Chapter Six: The Voice from the Wall--> Lena St. Clair

The Twenty-Six Malignant Gates

Lena tells that her mother tells of scary events from the past, but she has never truly come around to talking about her past life in China, before she came to America. Lena has her mother's eyes. When Lena's father received a promotion they moved into an apartment complex in San Francisco. The apartments were on top of a steep hill. Ying-ying was continually rearranging furniture claiming the house was not balanced. Ying-ying was pregnant, but the baby boy died shortly after birth because of medical complications. She claimed it was because she killed a baby earlier in her life.
Lena would also hear noises through the wall in her room. She imagined that her neighbor was being murdered or severely beaten, but every time she saw Teresa there was never a mark on her. One day Teresa's mom kicked her out of the room, so Teresa climbed up the fire escape and surprised her mother. Lena then hear sounds of love and joy.
"So with the sweep of a pen, my mother lost her name and became a Dragon instead of a Tiger" (104).
This passage is an example of the Chinese traditions and customs included within the book. The Dragon and Tiger are part of the Chinese zodiac, and the people believe that the animal corresponding with the year in which they were born helps to form their personality and who they are. I find it intriguing to find out about other countries customs.