July 27, 1678
Dear brother,
Traders are still coming from all over the place. They won’t stop coming. Dada’s construction on the temple has been delayed because people from all over keep disturbing him.
Everyone here is still sick. Mommy and Dada are still fine, but Auntie and Uncle are getting sick. The green, black thing I had with my toe has now spread to them. My toe got so bad that the doctor cut if off. You can’t imagine how different it is to not have a big toe.
A few days ago, I snuck to see dada at work. I shouldn’t have been walking, but I just couldn’t help it. I met a boy on the way to construction. He’s a foreigner, the son of an English trader. He’s a very cute boy, and I just couldn’t help but talk to him. So, instead of going to see dada, I talked to him for hours on end. He’s only in town for a couple more days, but we’ve already made plans to see each other again. Dada almost caught me when he was walking back from work, but I managed to sneak through back home before anyone noticed I was gone. The only problem is I don’t know how to tell him about my missing toe. The thing is absolutely disgusting, but he can never see. He can’t know I work with dada in construction either. Back in England, all girls stay at home and take care of husbands while boys work. I even told him I stay at home instead of going to work with dada. I live a tough life now…
Cough. Cough. I’m dying. It’s been a day since I’ve talked to the boy. From what I’ve heard, he’s going to be in town longer than I expected. I think I’m dying. I’m definitely dying. Mommy says I will be ok, but I feel dead.
Brother, I know you have worried since my last letter. I fear to worry you more, but I need to worry you more. I’ve begun coughing up blood, and mommy now has that dead skin stuff I had. Auntie has begun getting chills, but Uncle is better. Dada has had to take off work to watch over me. I’ve been afraid to go see the boy I met, but I’ve begun feeling really hot all the time and have started having trouble breathing. The doctor has come to see what is wrong, but everyone in town is getting sick. I can’t sleep laying down in fear I’ll choke to death. I try to get up and help dada around the house, but I get put back down. He worries even more as I haven’t had as much of an appetite.
I just went to check on Auntie, and she has begun coughing blood as well. The town talk has it that the traders have been spreading disease among us. Dada can’t go to work anymore because he has to take care of us as Mommy is having difficulty walking now. Many of her toes have the green stuff that I had.
I don’t know what has been happening. Quite a few traders have left in fear of catching any of this sickness many of us seem to have. I haven’t left the house in days. Mommy and Auntie sleep all day now. I’ve tried sneaking out to see Mushu, but dada keeps catching me. I wish you could come home, Brother. I don’t know how long we can last here anymore. We’re slowly losing hope...write back soon.
I miss you,
Chayana
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