The Girl In the Window

This story is based on real interviews and observations of people in Shanghai. Names have been changed and the photos are not the characters of this short piece of fiction. Life in China is not easy for most. It is improving, though. Hard work is required and expected. No one expects to be handed something for nothing. There was a day, not that long ago when those who came to the new land of America also knew that if they were going to make it - even survive - it would take hard work and creativity.

Annchi was doing the laundry when she got the call from her husband, Li, that he would have to work most of the night. The spring weather brought sunshine, but that also meant more people chose to walk. Li would now watch carefully for workers leaving their offices. The wealthy foreigners from the United States or England always paid a little more than the fare. Yes, he would keep his eyes moving for the wave of their hands toward his taxi. Later, in the early morning hours, he would drive past the more famous bars and music clubs where, perhaps, tonight, a tourist would stagger to the curb for a ride with him. Li would work all night, if need be, and nap in his taxi. Money was scarce and the cost of living in this huge city, expensive.

Annchi leaned on the windowsill, taking a moment from her labor to talk with Li. If only she could do something to make his work a little easier. Together they had dreamed wonderful dreams when they first fell in love in high school. But now, even after ten years in the military, Li faced the harsh reality that employment options for a civilian had diminished due to the economic downturns in Shanghai.

Tonight, Annchi would only have the company of their six-year old son, Wen. With that thought, she glanced toward the pavement below her second-story window and the sound of his familiar laughter. The clothes would not wash themselves, she thought to herself, but for a moment longer, she watched Wen playing with the wooden top his grandfather gave him when last he visited from Mongolia.