The Paper Daughters of Chinatown - Heather B. Moore Page 0,78
Can you open the door for a moment? I need to speak with you about something important.”
A moment later, she heard a shuffling sound. Then the lock turned.
Tien opened the door a crack. “I’m sick.”
And perhaps she was, but Dolly said, “We need your help with Ah Cheng’s wedding.”
Tien’s eyes widened. “Why?”
“We need you to be in charge of the ledger where the guests will sign their names,” Dolly said. “Not all the guests will sign their names because they might not know how to write. You can ask them their name, then write it down.”
Tien’s brows pulled together. “What if I spell something wrong?”
“I’ll look at the names afterward with you and see if there should be corrections,” Dolly said. “But you are the only one I can trust with this. Can you come now?”
Tien hesitated.
“You get ready, and I’ll see you downstairs very soon.” Dolly stepped back from the door, hoping that she had done the right thing, and that now Tien would do the right thing. “Oh, and if you’ve seen Ah Cheng’s bouquet, can you make sure it gets back to her bedroom? We’re nearly ready to start.”
Tien wouldn’t meet her gaze, but it didn’t matter. Dolly had done what she could, and in the process perhaps they would all learn something today. Sometimes the most joyful moments for one person brought on deep pain for another.
Dolly made her way along the corridor, then paused before Kum Quai’s door. Today, Dolly knew, the young woman would have troubled feelings about her own forced wedding. Dolly tapped on the door, and when Kum Quai answered, sure enough, tears stained her face.
“Oh, my dear,” Dolly said as she pulled the young woman into her arms.
Kum Quai knew very little English, but there was no language barrier in an embrace.
Dolly held her for several moments until Kum Quai drew away, a smile on her face despite the tears. “Thank you, Lo Mo,” she whispered.
Dolly kissed the top of her head; then, with assurance from Kum Quai, Dolly continued downstairs, where she waited with the others for Ah Cheng to appear. When she did, she was radiant. And she was carrying her bouquet.
The festivities were all that Dolly could hope for, and the guests loved the wedding. Dolly kept an eye on Tien, who took her task with the guest ledger very seriously. Although Tien wouldn’t look at or acknowledge Dolly, likely due to her embarrassment, Dolly was pleased. She could see so much potential in Tien, and Dolly only hoped that one day, the girl blossoming into a young woman would see it too.
The next morning’s staff meeting was delayed an hour so that everyone could get extra rest. It was strange not having Ah Cheng present, but Yuen Qui was a clever, bright woman who would fill Ah Cheng’s shoes nicely.
All eyes turned on Mrs. Field as she entered the dining room. She was late, and Dolly found that unusual. She hadn’t been part of the wedding cleanup, but had retired to her room early.
“I am finished,” Mrs. Field said, standing at the head of the table.
Dolly furrowed her brows. “Finished with what?”
“I will be turning in my resignation within the hour.” Mrs. Field then stepped back from the table and left the dining room.
Dolly stared after her. None of the staff members spoke.
Yuen Qui was the first to recover. “What happened?”
Dolly met the woman’s deep brown eyes. “I have no idea. Should I go after her? Perhaps the wedding wore her out, and she’s not thinking clearly.”
The edges of Yuen Qui’s mouth moved upward. “I think it is time, Miss Cameron.”
“Time for what?”
Yuen Qui looked over at the other staff members, who nodded.
“Miss Culbertson wanted you to be the director here,” Yuen Qui continued in a quiet voice. “We have all been patient under Mrs. Field for three years. Are you ready, Miss Cameron, to assume the position?”
Dolly could barely comprehend that Mrs. Field had notified them of her resignation. Mrs. Browne had recently resigned from the board as well. And now this? Dolly thought of the changes to her routine that would happen if she took on the directorship, the additional work and responsibility for much more.
Now, Dolly looked from Yuen Qui to the other staff members and saw only confidence in their gazes. Dolly took careful, measured breaths as her heart rhythm mimicked that of a fluttering bird’s wings. “All right,” she said. “If you’re sure, then I’ll speak to the board.”