When I went out to get the newspaper this morning I heard some chattering in the tall  tree that stands not far from Cici's bedroom window.  Where do you think she went?  I heard one squirrel asking.  I don't have any idea, the other squirrel responded, but look at that man coming down the walk.  I think that is her father.  Yeah, the first squirrel replied, I always saw them together.  Now he looks a little lost and sad.  I noticed that too, said the second squirrel, though when the beautiful lady who lives here is with him he is still smiling and happy.  That is his wife, said the first squirrel.  She is the girl's mother.  Well duh, anyone would know that, because they look so much alike, said the second squirrel with a touch of sarcasm.

Let's ask the man where his daughter is, the first squirrel suggested.  Are you out of your mind?  He can't understand our chattering.  Maybe he does.  I am going to ask him.  Hey buddy, the squirrel called to me.  Where is your daughter?  We haven't seen her all week.  Thanks for asking, I replied.  She went ... .  At that point the squirrels were so surprised that they went scampering up the tree, their tails waving a frantic farewell.   A mockingbird couple that had been watching and listening scolded the squirrels as they flew off in search of more materials for the nest they are building.

So I will just have to talk with you about my most recent conversation with Cici.  I caught her in the car with our friend, driving home from the mall.  Was that our favorite mall, I asked?  No, she sighed, this was the mall where we had difficulty getting a taxi when we came here.  I knew exactly where she had been when she told me that.  Ping had loaned her car to someone that day so we took a taxi to the mall.

Did you have fun shopping?  I asked.  NO, Cici replied.  There were too many people.  Hmm, she has gotten spoiled with the relaxing and enjoyable shopping trips that she and her classmates make to the mall near our home.  She and Ping and I also enjoy shopping there.  Score another point for Houston.

Does it feel strange to be in a place where no one is speaking English?  I asked.  Her answer surprised me.  It feels very strange, she told me.  I always start to speak in English because that is the way I think now, she said.  I have to force myself to speak in Chinese.  Well you get to speak English when you are helping the son of our friend with whom you are spending a few days, right?  She had told me that she is helping him with his English because he must take exams to get into middle school in a month or so.

Papa, Cici said, he doesn't know anything about English.  It is as though he has never taken a class in English.  I have tried to help him but it is very difficult since he doesn't understand even basic words or rules of English.  He will never pass the test.  I am not surprised.  I have met the kid.  He loves sports, lives in a privileged environment with wealthy parents, is very pampered and spoiled, and I doubt that anyone has insisted that he do his homework.  Unfortunately, he will pay the price for the leniency because he will be unable to get into a decent middle school.

A kid like that will probably end up in the park talking to squirrels.