The Silent Girl (Chapter 6)

 

*Disclaimer*: This is a work of fiction. Some events may be based on real life, but some events are made up. For translations of the Chinese, see the Translation section at the very end.

    The next morning was August 7th. We didn't go to school. You have wondered why we didn't go to school, but instead went on Saturday. Well, there aren't many teachers in our area, so our teachers teach on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, they teach at a different school.

    Since it was Monday, it was my day to wash the dishes. It wasn't the most fun, but it was better than milking the cow. I also had to clean my room. since mama had said it was very dirty.

    During dinner there seemed to be a excitement in the air. I soon found out why. When everyone had finished eating, both of our mom's stood up. They probably stood for the same reason, since sisters always think alike. Since they had stood up, they likely had something important to say.

    "We want to help a bakery in Boise, Idaho." Mother said and Ava's mom nodded her head.

    "What about the children? And how are we supposed to run the farm? What about the summer crop?", Ye Ye¹ asked.

    "We can bring Clara and Isabella. Don't forget that Ava will be going to college next year. If she wants to, she can live in the dorms. You want to, don't you, Ava?," one of the moms asked.

    "Yes. I want to. They are so cozy and Ku Ku² and I can share a big one.", Ava answered.

    "Well anyways the boys can help you guys." Mama finished for her sister.

    "Hao ba³.", Nai Nai⁴ said.

    All afternoon, Clara and I were packing. I had never been up that north nevertheless Boise, Idaho, which meant that I didn't know what to expect. It could be hot or cold.

    When the time came for us to go, Ye Ye drove us to the airport. It was so big and there was so many people. All the people seemed to have backpacks with wheels, which all four of us were wearing backpacks. (My mother later explained that the backpacks with wheels were actually called luggage.)

    The plane (a car that flies)  was huge and there were tiny windows. There were two seats on each side of the plane. Clara sat in the seat next to the window and I sat next to her. Meanwhile, our moms sat in front of us. We were told to put our backpacks underneath the seat in front of us, so we did so.

    "Isabella, here is some gum for you. Nai Nai said that if you chew it, your ears won't hurt.", Clara said.

    I nodded and took the gum that Clara offered me. When the plane started to move, we both popped the gum in our mouths and started chewing. It was blueberry flavored, which was my favorite. Our plane ran faster and faster until it finally lifted into the air. It was so exciting! 

    "Look in the window!!!", Clara exclaimed. I looked. It looked like toy cars, trucks, and buildings. I felt like a toddler playing with toys, but I couldn't actually reach them.

    We soon got so high, we were in a cloud. All I could see was whiteness through the window. I noticed there was some stuff in the seat in front of me. I took one of them and opened it. It was a magazine. 

    A lady came up to us and asked, "Would you two want some peanuts and pretzels?"

    We both nodded our head the lady gave us both. 

    Then, another lady came and asked, "What drink would you like?"

    "What are the choices?", Clara asked. The lady then told us that we could have apple juice, orange juice, and a lot more stuff that I had never heard of. I happened to be wearing an orange shirt, so I pointed at it.

    Clara got the message and said, "We would both like orange juice, please."

    The woman nodded and wrote it on her notepad. She then hurried on to the people behind us. A few minutes later, the lady returned with two cups of orange juice.

    For the rest of the flight, I slept. We then got off the plane and on a taxi to take us to the cottage that Mama had rented. It was also near the bakery. When we arrived at the bakery, it was neat, but dark. There stood a woman who was frowning. So far, she didn't seem that friendly.

Translations:

¹ Grandpa

² Ku Ku means crying. She got her name, since she cried all day and all night when she was a baby. Her parents were so tired after having her, that they couldn't handle another child. This is why Ku Ku is an only child.

³ Okay

⁴ Grandma

To be continued... 

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