“Paperwork, paperwork with a woman who pats my head while shaking her own. I step back, hating pity, having learned from Mother that the pity giver feels better, never the pity receiver.” — Thanhha Lai Copy Share Image
“MiSSS SScott points to the numbers along the wall. I count up to twenty. The class claps on its own. I’m furious, unable to… — Thanhha Lai Copy Share Image
“Why no s for two deer, but an s for two monkeys? Brother Quang says no one knows. So much for rules! Whoever invented… — Thanhha Lai Copy Share Image
“At first the weight of loss was thrust upon me so harshly I could only take a short breath, just enough to endure the… — Thanhha Lai Copy Share Image
“I need the lessons. I’m hiding in class by staring at my shoes. I’m hiding during lunch in the bathroom, eating hard rolls saved… — Thanhha Lai Copy Share Image
“She was promised to Father at five. They married at sixteen, earlier than expected. Everyone’s future changed upon learning the name H Chí Minh.” — Thanhha Lai Copy Share Image
“I tell you of loss, my child, so you will listen, slowly, and know that in life every emotion is fated to rear itself… — Thanhha Lai Copy Share Image
“This year I hope I truly learn to fly-kick not to kick anyone so much as to fly.” — Thanhha Lai Copy Share Image
“I wish our cowboy could be persuaded to buy a horse, that I could be invisible until I can talk back” — Thanhha Lai Copy Share Image
