“I’ve been here for four years,” Long said. “My hometown, A Luoi (ah Lou a) is 60 kilometers west of Hue.”

Though, an only child, there was no one to look after him, able to give him what he needed most. 

“Life is hard in my hometown,” he said. “I came here four years ago for a better….” And he couldn’t seem to find the word or phrase.

“Education?” I prompted, and though he agreed, it seems he may have meant “more opportunities, more food, or simply a better life??” 

Whatever his reasons, Long, is happy here and never alone. 

“He is my friend,” Long said pointing to another older boy. 

“My name is Duoc,” he said.

“We come from the same town,” Long said. 

“I am 20 and in the second year at university,” Duoc said, his English not as clear as Long’s. We pulled out my dictionary, which stinks because it only translates one way, from English to Vietnamese, so it was a little longer than when I was using Bri’s duel Viet-English/Eng-Vietnamese dictionary.