The Scavenger's Daughters (Tales of the Scavenger's Daughters, Book One) (32 page)

“What’s going on up there?” he yelled out to the driver.

The man ignored him and continued to pedal. Benfu glanced back at Jet jogging behind them but the boy shrugged his shoulders as if he didn’t know.

As they neared the
hutong
entrance, Benfu realized where all the usual people from the street were. They were standing around in his alley. Something must have happened and he felt nauseated with dread. Ahead Widow Zu stood in the line, waving at him and smiling a toothless grin. Seeing how
it was the first time he’d seen her smile in a decade, it sent his apprehension up even another notch.

Suddenly Calli grabbed his arm.

“Benfu! Is that—”

“Mari!” Benfu exclaimed. Dressed in colorful gypsy-looking garb, she stood out in the crowd and he saw her at the same time as Calli did. He couldn’t believe it. His dear daughter Mari had left her station at the Great Wall to come home! His heart soared with joy at the sight of her familiar face.

“But who are all those other people and what’s going on?” Benfu squinted. Standing on both sides of the
hutong
were two lines of people. He saw a few of his favorite shopkeepers, some of the old retired men, and there was even Lao Gong standing their waving at him. His friend had never come to his home before!

Beside him he heard a sniffle and jerked his head to look at Calli. She was crying! What in the world was going on?

“Calli? What is it?”

“Benfu. They’re here for
you,
my love. Look, there’s Lotus. And I see Camellia. I don’t know how they’ve done it but it’s not only our neighbors; it’s all of our daughters, too. They’ve come to welcome you home, dear.”

Closer to the gate Benfu looked around. Gathered around Linnea, Ivy, Lily, and Peony he saw his other older daughters. Among those waving at him were Hyacinth and Blossom, and even Daisy had come all the way from Chengdu! He couldn’t believe it. How did they all manage to get here? How had they afforded it? He shook his head, unable to speak.

He turned to Calli and could clearly see that she was just as speechless as he to see all of their daughters together, a feat they both thought would never happen in their lifetime.

“
Aiya,
Benfu, look what they’ve done!” Calli gasped as she pointed to a new stone archway that was erected over the entrance to their tiny courtyard. In beautiful carved calligraphy that Benfu recognized immediately as Linnea’s work, it read
ZHENG
’
S FLOWER GARDEN
.

Two tall panels of lattice bordered the gate, entwined with many different types and colors of flowers and ivy. Along the courtyard wall sat small colored pots holding every array of blooms possible, the containers painted with childlike designs. The concrete wall had been given a fresh coat of gray paint, making it look almost new. Benfu was speechless. His entire courtyard had been transformed; it was no longer just a barren square of dirt and trash. It was now a sight to behold. Somehow even a large tree had been planted and from the branches hung several wicker birdcages that held various colorful birds hopping around. Benfu thought it was a beautiful sight but knew he would have to release the birds to their freedom as soon as possible. As he and Calli sat there in total shock, taking in the sight of the new garden and their many daughters, friends, and neighbors, the entire crowd broke into applause.

Benfu shook his head frantically and waved his arms at them, trying to stop them. Then his heart lurched when he saw his little Maggi. In the midst of all the sisters, she sat beaming with pride in a wheelchair. It wasn’t new, Benfu could see that, but the chair fit her perfectly and he’d never seen such a beautiful sight. Someone had tied ribbons through the spokes of the wheels, and the same colors were also threaded through her hair to match. When she saw him look at her, a smile began to spread across her little face.

He looked at Calli to see if she had been keeping the secret from him.
Where had the chair come from?
She sat with her hand held over her mouth, her eyes open wide in surprise. He watched her gaze linger on Maggi and knew she was touched; they had always wanted to get Maggi a chair, but there just hadn’t ever been the money to do it.

“But where—why… how?” He couldn’t form full sentences. He stopped trying.

Jet finally caught up and stood beside the pedicab. Linnea walked up with Poppy snuggled in her arms, and stood beside Jet.

Linnea smiled at him and a tear ran down her face. Around her all his daughters chattered loudly, some laughing and others still clapping. Small
boys and girls ran around; Benfu startled when he realized they were probably the grandchildren he hadn’t yet met, and he searched their features to try to match them up to their mothers. He marveled at the plump faces and sparkling eyes, gifts the world would have missed out on if their mothers hadn’t survived their harsh beginnings.

“Welcome home, Ye Ye,” Linnea said, her voice shaky. “I hope you like what we’ve done to the courtyard. All of your daughters and grandchildren contributed, and our neighbors helped us pull it all together. Even your old buddies from the plant and flower market came through and donated all this!” She waved her hand through the air.

Benfu climbed down from the pedicab and hugged Linnea. Calli climbed down and took Poppy, snuggling her close and inhaling the scent of her. The driver laughed loudly, nodding his head as if he were a part of the entire event. Benfu let go of Linnea and looked around again, trying to clear his mind. He was confused—
and so happy to see all of his daughters in one place
—but still confused.

“Linnea? What have you done, girl? What’s all this fuss about?”

“Everyone is here, Ye Ye. All the girls, their children, even your friends. We’re going to have a feast! Everyone brought food. We’re so glad you are home, Ye Ye. We’ve missed you so.”

Linnea turned and waved at the door to their home. A well-dressed young man approached.

Jet stepped forward. “Lao Zheng, this is my father’s assistant, Yang Fu.”

Yang Fu cleared his throat. “First, let me say that I am here on official business.”

At his announcement Benfu felt his first indication of dread. What was an official—even one as wet behind the ears as this one appeared to be—doing at his home uninvited? Was he going to take away one of the girls?

Yang continued. “I know you aren’t very happy with the local and not-so-local branches of government, and I’ve come to show you that we indeed do care. I’m here on behalf of the director of social development to thank you for your contribution to our city.”

Benfu looked at Calli, an unspoken question in his eyes.
Why had an official sent his lapdog to their home? And Jet’s father worked in the same department that basically dictated how Benfu built and supported his family?
That was a revelation. Calli shook her head in confusion as she swayed back and forth with the baby.

The crowd quieted down and everyone listened as the young man pulled a piece of paper from his jacket pocket and nervously began to read it. Benfu could easily tell he was not accustomed to speaking on behalf of anyone, let alone in an official capacity.

“Since evidence of your contributions was recently brought to our attention, we want to acknowledge that you are the epitome of the example we hope our future generations will grow into. You will go down in history not as a scavenger, but as a model citizen. You have shown all of us how to accept one another based on the person—not the gender, or the absence or presence of disabilities.”

All around everyone began to choke up, some pulling tissue from their bags and pockets. His daughters hushed their children as they waited for him to speak. Benfu heard several of them remark to their children that he was their grandfather—an important man—and they needed to show respect.

Benfu sighed as he looked around at their faces. It was an emotional announcement for all of them, as many had been abandoned because of disabilities and some just because they were girls. He knew his daughters would always harbor feelings of being unwanted, despite the care he and Calli had shown them.

Benfu didn’t really know what to say. He hadn’t done anything out of duty. He loved each and every one of his daughters and they had brought immeasurable joy to his simple life. He was also selfish; the girls at various ages had given him a peek into what his Dahlia may have looked like or been like at each year of her life that he had missed. He couldn’t tell them that, but he had to say something.

“Thank you, Yang Fu. I appreciate the sentiment.” He looked around at all his daughters and grandchildren. Could it be possible that the world saw
him as much more than a lowly trash collector? He felt his heart swell with emotion, tinged with a bit of embarrassment for such a show put on just for him. “I’m not much on being recognized, but I’m thankful to see all of you! Finally you have all come home for a visit!”

The girls started to clap again until Yang held his hand up.

“My supervisors wouldn’t have known the extent of your contributions without your daughter, Linnea, and her friend, Jet. They are a formidable team,” Yang Fu said.

Benfu glanced at Jet and wondered just how cooperative his father was in the sudden acknowledgment of his efforts. His absence and the trainee he’d sent in his place made Benfu suspicious. But he’d think on that later. He looked at Linnea and shook his head. “I always said you were the most resourceful daughter of them all.”

Linnea giggled at the approval and all around Benfu’s other daughters nodded their agreement.

Yang Fu stepped closer. “I’m not done yet, Lao Zheng. We also want to announce that the children still in your care will
all
be receiving monthly stipends, as well as a full education. They will no longer be penalized because they are orphans. This is the new program my department has been working on, and it’s still not approved for total rollout, but we’ve decided to kick it off using your children as our test case.”

Calli nodded. “Thank you, Yang Fu. We appreciate any assistance you can offer.”

Yang Fu nodded in acknowledgment of her gratitude and bowed low.

Then Calli leaned in and whispered to Benfu. He strained to hear her over the sudden murmuring from the girls and the neighbors. “Benfu, can you believe all this is happening? It’s a miracle—nothing less.”

Benfu heard the tears of joy in her voice and handed her his handkerchief. He felt the stress of his burdens slowly begin to lift from his shoulders. It sounded like his girls were going to be okay—even if he wasn’t around a lot longer. He felt his face flush at the many times he’d cursed officials under his breath. He realized now that just like in every sect of humanity, there
were good men mixed among the corrupt in the different tiers of government. He’d unfairly generalized too many people.

Suddenly the young man stepped back and Lao Gong moved closer. He patted Benfu on the shoulder and leaned in to speak quietly, giving a message only for Benfu to hear.

“You really gave me a scare at the teahouse, Benfu. But you also made me realize how much stress you have been under. Linnea told me what’s been going on and I’m going to help you apply for some additional benefits. I still have a few contacts in place and you may not have tapped out what the system has to offer you. You just need someone to walk you through the steps. We’ll find you the best doctor and I’ll help you work out a way to pay for it.”

At this news Benfu had to sit down. He realized his pride and his aversion to dealing with the government had made life much harder, and he wished he’d come to Gong earlier to ask his help. He faltered and Calli led him to the bench outside their door. He shook his head. It was too much to hope for—that he would possibly be able to get the drugs and care needed to live a few more years. He’d not even allowed himself to consider it before. But now, perhaps he would see the last of his girls grow up after all. He wouldn’t have to give them up. Sure, life would continue to be difficult but in all his misery, he’d forgotten that there was always a thread of hope to hold on to.

Gong leaned in and whispered in his ear. “And all your neighbors and I took up a collection for your hospital stay and we cleared your bill this morning. There were so many that wanted to contribute, no one had to put up more than they could afford, including me.” Gong playfully punched him in his arm. “Who knew you were so popular, old friend?”

Benfu was embarrassed to feel a sob of gratitude rising up.

Mari, their daughter from Beijing, stepped forward and pointed to the corner of the courtyard.

“Look, Ye Ye. We all pitched in to make you and Nai Nai a koi pond, too. It’s small but I hope you like it. Our little ones all placed the rocks, so you may have to do a bit of rearranging.”

Benfu looked to the corner that usually held his piles of collections to be sorted. It had been transformed into a garden area lined with rocks and anchored by a small fishpond. Benfu smiled and felt the joy all the way down to his toes. Of course, sitting on the edge of the pond was his little Jasmine. As usual, she was oblivious to the crowd as she swirled her tiny fingers in the water, playing with the fish. His heart flooded with love for her and he realized why. It was the young innocence in her face that reminded him of every girl he had raised—all his daughters who had propelled him through his difficult life, the hopes for their futures always pushing him to do more and be more.

He stood. “Jasmine?”

At the sound of her name being called, the girl looked up.

Benfu pointed to her, then his nose and then the sky. Jasmine jumped up and flew across the courtyard. She threw herself into his arms and burst into tears.

Benfu sat back down with her on his lap, rocking her back and forth as he held her tightly. Linnea had told him about Jasmine’s adventure to find her fish, and knowing how much sadness and fear she held inside because of him tore at his heart.

“Now, now. What is this? I am home, little one.
Bu ku le
. You don’t have to cry anymore.” He reached down and wiped the tears from her cheeks. He was amazed. In her usual way she had ignored the chaos around her and instead sat entertaining herself in her own silent world. Until she’d seen him, that was.