Kathy

It had to have been more than coincidence. Tran could have lived anywhere in America, but she happened to live right here in our city. She could have had family anywhere in Vietnam, but her family happened to live right in Tung’s tiny village. “Trởi có mắt,” Tung and I said to each other, over and over. “God has eyes.”

The letter brought Tung much relief. She had been so desperate for her mother to know she was fine, and to share the news that she now had a daughter of her own. After that happened, she carried herself more lightly, smiled more often. Seeing that, I couldn’t help but think about the complicated bond between a mother and daughter, and my own relationship with Phuongy.