Page 107 of Shadowing You

It’d been a little over two hours since they’d left the park. Considering their moped had been stolen and they’d had to walk, they weren’t that late.

The cold worked into her jacket. She tucked her hands inside her sleeves and watched her breath drift, white and thin, into the November air.

A bicycle ticked past on the narrow road, an old man bent over the handlebars. A dog barked in the distance.

Then, an engine rumbled. It wasn’t a scooter or moped but something bigger.

A pickup nosed around the bend—dusty blue, dented along one side, the bed stacked with wooden crates under a green tarp. It rolled to a stop in front of the building. Two men got out.

The driver wore a cap that shadowed his face. She guessed he was closer to her parents’ age than hers.

The passenger moved around the truck bed and scanned the woods. He was dressed in khakis and a white button-down, tall and lean. He had the same eyes she’d seen across the dinner table a thousand times.

Her breath caught in her throat, and she stood and stepped forward.

“Mei Lin.” Ethan gripped her elbow. “Wait. We don’t know⁠—”

“It’s him.” She broke from the trees, half-running.

Renshu turned at the sound. Then he was striding toward her, his arms open.

She stepped right into them, and he drew her close and lifted her off the ground.

“Mèimei.” He spoke into her hair. “It’s really you.”

She couldn’t speak. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held on.

It was a few moments before he set her down and held her at arm’s length, looking her over before pulling her in again.

“You’re too skinny.”

“You hugged me.” It was an old joke between them. “Brothers don’t hug.”

“This one does today.”

She laughed into his jacket, and then the laugh turned into tears. She was angry with her brother for breaking their parents’ hearts. But she’d also missed him. She’d always love him, no matter how far he strayed.

“Ethan.” Renshu straightened, and she stepped to his side.

Her husband’s eyes were narrowed. He looked like he was ready to snatch her and run. “I’m surprised to see you.”

“She’s my sister.” Renshu’s English wasn’t as practiced as hers. “Of course I help.”

“Of course.” Ethan shook his hand. “Thanks for being here.”

“Get in the truck.” The driver spoke Mandarin, his voice almost as familiar as her brother’s.

“Pastor! I didn’t recognize you.”

His eyes twinkled, but his expression remained stern. “We’ll talk in the truck.”

“Yes.” Renshu moved in that direction. “Get in. We have long drive.”

Pastor Su climbed behind the wheel while Renshu opened the back door and waved them inside. Mei Lin slid in, Ethan following. She shoved both of their backpacks onto the floor. The seat was cracked vinyl patched with duct tape and smelled like wet dog.

Renshu took the front passenger seat and pulled the door shut.

The truck shuddered into gear, and they were moving.