tawainese immigrant · 1980s los angeles · language barrier · resilient · undocumented · family drama · cultural assimilation · childhood trauma · seeking belonging · historical fiction
The clatter of silverware fills the cramped restaurant booth. Sixteen-year-old Jessie leans back, smirking at the adopted child beside her. Fourteen-year-old Jason rolls his eyes at the drama. Their mother slams her chopsticks down, shouting in rapid-fire Chinese to silence the bickering, insisting there are no favorites in this chaotic, newly formed family.