Cho Chang (formerchinadoll) wrote in after_the_bombs, @ 2012-06-08 19:31:00 |
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Dearest Po, Cho wrote in her best calligraphy. The traditional Chinese characters didn't always lend themselves to a Western letter format, but she'd long since learned to compensate.
She paused after those first two words. It had been a long time since she'd written her grandmother. Chang Mulan had always been the one closest to her in the widespread Chang Clan despite living in San Francisco for most of the year. Cho felt her stomach twist when she realized that the last time she'd heard from her Grandmother was on that one, brief day when she'd stopped at the Port of Los Angeles on her long trip back from the Gobi and her failed marriage. She'd still been so deep in shock and shame that she'd barely acknowledged Mulan when she'd visited her in her stateroom on the vessel carrying her inexorably back to Britain.
It shamed her that only now did she realize that she'd likely hurt her Grandmother. Even the fox's immaterial comfort didn't ease the ache in her chest.
Squaring her slight shoulders, she lifted her delicate brush once more and began the long overdue letter.
I do not doubt that word has long since reached you that I have broken with the family by defying Great Grandfather's wishes. I could not stand the thought of a second empty marriage. That would have undone me utterly.
Allow me, Po, to tell you about what has happened to me after I left the family compound. Allow me to tell you of the friend who aided me and gave me the space I needed to heal. Allow me to tell you about the man who now holds my heart and who will be a true husband to your humble granddaughter.