Page 98 - beyond-hate

80.
THE AMERASIAN (CONT'D)
THE AMERASIAN (CONT'D)

According to my mother, he didn't
like fighting, and he never killed
anyone. He was very kind and wanted
to live peacefully with my mother.

THE GIRL

And after that, where did he go?

THE AMERASIAN
His unit was moved to another
location, and he lost track of my
mother. She didn't know if he had
died or gone home. I never got to
see him because he left while I was
still in my mother's belly. I have
a photo of him and my mother. He
was very handsome. Oh, and I also
heard that your father used to be a
school teacher. How come he doesn't
teach anymore?

THE GIRL
I don't know. Perhaps it is because
my grandfather was a South
Vietnamese officer who died in
battle, while my father was a
teacher who didn't get along with
the principal and thus was fired.
My father loves me very much. It is
so sad that he has to work so hard
to support the family.

THE AMERASIAN
The war ended a long time ago. Our
parents suffered, yet we continue
to suffer. It just doesn't make
sense to me. If I don't go to
America, I will just be a laborer,
working here and there to support
you. Are you OK with that?