Summary

Ma thinks that Al’s suggestion that the whole area will be condemned indicates that Paula will have to move them from their apartment soon. Kim suggests that they find a new place to live, without Paula, but Ma reminds her that they are indebted to Paula for more than just the rent. Kim thinks they should just run away from Paula, but Ma says that doing so would make them “less than we are” (88). Ma reveals that she was the sister supposed to marry an American Chinese man, but that Paula married Bob because Ma had fallen in love with Pa.

Ma asks Paula about moving, and Paula assures her that they will be moved soon. At the same time, she tells her sister that she must work more quickly to meet deadlines. Matt tells Ma that his own mother has heart trouble...