Last Night at the Telegraph Club

by Malinda Lo

  * Egg tart.

  * Red bean paste bun.

  * Lotus seed paste bun.

  * Foreign devil; derogatory.

  *. They say she is very frail. She has an ambulance following her wherever she goes.

  * But she must be very strong to endure this tour across America.

  * She will endure whatever she needs to endure for China.

  * Salty dried plums; a snack.

  * Pork meat bun.

  * Steamed cake.

  * Grandmother (Lily’s mother’s mother).

  * A Lai; a nickname for Lily.

  * Hello, Grandmother. When did you get here?

  * I got here this morning.

  * You made everybody worry. Never do that again.

  * I’m sorry, Grandmother.

  * Rice cakes.

  * Red envelopes filled with money given to children at the New Year.

  * Hu Li-li.

  * Are you here for the picnic?

  * Dried sausage.

  * Almond jelly; a dessert.

  * I’m Chinese.

  * Where is your hometown?

  * What did you say?

  * Congratulations and wishing you prosperity (a common New Year greeting).

  * San Francisco; literally, “old gold mountain.”

  * A traditional Chinese dress.

  * Not bad.

  * Pretty good.