One day, when Bea and I went to Hilary’s house to watch Jem and the Holograms and to do our homework, Hilary’s parents ushered her into the kitchen to talk privately. In the living room, Bea and I moved closer together, taking comfort in our shoulders touching.

After a couple of minutes, Hilary burst out of the kitchen, grabbed her coat, and yelled at us to run. We gathered our things quickly and followed her outside, running across the street. We were out of breath when we reached my house.

“What happened?” I asked.

“They can’t tell me who my friends are. They’re not making any sense. I don’t understand why I can’t be friends with you right now. They’re being stupid,” Hilary said.

We watched TV and did our homework until Mother called us for dinner. We were having steamed pork and preserved salted egg meat loaf, with some fried broccoli and rice. As we began our meal, the doorbell rang.

“We’re just sitting down for dinner. Hilary is more than welcome to stay.” Mother’s welcoming voice carried to the kitchen.

“Swee Hua, thank you, but Hilary is needed back home,” said Uncle Sam.

I ran to the front door as Uncle Sam and Auntie Elizabeth walked over the threshold. Auntie Elizabeth’s face was cast downwards as she followed uncle.

“Elizabeth, it’s really no problem at all,” Mother reiterated. “We can send her home afterwards. She’s already sitting down.”

Auntie Elizabeth didn’t reply. “We’d like Hilary to come home now,” Uncle Sam said.

Father walked briskly into the foyer, with Bea following. Hilary stayed frozen at the table.

“What is going on?” Father said, his voice raised.

“We don’t want to disturb you. We just came for Hilary,” said Uncle Sam.

“I don’t want to go!” Hilary yelled.

“Come here now!” Uncle Sam was suddenly furious.

“What’s the urgency, Sam?” Father asked. “Hilary is welcome here. She’s just like one of my own girls.”

“Hilary is not your daughter,” Uncle Sam said. “Ah Loy, I just don’t think it’s a good idea for our families to mix right now.”

“And why is that?”

“With everything going on at work, it’s best to keep ourselves away from conflict.”

“Are you talking about the strike? Leave that at the mine, Sam. You’re causing the conflict here. Let the children play. Let’s not make this personal.”

“Hilary is my child, and I want what is best for her.”

“Best for her? Are you saying it’s not in her best interest for her to play with my daughters?”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just not a good time.”

“Is your loyalty to management so important that you can’t mix with us who do your dirty work?”

“That is not what I said! Don’t twist my words!”

“I don’t need to twist your words. How dare you come into my house and remind me that all of you up in that building think that all of us inside the mine, risking our lives every day, are good for nothing! You know something, Sam? I really didn’t care to be part of a union. I was happy working and minding my own business, but your attitude has really made me think that I should pay closer attention.”