Ruby Lu, Brave and True

Ruby liked her neighbors, Wally lived across the street. Before that he’d lived in Hong Kong. Wally was the only child Ruby knew who could speak Catonese without having gone to Chinese school. He was fluent, Ruby’s mother said, which meant that he could speak Chinese all day without running out of words. Ruby was very impressed. Still, she was glad when Wally did not sign up for magic class, With a little help from Ruby, he had signed up for Bonsai club.

Tiger was Ruby’s best friend. He lived two blocks away, but it felt like he lived next door. He was faster than e-mail. “Don’t break the speed limit!” his mother always called after him. he was also fast at making friends. With just the right smile, he was always saying hi and having a chat. Ruby didn’t make friends so quickly. She liked her old friends best.

But the very best thing about living on 20th Avenue South was Oscar. Oscar was Ruby’s baby brother. When he was brand-new, he felt as solid as wrapped tuna from the Pike Place Market and smelled like fresh-baked daan taht. He was more beautiful than Ruby had ever imagined. She had waited a very long time for him. And when he cam home from the hospital, she had nearly forgotten that she had wished for a puppy.

The second very best thing about living on 20th Avenue South was Emma. Emma had the cutest, sweetest little dog. he had a mouthful of pointy teeth and little feel with toenails that went dop-dop-dop wherever he went. His name was Elwyn and he was bilingual. He obeyed commands in Cantonese (thanks to Wally) and in English. He’d graduated summa cum laude from a dog obedience school, and so had Emma. Emma was so proud of Elwyn. And Elwyn was happy to be the only dog on 20th Avenue South.