in jail all night?” she asked, her eyes wide with fear.

  “No, Younger Sister,” said Felix tenderly. “I spent the night in Alameda, but I don’t think I’ll ever do it again.”

  “Are you going to stay home with us now?” asked Mei Gwen.

  “Yes, Younger Sister,” said Felix.

  “I’m glad,” said Mei Gwen.

  After the others were gone, Felix sat on the davenport beside Grandmother Yee. She held his hands in hers, and he listened as she talked.

  “When I first came to San Francisco, I hated it here, too,” she said. “In China I had always lived in the country and never in the city. I did not like the noise and the rush and the terrible crowding—many families lived in a single room then. I got a job in a factory and had to learn to sew on a sewing machine. I had never seen machines before and I was afraid of them. They went so fast by electricity and roared so loud. I cried every day to go back to China, back to the country where one could see and live with growing things—where a girl could pick a flower and put it in her hair …

  “My son, you have been homesick for Alameda. To be a Chinese is to be homesick. Every Chinese has a deep longing within him to return to the place of his birth. All his life he dreams of his native village, no matter how humble—of the hut with mud walls and dirt floor, of the flowering plum tree, the red tile roof of the courtyard and the singing birds. Our children and grandchildren, though born in a foreign country, still look upon China as our homeland and will cleave to it until death. But now that our country is in the hands of the enemy and we can no longer go home to die on native soil, there is but one thing to do—make this new land our own.”

  “The Alameda I loved is gone, Grandmother,” said Felix. “I don’t want to see it again.”

  “Here, then, is your homeland,” said Grandmother, “here in the big city of San Francisco. There are things to love here if we look for them.” Pointing to a fuchsia plant blooming on the window sill, she added, “A flower is better to look at than a stone wall.”

  Felix smiled, trying to understand.

  “But Father, is he not angry?” asked Felix. “Is he not going to punish me?”

  “Your father is a man of wisdom,” said Grandmother. “He knows when you have punished yourself enough. He knows when you have taught yourself a lesson.”

  “And Mr. Chew—” asked Felix. “Will he forgive me, too?”

  “The next time you deliver his newspaper,” said Grandmother, “Mr. Chew will smile and offer you a handful of lichee nuts. In this life there is only one thing to do, repay evil with good.”

  CHAPTER XI

  A Day of New Beginnings

  “O Mother, the flowers smell so sweet!”

  Mei Gwen set the bowl of blooming narcissus on the window sill. She sniffed their sweet fragrance.

  “Bring the dustpan and the dustcloth,” called Mother. “The house must be cleaned before midnight. Then we will hide the brooms away.”

  Mother was cleaning the front room and Mei Gwen hurried to help. The floor had been washed and polished. All the furniture had been moved and needed dusting. The other rooms were spick-and-span. There was new oilcloth on the kitchen table and there were new curtains at the windows. Mother had stayed home from the factory and worked hard all week.

  It was February and Chinese New Year was at hand. Everything had to be neat and clean before New Year’s Eve. That was the way to bring good luck for the coming year.

  “New Year is the day of the Three Beginnings,” said Grandmother Yee, “the start of the year, of the month, and of the season. It is the time when we all make a new start in life.”

  Mei Gwen could not keep her mind on dusting. She was longing to see her new Chinese costume.

  “When is Aunty Kate coming?” she asked. “And will she bring it?”

  Grandmother smiled. “She will soon be here.”

  When Aunty Kate came they all gathered round to see Mei Gwen’s costume and said, “How beautiful!” The costume had long trousers to the ankles and a short-sleeved jumper that fastened at the neck and down one side. It was made of yellow satin and was embroidered with flowers and a large bird.

  “Is it Felix’ magic bird?” asked Mei Gwen.

  “The queen bird, or phoenix,” said Grandmother Yee, “has five colors—green, yellow, black, red and white. The bird in the plum tree stands for the springtime of life. It means youth and hope and everything new. The good earth blooms again with the return of the birds.”

  Mei Gwen tried on her new costume. She walked in and out of the rooms while the family admired it.

  “All debts must be paid before New Year’s,” said Father. “Then one can go through the new year an honorable man.”

  Father took Felix with him to the shops where he owed money. Red silk banners hung in doorways, with mottoes in Chinese characters painted upon them. Felix read them to Father: “Peace-ableness brings good luck. One who is contented is always happy. Patience is the best family heritage.” The Chinese merchants greeted Father Fong ceremoniously. They shook hands with Felix, his eldest son, and after accepting payment, offered cups of hot tea.

  Felix had never seen Grant Avenue look so festive. Chinatown itself was transformed. All the shops had been cleaned, and new and unusual delicacies were displayed. Hampers of fresh green and white vegetables and baskets of unique dried seafoods lined the already crowded sidewalks. Huge branches of blossoming cherry, almond and plum trees had been placed on sale. Pots of blooming azaleas, camellias, gardenias and other plants were standing on benches. Fresh oranges and tangerines were piled high in show windows. Brightly lighted Chinese lanterns swayed back and forth under awnings and inside doorways.

  The shops were crowded with eager purchasers and there was much noise and excitement. Firecrackers were popping on all sides, making people laugh and jump nervously. Everyone was in a festive mood. Felix saw Roger Loy go by with his father, and Ronnie Chow with his. The boys smiled at each other and said formally, “Happy New Year.”

  Father Fong and Felix stopped at the Lee Hop Wall-shop. Mr. Chew, too, had blooming plants on his shelves. After an exchange of greetings, Father looked them over carefully.

  “A plum tree is the symbol of spring,” said Mr. Chew.

  Father agreed. He purchased a huge branch covered with buds, and two pots of red azaleas. They carried them home and decorated the front room with them. Earlier in the week, Father had bought the groceries necessary for the New Year’s meals, and a plentiful supply of fresh oranges and tangerines. These he piled in neat pyramids on platters on the tables. One table in the front room was covered with a red embroidered silk tablecloth which Mother had brought from China. This table held small dishes of sweetmeats of all kinds. Red silk hangings and pillow covers gave the room a festive air. Red silk scarves were draped over the portraits of the Fong grandparents above the davenport.

  At last, when all the preparations were completed, Father placed a tangerine with a leaf and branch attached, on the head of the Buddha on the mantelpiece. Outdoors the shooting of firecrackers, to drive away evil spirits, became louder. The banging and popping continued far into the night, so there was little sleep for anyone. At midnight, the shops on Grant Avenue were closed, and the streets were cleared of stalls and hucksters, in preparation for the approaching holiday.

  New Year’s Day dawned clear and bright. It was given over to visiting. The Fong family had many callers. Mei Gwen wore her Chinese costume and passed the sweetmeats—candied cocoa-nut, strips of winter melon, candied and pickled plums, cumquats, lichee nuts and melon seeds. Mother poured tea for her guests, passed oranges and tangerines and special cakes. She gave all the children who came money wrapped in red Chinese paper.

  Aunty Rose and Uncle Leon came with the cousins, Dorinda, Paul and Jean. The children played in the hall while the grown people visited. Little Susie’s face was dirty, so Mei Gwen took her to the bathroom and washed it. Dorinda picked up the wet washcloth an
d began to play ball with it. Running into the front room, she threw it to Susie. Susie was too little to catch it and it fell on the red silk tablecloth. Aunty Rose rushed over, scolded the children, and tried to dry the spot on the cloth.

  Mother Fong said sadly, “It is my best cloth. I brought it from China and now it is spoiled.”

  Other friends and relatives came—the Sungs from downstairs, the Yicks from across the hall, and a number of the women who worked at the factory with their husbands and children. Among them were the Chongs with Jessie and Jimmy and younger children. To all, Mother was courteous and polite, offering tea, and Father talked and exchanged greetings. To all, Mei Gwen passed sweetmeats and fruit.

  Late on the second day came the parade. Mei Gwen and Felix left the apartment early and went to the meeting place at their Chinese school. The parade started on Stockton Street and went through the tunnel, then down Sutter Street and up Grant Avenue. There were two floats, several bands and drum corps and two Chinese Lions, followed by groups of Chinese children and various organizations.

  Thousands of people, American and Chinese, lined the streets. Some were on stairs, some on balconies or boxes. Some climbed poles, while others were looking from windows, fire escapes and roofs. Many people took pictures and movies. They all stretched their necks to get a good view of the parade.

  Mei Gwen was a princess and she looked and acted like one. Dressed in her beautiful costume, she carried a lighted Chinese lantern and wore flowers in her hair. All the girls in her class carried lanterns and wore flowers. They looked so pretty, the crowd on the sidewalk clapped as they passed by.

  Sandra Sung walked beside Mei Gwen. Since her mother’s recovery, she, too, had started to Chinese school. Her costume was a soft green, trimmed with shining sequins.

  “Oh, I’m cold!” said Sandra. The sun had set and a chilly breeze was blowing. “I wish I’d brought my sweater.”

  “I’m not cold,” said Mei Gwen. “I’m too excited to be cold.” Just then she sneezed loudly. “If we wore our sweaters or coats, the people couldn’t see our pretty Chinese costumes.”

  The wind blew a strong gust and the candle in Mei Gwen’s lantern flickered out. “Oh, dear!” she said.

  “Hello, Mei Gwen!” A man’s voice called from the sidewalk. “You sure do look pretty!”

  Mei Gwen looked up at the sea of faces. Suddenly she saw Mr. Pete and Mr. John from the Henderson Paper Company. They still remembered her. She waved her hand and smiled. Then, not far away, she saw her friend Edith from the Label Company, and the waitress, Tootsie, from Harry’s Café. She waved to them all and felt very proud.

  “I’ve got so many American friends,” she said to Sandra Sung.

  “Where did you get them?” asked Sandra.

  “Oh, they work down on the street where my Aunty’s jeans factory is,” said Mei Gwen.

  “I don’t know any at all,” said Sandra.

  The band up ahead burst into a loud din of noisy music, so loud that the girls could not talk. The crowds on the sidewalks grew thicker. The people pushed and shoved and kept moving into the street. Boys on balconies threw firecrackers over people’s heads. The little Chinese girls tried to march bravely on, but were halted frequently. They had to stand still, marking time, and all of them were shivering.

  “These children will all have pneumonia tomorrow,” shouted a Chinese man. Mei Gwen looked—it was Mr. Chew of the wall-shop that Felix had bumped into.

  Mei Gwen wondered how Felix was getting along. She looked back but could not see him. He was marching with the School Traffic Squad far behind her. He and the other boys wore white traffic bands and belts, and Felix had been put in charge.

  The band music struck up and the parade moved on. Down at the corner near Jackson Street, Mei Gwen saw her own family on the balcony of the Lotus Garden Restaurant. Younger Sister Susie was sitting on Mother’s lap, and Father stood by Frankie and Freddie. Aunty Rose and her children were there, and Aunty Kate, Grandmother Yee and the uncles. Frankie and Freddie were lighting firecrackers and tossing them down. Some caught on a light pole and kept going pop-pop-pop.

  Mei Gwen waved her hand and called out, “Don’t hit me!” She turned to Sandra and said, “See my family up there.”

  Father shouted, “Are you warm enough?” but the parade was moving on again. They were going north on Grant Avenue toward Little Italy. Suddenly Mei Gwen saw the words Italian Market across the top of a store, and there in front on the sidewalk stood Dina Costelli and her family.

  “I see my Italian friends,” cried Mei Gwen. “They go fishing at Fisherman’s Wharf. They are Elder Brother’s friends too.”

  She saw Dina’s two brothers, Georgie and Joey, and Dina’s father and mother and even her grandmother. Dina pointed out Mei Gwen and they all smiled and waved like old friends.

  “Where’s Felix?” called Georgie, edging forward on the curb.

  Mei Gwen pointed down the street behind her.

  “He’s marching with the Traffic Squad,” she answered.

  Georgie nodded and he and Joey started back down the street.

  Behind the little Chinese girls came the beautifully lighted Chinese Dragon. The Dragon wore a huge artificial head of many colors, in which bright glass eyes were set above hinged jaws. Behind the head hung a long cloth body of gaily striped satin of many colors, carried aloft by twenty or twenty-five boys. It was an impressive and beautiful sight.

  As the Dragon passed, the crowd became very excited. Men and boys threw firecrackers high up in the air or tossed packs of firecrackers from balconies and roofs. Mei Gwen and Sandra became more and more afraid. They clung to each other and wished the people would stop shooting. The crowd grew more dense and the people pressed in closer and closer on the narrow street. The little girls were so squeezed together, there was hardly room for them to march.

  “Oh, they’re spoiling the parade,” cried Sandra in tears.

  “Get back, you!” cried Mei Gwen in anger. “Stay on the sidewalk where you belong.” But no one heard her.

  Suddenly a large firecracker came zooming through the air down toward the street. Mei Gwen’s heart skipped a beat, as she jumped back in fright. It exploded in front of her with a loud bang. Mei Gwen dropped her Chinese lantern, for she felt a sharp sting on her hand, where the powder had burned it. She screamed and started to run, but a man had crowded in ahead of her.

  The girl looked up and saw her own father. She fell into his arms, shaking with cold and fright, and burst into tears. “Take me home! Take me home!” she cried.

  As more firecrackers fell, Father Fong shouted to a noisy group of boys on a near-by balcony, but they paid little attention. Father took Mei Gwen and Sandra out of the parade and told their classmates to go home. He led the two girls through the crowd, saying, “We’ll go into the restaurant and wait until the parade is over.”

  Wading through red firecracker paper deep on the sidewalk, they made their way into the Lotus Garden. There they joined the rest of the family. Father brought salve and bandages from a drugstore, and Mother bound up Mei Gwen’s burned hand and arm. It was warm indoors and Sandra and Mei Gwen soon stopped shivering. They all went into a private dining room and had a delicious meal of a variety of dishes—chicken, duck, fresh fish, dried fish soup, bird’s-nest soup, diced prawns, Chinese sausages and other good things.

  It was late that night when they reached home.

  “I heard a little noise,” said Mother. “I wonder if there is a mouse in the kitchen.”

  Felix and Mei Gwen and Mother went out to see.

  “Oh, a bird!” cried Mei Gwen. She ran and called Father. “Father, a strange bird flew in our house.”

  “It is a canary,” said Mother. “I left the window open and it flew in from outside.”

  “Maybe it smelled the lilies on the window sill,” said Felix.

  The bird flew around the room, then into the hall to the front room. It perched on the branch of the flowering plum tree. When Felix
saw it, he stopped and held his breath. He whispered to Younger Sister, “It is like the magic bird in the plum tree at Alameda, but the one I saw before had long feathers in bright colors like the phoenix on your costume.”

  “A bird is a good omen,” said Father. “It will bring us good luck for the New Year. A Chinese home is not complete without a bird in a cage.”

  “We always had one at home in China,” said Mother softly.

  Father sent Felix down to the Yangs’ apartment, to see if their light was still on, and to try to borrow their bird-cage which they did not use any more. Soon Felix came back with it. When Father caught the bird in his hand, it was shaking with fright. Gently he put it in the cage. Felix gave it crumbs to eat and water to drink. Soon it began to chirp and sing.

  “It is happy here,” said Felix. “It has forgotten its old home.”

  Father hung the cage in the bay window, and they all got ready for bed. Mei Gwen’s cot was near the fireplace, but that night she could not sleep. She did not like the bird’s noise. It kept on chirping and trying to sing, even though she said, “Be quiet.” She thought of the chicken on the ranch that kept saying gyp-gyp-gyp. She began to cry with fright, calling Mother. When Mother heard what was the matter, she got up and put a dark cloth over the bird’s cage.

  “Now you can both sleep,” she said.

  The seven days of the Chinese New Year were busy ones and passed all too quickly. There were Lion Dances daily on the streets, for the Lions were collecting the needed yearly funds for the Chinese hospital. Friends called daily at the Fongs’, and they went out returning calls. Wherever they went, the children were given good luck pieces, quarters or half dollars wrapped in red Chinese paper.

  One day the Costelli children came to visit the Fong children. Mother cooked Chinese noodles and Won Ton Pay for them, and they said the noodles were as good as Italian spaghetti. The boys got into a friendly quarrel about it. Felix insisted that the Chinese had invented spaghetti, and Georgie insisted it was Italian, so they called Father Fong to settle the matter. He told the boys that when Marco Polo went to China he found it there and brought it back to Italy. So Georgie and Felix were both happy.