Free The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan Page A

thought about my plan for many days. I observed everyone around me, the thoughts they showed in their faces, and then I was ready. I chose an auspicious day, the third day of the third month. That’s the day of the Festival of Pure Brightness. On this day, your thoughts must be clear as you prepare to think about your ancestors. That’s the day when everyone goes to the family graves. They bring hoes to clear the weeds and brooms to sweep the stones and they offer dumplings and oranges as spiritual food. Oh, it’s not a somber day, more like a picnic, but it has special meaning to someone looking for grandsons.
    On the morning of that day, I woke up Tyan-yu and the entire house with my wailing. It took Huang Taitai a long time to come into my room. “What’s wrong with her now,” she cried from her room. “Go make her be quiet.” But finally, after my wailing didn’t stop, she rushed into my room, scolding me at the top of her voice.
    I was clutching my mouth with one hand and my eyes with another. My body was writhing as if I were seized by a terrible pain. I was quite convincing, because Huang Taitai drew back and grew small like a scared animal.
    â€œWhat’s wrong, little daughter? Tell me quickly,” she cried.
    â€œOh, it’s too terrible to think, too terrible to say,” I said between gasps and more wailing.
    After enough wailing, I said what was so unthinkable. “I had a dream,” I reported. “Our ancestors came to me and said they wanted to see our wedding. So Tyan-yu and I held the same ceremony for our ancestors. We saw the matchmaker light the candle and give it to the servant to watch. Our ancestors were so pleased, so pleased. . . . ”
    Huang Taitai looked impatient as I began to cry softly again. “But then the servant left the room with our candle and a big wind came and blew the candle out. And our ancestors became very angry. They shouted that the marriage was doomed! They said that Tyan-yu’s end of the candle had blown out! Our ancestors said Tyan-yu would die if he stayed in this marriage!”
    Tyan-yu’s face turned white. But Huang Taitai only frowned. “What a stupid girl to have such bad dreams!” And then she scolded everybody to go back to bed.
    â€œMother,” I called to her in a hoarse whisper. “Please don’t leave me! I am afraid! Our ancestors said if the matter is not settled, they would begin the cycle of destruction.”
    â€œWhat is this nonsense!” cried Huang Taitai, turning back toward me. Tyan-yu followed her, wearing his mother’s same frowning face. And I knew they were almost caught, two ducks leaning into the pot.
    â€œThey knew you would not believe me,” I said in a remorseful tone, “because they know I do not want to leave the comforts of my marriage. So our ancestors said they would plant the signs, to show our marriage is now rotting.”
    â€œWhat nonsense from your stupid head,” said Huang Taitai, sighing. But she could not resist. “What signs?”
    â€œIn my dream, I saw a man with a long beard and a mole on his cheek.”
    â€œTyan-yu’s grandfather?” asked Huang Taitai. I nodded, remembering the painting I had observed on the wall.
    â€œHe said there are three signs. First, he has drawn a black spot on Tyan-yu’s back, and this spot will grow and eat away Tyan-yu’s flesh just as it ate away our ancestor’s face before he died.”
    Huang Taitai quickly turned to Tyan-yu and pulled his shirt up. “Ai-ya!” she cried, because there it was, the same black mole, the size of a fingertip, just as I had always seen it these past five months of sleeping as sister and brother.
    â€œAnd then our ancestor touched my mouth,” and I patted my cheek as if it already hurt. “He said my teeth would start to fall out one by one, until I could no longer protest leaving this marriage.”
    Huang