The Perilous Life of Jade Yeo (11 page)

"She shouldn't
talk to you like that," said Vivian.

She hadn't
noticed any change in Ma's appearance before, but now the soft
wrinkly skin under her chin and the pale brown spots on her arms
reminded Vivian that she was getting old. Old people should be
cared for.

She touched her
mother on the arm. "I'll go scold her. Never mind, Ma. Girls this
age are always one kind."

Ma smiled at
Vivian.

"You were OK,"
she said. She tucked a lock of Vivian's hair behind her ear.

Old people
should be grateful for affection. The sudden disturbing thought
occurred to Vivian that no one had liked Nai Nai very much because
she'd never submitted to being looked after.

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