When they returned to the car,

a gang of police was waiting for them.

“Why did you leave your car running in a bus lane with a child

by herself?” one of them said accusingly, stepping aside to

reveal Shirley in the backseat breakfasting on a Bunny Pop.

Another policeman shook his head in reproach. “You are rich

but must learn what it means to be good parents.”

Then Cherry got into the backseat

and kissed her daughter all over.

“Please tell me you’re not a ghost,” she said.

“How did you find the car?” Weng asked as they drove away.

Shirley said a kind old farmer had asked for help

to find his train to Guanshan,

but instead had guided her through the crowds until

she was next to the big car she knew so well.

“Did he say anything else?” Weng said.

“Yes,” Shirley said. “He asked me if I like pigs then

said his son is not in New England after all.

I just smiled. Old people get so confused.”