Chapter 6 — Behind Mother's Tears

"Girl, take it away." She said. "I don't understand how to enter the doors of those units." "But I know, my son cannot be trampled like that." I took the cloth bag, almost in tears. But I held back. My mother said, don't cry for anyone. When you should cry, someone will already cry. What I need to do now is bring the things home. When we returned to Thanh Hoe Ly, it was already dark. I went straight to the monitoring team. Chairman Thieu is still in his office. I placed each piece of documents on her desk. Thu Han Phong wrote while he was still alive. The Han family's receipt asks for the money. Written explanation of Ms. La and Tran Nhuoc Ninh. There is also an additional certificate certifying that you are not married issued by a local agency. Director Thieu finished watching and didn't say anything for a long time. Finally she raised her head to look at me. "Your mother taught very well." I shook my head. "She hasn't finished teaching yet." When I got home, the piece of paper my father asked someone to deliver was on the table. On it was written: Tieu Tuyet, help dad once. You just need to tell me that your mother set a trap to harm me a long time ago, and I will be able to explain. I looked for a long time. Then tear up the piece of paper and throw it in the trash. My mother stood at the kitchen door, asking me: "Are you uncomfortable?" I nodded. "Uncomfortable." "Regret leaving?" "No regrets." She smiled. In that smile, there was a bit of fatigue, but also a bit of joy. "That's okay." "Today I don't have to testify on behalf of my mother." "I'm replacing someone who can't speak anymore, close this door." When the investigation results were announced, Thanh Hoe Ly welcomed the first snowfall of the year. Hua Nhu for impersonating a martyr's relative, falsifying documents, deceiving benefits, appropriating money, was transferred to the judicial agency. My father's problem was more serious. Taking advantage of position to illegally handle allowances and resources, withhold and impersonate visiting money from martyrs' families, assist in falsifying identity documents, and corrupt living habits. The day the notice was posted, there were many people around the house to watch. No one mentions "Tong Hoai Son values love and respect" anymore. No one said that my mother was a woman who could not live without a man. Aunt Ton saw my mother, held her hand and sighed again and again: "Lanh Nghi, we were really mistaken before." My mother still maintained that gentle look. "No, I'm very cowardly, it's all about organizing a clear investigation." Aunt Ma couldn't help but laugh: "Don't pretend anymore. Can a cowardly person take Tong Hoai Son there step by step?" My mother blinked. "I'm really cowardly." "So I have to leave a note behind everything." sheet.” She spoke very gently. But I know how long she has prepared for this day. She used to be a military audit clerk. Then, because of her grandmother's serious illness, and because of my father's words, "No matter what, someone has to take care of the house," she resigned, becoming a weak wife in the mouths of everyone in Thanh Hoe Ly. She did not argue. No explanation. Regardless of what others say, she doesn't know how to manage her life and can't leave her husband. Because that image is so useful. Everyone relaxed their guard. Including my dad. You forgot, my mother is not ignorant of accounting. It's just that she hasn't opened the book in front of him for many years. After the story ended, Principal Thieu came to his house to sit for a while. She brought a portion of the appointment documents. The military supply audit team needs an outsourced consultant, specializing in supporting the inspection of martyrs' relatives' benefits and specialized payments. My mother watched for a long time. I thought she would hesitate. But she signed it directly. The pen strokes are very solid. Completely unlike Hua Lenh Nghi before, even the writer said "I don't write well". I looked at her and suddenly asked: "Mom, you pretended for so many years, aren't you tired?" She closed the pen cap and thought for a moment.

moment. "Tired." "But seeing Tong Hoai Son and the others really see their mother as a fool, it's quite interesting." I laughed. Laugh and laugh, the eye sockets heat up again. She took out an old notebook from the cupboard and gave it to me. The cover of the book is worn white. The first page reads a few sentences: Don't entrust your life to the conscience of others. Conscience will change. Rules are not. Documents are not. The evidence is not. I caressed those words, as if something slowly fell to the ground in my heart. Later, I no longer continued to only do internships at the hospital. I would like to transfer to the project to support the benefits of military families, follow director Thieu to the facility, check documents, check benefits, and help those who really need it get back the money they deserve. The first time he independently welcomed relatives to complain, the other person cried so much that he couldn't speak. I gave her a tissue. Then I opened the notebook. "Just speak slowly, I will write it down." At that moment, I suddenly remembered the afternoon when Hua Nhu knelt at my mother's feet. At that moment, I just wanted to rush up and tear her face off. But my mother held me back. The first lesson she taught me was not patience.