Butterfly Yellow

Cora takes Hằng home, bathes and pampers her, and gives her the room next to Linh to sleep in. The next morning, Cora washes and cuts Hằng’s hair. She has reconfigured a sleeveless dress with skin-colored full-length sleeves and matching pantyhose for Hằng to wear to the fair, and Hằng is grateful. Cora styles Hằng’s outfit and puts makeup on for her. Hằng is overwhelmed by how she looks and scrubs it off, saying, “Nô, khen nót lúc bờ-rít-ti” (247) (No, cannot look pretty).

Hằng locks herself in the bathroom as Cora instructs David to call LeeRoy over. In the bathroom, Hằng wonders how to explain that she was reacting based on Bà’s advice about beauty being dangerous. She is stunned at her reflection in the mirror, especially how much she looks like her mother now. LeeRoy arrives and asks Hằng to come out; she urges him to leave, and she will follow. Hằng opens the door to Cora, who reapplies the makeup and readjusts Hằng’s outfit, assuring her there is nothing wrong with looking pretty. Hằng is finally ready to step outside.