Janet – Zhu L ingling - #0507020108

I remember clearly. It was in a summer vacation when I had just taken the college entrance exam that I worked as a sales-assistant in a small decoration store. Well, those little things: decorative flowers, lipsticks lovely dolls, etc., are really of great charm to me, and every time I sold one of them, how I wished I could just own one of them.

One day, the store was beginning to close for the right. When I was nervously putting on my coat and getting ready to go home, Mr. Liu, the owner of the store, looked up at me and said in a very soft voice, ”Just a moment, Xiao Zhu,” he spoke so quietly that I got nearly breathless. “What?” I asked. “Maybe you’d be good enough to take the little lipstick out of your pocket and leave it here before you go.” said Mr. Liu. What do you mean, Mr. Liu?” my face suddenly got red. He kept looking at me, coldly. I didn’t know what to say and tried to keep my eyes from meeting my boss’ eyes. After a few moments, I took out “the lipstick” I had “taken”. Mr. Liu had a strange smile on his face. “I don’t like to call the police,” he said, “but maybe I should call your mother and let her know I am going to have to put you in jail.” I was really frightened. My mum would come rushing in, eyes burning with anger. Maybe she would be crying and would push me away when I tried to explain to her. I, and Mr. Liu, waited but said nothing, at last we heard someone at the door. “Come in, Mrs. Zhu.” His face was hard and serious. Surprisingly, mom came in with a friendly smile on her face; she was very calm, quiet and friendly. “Is Lingling in trouble?” she asked. “Yes, she is. She has took a lipstick from my store.” After listening to this, mom put out her hand and touched Mr. Liu’s arm with great gentleness as if she knew what he would continue to say. She said, “What do you want to do?” “I was going to get a policeman. That’s what I should do, call the police.” There mom was with a charming smile, saying, “I wonder if you would agree that it would be better just giving her some warnings and let her come home with me. Going to the police office will affect her entire life, wouldn’t it?” Mr. Liu had expected mom to come in nervously, shaking with fear, asking with wet eyes for mercy for her daughter, but no, she was the most calm and pleasant and was making him feel guilty. After a moment, Mr. Liu was nodding his head with what mom said, “Of course, I don’t want to be cruel. Tell your daughter never to come to my store again.” “I will never forget your kindness. Sorry we have to meet this way.” said my mom. “But I’m glad I got in touch with you. You’re a great mother.” Suddenly they held hands as if they liked each other.

Mom and I left. We walked along the street in silence. After a time, I said, “Thank you Mom, it will never happen again.” “Shut up! Don’t talk to me, you have shamed me enough.” Finally, we reached home. Mom took off her coat and without even looking at me, she said, “You are bad luck. God forgive you, go back to your room and think the whole thing over.” Then I fled to my bedroom and layed on the bed. The more I thought about it, the more pride I felt for my mother’s being so brave and having such strength. I knew I must tell her how great she was. As I got to the hall, I was shocked by what I saw. Mom’s face was a frightened, broken face. It was not the same cool, bright face I saw earlier in the store. She was drinking tea and as she lifted it from the table her lips moved nervously. She looked very old…

Well, the picture of my mother makes me want to cry. I saw all the troubles I brought mom in her shaking hand and the deep lines of worry in her grey face.