I looked at her with strained eyes as she molded my feet into the perfectly bound structure. Her mother love was strong, and she never gave into my pleads or yelps. My older cousins whispered words of comfort as I whimpered in pain. Their feet had come out perfect, and if I was patient, mine would be even more beautiful.
Mother’s hands were smooth and forceful as she wrapped my feet in fresh bandages. “Orchid,” she commanded, “walk.”
I obeyed her, slowly putting pressure on them, one foot at a time. They felt as if they would burst out of their bandages. I thought of uttering a few words or resistance, but then I thought of elder sister. I would not end up like her. I would make my family proud, and show them that the Chen family’s daughters were not weak.
I paced up and down the room. I would make a good daughter for my mother, and cause no trouble in my foot binding process. I would have the perfect feet, and someday be married off to a wealty man to gain back my family’s honor.