interaction between Mei Lien and Ah-Peen Oie as they exclaimed over each other’s children.
Dolly couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the two women interacting. She knew that only by the grace of God had the former slave and slave owner been able to discover their paths of forgiveness.
Among all the speeches, the Chinese girls sang two of Dolly’s favorite songs: “Just One Touch” and “That Man of Calvary.”
In response to the spoken and sung accolades, Dolly concluded with, “As we begin to enumerate our blessings they appear to multiply. There are so many bright and hopeful things in this work we should never be discouraged. With God all things are possible.”
With the dedication over, Dolly spent the next days and weeks helping Tien prepare to travel to Philadelphia for her college education. Tien had promised over and over she would return to the mission home. Dolly could only pray that her dear young friend would. Time marched forward, and the moment of farewell had arrived as Dolly and Mei Lien faced Tien on the train platform where she would begin the first leg of her journey. Miss Ferree would travel across the country with Tien, then return to the mission home.
Dolly hugged Miss Ferree and said, “Thank you for taking her, and I will see you in a few weeks.”
Next, Mei Lien and Tien embraced. “You have been a light in my life,” Mei Lien told the young interpreter. “If only I can be like you someday.”
Tien beamed a smile, then wiped at the tears on her face. “Don’t let your babies forget Auntie Wu.”
“I won’t,” Mei Lien said.
Next Tien turned to Dolly and grasped her hands. “I will return. You will see.”
Dolly smiled, although the tears had already started. “I am so proud of you. From the first moment I met you, I knew there would be no stopping your ambitions.”
“I gave you such a hard time,” Tien mused, her expression contrite.
“You were a child,” Dolly said. “A child who’d been crushed in body, but never in spirit.”
And then the two women were embracing and crying. Dolly had been through many emotional upheavals in her life, but this one was the most bittersweet. She was so happy for Tien, yet her heart already ached with the many years that would pass before they were reunited.
Tien drew away first, her dark eyes flashing with determination. “I will pray for you every day, Lo Mo.”
And Dolly knew she would. “We will all be praying for our dear Tien.”
Dolly stood arm in arm with Mei Lien as the two of them watched Tien walk toward the waiting train. Just before she boarded, she turned and waved. Her countenance glowed with new opportunity and the fortitude she’d been born with.
Mei Lien, patient as always, waited with Dolly as the train pulled out of the station and the crowds disappeared. Only when they were the last ones on the platform did Dolly turn. One step forward, and then another. It was all she could do—all she could ever do. But her heart brimmed with happiness for Tien.
Her step paused when she saw Officer Cook standing near the train office. Smoke trailed from his cigarette, and his expression was grim. Was he here by coincidence? Or had he come to see Tien off? If so, he’d just missed her.
Dolly led Mei Lien to where Cook waited.
“We have an urgent situation,” he said in a low voice, his gaze moving from Dolly to Mei Lien.
“You can speak in front of Mei Lien,” Dolly said. “She is a volunteer at the mission home now.”
Officer Cook’s brows furrowed. “Can she interpret?”
“I speak English well enough,” Mei Lien said. “I can help.”
Dolly snapped her gaze to Mei Lien. “You don’t have to—this is far different from teaching music or—”
“I want to help,” Mei Lien insisted. Her luminous eyes focused on Dolly. “Please.”
Dolly still hesitated.
But Cook had no such reservations. “The tong rivals are fighting over a girl,” he said. “They are in negotiations right now. Whatever happens, whoever comes out on top, the girl will lose.”
Dolly nodded, her jaw clenched. “Take us there.”
“We will need backup,” Cook said. “And I don’t know how safe the rescue mission will be.”
“If you’re still in the war, then so am I.” Dolly nodded to Mei Lien. “We already have our interpreter.”
“Very well.” Cook stubbed out his cigarette. “We’ll take a buggy to the Hall of Justice, and I’ll get a few men to come with us for backup.”
Dolly and Mei