Chapter 9 — Fateful Night In The Garage

Therefore, I will not forgive those who easily stand at the head of the storm and push me down. I just thanked myself for not opening the car door. After the congratulatory party ended, Luc Tri Hanh sent a text message. "Are you done yet? Me and Tieu Chu are waiting for you downstairs." I replied: "I'll be right down." When the car drove out of the basement, the summer night wind poured in from the exit. I saw outside the company building, Luc Tri Hanh was holding Tieu Chu's hand and standing under the streetlight. As soon as Tieu Chu saw my car, he immediately waved his hand. I stopped the car. The boy pulled the back seat door and climbed into the child safety seat himself. "Mom, today I want to eat beef stew with tomatoes." Luc Tri Hanh sat in the passenger seat and buckled his seat belt. "I've already bought food." I looked at them. Throat suddenly choked. I tightened my grip on the steering wheel. Feeling the rock that had been weighing heavily in my chest for a long time finally felt a little lighter. Luc Tri Hanh noticed my silence and tilted his head to look over. "What's wrong?" I shook my head. "Nothing." Tieu Chu sitting in the back seat urged: "Mom, the light is green!" I laughed. Step on the accelerator. City lights pass through both sides of the glass window. Tieu Chu sat in the back humming a children's song with the wrong tune. Luc Tri Hanh placed his hand on the back of my hand and gently held it. Up ahead, the lights of the apartment complex are on. Like a safe harbor in the dark. I drove inside, stopped the car and stabilized. Before turning off the engine, I turned my head to look at the back seat. My son sat there, his eyes sparkling. The boy asked: "Mom, are we home yet?" I smiled and nodded. "Here we are." Luc Tri Hanh held Tieu Chu's hand. I walked next to the two of them. Each light in the hallway lit up one by one. I heard myself say softly in my heart: I'm home.