The Creatures That We Are

“Because I grew up.”

Gao Xinxin lay on her bed, pouting.

Gao Yang was going to tell another story, but he couldn’t remember any with the dizziness in his head.

“Yang Yang, Xinxin.” Their grandmother came home.

Gao Yang turned around like she was a savior, “Granny!”

“Granny!” Gao Xinxin jumped up and threw herself into the old woman’s arms.

“Granny, tell me a story!” Gao Xinxin implored. “Brother isn’t good at it. I wanna hear it from Granny!”

“Okay, okay. Granny will tell you a story.” Their grandmother carried Gao Xinxin to her bed. When she realized that Gao Yang hadn’t moved, she gave him a kind smile. “Yang Yang, it’s late. You should go to bed.”

Gao Yang didn’t walk away. He missed his grandmother particularly fiercely today, but he didn’t know how to put his feelings into words. Standing still, he pouted, “Xinxin demanded that I tell her a story. I couldn’t do it.”

Their grandmother chuckled and reassured, “It’s not your fault. Xinxin only likes stories told by Granny.”

“Why did you return so late, Granny?” Gao Yang said petulantly. “Mom and Dad, too. Where did you go?”