My father has asked me to be the fourth corner at the Joy Luck Club. I am to replace my mother, whose seat at the mah jong table has been empty since she dies two months ago. My father thinks she was killed by her own thoughts.


For all these years I kept mu mouth closed so selfish desires would not fall out. And because I remained quiet for so long now my daughter does not hear me.


All these years I kept my true nature hidden, running along like a small shadow so nobody could catch me,


And I want to tell her this:
We are lost, she and I, unseen and not seeing, unheard and not hearing, unknown by others.