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Minh called his mother.
On the other end of the line came the rattling sound of an old electric fan.
He asked, “Mom, how much of Linh’s hospital bill is still unpaid?”
His mother stayed silent for a long time before replying, “Don’t worry, son.
I’ll find a way.”
Minh could hear her heavy breathing.
“How?”
She gave a faint laugh.
“I’m still strong enough.”
But Minh knew she was lying.
Years ago, she had already sold the small piece of land behind the house to pay Linh’s school tuition.
Her wedding ring was gone.
The cow that had once been the family’s most valuable possession had been sold long ago.
In that house, perhaps the only thing of value left was the wooden cabinet Minh’s father had built when he was still a little boy.
His mother said softly,
Minh froze.
He heard her gentle laughter through the phone.
“I mean it.
My children are my heart.
When Linh hurts, every part of me hurts too.”
Minh lowered his head as tears streamed down his face.
Those weren’t words of complaint.
They sounded like a mother reminding her son that she had never regretted sacrificing anything for her children.
“Mom…
do you still have any money?” Minh asked.
“Yes.”
“How much?”
“Enough.”
Minh closed his eyes.
“Please don’t lie to me.”
Silence filled the line.
“I only have…
my love left.”
Minh covered his mouth with his hand.
He bent over, struggling to keep himself from sobbing out loud so Hạnh, standing behind him, wouldn’t hear.
His mother continued,
“When you and your sister were little, all I ever wished for was that you could eat enough, go to school, and live a life a little easier than your father and I did.
I never dreamed of a big house.
I never needed you to become rich.
I only wanted you to have a home to return to one day.”
Her voice trembled.
“And yet now…
you’re the one standing out there, worrying about how to save your sister.”
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