Calls Across the Pacific by Zoë S. Roy Page B

why China was experiencing all these political movements that had severe consequences on the lives of about a billion people.
    Nina went to the library almost every day. One day, as she sat at a table in the reading room, going through a pile of books and periodicals, she raised her head and noticed a familiar face at a table across from her. It was Bob. Several magazines in his hand, he walked over to her and perched himself on a chair beside her. “What’re you reading?”
    â€œAbout the Chinese revolution and American history.”
    â€œTough read. Mine is a no-brainer.” Bob showed her the covers of his choices: Hot Rod , Baseball Digest, and Gourmet.
    â€œI wish I had time for such reading.”
    â€œYou can read these if you want any old time.” Bob said, standing up. “I’ll leave you to your research.”
    Nina tried to resume reading, but she could not focus. She went to another shelf and chose a few copies of Vogue, Photo, and Country Music Magazine . She flipped slowly through the pages of the magazines, absorbed in the stories and photographs that she held in her hands. The eye-catching designs and vivacious colours of so much fashion, as well as the photographs of breathtaking scenery, lightened her spirit. All of the enthusiastic singers and guitar players in the Country Music Magazine seemed to come to life. Nina felt as if she could hear the songs playing. Life is enjoyable, she thought. There is time for this kind of reading, too.
    That evening at work, the hours seemed too long. She felt as if she were on an isolated island even though she was surrounded by other people. What’s wrong with me? A sigh came from her lips.
    The last customer left and the kitchen finally quieted. Nina rinsed the containers and food processors, and wiped the cutting board.
    â€œCan you do me a favour?” Bob’s voice startled her.
    â€œWhat favour?” She figured he had yet another task for her before she could leave.
    â€œAre you free in the morning? Maybe we can swap lessons. I thought maybe you could teach me Chinese, and I could help you with your English,” Bob said without pausing, as if he didn’t have enough time to finish his words.
    â€œI go to school every morning. Today is the last day of my March Break,” Nina said as she pulled off a paper towel to dry her hands. “Why are you interested in Chinese, this language that is not easy?”
    â€œSomeday, I’m going to open a restaurant in China and I want to learn to speak Chinese. So, I hope I can practise with you.” Bob grinned, and his teeth shone.
    A nice smile , she thought and felt her heart skip a beat. “What about on the weekends?”
    â€œWhen can we start?” asked Bob, his voice delighted.
    â€œHow about Saturday morning?”
    â€œThat’s tomorrow. I’ll book a room in the library for ten o’clock in the morning. Is that okay with you?”
    Nina nodded and took off her apron, hanging it on the hook behind the door. “See you tomorrow,” she said softly but cheerfully.
    The following morning, Nina put on a light green blouse — her best one. Since her arrival, she had not bought any clothes; her only new clothes had come from church donations and some hand-me-downs from Eileen. She looked through her closet and pulled out a navy skirt that she knew flattered her figure. She looked at herself in the mirror and thought she was more than presentable, but maybe, she should keep up with the times a little bit more. She shrugged her shoulders, slipped into her pumps and left the house with a smile on her face.
    As she entered the library, she spotted Bob waiting at a desk. He led her to the room he had reserved. They sat down and Bob placed a page on the table full of handwritten sentences. Then, he took a pen out of his front pocket.
    When Nina read the first sentence, “Where is the restaurant?” she asked. “Which