Roosters greet the hazy dawn with their guttural, scratchy song before I can open my eyes. Sticky, humid air swirls the room and I wipe last night’s sweat off my forehead. I rise and walk to a nearby café, overlooking a garden of lotus flowers. The lotuses are delicate and…

Dula looked down into her cup. She took a swig of lavender tea and let the warmth run down her throat. It was icy in her apartment. The achy bone chill of a New York winter was all too familiar for Dula. The only warmth came from the rundown fireplace…