San Francisco was that there was no gold mountain. The grays and greens of the approaching land seemed ordinary enough, yet Mei Lien’s pulse felt like it was on fire. She was almost to America, a fabled land of opportunity, where poor Chinese women like her could secure their futures, marry, and raise children who would never face starvation or poverty.
The smaller fishing boats they passed shimmered orange in the late summer sun, and Mei Lien studied the fishermen with interest. She had never seen a white man until she’d stepped on the ship and seen the captain and his officers. Now she would be in a land of many colors, many religions, and many opportunities. If only her mother could be here with her; they could share the experience together.
The ocean breeze cut a chill across her skin, but Mei Lien didn’t mind. Auntie had told her to wear the finest cheongsam they’d brought in order to impress upon the immigration agents that she came from a wealthy family and would not be a burden upon society.
Mei Lien was mindful of any ocean spray so as not to damage the silk she wore. The handful of other young women on the ship had also come above deck to watch the approaching land. Mei Lien had been obedient to Auntie’s request to not speak to any of them.
“They’ll tell you lies,” Auntie had whispered. “Or they will try to involve you in their deceit. Chinese women are not allowed to enter America unless they are the daughter or wife of a man already living there.”
Mei Lien kept to herself, but here on the deck, she wanted to talk to someone about what she was seeing, about what things to expect.
She wasn’t given the chance.
“Remember all that you’ve learned,” Uncle said, breathing close to her ear as he took his place next to her at the railing.
Without turning to look at him, Mei Lien nodded.
“We will all be separated and questioned.” His hands gripped the railing next to her. “Our stories must be identical.”
“Yes, I am ready.” And she was, although her heart raced and her palms felt hot when she thought about being interrogated.
Soon it would all be over. Soon she would be presented to her new husband and her future would begin.
The excitement and chaos of disembarking echoed in Mei Lien’s rapid heartbeat. She found herself in a line herded by immigration agents. Uncle and Auntie were with her one moment, then separated the next, just as Uncle had warned.
Mei Lien was led into an airless room with a high window. She sat on a bench with three other girls. None of them spoke to each other, but Mei Lien was by far the best dressed among the group. When her name was called by a white immigration officer with a thick mustache, she followed him into a second room. There at a table sat a Chinese man who Mei Lien guessed was the interpreter.
For the next several minutes, she was asked all kinds of questions, and some of them more than once. The immigration officer watched her closely, his deep green eyes seeming to pierce right through her. But Mei Lien had been well trained. Although her palms sweated and she felt prickly all over her body, she didn’t lose her composure. She kept her voice calm, even, and innocent.
Even as she answered the questions, she thought of her new life. If she could only get through this interview, she would be free. That thought kept her focused on each and every question. Finally, she was ushered out of the room and told to sit again on the bench. The other young women were gone, and Mei Lien didn’t know what that meant. Had they passed their interviews? Would they be sent back to Hong Kong?
Then the immigration officer returned with the interpreter. “You may join your family now,” he said. “Your answers have matched with those of your aunt and uncle.”
Mei Lien felt like she might melt with joy. She rose on shaky limbs and bowed to the interpreter. He gave a brief nod and nothing else.
When she came out of the building, Uncle and Auntie were waiting for her. Mei Lien couldn’t help but smile, and Auntie gave her a half smile and a nod of approval. The small acknowledgment only compounded Mei Lien’s relief. She was here, in America. Her life would be nothing but wonderful.
“We’ll hire a buggy to take us to our destination,”