My father, and grandpa Henry shared just two common personalities, is that they both adore children, and they both loved me.
When my father asked for Stella's hand in marriage, they didn't talk much, grandpa had a stroke before they met.
In his hand is a letter containing his desire to marry Sir Henry's daughter.
Dear Sir Henry Philip Mert,
I am Harry Yi, a son of a farmer and an artist. Both my parents hail from Guangdong province by the river. I came here in America with my father, and ever since strived to become who I am today, a passionate, lover of life, and dreams. One of my dream, I happen to accomplish is meeting your daughter, and loving her.
I wish with all my heart and it is my honor Sir, to ask for her hand in marriage.
If you would permit I will marry her and support her, respect her plans for the future, along with her career and her family.
Yours with Sincerity,
Harry Jiang Yi
Henry, just looked at him, his mouth trying to whisper something. He waved his hand to Harry, to come closer so he could hear him.
With all his strength a sound came from his mouth and said. You, wish to marry my daughter?,
Which daughter?
Angel, let's call her Angel.
Jiang too for my father. Yes, let's name her that. Like an Angel sent by the father to his son.
Angel Jiang Mert Yi. The baby is me, washed and tagged, and brought to my mother upon my normal delivery. She laboured for 10 hours before I finally decided to come out into the world.
I was not a cryer, they massaged my back, they breathed air into my lungs, they could not get a single sound from a blueish baby, they feared I was going to die after my birth. They knew I was gasping for my life to begin. A touch from my mom, woke me up from my slumber.
They finally let my Dad see me in the hospital nursery, after I was treated for hypoxia.
I was wrapped in my grandmother's pink cashmere blanket, when the nurses handed me to my Mother.
Oh my dear, she truly looks like an Angel.
I lived in a house by a boat. A small garden, blue flowers in a pot, the scent of lavenders and herbs, and
all lovely things around, shabby chic décor.
My Mom, held me in her arms. As she tickled my little feet, I smiled at her face, her blue eyes, shinning.
A perfect smelling meal is in the oven, She carried me towards the window, Say hi to your papa, she said.
His face is so lovely, his eyes big and round just like mine. Is he really my father?, I thought to myself, then I said my first words, "bàba".
I awoke in my sleep, for the first time in my life, I saw a dream so clearly, as I lay in my childhood bed. I tried to recall every detail of my dream. Did that really happen?, what does that mean, Oh, God maybe I got drunk on the plane, and got stressed out by what my Dad's living situation is.
I grabbed my bag and tried to get medicine for my head ache, when a card slipped out of my pack..
Allen H. Roe
Wines and Organics
144 West 65th Street
New York, NY 10023
Chef, Caterer
allenroewinesandorganics@gmail.com
♧•AHROE•♤
Allen must have slipped his calling card in my bag before we landed. I remembered that I went to the ladies room, maybe Gretta the old lady, saw him, and just winked.
I folded the card, and threw it in the bin.
That guy has some guts.
The next morning I went down, the stairs and found my Mom fixing breakfast, but my Dad was still in his room.
Uhm, you're cooking?.., but you hate cooking. You seldom fix me a sandwich to school. I insinuated.
Oh well, if you don't like it, I can throw it in the grinders. She held the pan to the sink.
No!.., Mom, I mean thanks it is so nice of you. To prepare them for me.
Angel, this is for your father, he is not feeling well, you can grab a bite here or we can go to a café I know a sweet place. We can go after I finish feeding him, at his den.
Uhm, yeah, okay. My heart was unsteady, she was looking like she's about to throw a knife at me, while she is smiling.
I know my Mom and Dad, they lived a good life, they shared a lot of ups and downs, she also told me of the story of how they met, and how happy they were when they married and had me.
But something is off, I can feel it through her gaze.
I need to try to talk to her before I go back to New York.