front of us she explained the meaning of each card and what it represented in our future. As a graduation gift, she gave each of us what she called a “reading.” Judy and I couldn’t imagine how the funny-looking sinister cards could divulge any useful information whatsoever, and although we giggled as she interpreted each and every one and told us what lay ahead, I would in due course recall that much of what she said actually came to pass.
On our way home, Judy and I agreed that it had been the best afternoon ever. There was no indication whatsoever that sadly we had played our last game of Mahjong with our dear friends. By the end of the week, just days after our graduation, Su Ling and An Lei abruptly moved away, and we lost contact with them.
Several days after they left, a package arrived at my house. It contained An Lei’s Mahjong Set, and two identical small paintings of the set resting on their beautiful altar table with a butterfly hovering above. Etched gold frames further enhanced the rich and vibrant colors she had chosen. Su Ling had captured every detail with her “magic paintbrush.” Inside was a note that read:
Dear Judy and Sara,
No one ever had two better friends than you have been.
My father has brought disgrace upon us. We can no longer stay here, and the cards indicate it is time for us to move on. Arrangements have been made with relatives to pack up our belongings, sell our home, and forward everything to us in San Francisco. We have relatives and friends there, as well, and hope to find a place to live by the time our things arrive.
We want you to share the Mahjong Set, and we hope the game will forever be a part of your lives. That way, you will always remember us and in some small measure, we will be a part of your lives as well. The paintings are my graduation gift to each of you and are symbolic of our friendship.
As your Tarot cards revealed, you have bright futures ahead of you, and maybe someday our paths will cross again. The butterfly was also a sign that many good things lie in store for both of you. We will never forget our wonderful Wednesday afternoons.
Love,
Su Ling and An Lei
When Judy and I read the note, we both cried. “I can’t imagine Su Ling and An Lei not being here anymore.” I said between sobs.
“We had no hint of their plans when we were at their house last week. Everything seemed fine. Don’t you agree?” asked Judy.
“I certainly do. We were having so much fun, and when An Lei read the Tarot cards, we were all giggling about the future and all the days ahead of us. It’s so sad; I miss them already.”
We both stared intently at the paintings and couldn’t believe Su Ling had captured every detail of the set and the beautiful butterfly. Judy ran her fingers over the red leather case. “Sara, why don’t you keep the set? I guess we won’t be using it much unless we teach two other people to play.”
“You know, that’s a great idea. Why don’t we teach our mothers to play? My Mom mentioned it once and said some of her friends were learning.”
***
What actually happened was our moms did learn how to play, but they learned the American way using the National Mah Jongg League Card. They bought American produced sets, and taught us the rules of play. But for the time being, although our weekly games had ended, the game we had learned to play as children was destined to remain a significant part of our lives.
We never played a game with An Lei’s beautiful set again, but it would forever hold a special place in our hearts. Many times throughout the years, we would open the case, remove the tiles, and fondly reflect on the past recalling our dear friends, and more often than not, something would happen or someone would say something that reminded us of Su Ling and An Lei.
5
ON THE TUESDAY FOLLOWING Labor Day in early September, we anxiously boarded the bus that took us to Eastern Senior High School. The stately school built in 1923 got
On our way home, Judy and I agreed that it had been the best afternoon ever. There was no indication whatsoever that sadly we had played our last game of Mahjong with our dear friends. By the end of the week, just days after our graduation, Su Ling and An Lei abruptly moved away, and we lost contact with them.
Several days after they left, a package arrived at my house. It contained An Lei’s Mahjong Set, and two identical small paintings of the set resting on their beautiful altar table with a butterfly hovering above. Etched gold frames further enhanced the rich and vibrant colors she had chosen. Su Ling had captured every detail with her “magic paintbrush.” Inside was a note that read:
Dear Judy and Sara,
No one ever had two better friends than you have been.
My father has brought disgrace upon us. We can no longer stay here, and the cards indicate it is time for us to move on. Arrangements have been made with relatives to pack up our belongings, sell our home, and forward everything to us in San Francisco. We have relatives and friends there, as well, and hope to find a place to live by the time our things arrive.
We want you to share the Mahjong Set, and we hope the game will forever be a part of your lives. That way, you will always remember us and in some small measure, we will be a part of your lives as well. The paintings are my graduation gift to each of you and are symbolic of our friendship.
As your Tarot cards revealed, you have bright futures ahead of you, and maybe someday our paths will cross again. The butterfly was also a sign that many good things lie in store for both of you. We will never forget our wonderful Wednesday afternoons.
Love,
Su Ling and An Lei
When Judy and I read the note, we both cried. “I can’t imagine Su Ling and An Lei not being here anymore.” I said between sobs.
“We had no hint of their plans when we were at their house last week. Everything seemed fine. Don’t you agree?” asked Judy.
“I certainly do. We were having so much fun, and when An Lei read the Tarot cards, we were all giggling about the future and all the days ahead of us. It’s so sad; I miss them already.”
We both stared intently at the paintings and couldn’t believe Su Ling had captured every detail of the set and the beautiful butterfly. Judy ran her fingers over the red leather case. “Sara, why don’t you keep the set? I guess we won’t be using it much unless we teach two other people to play.”
“You know, that’s a great idea. Why don’t we teach our mothers to play? My Mom mentioned it once and said some of her friends were learning.”
***
What actually happened was our moms did learn how to play, but they learned the American way using the National Mah Jongg League Card. They bought American produced sets, and taught us the rules of play. But for the time being, although our weekly games had ended, the game we had learned to play as children was destined to remain a significant part of our lives.
We never played a game with An Lei’s beautiful set again, but it would forever hold a special place in our hearts. Many times throughout the years, we would open the case, remove the tiles, and fondly reflect on the past recalling our dear friends, and more often than not, something would happen or someone would say something that reminded us of Su Ling and An Lei.
5
ON THE TUESDAY FOLLOWING Labor Day in early September, we anxiously boarded the bus that took us to Eastern Senior High School. The stately school built in 1923 got
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