Chapter 5

Divorce required the husband’s consent. That made it difficult.

Many women who could no longer endure simply abandoned husband and children and fled.

The village women always condemned them. “How heartless! She had children at home.”

I had never understood before. Then I felt those poor women’s pain in my bones.

They would never have chosen it unless driven to the end of the road.

Mother was timid, but hardworking.

If she left this family, she could surely build a better life.

The driver urged her to board.

Mother stroked my head. “I’ll be back soon. Take care of yourself at home.”

It was daylight by the time I returned to the village.

Grandmother was washing clothes by the pond, angrily recounting my wicked deed to the village women.

They stopped me as I passed.

Great-Aunt Eight lectured me. “Tian Tian, you mustn’t pull a knife on your grandma again, understand? In the old days they’d have strung you up and beaten you to death.”

The others chimed in. “No matter what, she’s still your elder.”

Widow Wang arched an eyebrow. “How can such a young girl be so vicious?”

I was already miserable after parting from Mother.

Their words only made me angrier.

I swept them with a furious look. “None of your damn business. Keep talking and one day I’ll chop you up too.”

By the next day, the village had a new rumor: I had probably caught madness from the wife in the neighboring Xia family.

It sounds absurd now.

But at the time, they firmly believed mental illness was contagious.

Mother had planned to be away for a week.

The rice was nearly ripe, and she had to return for the frantic double harvest.

But on the appointed day, darkness fell without any sign of her.

Grandmother exploded and turned on me. “If your mother has run away, it’s your fault.”

“I always knew an outsider woman couldn’t be trusted!”

Father had drunk half a jin of grain liquor. His face was red as a monkey’s backside as he jeered at me. “Got what you wanted, didn’t you? Now you’re a motherless brat.”

I sat on a little stool and looked up at the starless night.

Silently, I smiled.

Mother, where are you now?

Surely the sky above you is bright with moon and stars.

Do not worry about me.

I am grown now.

I am glad I was the wings that helped you escape, not the cage that trapped you.

Mother, you must be happy from now on.

Father was in a foul mood. My smile enraged him, and he grabbed the carrying pole from the corner and swung it at me.

“I’ll beat you to death, you little bastard!”

I leapt up to fight back. Just then, the sweltering summer wind carried a familiar voice.

“Tian Tian…”