Over the years, she told me the same story, except for the ending, which grew darker, casting long shadows into her life, and eventually into mine.

More from The Joy Luck Club

• I began to look at all events and all things as relevant, an opportunity to take or avoid.
• I discovered that maybe it was fate all along, that faith was just an illusion that somehow you’re in control.
• I had new thoughts, willful thoughts, or rather thoughts filled with lots of won’ts. I won’t let her change me, I promised myself. I won’t be what I’m not.
• I remember wondering why it was that eating something good could make me feel so terrible, while vomiting something terrible could make me feel so good.
• It is because I had so much joy that I came to have so much hate.
• I was no longer scared. I could see what was inside me.