Nanny Qiao the Big Goose

Qiao Da'e’s first place to stay in Weiyang Village was an abandoned thatched hut at the eastern end of the village. The roof leaked, cobwebs clung to the corners, and its only furnishing was an earthen bed with a crack in it. The village head had asked a man from the Li family to bring her a bundle of hay and given her half a sack of millet, enough to settle her in for the time being. “Big Sister Qiao, you have to pound this millet before you can cook it. We have a stone mortar at home. I’ll have my wife bring it over tomorrow.” The man from the Li family was called Li Laoshi. He was quiet but honest, and his eyes were full of gratitude as he looked at her. “If there’s anything you need, just tell me.” Qiao Da'e thanked him, then watched his honest, sturdy figure disappear down the dirt road before turning to look over her “new home.” The setting sun shone through holes in the roof, casting several patches of light on the ground. The air smelled of mildew and dust. She reached into the pocket of her soaked confinement nanny uniform and pulled out an object: the electronic watch that had been stepped on and broken. Its screen was black and part of its strap had snapped off, but it was now her only link to the modern world.