Page 101 of Wish You Faith

Mei’s assistant wrote it down on her phone.

As Rosie watched, she thought that it must be nice to have a personal assistant. Then again, Rosie preferred to do things herself.

“I’d like to buy more bonsai trees,” Mei said. “I want to give them to my friends. Maybe as prizes for winning in mahjong.”

“Speaking of which, how did it go?” Rosie asked.

“I won, of course.” Mei beamed. “But your mom is a fast learner.”

“I’m what?” Mom’s voice came up the path.

“Fast learner,” Mei repeated.

Rosie wondered if Mom wore her hearing aid today. She’d forgotten to ask.

“Come to Seattle and play mahjong with me, Sonya.” Mei talked like she was new fast friends with Mom. “We can talk about motherhood and raising kids.”

“Sorry I don’t travel anymore, but we can still talk over the phone.” Mom didn’t sound sad or anything.

“Don’t tell me you’re just waiting to die.” Mei frowned. “I just found you, my new friend. You have to live!”

“Of course, I’ll live.” Mom laughed. “Next time, I’m not letting you win.”

“That’s the spirit.” Mei gave Mom a hearty hug.

Rosie wondered if the path to Mei’s heart was through Mom. While Rosie had taken after her introvert Dad, Mom had always been the extrovert of the family and the life of the party. It had been why Rosie had encouraged Mom to volunteer at the tree farm and participate in activities at SSLR.

Mom had made a new friend today.

Rosie wondered what Evan would say about that. Speaking of Evan, Rosie hadn’t told him yet about his mother’s surprise visit to Savannah. If he’d known about it, he would’ve texted Rosie to warn her, right?

“What lovely flowers.” Mei leaned over to check out the vibrant purple hues of a hydrangea brush. “Let’s get a family photo.”

Family?

Mei and Mom flanked Rosie in the middle, each holding her arm. Chevy took the photo for them.

“How long are you staying in town?” Mom asked Mei.

“I’m flying home this evening.”

“So soon?”

“Yeah, I have mahjong tomorrow afternoon.” Mei paused. “Say, why don’t both of you come with me? Stay a few days. I have two guest rooms.”

Mom turned to Rosie. “You do have tomorrow off.”

“I teach Sunday school, so I can’t be gone on Sunday,” Rosie said to Mei.

“She teaches third grade,” Mom added.

“Oh? Do you like kids?” Mei asked.

Rosie nodded. “But I’m not entirely sure. I’m an only child. Without younger siblings, I don’t know what it’s like to have little kids around me. I teach third-grade Sunday school, yes, but only once a week.”

“I hear you.” Mei sounded pensive. “You never know what kind of mother you’d be until you become a mother.”

“That’s right,” Mom agreed. “It’s by experience, and even now, I’m learning.”

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