Chapter 6 — A Nhu's Delirious Words

But no one saw him angry with his mother anymore. One time, a man from another village got drunk and teased his mother. Dad didn't hit him, just took that person's bowl away. “Give you your money back.” “My rice is not sold to people with dirty mouths.” Mom walked out from behind the counter and stuffed the broom at the door directly into his lap. “If your mouth is dirty, wipe it clean and then come back.” The whole room burst into laughter. The man was embarrassed and ran away. I sat on the doorstep, swinging my legs, laughing along with everyone. Every morning, dad breaks the dumpling he just took out of the steamer. He blew it to cool it then put it in my hand. Mom squatted down to tie my shoelaces. Conveniently wipe away the sesame seeds stuck to the corner of my mouth. At night, when I kicked the blanket off, my mother would gently cover it again. Dad lay outside listening to the noise. Every night he had to wake up twice to check. They never allowed me to go to the well alone, nor did they let me carry hot bowls. It's like my little hands aren't allowed to touch any of the hard work. I like my current family. There is always hot soup in the pot. There are always copper coins in the cupboard. Mom knows how to smile, dad knows how to listen. My grandfather often sat under the banyan tree basking in the sun. And I am also growing peacefully every day.