by Bella Knight
Mrs. Chang stopped fussing with the jacket. "Perhaps," she said slowly.
"Perhaps there are two scholarships. UNLV and the local college are both acceptable for this scholarship. That opens even more programs."
Mrs. Chang nodded like a bobblehead. "It does. Mei has a friend, Li. And both are responsible girls."
"Then, it is done," said Bao, acting as if they'd had a long conversation, with only a few words that would change two girls' lives forever. "Now, I must go to see about the wedding cake. It shall be spectacular."
"Of course," said Mrs. Chang, making the little white business card disappear. "I shall... make some inquiries."
"They must work for you, or someone, part time. They will feel more comfortable here, with you, or with me as my... assistants. Perhaps they could take turns, spreading one job between two people. It will be very difficult," she said. "I am truly busy."
"The dress and jacket will be at the wedding hall on your most auspicious day," said Mrs. Chang, not daring to breathe, lest it deform the bubble of great fortune that had descended upon her. "Would you like some tea?"
"I cannot," said Bao. "I have a cake..."
"I see," said Mrs. Chang. "It shall be as you say."
"Good," said Bao, and smiled gently. "You are, as usual, very... methodical. About the care of clothes."
"Yes," said Mrs. Chang, and opened the door for her.
The cake was spectacular, a Chinese dragon climbing up the side, done in blue, purple, and silver, with a phoenix in red --clawing its way up the other side, and a red peony on top.
"Mrs. Wu," she said, tears springing to her eyes. "I am almost afraid it will walk off and eat a guest."
Mrs. Wu laughed, ready to defuse the tears. "It will be boxed and picked up in two hours," she said. "The caterer will have his head removed if he damages it."
The caterer for Huang's Best, was truly remarkable, ready to serve dim sum in the shapes of dragons and phoenixes for the traditional dragon-phoenix cold plate. And soup (fish, not the traditional shark’s fin, and egg drop soup), roast pig, duck, two kinds of chicken, crab, vegetables, sweet buns, and both types of fried noodles for the traditional eight courses. The symbolism was for happiness, long life, and longevity. The take-out containers were ready as well. Nico's family had inserted antipasti along with the Chinese appetizers. Including chicken penne pasta with the Chinese chicken, lobster tortellini with the crabs, and tiramisu with the sweet buns. The staff were delighted to insert the new dishes; Nico's family ordered them from their favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Tea, a partial bar with beers and champagne, and 7-up would be served.
"I will see you in several hours," said Bao. She went to the church, parked her bike, and Callie picked her up.
"We're on the nails. You're late."
"Tell you about it there."
She put on the Chinese robe, and was whisked away to have her hair washed and dried. The traditional Chinese wedding hairstyle was pulled back and looped or braided in a bun in the back, then flowers inserted on the sides. Bao chose a wide red peony. She had her feet soaking, and soon laid back, humming as the woman expertly massaged her toes.
"What gives?" said Callie.
"Dragon Mama, I'll guess," said Ivy, smiling as her hands and arms were massaged up to the elbow. Nico's mama Stella breezed in, saw Bao, and put her fingers to her eyes. Callie got her hand back. As the only one not soaking her feet, she ran forward.
"Mama," she said. "No crying before the wedding, you'll mess up your makeup."
"She's beyond lovely," Stella said.
"Sit, and show me your nails," said Callie. She pulled up another chair, and Stella sat. "Gorgeous!" said Callie, at Stella's pearl-pink nails washed with silver.
"How about yours?" asked Stella. They “oohed” and “aahed” over the pale gold of the bridesmaids' nails. The flower girls were giggling in a corner. "How's my best girls?" asked Stella. She went over to them, bag in hand, and withdrew tiaras and crystal necklaces. The girls squealed, jumped up and down, and hugged her. She helped them put on their necklaces. They squealed again, showing them off to each other. Their hair artist came over to help them with the tiaras.
Stella sat back down with Callie. "Thank you," said Callie. "That makes their day. Just the right touch."
"Well, dah-um," said Ivy, her hair done in twists with gold and crimson woven in. "You girls look shiny." They giggled some more.
Bao sighed. "This is wonderful. My Dragon Mama should be here. But, she chose a Chinese place to get her hair done. Missing the laughter and the foot rubs. Idiot Mama."
"Is she coming to the wedding?" asked Callie, delicately.
"Mrs. Chang is my early-warning sign, and no warning bells or lights," said Bao. "Besides, she'd lose face with everyone she knows. I may be marrying a foreigner, but it's my second wedding, and we have a Chinese daughter. I teach Chinese, do business on the mainland, have money in the Chinese money system. I sent business to the places Dragon Mama promised to work with, without consulting me. In fact, I think they all earned as much or more as they would have before. She'll whine and moan and complain about her 'golden pear' daughter."
Ivy's face darkened. "If that's Chinese for 'apple' your mother is racist."
Bao raised her eyebrows. "Apple?"
"Derogatory term used for a Native American --red outside, white inside."
Bao nodded slowly. "My mother may or may not be a racist. She does want to control me, and I am very tired of being controlled. I became everything she would desire --in a very Chinese field. I work with mainland China, have a great business, have money. She does not like my motorcycle, the Valkyries, or how I raise my daughter, with a white, lesbian couple and a sister who is loud, and, as all little girls, sometimes obnoxious. I was obnoxious from time to time." She gave a beatific smile.
Ivy and Callie laughed. "I certainly was," said Ivy. "I think of how my mother handled my mess ups when I deal with Damia or Grace."
Bao smiled. "Hu is close to perfect, but she's done some doozies."
Stella laughed. "Nico kept stealing from my wallet to get ice cream. I made him save up in his piggy bank to get his ice cream. He stopped buying cheap gum because he liked ice cream more, and I made him pay me back if he stole from me." She looked thoughtful. "Come to think of it, I had to invent tasks for him to do to earn money. He went to the library and got books on how to fix drippy faucets and stuff like that. Saved me a fortune in plumbers. He hung his own bookshelves when he was ten."
"You gave him his start in construction!" said Callie. "Good work!"
"Hot da--arn," said Ivy, making Callie laugh. "You made him the man he is today!"
"No," said Stella. "I worked a lot. Single mom thing. He raised himself, but he raised himself up right." She smiled with pride.
"I'm so glad we found each other," said Callie. She held Ivy's hand.
"Same sappy grin on my face when I look at Nico," said Bao.
"Da--darn, girl, you're speaking in idioms," said Callie.
"I've been hanging around Nighthawks and Valkyries," said Bao. "I asked a lot of questions, and no one laughed at me. Or called me a golden pear."
"Say it in Chinese," said Callie. Bao told her, and Callie sounded it out. "Jin Li. Well, if your mama or anyone else says that, I'm coming down on them like a ton of bricks."
Ivy smiled. "My girl has a long fuse, but when it blows, leave the city. Leave the state!"
They finished, dressed in street clothes, and Nico sent a limo to take them to the church. Bao exclaimed, rushed to the dress, nearly jumped out of her jeans and top, slid into the silk slip, and shimmied into the dress. Ivy, Callie, and Stella stared at the dress, mouths open. Grace screamed and jumped up and down.
Hu said, in Chinese, "I have the most beautiful mother." Bao held back the tears, got on one knee, and hugged her daughter.
Callie wiped her tears, prompting a nudge from Ivy. "She said her mother is the most beautiful," said Callie, with tears in her vo
ice.
"Don't cry, Mama," said Grace. "Try on your dress."
The women stripped and put on their clothes. Callie had an even simpler gold dress, and Ivy wore a gold tunic and Chinese-red, silk pants.
"You look amazing," Ivy said to Callie.
"Back at ya," said Callie, and they kissed.
"Eww," said Grace.
Hu poked her. "Weddings have kisses, silly," she said. "Let's put on our dresses."
Callie and Ivy helped them. They were gold with flowing skirts, and little flowers in crimson down the side of each skirt. Bao gave them red flower bracelets, worked in gold. They exclaimed over them, and then practiced throwing the petals when they found their little gold baskets.
Stella looked at Bao. "I'm not your mom," said Stella, "And, I've got to go see my son. But, you are lovely, and gentle, and kind, and extremely intelligent and strong. Nico needs someone that can help him grow, and to find happiness again. He looks at you and sees a home, and more children, and joy. Please enjoy every minute." All the women dabbed tears. Stella kissed both her cheeks, and then went to go find her boy.
"Weddings sure have a lot of crying," said Grace. The women laughed.
Ivy hugged Bao, and led the girls out to line up. Callie held her close. "We share daughters. We're sisters, and we love you." She opened the door to leave, and found Dragon Mama at the door. She gasped, then stepped aside, then gently pushed Dragon Mama in and shut the door.
"You were right," said Dragon Mama. "You were so happy before. And Hu came, and you were even more happy. I think I hoped you would cry for your entire life. Then you became happy again, and I felt I could not. I tried to make you into the perfect Chinese woman. You did, with your business. Mrs. Chang reminded me of that. Your bike and your leather make me so angry. Do you not realize you have a child at home?"
"I do it for her," said Bao. "Hu is timid. She needs to see a strong mother, willing to do whatever it takes to keep her safe."
"You can be killed on the road!" said Dragon Mama.
"I can be killed right here. A car could drive into the building. A meteor could fall from the sky and hit us. I could drop dead right now from anything."
"You came home with bruises!" exclaimed Dragon Mama.
"I must learn to defend myself and my daughter," said Bao. "This is a dangerous country. Even after I marry, my husband cannot follow me around keeping me safe. I must take responsibility and save myself."
"Your friends have been shot, and hit with a truck, and so many things!" exclaimed Dragon Mama.
"Most of them are law enforcement officers," said Bao. "They have dangerous jobs. I do not. I work on books for children."
"You should stay at home!" said Dragon Mama.
Bao's face finally closed. "Are we in the old times, mother, where my feet are bound? And must I be carried everywhere? I am intelligent, and strong, and full of joy and laughter --and happiness. I have friends who would stand up for me, die for me." She finally got it. "You can see how you have pushed me away with your need to control. My friends have become very close to me, like sisters. You can see yourself replaced by those who treat me with respect."
Dragon Mama let her breath whistle out through her teeth. "It is you who do not treat me with respect."
"No," said Bao. "I gave you a house, one with tenants so you would have an income, no matter what happened with the restaurant, or if I suddenly dropped dead. I have made every effort to see you, and to bring my daughter to see you. But you have been controlling and cold to me, and now, to her. I do not tolerate anyone, even my mother, who tries to dictate to me who I should be, and I certainly do not let my daughter be with anyone who makes her cry. You should believe you raised me the right way, to be intelligent and make good decisions, trust in your own parenting. I am not that young woman who worked for rice. Now, I can buy and sell houses. I paid for all of this. And, either stand with me with pride and love in your eyes, as you should with all I have accomplished, or walk away. I must go now, or I will be late to the wedding with the man I love." Dragon Mama stood in the middle of the floor while Bao walked around her. Bao turned, and confronted her one last time. "I love you, no matter how stubborn you are. But, I will remember how you marred a day of joy. I will remember, Mama. This is much more than losing face. It is very likely that you have lost me."
Dragon Mama followed her out, and shut the door behind her. Two services, she thought. Two services and a reception. Then, I can stop smiling, and weep over my willful daughter.
The wedding was beautiful in the church, with light coming down in a multitude of colors through the stained glass. The pews were full of people in suits, many in nice shirts, and jeans and boots. The Valkyries sat on the Chinese side. The Nighthawks, Wolfpack, Soldier Pack, and a spattering of Iron Knights all sat on Nico's side. The little girls were precious, making everyone tear up.
In a last-minute change, Henry gave away Bao, his long gray hair tied back with a golden hoop. He wore cowboy boots with his black suit. Nico had his mother give him to his wife, and both mothers read Bible verses; Dragon Mama read in Chinese.
When the final "I Dos" were said and they kissed as man and wife, the Valkyries stood and let out an ululation that startled the priest and the Chinese, but the Iron Knights and the Nighthawks grinned. They went to the reception, while the happy couple, the mothers, Henry and David, and the Chinese all went to the Chinese ceremony. They did their bows and tea, and received a boatload of money. They sent the money envelopes with Henry to be locked up in Nico's safe to be counted later.
The reception was already in full swing, the guests having been given liquor, sodas, and antipasti to keep them happy, and the DJ was already playing music. The Chinese loved it, except for Dragon Mama; but at this point she had enough sense not to complain about the Italian food and turn her daughter into an angry, hissing snake on her wedding day, in front of guests.
They had music --more rock than pop, and both Chinese and Italian pop songs to keep everyone dancing. Sheriff Bob was up just for the night, and he did a complicated country dance with his wife Xenia, making everyone laugh and cheer. Henry stood up for the father-daughter dance, making everyone cry except for Dragon Mama, who was livid. The happy couple did some swing dancing, which looked gorgeous and fun as Nico wrapped his wife around his body. Dragon Mama nearly lost it when they slipped into a tango, Nico with a flower in his mouth, and made everybody gasp with her death drop. Nico caught her perfectly, and they received clapping, which was aided by a stomping applause. Then the dance floor got crowded, and Bao was lost from sight.
Mrs. Chang followed Dragon Mama out into the desert night. "You will wait," she said.
Dragon Mama turned, incensed. "What is it? How dare you speak to me so rudely?"
"Your daughter has offered scholarships for Chinese girls to come here to learn. Your daughter learned to dance to make their guests happy. Your daughter smoothed those who had lost face, and bought things from the merchants when you tried to plan her wedding without her. Your daughter has seen you gasp and scowl her entire wedding." She strode over to her friend, and looked her in the eyes. "If you cannot see how beautiful and rich and accomplished she has become, and see this as how you have raised her to be so, then you are a fool. And, I do not think your father or mother tried to raise a fool."
"I have lost her. She is no longer Chinese," said Dragon Mama.
"The wedding hall has a cake of dragon and phoenix, and the proper invitations, and red ‘double happiness’ banners. Why do you think she is not Chinese? She had all the right dishes, all the right music..."
"She rejects me," said Dragon Mama.
"No," said Mrs. Chang, sadly. "You reject her. And, I do not think you can make this right." She turned, and walked back into the hall.
After a lot of dancing and drinking, Bao sat with Nico in the corner, watching the little girls dance. She was saddened by Damia's absence, but the girl would be miserable in such a crowd. "No sign of Dragon Mama," said Nic
o, rubbing her back.
"She left after the tango."
"Well, it was the best part," said Nico. "I'm so sorry."
"She begged me to come here to America, and moved mountains to do so. Now, it is as if I were nothing to her."
Nico kissed her forehead. "Love, she's just mad that you didn't obey her every whim. She'll come around."
"No," said Bao. "I've lost my mother. She's lost face with me. She has done too much, crossed too many lines. She may make it back to be a grandmother to Hu, but she won't be my mother, not again." She smiled, then kissed him. "I'm stealing your mother."
"Okay," said Nico. "I think we can share."
They left the party in full swing after the last course, barely able to move from all the food. The staff put the food in to-go containers as Nico made sure the band, hall, and caterers were paid and tipped, and told to party on, for a few more hours. The limo came around, the “Just Married” sign on the back. The guests threw bird seed, and then they were on their way to an overwater bungalow in the Maldives.
Sigrun turned off the feed. "Sure you don't want to go to the party?" asked Wraith, for the millionth time.
"One," said Sigrun, "turned in the big robot today, didn't I?" She'd crafted a working robot with a mechatronics student for her metalworking project for art school. "Had to demonstrate it, discuss the materials, and all that jazz. The fricking presentation took forever, then the questions took even more forever time, and I still had to finish the painting. I hate oils, I really do. Take fricking forever to dry. Then the model in the drawing class was late. My hands hurt, I can't see, and I don't want to stand up. I just wanna snuggle." She did, laying her head on Wraith's shoulder. Wraith stroked her hair.
"Honey, can you put on a sitcom? Or a dumb movie?" Sigrun groaned and opened the computer back up. She pulled up Netflix, and poked around a bit. "Bao's mama is a real bitch, isn't she?" said Wraith. "I have a mind to get out of traction and beat in her face."
"Mmm," said Sigrun, finding a show about a group of teen girls with superpowers. She put it on. "But you'd get arrested. Bad. We need ya." She laid back, and put her face back into Wraith's shoulder.