Cherry fingered the silk knot around her neck.

Her hands were dry and callused from long shifts
in the factory where she worked.

“Where is your husband?” Weng asked. “With Shirley
in your hometown of Ningbo?”

“It’s a long story.”

“Why don’t they live here with you? I don’t understand.”

“Someday I’ll explain the situation,” she said.
“But it’s shameful, I warn you.”

“Why did you come to Beijing alone? Isn’t there plenty
of work in Ningbo?”

“Uncle Ping got me a better job here as I also
support my parents.”

When it was almost dark they parted at the edge of her district.

“All this time,” Weng said, “I thought your
uncle was a matchmaker.”

Cherry untied the silk scarf and held it out.

“Keep it,” he said. “Even though you’re married,
today is still your birthday.”