Shanghai_NP1 Girls_NN2 :_: A_AT1 Novel_NN1 "_" OUR_APPGE DAUGHTER_NN1 LOOKS_VVZ like_II a_AT1 South_ND1 China_NP1 peasant_NN1 with_IW those_DD2 red_JJ cheeks_NN2 ,_, "_" my_APPGE father_NN1 complains_VVZ ,_, pointedly_RR ignoring_VVG the_AT soup_NN1 before_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
"_" Ca_VM n't_XX you_PPY do_VDI something_PN1 about_II them_PPHO2 ?_? "_" 
Mama_NN1 stares_VVZ at_II Baba_NP1 ,_, but_CCB what_DDQ can_VM she_PPHS1 say_VVI ?_? 
My_APPGE face_NN1 is_VBZ pretty_RG enough_RR --_JJ some_DD might_VM even_RR say_VVI lovely_JJ --_NN1 but_CCB not_XX as_RG luminescent_JJ as_CSA the_AT pearl_NN1 I_PPIS1 'm_VBM named_VVN for_IF ._. 
I_PPIS1 tend_VV0 to_TO blush_VVI easily_RR ._. 
Beyond_II that_DD1 ,_, my_APPGE cheeks_NN2 capture_VV0 the_AT sun_NN1 ._. 
When_CS I_PPIS1 turned_VVD five_MC ,_, my_APPGE mother_NN1 began_VVD rubbing_VVG my_APPGE face_NN1 and_CC arms_NN2 with_IW pearl_NN1 creams_NN2 ,_, and_CC mixing_VVG ground_NN1 pearls_NN2 into_II my_APPGE morning_NNT1 jook_VV0 --_JJ rice_NN1 porridge_NN1 --_NN1 hoping_VVG the_AT white_JJ essence_NN1 would_VM permeate_VVI my_APPGE skin_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 has_VHZ n't_XX worked_VVN ._. 
Now_RT my_APPGE cheeks_NN2 burn_VV0 red_JJ --_NN1 exactly_RR what_DDQ my_APPGE father_NN1 hates_VVZ ._. 
I_PPIS1 shrink_VV0 down_RP into_II my_APPGE chair_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 always_RR slump_VV0 when_RRQ I_PPIS1 'm_VBM near_II him_PPHO1 ,_, but_CCB I_PPIS1 slump_VV0 even_RR more_RRR on_II those_DD2 occasions_NN2 when_RRQ Baba_NP1 takes_VVZ his_APPGE eyes_NN2 off_II my_APPGE sister_NN1 to_TO look_VVI at_II me_PPIO1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 'm_VBM taller_JJR than_CSN my_APPGE father_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ he_PPHS1 loathes_VVZ ._. 
We_PPIS2 live_VV0 in_II Shanghai_NP1 ,_, where_RRQ the_AT tallest_JJT car_NN1 ,_, the_AT tallest_JJT wall_NN1 ,_, or_CC the_AT tallest_JJT building_NN1 sends_VVZ a_AT1 clear_JJ and_CC unwavering_JJ message_NN1 that_CST the_AT owner_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 person_NN1 of_IO great_JJ importance_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 am_VBM not_XX a_AT1 person_NN1 of_IO importance_NN1 ._. 
"_" She_PPHS1 thinks_VVZ she_PPHS1 's_VBZ smart_JJ ,_, "_" Baba_NP1 goes_VVZ on_RP ._. 
He_PPHS1 wears_VVZ a_AT1 Western-style_JJ suit_NN1 of_IO good_JJ cut_NN1 ._. 
His_APPGE hair_NN1 shows_VVZ just_RR a_AT1 few_DA2 strands_NN2 of_IO gray_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 's_VHZ been_VBN anxious_JJ lately_RR ,_, but_CCB tonight_RT his_APPGE mood_NN1 is_VBZ darker_JJR than_CSN usual_JJ ._. 
Perhaps_RR his_APPGE favorite_JJ horse_NN1 did_VDD n't_XX win_VVI or_CC the_AT dice_NN refused_VVD to_TO land_VVI his_APPGE way_NN1 ._. 
"_" But_CCB one_MC1 thing_NN1 she_PPHS1 is_VBZ n't_XX is_VBZ clever_JJ ._. "_" 
This_DD1 is_VBZ another_DD1 of_IO my_APPGE father_NN1 's_GE standard_JJ criticisms_NN2 and_CC one_PN1 he_PPHS1 picked_VVD up_RP from_II Confucius_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS wrote_VVD ,_, "_" An_AT1 educated_JJ woman_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 worthless_JJ woman_NN1 ._. "_" 
People_NN call_VV0 me_PPIO1 bookish_JJ ,_, which_DDQ even_RR in_II 1937_MC is_VBZ not_XX considered_VVN a_AT1 good_JJ thing_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB as_RG smart_JJ as_CSA I_PPIS1 am_VBM ,_, I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX know_VVI how_RRQ to_TO protect_VVI myself_PPX1 from_II my_APPGE father_NN1 's_GE words_NN2 ._. 
Most_DAT families_NN2 eat_VV0 at_II a_AT1 round_JJ dining_NN1 table_NN1 ,_, so_CS they_PPHS2 will_VM always_RR be_VBI whole_JJ and_CC connected_JJ ,_, with_IW no_AT sharp_JJ edges_NN2 ._. 
We_PPIS2 have_VH0 a_AT1 square_JJ teakwood_NN1 table_NN1 ,_, and_CC we_PPIS2 always_RR sit_VV0 in_II the_AT exact_JJ same_DA places_NN2 :_: my_APPGE father_NN1 next_II21 to_II22 May_NPM1 on_II one_MC1 side_NN1 of_IO the_AT table_NN1 ,_, with_IW my_APPGE mother_NN1 directly_RR across_RL from_II her_PPHO1 so_CS21 that_CS22 my_APPGE parents_NN2 can_VM share_VVI my_APPGE sister_NN1 equally_RR ._. 
Every_AT1 meal_NN1 --_JJ day_NNT1 after_II day_NNT1 ,_, year_NNT1 after_II year_NNT1 --_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 reminder_NN1 that_CST I_PPIS1 'm_VBM not_XX the_AT favorite_NN1 and_CC never_RR will_VM be_VBI ._. 
As_CSA my_APPGE father_NN1 continues_VVZ to_TO pick_VVI at_II my_APPGE faults_NN2 ,_, I_PPIS1 shut_VVD him_PPHO1 out_RP and_CC pretend_VV0 an_AT1 interest_NN1 in_II our_APPGE dining_NN1 room_NN1 ._. 
On_II the_AT wall_NN1 adjoining_VVG the_AT kitchen_NN1 ,_, four_MC scrolls_NN2 depicting_VVG the_AT four_MC seasons_NNT2 usually_RR hang_VV0 ._. 
Tonight_RT they_PPHS2 've_VH0 been_VBN removed_VVN ,_, leaving_VVG shadow_NN1 outlines_NN2 on_II the_AT wall_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 are_VBR n't_XX the_AT only_JJ things_NN2 missing_VVG ._. 
We_PPIS2 used_VMK to_TO have_VHI an_AT1 overhead_JJ fan_NN1 ,_, but_CCB this_DD1 past_JJ year_NNT1 Baba_NP1 thought_VVD it_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI more_RGR luxurious_JJ to_TO have_VHI servants_NN2 fan_VVI us_PPIO2 while_CS we_PPIS2 ate_VVD ._. 
They_PPHS2 are_VBR n't_XX here_RL tonight_RT and_CC the_AT room_NN1 is_VBZ sweltering_VVG ._. 
Ordinarily_RR an_AT1 art_NN121 deco_NN122 chandelier_NN1 and_CC matching_JJ wall_NN1 sconces_NN2 of_IO etched_VVN yellow-and-rose-tinted_JJ glass_NN1 illuminate_VV0 the_AT room_NN1 ._. 
These_DD2 are_VBR missing_VVG as_RR21 well_RR22 ._. 
I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX give_VVI any_DD of_IO this_DD1 much_DA1 thought_NN1 ,_, assuming_VVG that_CST the_AT scrolls_NN2 have_VH0 been_VBN put_VVN away_RL to_TO prevent_VVI their_APPGE silken_JJ edges_NN2 from_II curling_VVG in_II the_AT humidity_NN1 ,_, that_CST Baba_NP1 has_VHZ given_VVN the_AT servants_NN2 a_AT1 night_NNT1 off_RP to_TO celebrate_VVI a_AT1 wedding_NN1 or_CC birthday_NN1 with_IW their_APPGE own_DA families_NN2 ,_, and_CC that_CST the_AT lighting_NN1 fixtures_NN2 have_VH0 been_VBN temporarily_RR taken_VVN down_RP for_IF cleaning_NN1 ._. 
Cook_NP1 --_NN1 who_PNQS has_VHZ no_AT wife_NN1 and_CC children_NN2 of_IO his_APPGE own_DA --_NN1 removes_VVZ our_APPGE soup_NN1 bowls_NN2 and_CC brings_VVZ out_RP dishes_NN2 of_IO shrimp_NN1 with_IW water_NN1 chestnuts_NN2 ,_, pork_NN1 stewed_VVD in_II soy_JJ sauce_NN1 with_IW dried_JJ vegetables_NN2 and_CC bamboo_NN1 shoots_NN2 ,_, steamed_JJ eel_NN ,_, an_AT1 eight-treasures_NN2 vegetable_NN1 dish_NN1 ,_, and_CC rice_NN1 ,_, but_CCB the_AT heat_NN1 swallows_VVZ my_APPGE hunger_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 would_VM prefer_VVI a_AT1 few_DA2 sips_NN2 of_IO chilled_JJ sour_JJ plum_NN1 juice_NN1 ,_, cold_NN1 mintflavored_VVD sweet_JJ green_JJ bean_NN1 soup_NN1 ,_, or_CC sweet_JJ almond_NN1 broth_NN1 ._. 
When_CS Mama_NN1 says_VVZ ,_, "_" The_AT basket_NN1 repairer_NN1 charged_VVD too_RG much_RR today_RT ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 relax_VV0 ._. 
If_CS my_APPGE father_NN1 is_VBZ predictable_JJ in_II his_APPGE criticisms_NN2 of_IO me_PPIO1 ,_, then_RT it_PPH1 's_VBZ equally_RR predictable_JJ that_CST my_APPGE mother_NN1 will_VM recite_VVI her_APPGE daily_JJ woes_NN2 ._. 
CHRISTMAS_NNT1 EVE_NNT1 MORNING_NNT1 I_PPIS1 wake_VV0 at_II five_MC ,_, get_VV0 dressed_VVN ,_, give_VV0 Joy_NP1 to_II my_APPGE mother-inlaw_NN1 ,_, and_CC then_RT walk_VV0 with_IW Sam_NP1 to_II China_NP1 City_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ still_RR early_JJ but_CCB strangely_RR warm_JJ ._. 
Hot_JJ winds_NN2 blew_VVD all_DB night_NNT1 ,_, leaving_VVG broken_JJ branches_NN2 ,_, dried_JJ leaves_NN2 ,_, confetti_NN2 ,_, and_CC other_JJ trash_NN1 from_II Olvera_NP1 Street_NNL1 's_GE holiday_NN1 revelers_NN2 scattered_VVN on_II the_AT Plaza_NN1 and_CC along_II Main_NP1 Street_NNL1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 cross_VV0 Macy_NP1 ,_, enter_VV0 China_NP1 City_NN1 ,_, and_CC follow_VV0 our_APPGE usual_JJ route_NN1 ,_, starting_VVG by_II the_AT rickshaw_NN1 stand_NN1 in_II the_AT Court_NN1 of_IO the_AT Four_MC Seasons_NNT2 and_CC then_RT edging_VVG around_II the_AT chickens_NN2 and_CC ducks_NN2 that_CST peck_VV0 at_II the_AT ground_NN1 in_II31 front_II32 of_II33 Wang_NP1 's_GE Farmhouse_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 still_RR have_VH0 n't_XX seen_VVN The_AT Good_JJ Earth_NN1 ,_, but_CCB Uncle_NNB Charley_NP1 has_VHZ told_VVN me_PPIO1 I_PPIS1 should_VM ,_, saying_VVG ,_, "_" It_PPH1 's_VBZ just_RR like_II China_NP1 ._. "_" 
Uncle_NNB Wilburt_NP1 also_RR wants_VVZ me_PPIO1 to_TO see_VVI the_AT movie_NN1 ._. 
"_" If_CS you_PPY go_VV0 ,_, watch_VV0 for_IF the_AT mob_NN1 scene_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 'm_VBM in_II that_DD1 one_PN1 !_! 
You_PPY 'll_VM see_VVI lots_PN of_IO uncles_NN2 and_CC aunties_NN2 from_II Chinatown_NP1 in_II that_DD1 picture_NN1 show_NN1 ._. "_" 
But_CCB I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX go_VVI to_II the_AT movie_NN1 and_CC I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX enter_VVI the_AT farmhouse_NN1 ,_, because_CS every_AT1 time_NNT1 I_PPIS1 pass_VV0 it_PPH1 I_PPIS1 'm_VBM reminded_VVN of_IO the_AT shack_NN1 outside_II Shanghai_NP1 ._. 
From_II Wang_NP1 's_GE Farmhouse_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 follow_VV0 Sam_NP1 down_II Dragon_NN1 Road_NN1 ._. 
"_" Walk_VV0 next_II21 to_II22 me_PPIO1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 invites_VVZ me_PPIO1 in_II Sze_NN1 Yup_UH ,_, but_CCB I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX because_CS I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX want_VVI to_TO encourage_VVI him_PPHO1 ._. 
If_CS I_PPIS1 make_VV0 small_JJ talk_NN1 with_IW him_PPHO1 during_II the_AT day_NNT1 or_CC do_VD0 something_PN1 like_VVI walk_NN1 next_II21 to_II22 him_PPHO1 ,_, then_RT he_PPHS1 'll_VM want_VVI to_TO do_VDI the_AT husband-wife_JJ thing_NN1 ._. 
Apart_II21 from_II22 the_AT rickshaw_NN1 rides_NN2 ,_, all_DB the_AT other_JJ Golden_JJ businesses_NN2 are_VBR in_II the_AT oval_NN1 ,_, where_CS Dragon_NN1 and_CC Kwan_NP1 Yin_NP1 Roads_NN2 meet_VV0 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ along_II this_DD1 route_NN1 that_CST the_AT rickshaws_NN2 make_VV0 their_APPGE serpentine_JJ loop_NN1 ._. 
Only_RR twice_RR in_II the_AT six_MC months_NNT2 I_PPIS1 've_VH0 worked_VVN here_RL have_VH0 I_PPIS1 ventured_VVN over_RP to_II the_AT Lotus_NN1 Pool_NN1 or_CC into_II the_AT covered_JJ area_NN1 that_CST houses_VVZ a_AT1 theater_NN1 for_IF Chinese_JJ opera_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 penny_NNU1 arcade_NN1 ,_, and_CC Tom_NP1 Gubbins_NP1 's_GE Asiatic_JJ Costume_NN1 Company_NN1 ._. 
China_NP1 City_NN1 may_VM be_VBI one_PN1 oddly_RR shaped_JJ block_NN1 bordered_VVN by_II Main_JJ ,_, Macy_NP1 ,_, Spring_NN1 ,_, and_CC Ord_NN1 Streets_NN2 --_NN1 with_IW over_RG forty_MC shops_NN2 crammed_VVN together_RL with_IW all_DB the_AT cafes_NN2 ,_, restaurants_NN2 ,_, and_CC other_JJ "_" tourist_NN1 attractions_NN2 "_" like_II Wang_NP1 's_GE Farmhouse_NN1 --_NN1 but_CCB there_EX are_VBR distinct_JJ enclaves_NN2 inside_II the_AT walls_NN2 ,_, and_CC the_AT people_NN within_II them_PPHO2 rarely_RR associate_VV0 with_IW their_APPGE neighbors_NN2 ._. 
Sam_NP1 unlocks_VVZ the_AT door_NN1 to_II the_AT cafe_NN1 ,_, flips_VVZ on_II the_AT lights_NN2 ,_, and_CC starts_VVZ brewing_NN1 coffee_NN1 ._. 
As_CSA I_PPIS1 refill_VV0 the_AT salt_NN1 and_CC pepper_NN1 shakers_NN2 ,_, the_AT uncles_NN2 and_CC the_AT other_JJ workers_NN2 straggle_VV0 in_RP and_CC begin_VV0 their_APPGE chores_NN2 ._. 
By_II the_AT time_NNT1 the_AT pies_NN2 are_VBR sliced_VVN and_CC put_VVN on_II display_NN1 ,_, the_AT early-bird_JJ customers_NN2 have_VH0 arrived_VVN ._. 
I_PPIS1 chat_VV0 with_IW our_APPGE regulars_NN2 --_JJ truck_NN1 drivers_NN2 and_CC postal_JJ workers_NN2 --_NN1 take_VV0 orders_NN2 ,_, and_CC call_VV0 them_PPHO2 out_RP to_II the_AT cooks_NN2 ._. 
At_II nine_MC ,_, a_AT1 pair_NN of_IO policemen_NN2 come_VV0 in_RP and_CC sit_VV0 at_II the_AT counter_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 smooth_VV0 my_APPGE apron_NN1 and_CC allow_VV0 my_APPGE teeth_NN2 to_TO show_VVI in_II grinning_JJ welcome_NN1 ._. 
If_CS we_PPIS2 do_VD0 n't_XX fill_VVI their_APPGE bellies_NN2 for_IF free_JJ ,_, they_PPHS2 follow_VV0 our_APPGE customers_NN2 to_II their_APPGE cars_NN2 and_CC give_VV0 them_PPHO2 tickets_NN2 ._. 
These_DD2 last_MD two_MC weeks_NNT2 have_VH0 been_VBN particularly_RR bad_JJ as_II the_AT police_NN2 walked_VVD from_II one_MC1 store_NN1 to_II the_AT next_MD ,_, collecting_VVG Christmas_NNT1 "_" presents_VVZ "_" until_CS their_APPGE arms_NN2 were_VBDR loaded_VVN ._. 
A_AT1 week_NNT1 ago_RA ,_, after_CS they_PPHS2 decided_VVD they_PPHS2 had_VHD n't_XX received_VVN enough_DD gifts_NN2 ,_, they_PPHS2 blocked_VVD the_AT auto_NN1 park_NN1 ,_, preventing_VVG customers_NN2 from_II coming_VVG at_RR21 all_RR22 ._. 
Now_RT everyone_PN1 's_VBZ cowed_VVN ,_, obedient_JJ ,_, and_CC willing_JJ to_TO give_VVI whatever_DDQV the_AT policemen_NN2 ask_VV0 for_IF so_RG long_RR as_CSA they_PPHS2 let_VV0 us_PPIO2 keep_VVI our_APPGE doors_NN2 open_VV0 ._. 
Just_RR as_CSA the_AT police_NN2 leave_VV0 ,_, a_AT1 truck_NN1 driver_NN1 calls_VVZ out_RP to_II Sam_NP1 ,_, "_" Hey_UH ,_, buddy_NN1 get_VV0 me_PPIO1 a_AT1 piece_NN1 of_IO that_DD1 blueberry_NN1 pie_NN1 to_TO go_VVI ,_, will_VM ya_PPY ?_? "_" 
Maybe_RR Sam_NP1 's_VBZ still_RR nervous_JJ about_II the_AT policemen_NN2 's_GE visit_NN1 ,_, because_CS he_PPHS1 ignores_VVZ the_AT request_NN1 and_CC continues_VVZ washing_VVG glasses_NN2 ._. 
By_RT21 now_RT22 it_PPH1 seems_VVZ like_II an_AT1 eternity_NN1 ago_RA that_CST I_PPIS1 learned_VVD from_II my_APPGE coaching_NN1 book_NN1 that_CST Sam_NP1 was_VBDZ to_TO be_VBI the_AT manager_NN1 of_IO the_AT cafe_NN1 ,_, but_CCB actually_RR his_APPGE position_NN1 is_VBZ somewhere_RL between_II a_AT1 glass_NN1 washer_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 dish_NN1 washer_NN1 ._. 
The_AT next_MD day_NNT1 I_PPIS1 pack_VV0 the_AT Certificate_NN1 of_IO Identity_NN1 I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ given_VVN on_II Angel_NP1 Island_NNL1 and_CC the_AT peasant_NN1 clothes_NN2 May_NPM1 bought_VVD me_PPIO1 to_TO wear_VVI out_II21 of_II22 China_NP1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 take_VV0 photos_NN2 of_IO Sam_NP1 to_TO give_VVI me_PPIO1 courage_NN1 and_CC of_IO Joy_NP1 to_TO show_VVI to_II people_NN I_PPIS1 meet_VV0 ._. 
I_PPIS1 go_VV0 to_II the_AT family_NN1 altar_NN1 and_CC say_VV0 good-bye_NN1 to_II Sam_NP1 and_CC the_AT others_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 remember_VV0 something_PN1 May_VM said_VVD a_AT1 few_DA2 years_NNT2 ago_RA :_: Everything_PN1 always_RR returns_VVZ to_II the_AT beginning_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 finally_RR understand_VV0 what_DDQ she_PPHS1 meant_VVD now_RT as_CSA I_PPIS1 begin_VV0 this_DD1 new_JJ journey_NN1 --_NN1 not_XX only_JJ will_NN1 mistakes_NN2 be_VBI repeated_VVN but_CCB we_PPIS2 will_VM also_RR be_VBI given_VVN chances_NN2 to_TO fix_VVI them_PPHO2 ._. 
Twenty_MC years_NNT2 ago_RA I_PPIS1 lost_VVD my_APPGE mother_NN1 as_CSA we_PPIS2 fled_VVD China_NP1 ;_; now_RT I_PPIS1 'm_VBM returning_VVG to_II China_NP1 ,_, as_CSA a_AT1 mother_NN1 ,_, to_TO make_VVI things_NN2 --_NN1 so_RG many_DA2 things_NN2 --_JJ right_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 open_VV0 the_AT little_JJ box_NN1 where_CS Sam_NP1 placed_VVD the_AT pouch_NN1 Mama_NN1 gave_VVD me_PPIO1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 put_VV0 it_PPH1 around_RP my_APPGE neck_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 protected_VVD me_PPIO1 in_II my_APPGE travels_NN2 once_RR before_RT ,_, just_RR as_CSA I_PPIS1 hope_VV0 that_CST the_AT one_MC1 May_NPM1 gave_VVD Joy_NP1 before_CS she_PPHS1 went_VVD away_RL to_II college_NN1 is_VBZ protecting_VVG her_PPHO1 now_RT ._. 
I_PPIS1 say_VV0 good-bye_NN1 and_CC thank_VV0 you_PPY to_II the_AT boy-husband_NN1 ,_, and_CC then_RT May_NP1 drives_VVZ me_PPIO1 to_II the_AT airport_NN1 ._. 
As_CSA palm_NN1 trees_NN2 and_CC stucco_NN1 houses_NN2 drift_VV0 past_II my_APPGE window_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 go_VV0 back_RP over_II my_APPGE plan_NN1 :_: I_PPIS1 'll_VM go_VVI to_II Hong_NP1 Kong_NP1 ,_, put_VVN on_II my_APPGE peasant_NN1 clothes_NN2 ,_, and_CC walk_VV0 across_II the_AT border_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 'll_VM go_VVI to_II the_AT Louie_NP1 and_CC Chin_NP1 home_NN1 villages_NN2 --_NN1 both_RR places_VVZ Joy_NP1 has_VHZ heard_VVN about_II --_JJ to_TO make_VVI sure_JJ she_PPHS1 is_VBZ n't_XX there_RL ,_, but_CCB my_APPGE mother_NN1 's_GE heart_NN1 tells_VVZ me_PPIO1 she_PPHS1 wo_VM n't_XX be_VBI there_RL ._. 
She_PPHS1 's_VHZ gone_VVN to_II Shanghai_NP1 to_TO find_VVI her_APPGE real_JJ father_NN1 and_CC learn_VVI about_II her_APPGE mother_NN1 and_CC her_APPGE aunt_NN1 ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 'm_VBM going_VVGK to_TO be_VBI right_RR behind_II her_PPHO1 ._. 
Of_RR21 course_RR22 I_PPIS1 'm_VBM afraid_JJ I_PPIS1 'll_VM be_VBI killed_VVN ._. 
But_CCB more_DAR than_CSN that_DD1 ,_, I_PPIS1 'm_VBM afraid_JJ for_IF all_DB the_AT things_NN2 we_PPIS2 still_RR could_VM lose_VVI ._. 
I_PPIS1 glance_VV0 at_II my_APPGE sister_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS sits_VVZ behind_II the_AT wheel_NN1 of_IO the_AT car_NN1 with_IW such_DA determination_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 remember_VV0 that_CST look_VV0 from_II when_RRQ she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 toddler_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 remember_VV0 it_PPH1 from_II when_RRQ she_PPHS1 hid_VVD our_APPGE money_NN1 and_CC Mama_NN1 's_GE jewelry_NN1 on_II the_AT fisherman_NN1 's_GE boat_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 still_RR have_VH0 so_RG much_DA1 to_TO say_VVI to_II each_PPX221 other_PPX222 to_TO make_VVI things_NN2 right_RR between_II us_PPIO2 ._. 
There_EX are_VBR things_NN2 I_PPIS1 'll_VM never_RR forgive_VVI her_PPHO1 for_IF and_CC things_NN2 I_PPIS1 need_VV0 to_TO apologize_VVI for_IF ._. 
I_PPIS1 know_VV0 for_RR21 sure_RR22 that_CST she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ dead_RG wrong_JJ about_II how_RRQ I_PPIS1 feel_VV0 about_II being_VBG in_II America_NP1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 may_VM not_XX have_VHI my_APPGE papers_NN2 ,_, but_CCB after_II all_DB these_DD2 years_NNT2 ,_, I_PPIS1 am_VBM an_AT1 American_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX want_VVI to_TO give_VVI that_DD1 up_RP --_NN1 not_XX after_CS everything_PN1 I_PPIS1 've_VH0 gone_VVN through_RP to_TO have_VHI it_PPH1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 've_VH0 earned_VVN my_APPGE citizenship_NN1 the_AT hard_JJ way_NN1 ;_; I_PPIS1 've_VH0 earned_VVN it_PPH1 for_IF Joy_NP1 ._. 
At_II the_AT airport_NN1 ,_, May_NP1 walks_VVZ me_PPIO1 to_II my_APPGE gate_NN1 ._. 
When_CS we_PPIS2 get_VV0 there_RL ,_, she_PPHS1 says_VVZ ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 can_VM never_RR apologize_VVI enough_RR about_II Sam_NP1 ,_, but_CCB please_RR know_VV0 I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ trying_VVG to_TO help_VVI the_AT two_MC of_IO you_PPY ._. "_" 
We_PPIS2 hug_VV0 ,_, but_CCB there_EX are_VBR no_AT tears_NN2 ._. 
For_IF every_AT1 awful_JJ thing_NN1 that_CST 's_VHZ been_VBN said_VVN and_CC done_VDN ,_, she_PPHS1 is_VBZ my_APPGE sister_NN1 ._. 
Parents_NN2 die_VV0 ,_, daughters_NN2 grow_VV0 up_RP and_CC marry_VV0 out_RP ,_, but_CCB sisters_NN2 are_VBR for_IF life_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 is_VBZ the_AT only_JJ person_NN1 left_VVN in_II the_AT world_NN1 who_PNQS shares_VVZ my_APPGE memories_NN2 of_IO our_APPGE childhood_NN1 ,_, our_APPGE parents_NN2 ,_, our_APPGE Shanghai_NP1 ,_, our_APPGE struggles_NN2 ,_, our_APPGE sorrows_NN2 ,_, and_CC ,_, yes_UH ,_, even_RR our_APPGE moments_NN2 of_IO happiness_NN1 and_CC triumph_NN1 ._. 
My_APPGE sister_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT one_MC1 person_NN1 who_PNQS truly_RR knows_VVZ me_PPIO1 ,_, as_CSA I_PPIS1 know_VV0 her_PPHO1 ._. 
The_AT last_MD thing_NN1 May_NP1 says_VVZ to_II me_PPIO1 is_VBZ "_" When_RRQ our_APPGE hair_NN1 is_VBZ white_JJ ,_, we_PPIS2 'll_VM still_RR have_VHI our_APPGE sister_NN1 love_NN1 ._. "_" 
