Chapter 7

Four years ago...

“Get up!” Eve and I look up to see our new foster mother glaring at us. Mrs. James is a short fat lady and her husband is a tall and skinny guy. We are in another foster home. It is a small home with a basement. We are in a small basement room with no windows. The James’ keep us locked in this room at night. There are many other foster kids here in the house as well.

“You, go upstairs and wait for the other children, eat and go to school,” Mrs. James orders pointing at me. I see an older man standing beside Mrs. James staring at Eve as he hands Mrs. James a wad of cash.

“Where are we going,” I hear Cindy moan. Waking me from my nightmare. She has been bitching ever since we’ve been on this plane. We’ve been on this plane for eight hours already.

We have been on this plane along time. After some detectives whisked us away from our home, we spent the night in a hotel and the next day we sent Wayne off to Paris and the rest of us got on a plane to Alaska. After that, we got on another plane. Mom and dad, has not told us where we are going, and has said nothing about our house being ransacked and why we are leaving. All they will tell us, is that we are going on vacation. I’m worried, because we were not allowed to make any phone calls so no one knows that we are leaving, where we are going or when we will return.

I’m worried about Eve and my girlfriends, Meagan and Karen. I’m assuming that us having to leave is due to the guy that tried to kill my mother and I, and whoever ransacked our house.

“We’ll tell you when we get there,” mom tells Cindy, getting annoyed with her irritating whining. “Just sit back, shut up, and enjoy the vacation. Why can’t you be quiet like your brother Joe,” mom asks as Cindy huffs and dad chuckles, and shakes his head.

I have never been on a plane before and I actually have a window seat with mom and dad sitting in the seats in front of Cindy and me. I have my suspicions of where we are going, however I’m not telling Cindy. I’ll let the little witch figure it out for herself. Along with the family Kung-fu, dad has been teaching me the Chinese language. He told me that he usually comes back every three years to see his sister, Uncle and Father. During the flight, I noticed many oriental people on the flight. Most of them speak Chinese.

My suspicions were confirmed as the airplane starts to descend. I look out of the window and I see nothing but water. Ten minutes later, I look out and see tall buildings along a mountains back-drop. Fifteen minutes later, we land as I hear on the intercom in the Chinese language, ‘welcome to Hong Kong Kai Tak airport’. Then it was repeated in English as I hear a huff from Cindy.

“You guys took me away from my friends to come here,” Cindy grumps as I shake my head.

“Just a couple days and then we are going to China to see your Uncle, Aunt, cousin, and great grandfather that you have never met,” mom says.

Cindy doesn’t seem excited as she rolls her eyes.

We arrive at a hotel after a very adventurous taxi ride. The driver weaved in and out of traffic of cars, bicycles, and carts. At one time, he even swerved onto the sidewalk to avoid hitting some people crossing the street. Mom and Cindy screamed through the whole ride as dad and I chuckled and shook our heads.

We get into the hotel and into our room as I hear another moan from Cindy. The room is small with two double beds that sit low to the ground. It has a small TV on top of a small dresser. There is one door on each side of the room. One that leads to a small toilet and the other with a shower.

We head back downstairs to get something to eat. It is early afternoon and everyone is tired. We find a small restaurant along the busy street outside of the hotel. The street is crowded with people and vendors selling food and other items. I am excited to be in a new country and get to see new things. However, Cindy is not as excited. She has been bitching the whole time.

We get in the restaurant, which is small, crowded and smells like raw fish. We look at the menu as Cindy starts complaining again.

“I can’t read this,” Cindy complains as I roll my eyes. “It’s in Chinese. This place smells like raw fish. And why did we come here anyway.”

“Cindy calm down,” mom says as I’m glad she chimed in, because I think dad was about to give her a piece of his mind. He doesn’t get angry often, but when he does, watch out. “Your father and I will explain everything after we eat. Now please, try to enjoy yourself.”

After we eat, we head back up to our hotel room for a family meeting as mom called it. The food was good. I had squid for the first time, which was actually pretty good. Cindy and I sit on the bed that we are going to be sharing as mom and dad sit across from us on their bed.

“Okay,” mom starts as Cindy and I listen. “Your father was going to bring us here next year, but with the current situation we decided it’s best to come now.” Cindy is getting ready to protest as mom cuts her off.

“Candice and I have been investigating the Corona case and have uncovered his ties to the mafia,” mom explains as I listen with interest and Cindy huffs. I have always been interested in the mafia. I read stories and watch movies about them all the time. I thought they only existed in the eastern states. “We have also uncovered an assassination plot against our state governor. Which the state senator was involved, who is also being investigated for money laundering.” I chuckle as I see the confused look on poor Cindy’s face. She is clueless about what mom is talking about.

“So, our house was ransacked by people that wanted to know what you had on them,” I say trying to get Cindy to understand, but she is still clueless. “And we have to go somewhere they can’t find us and try to kill us again.”

“Again,” Cindy blurts out, finally getting into the conversation.

“Yes Cindy,” mom starts. “They sent someone to kill me, and Joe saved my life.” Cindy looks at mom. “This is how serious it is, and us going to another country will protect us until the FBI can get things sorted out. This vacation will give me a chance to find my twin brother and your father to visit his family.”

“I come here every three or four years to renew food and spice contracts,” dad starts to explain. “I don’t talk much about my family. Only your mom knows my past.” He nods to me and begins his story.

He tells us how his family comes from a long list of warriors from centuries ago. He explains how his mother died from child birth with his younger sister. His father was killed in a fishing boat accident when he was four and his sister was two. From then until he was eighteen and left, he was raised by his uncle.

“After your mother gets some information, we will go see my family and find your mother’s twin brother,” dad says.

Cindy is silent, which is a good thing as we get in bed.

I fall asleep with Cindy laying her head on my chest and wrapping her arm around me.

I wake up with Cindy turned away from me on her side. I can hear her snoring. I have no idea of what time it is. There is light shining through the window, but I can’t tell if it’s morning or afternoon. I look at mom and dad’s bed and it’s empty. I realize that I have to piss and I jump up and run to the bathroom.

When I finish, I walk out of the bathroom and realize that mom and dad are gone with a note on their bed. I pick it up and read it.

Your father and I left early to make travel arrangements and get some information on my twin brother. We left some money on the dresser. We will return early afternoon. Take care of your sister the witch.

Love mom.

Take care of Cindy. Pffft, that’s an impossible task. I decide to take a shower since Cindy is still asleep. After my shower, I get dressed as Cindy finally wakes up and starts her complaining.

“Where’s mom and dad,” she moans. She tries to say something else as I cut her off.

“Get dressed and let’s go eat,” I huff, not in the mood for her complaining.

We get to the main floor and walk through the casino area. I actually see a few Americans playing the slot machines and gambling. We get out to the main street, which is busy. We walk down the street looking through shop windows and the venues on the sidewalk that sell food and other items. Cindy grabs my arm, apparently scared to be in another country and around people that she can’t understand. Dad has been teaching me Chinese the same time he started teaching me King Fu, so I know a little.

Many people approach us trying to sell their wares and food. We find the shop that we ate at yesterday, but it is packed so we keep walking.

“I’m hungry,” Cindy complains as a guy stands in front of us holding two sticks with four round pieces of meat on them. He tells us what they are in Chinese; however, the only thing that I can understand is ‘fish’. Cindy and I grab a stick and I reach in my pocket and hand him one of the bills that mom gave me. I don’t know the Chinese currency as he hands me back some bills and change.

I bite into one of the balls and it is amazing. “MMM. Fish balls,” I moan as Cindy bites into one.

“Spicy,” but good, she says surprising me by not complaining. We continue down the street eating the fish balls with Cindy still holding my arm and looking around. I know she won’t admit it, but I think she is having a good time.

We are stopped at another venue as the lady point at her food. I recognize the word squid and potato. I remember eating squid yesterday and point to it. She puts a handful into a small bag as Cindy points to the fried potatoes and gets a bag. I pay and we head down the street.

We finished our food walk with a baked waffle and more fish balls at Cindy’s request. We walk back into the hotel and through the casino to the elevator. I punch the floor we are on as someone pushes another button.

“Hello there mate,” he says with a British accent. He is the same height as me with blonde hair and blue eyes. Definitely not Chinese. “Who’s your Chinese girlfriend?”

“I’m not Chinese. You fucking asshole,” Cindy blurts out with venom as I shake my head.

“That was awkward, Marion,” I hear a girl say beside him that I didn’t realize was standing beside him. She looks to be around my age with blond hair, C-cups, 5’10”, and maybe 150 pounds. “I’m Brittany and this is my annoying brother Marion,” she says in a sexy British accent.

“I’m Joe,” I introduce. “And this is my annoying sister, Cindy.” Cindy slaps my arm as we get on the elevator and get off at our floor as Marion and Brittany head up the elevator.

“You are Chinese,” I inform Cindy as I get the death glare.

We get in the room to find mom and dad there.

I explained where we were and that we were eating street food as dad nods his approval.

“I found the name of who adopted my twin brother,” mom says with excitement. “The adoption address is close to where your father’s sister lives. I also have his adopted name.”

Mom explains that we will leave tomorrow to visit dad’s Uncle and grandfather in China. Then visit his sister.

Mom looks at Cindy, who has not said a word, which is unusual. She is laying in the fetal position on the bed holding her stomach.

“Are you okay,” I ask with concern as mom and dad look at her.

“I don’t know why you made me eat street food,” Cindy moans. “My stomach hurts.”

“Hey, I didn’t hold you down and shove it down your throat,” I defend. “In fact it was you that wanted to go back for more fish balls,” I finish as mom and dad shake their head.

Cindy rolls on her back as her body tenses up and we hear, “BUUUURRRTTT.” And it didn’t come out of her mouth. We smell an awful stench as mom and dad’s noses crinkle up.

“I feel better now,” Cindy moans.

“That’s disgusting,” I chastise as mom, and dad are howling in laughter.

This is going to be a long vacation.

We are in a taxi after a short plane ride into China. We went through customs and dad produced our passports and other documentation to get into the country. The taxi ride is the same as when we arrived in Hong Kong. The driver swerves in and out of traffic. Like Hong Kong, there are towering buildings with crowded streets. While we ride, dad explains that this huge city used to be a small fishing village long before he was born.

We arrive at a train station and take a two hour ride. We arrive at a small village, away from the large city. The view is amazing. We can see the ocean as boats are out in the harbor. The small village doesn’t have the hustle-and-bustle of the big city. It is quiet and I feel at home.

“Why are we here,” Cindy moans as I shake my head. “This town looks boring.”

“Your father wants to visit his Uncle and grandfather, who raised his sister and him,” mom says. Dad isn’t listening to Cindy complain. He is lost in thought remembering his childhood with a smile on his face. “We will leave tomorrow morning to visit your Aunt and look for my brother. So calm down and enjoy yourself.”

Dad hails a taxi and we load our luggage and drive off. We head up the narrow road and away from the ocean. And into another smaller village. We pass some stores, turn right up a hill, drive a half mile up the dirt road and stop. We get out of the car and I see oriental houses scattered around. I see a man around dad’s age run out of one of the houses.

“Cousin,” he says in English with a heavier Chinese accent than dad.

They embrace in a long hug. When they finish I see tears in their eyes.

“Don’t believe him,” dad says. “We are brothers. His father, my Uncle raised us.” I hear a low moan as I see an older man walk out of another house. “Teacher.” The man looks to be in his sixties, gray hair with a goatee. He walks to dad as I see more tears as they bow, then hug.

Dad introduces us in Chinese. I understand some of what they are saying, but mom and Cindy are clueless. Dad’s cousin/brother’s name is Chang. He is a fisherman, who owns his own boat and crew. Dad’s Uncle and Chang’s dad is Jiang. who owns a large fish market.

Dad’s Uncle points to me and says, “he has the gift from our greatest grandfather.” Dad nods to his Uncle as Jiang points up the hill and starts walking as we follow.

“We are going to visit my grandfather,” dad says as I hear a huff from Cindy. We get to a house take off our shoes, and enter. I see an old man in his late eighties sitting in the lotus position. He immediately looks at me and smiles.

“He has the gift from our greatest grandfather,” he says in a raspy voice speaking in Chinese. His eyes are clouded over as dad explains that he is blind. If he is blind, then why did he look directly at me? He looked at me as if he knows me and can see. I look at dad as he nods.

We sit as dad introduces us and they chat in Chinese. I can understand some of what they are saying, however mom and Cindy look confused and bored. His name is Qiang. He was a fisherman and warrior who fought for the land many years ago.

We get up to leave as the old man points to me and says, “he stays.” That I understood as dad nods.

“Son, I will come back for you next week. My grandfather will teach you things that I cannot.”

They leave me with the old man and I’m not scared, and ready to learn.

I wake up early in the morning, the sun isn’t up yet. I slept on a mat in the main living area and the old man slept in his room. The house is small with no furniture only mats. I want to go for a run, but I don’t know the area. I see a small Buddha statue in the corner. If I can’t exercise then I will meditate. I sit in front of the Buddha in the lotus position and I get into Zen.

I feel at peace when I mediate. I feel like I am one with nature. I can find my inner self. Meditation has helped me a lot. I can finally deal with all the bad things that have happened to me. Along with having Eve back in my life, I also have a family that loves me.

I don’t know how long I was in Zen when I open my eyes and see sunlight coming through the windows. I feel great as usual after I meditate. I realize I’m not alone as I look to my right and see the old man sitting in the lotus position smiling at me. I still do not know why he looks at me as if he sees me. Dad said that he is blind, but he doesn’t act like it.

I hear someone walk in as I look and see Chang, dad’s cousin with a tray of food. He sets it on a small table as the old man sits on the floor at the table. I do the same as Chang sits down and we eat. Rice and raw fish is the breakfast of the day. I see the old man and my dad’s cousin pick up meat with their chop sticks and dip it into some yellow sauce as I watch and do the same. The sauce is hot, but good. Chang smiles at me as I grab another piece and dip it into the sauce.

“My cousin speaks good of you,” Chang says with his heavy Chinese accent as we eat. “He tells me of your bad past. He also say you like his own son. And you have the gift of our greatest grandfather.”

“They took me in as their own,” I explain as Chang nods. “I love them and would do anything for them.” He smiles as the old man says something to Chang and they start talking.

“My grandfather say he want to teach you how to understand and enhance the gift that has been given to you,” Chang says as I listen and eat. “Grandfather say he teach you to be one with nature, to be one with creatures and use the gift to see.”

“But I can see,” I correct as Chang stands up and ties a blind-fold around my head covering my eyes.

I hear my great grandfather speak as I feel him touch my head and my heart.

“Grandfather say you see with your mind and your soul,” Chang says. “I leave to work now.” I hear Chang leave as I say goodbye.

The old man speaks to me in Chinese. I’m glad dad is teaching me the language, because I can actually understand some of what he is saying. He is telling me to follow him outside for a walk. How the fuck am I supposed to follow him with a blind-fold over my eyes. I put my arms up to feel around as I feel the old man slap them down and put both hands on my shoulders.

“Focus. Zen,” he says in Chinese. I know that phrase as I remember dad saying it many times. Now I know where dad gets it. He puts one hand on my head and one hand on my heart. “See with your mind and soul.” I close my eyes as I get into Zen.

I follow the old man outside, through the small clump of houses and down a narrow path. I still can’t see, however I am well aware of my surroundings. I can hear the ocean and the birds chirping and flying around looking for food. The sounds of life are more enhanced with the blind-fold on. I can’t see them, but I feel trees around me as we enter a wooded area. Even my nose senses are better as I can smell the ocean and the fresh air.

We walk for an hour as I take in the sound and smell of everything. We turn down another dirt trail as I hear us getting closer to the ocean. After a while, we stop and I can hear the ocean below us as the old man removes my blind-fold. I panic as I’m standing on the edge of a cliff. One more step and I would’ve walked off the ledge. We are standing on a cliff overlooking a long cove leading out into the ocean. There are raged cliffs on each side. The ocean is a hundred feet below us as I hear the waves crashing against the cliff that we are standing on. It is a beautiful scene. As I take in the beauty.

“You have the gift of our greatest grandfather who was trained by Shaolin monks many years ago,” the old man says as I stare out into the beautiful cove. “His parents were murdered, because they refused to raise him to be a King in their dynasty. He was left at the edge of the Shaolin temple by a Samaritan and raised by Shaolin monks.” I realized that he was speaking in the Chinese language, but I understood every word.

“You have the gift of our greatest grandfather,” the old man continues. “But it is YOU who must believe in yourself and realize that you have the gift. Figure yourself out and come back to me. I will be waiting for you here.” I look at him confused as he pushes me off the cliff.

I feel myself falling and falling. Fuck, it’s a long way down. I spin my body around and hit the water feet first. I sink into the ocean as the waves twirl me around, when I reach the surface, I look up at the high cliffs gasping for air, and I try to swim away as the waves are trying to throw me against the side of the cliff,

I close my eyes and get into Zen. The crashing waves are trying crush me against the rocks as I try to swim away. I see two fins coming towards me and circle around me. Sharks I scream to myself. I get back into Zen as I feel a third one underneath me. I realize that they are there to help me.

I dive underwater and follow the shark down as the other two sharks follow behind me. I don’t know how long I can hold my breath, when an underwater current grabs me and I am suddenly in a vortex, swirling around. When I finally come to the surface, I am out of breath and gasping for air. I look around and see that I am out of the cove and in the open ocean with four sharks now, circling me. The three sharks that put me into the underwater current are around ten feet long. Small compared to the fourth that is circling me, which looks to be at least twenty feet long.

I start swimming towards the shore as the sharks retreat back into the ocean. I finally feel the ocean floor as I walk onto the rocky beach. I sit on a rock and stare at the ocean. I’m not worried how I will get back, because I feel at peace. I feel that I finally discovered who I am. I have the gift of our greatest grandfather. I am proud of that and I am ready to take what is given to me.

I climb the side of the cliff with a smile on my face. The rocks are slippery with moisture from the sea as I finally reach the top. It is time to be the person I was meant to be. The past is the past. I was always taking care of my sister, now I will also take care of my new family as well.

I reach the top of the cliff and make the trek back to where the old man pushed me off. I see him sitting in the lotus position, where he pushed me off. I sit beside him as he smiles.

Come, we go work, I hear someone say as they nudge me.The sun isn’t up yet so I know it’s early. Dad is supposed to pick me up today. I spent the rest of the week with the old man, who I now call grandfather. He shared his wisdom and told me many stories of his life and stories of his ancestors. I had a great time and I think grandpa enjoyed my company.

“Come work on my boat today. I need help,” Chang says as I sit up with a smile on my face. A teenage boy gets the opportunity to go out on a fishing boat in the ocean. I Jump up and dress in record time as Chang chuckles at my excitement and shakes his head.

I follow Chang down to the docks, which is a thirty minute walk. It is early and the sun isn’t up yet, however there are many people walking to the many boats that are parked at the docks. Some are already headed out to sea. We get to an older boat and I see four men already on it working with the nets and around the boat. We board the boat as introductions are made and Chang leads me up a small ladder to where I’m assuming is where the boat is driven. The boat is huge with nets hung ready to be thrown into the sea. It looks like there is a step leading to another level and a large hull in the back that opens up to where I assume they store the fish that we will catch.

Chang starts the boat as two men jump off to untie it and jump back on. Chang steers the boat away from the dock and we head out to sea and down the coast line. I have never been on a boat nor have I been fishing. Eve and I were not afforded the opportunities of other kids that grew up in a regular family. My heart drops as I know that Eve would love this. I miss her.

“You drive,” Chang says pointing at the wheel as I grin and grab the wheel. Chang shows me how to steer the boat and work the throttle. I am in heaven as I drive the boat out to sea with a huge grin on my face. “You almost real fisherman,” Chang laughs patting me on the back.

We get to where Chang wants us as the sun is coming up. He sends me down to help throw the nets out into the water. This is not easy as the nets are heavy. I get a few laughs when my foot is caught in the net and trips me.

Around mid-day, we have a hull full of fish. After reeling nets in and out of water, I’m exhausted as Chang lets me drive the boat further inland. The anchor is dropped as we head to the main deck and eat rice and raw fish. Everyone is patting me on the back and telling me what a big help I am.

After lunch, Chang fires up the boat as the anchor is lifted. Four huge fishing poles are brought out. I am taught how to bait my hook and cast it in the water. The three other men do the same as Chang drives the boat. The other three fisherman start reeling in fish as I am standing there holding a pole. I watch them reel fish in as they look at me and laugh. Upon further observation I realize that they are using deferent bait. They are using fish and I’m using something that they called an eel. And my bait was casted deeper into the water.

An hour later, I’m bored and ready to give up when I feel a hard tug at my pole that almost pulls me into the water. Chang climbs down and orders a man to drive the boat. My adrenaline is pumping as Chang tells me how to pull and reel. I am excited as the other workers are cheering me on. I am pulling and reeling with all my strength. An hour later and I’m exhausted as I see a huge fish jump in the air twenty feet from the boat. It looks twenty feet long and has a long nose like a sword.

Everyone is excited as Chang tells me that the swordfish brings top dollar to expensive restaurants. After another hour, the fish finally tires as I pull the fish to the boat and the net is released to capture the huge fish.

“Now you are real fisherman,” Chang grins slapping me on the back as I collapse in exhaustion.

At the end of the day after delivering the fish to the market, we head back. We round the corner, I see Mom, and dad, sitting on the porch talking to grandpa, well dad is talking to grandpa. Mom is looking around. I see Cindy standing beside a Chinese girl that looks to be our age. When mom sees me she jumps up, runs to me and gives me a hug.

“Oh Joe,” mom says giving me tight hug. I tried to tell her that I smell like sweat and fish, but I knew it was too late. “I missed you, but you stink,” mom groans releasing me and pinching her nose.

I started walking towards Cindy with my arms out. “I missed you sis.”

“Stay away from me you stink,” Cindy squeals and runs away as I chase after her. She is no match for my speed as I catch her, hug her tight, while I twirl her around as she squeals. Everyone is howling in laughter as I set her down. “You are the most annoying brother,” Cindy chastises, slapping my arm. I did miss my family.

I look at the girl who was standing next to Cindy. I’m assuming she’s another relative as she gives me a sheepish grin. I hold out my arms for a hug, and walk towards her as she squeals, and starts running away. I quickly catch her and give her a tight hug while I twirl her around as she giggles. I set her down as she scrunches up her face holding her nose at my obvious smell. Everyone is still laughing at my antics as mom introduces me.

“This is your cousin Liang,” mom introduces. “Daughter of your dad’s sister.” She is almost the splitting image of Cindy. Liang is a little more top-heavy, sporting a full B-cup to Cindy’s small A-cup.

After dinner, we leave back to the big city to stay at Liang’s parent’s house, who I have not met yet.

On the train ride, I find out that Liang can speak English very well, though with a heavy accent. Apparently, my dad’s sister married well. Her husband owns a large import-export business and is very wealthy and well known. My dad gets most of his supplies for his restraints from his company.

We get off the train back in the big city and take another exciting taxi ride to a tall building. But of course, there are many tall buildings here. I am amazed at how large the city is. I get an ache in my heart wishing that Eve were here to enjoy this with me. We get inside and I realize that it’s an apartment building. We get on the elevator and head to the top floor. I haven’t heard Cindy complain, in-fact she was telling me how huge the apartment is and that there is a swimming pool on the roof.