E Pluribus Unum

My parents and Yun's mom and grandmother stayed in the city one weekend. We put them up in a hotel. On sunday we all ate dim sum in Chinatown. After lunch we were walking home. Yun's mom and grandmother were very tired and wanted to go back to the hotel and rest. My mom and I were standing all alone on a side street corner. Yun and my dad were getting the others a cab. All of a sudden a young Chinese guy approached my mom and whispered, "you want to look at some handbags?" We said "yeah, why not." He made us follow him half way down the block and then he took us into a jewelry store. We were a bit puzzled. Now the guy pulled on one of the walls that were full of costume jewelry and it opens up. A secret hidden room behind the wall. Just like Ann Frank. We were stunned. I went out into the street and pointed out the store we were in to Yun. Then my mom and I entered the hidden treasure room. There were handbags on display from floor to ceiling. There were a few other women in there shopping. Finally Yun and my dad showed up. They couldn't believe it. When they entered the store and we weren't there, they were confused. Yun said she couldn't believe we actually went inside. Between my mom, Yun and her friend Mona, they purchased five handbags. Real fancy name brand kinda stuff. My mom thought it was a great experience. It's not how they do it in New Jersey. Actually it was a fun day for all of us even if I didn't come away with a bag for myself.
I am in the new issue of Anti magazine. Issue number 3. Check it out here.