Work Text:
He remembers a little
The woven bamboo walls of his family’s home
His mother teaching him how to cook
Riding water buffalo as he accompanied his father to the fields
Playing Ô ăn quan with his younger brother and the other children
Gathering firewood with the other men
He remembers a little more
Being moved twice into places that weren’t home
Crying for his mother and brother as his father held him close
Struggling to raise enough food only to starve for his efforts
The increasing arguments between his people and the soldiers
Meeting the girl that he would one day marry
He remembers much more
A tearful reunion with his family and relatives
Rebuilding their uprooted lives and livelihoods
Reconnecting with friends long not seen
Taking bike rides past the rice fields alongside Hue, enjoying her companionship
Overhearing his father and the other men speaking of the nearing war
He remembers plenty
His and Yue’s first kiss, there on the coast beneath phượng vĩ as the sun set
Discussing the future with his brother, to avoid thinking of the violence plaguing their country
Admitting he intended to propose to Yue, his brother joking it was about time
Both their families showing hesitation at first, feeling the two were being a bit hasty
Thinking Hue looked so beautiful in her red áo dài and khan dong
He remembers so much
Working hard in the fields and forests to provide for his family
Hearing news of the bloodshed at the Tet Festival
Assuring his pregnant wife that they’ll see this war through
His brother joining the Viet Cong, promising to be back
Seeing Mai open her eyes for the first time while the monsoon roared outside
He remembers enough
News of his brother’s death
Seeing Hue’s blood spilled in the fire-free zone
Trying to keep a brave face for Mai despite his grief
Surrendering his fatherhood to save her
Standing among his people, feeling so alone
He remembers too much
Coming back to an empty home, haunted by that empty crib
Being forced together with families to scourge up food, only to starve again
Looking over his shoulder, half-expecting a soldier to eye him, suspicious
Turning down a neighbor’s offer to join them on the boats, too afraid
Haunting the roads for food, tired and alone
He remembers everything
Talking
Resisting
Surviving
Waiting
Hoping
He doesn’t want to remember yet has no choice
Then came 1995
Life getting better, little by little
Hearing about the embargo lift during his shift at the restaurant
Smoking his pipe over the river, already knowing his next move
Being seen off by the people (friends) he’d suffered with
Feeling tense the entire plane ride, afraid to meet the ocean
Then came Hillwood
Stepping into a whole other world, feeling unwelcome
Being scared by every little noise and look from passersby
Catching murmured jeers that forced him twenty years back
Struggling to find a place to stay, only to be turned away every time
Running into the angry little American who’d be his best friend
Then came Sunset Arms
Being shocked how easily Phil gave him a room
Getting to know everyone (and hating Oskar right away)
Struggling through the hassle of getting his green card
Landing a job over at the restaurant after a show of his skills
Feeling a twinge of hope that he may see his child again
Then came Arnold
Getting to meet Phil and Gertie’s son and daughter-in-law
Feeling such joy (and envy) towards Stella and Miles
Trying not to cry whenever he saw Mai in Arnold’s smile
Watching from upstairs with the others as Stella and Miles left, promising to return
Waiting years like everyone else for an answer
Then came Time
Giving Arnold guidance when necessary, watching him grow
Visiting Little Saigon, comforted but still empty
Finding comfort in the dulcet simpleness of country music
Bearing down on the government office for answers, over and over
Spending so many Christmases by himself
Then came that one December
Hearing her voice among the snowfall, like back home in the dark
Opening up to Arnold about Mai and giving her away
Spending that Christmas like usual, alone and detached
Thinking back like usual, wondering like usual
Hearing the doorbell yet paying no mind
Now there is Mai
Smiling back at him, all grown up and healthy
Looking so much like her mother, almost hauntingly
Reminding him of how much he’d missed out on his daughter’s life
But not caring (at that moment), knowing he’d waited so long for this
And at last, embracing her, his child back in his arms after so long
Now there is joy
Finally enjoying Little Saigon, no longer afraid of remembering
Pondering and trying (with mixed success) the game of love
Rising up as a cook until he could open his own restaurant
Visiting and calling Mai as much as possible
No longer spending Christmas by the fire
Now there is opportunity
Trying as a local performer and enjoying it far more
Mai introducing her husband
Arnold bringing Miles and Stella back
Meeting their friend from San Lorenzo, Eduardo
Finding him so charming and kind
Now there is the future
Getting to meet and play with his grandchildren
Helping Miles and Stella adjust to the times
Planning to expand the restaurant (his restaurant)
Growing closer to Eduardo as they learn more of each other
Remembering, at peace and content.