Finally Seen

by Kelly Yang

Hi. I am Lina,” I tell the school board members. “I go to fifth grade at Winfield Elementary School. This my first year in America.” I look over at Finn, who gives me two thumbs up—keep going!!! “I used think America is like Simpsons,” I start to say. “But then I arrive, and it is very different than Simpsons. My parents work a lot harder than Homer and Marge.” I get a big laugh from the audience. My heart skips a beat. They think I’m funny! “And my sister and I are not like Bart or Lisa. Instead, we worry many things, like will Mom sell enough bath bomb for rent? Will Dad come home for dinner instead of work, work, work? Will we see our grandmother again?” I glance at the audience and see a few people with their hand over their heart. Looking down at my notes, I swallow hard. “Will the other girls stop writing about me on bathroom wall?” I ask in my timid voice. I keep my gaze steady on the board members, not daring to peek over at Jessica. Not even as the room erupts in whispers and the temperature climbs. I push on with my speech. “I don’t know answers. But I know I am not alone in these questions. Cat Wang also have same questions. She make me feel less alone,” I tell the board. “This why I need this book. Because my life more like Flea Shop than Simpsons. For me, this book is mirror. For other kids, it is sliding door.” I turn to the audience. “A door to see real life.”