Chapter 13 Summary and Analysis

The Lee family's journey was indeed terrible, but they and their fellow travelers hoped for a better life in the future. It never occurred to Foua and Nao Kao that their children would be in danger once they arrived in America. After spending eleven days at Valley Children's Hospital, Lia returned to MCMC on December 5, 1986. She was admitted to the pediatric unit under Peggy's care. They all thought her time there would be short. She appeared to be in constant pain and her breathing was poor. The Hmong New Year occurred during Lia's time at MCMC. Despite the festivities normally partaken for the holiday, Lia's family was determined to keep vigil by her bedside. Nao Kao demanded that the hospital stop giving Lia medications because, in his opinion, they were killing her. He did not see her death as inevitable. He...