Mindpieces

Baby Ging Ching had been cranky most of the night. She was a little over one year old and usually slept through the night. What could be wrong? As Ng Shee comforted the child in her arms, she felt the new life stirring within her. She didn't mind living in the cramped room behind the Fook Wo Tong store, but it was difficult to keep the little girl quiet. She stared out of the window into the dimness of the pre-dawn, gently rocking the baby in her arms. Another movement rocked her whole body. Then a chunk of the plaster ceiling fell just behind her.The loud sound woke Hoo Chun, "Can't you keep that baby under control?" he yelled from his makeshift bed.

Ng Shee was confused, "It wasn't the baby!" she said just as the building began to tremble even harder.

In one jump Hoo Chun reached the window, "It's an earthquake. We must leave." Grabbing the bag with important papers, he started for the door in his night clothes. "Come, wife! Bring the child."