and don’t call him Mao, call him Ho. Get in the habit. Mao is a nickname. Not a flattering one.” “Why, what’s it mean?” “It means ‘cat,’ but the full nickname is Gao Mao Yow.” “So what does that mean?” “‘Cat fucker.’” “You’re kidding.” “No. It’s why he’s shunned by the family.” “Someone caught him—” “My father. Yes.” “And that’s not allowed?” “No! They were going to eat that cat.”
