Read The Language Inside Online
Authors: Holly Thompson
I climb into the front seat
then shriek and bump my head
at the sound of two voices
saying
hi
from the back—
Lena and Van
bundled in winter jackets
sorry, I had to bring them
Samnang says
oh
I say, taken aback
rubbing my head
it’s fine, but . . .
I tell Samnang to wait a minute
and run back inside
grab some origami paper
and in the car I send some sheets
and a little instruction booklet
to Lena and Van in the backseat
and up front start to fold
a crane, a frog, a cicada
guys, we’re going on a mystery ride
Samnang announces
to find something
golden treasure?
Van asks
water
says Samnang
the kids frown
the beach?
Lena asks
maybe . . .
but I didn’t bring my bathing suit!
Van whines
it’s too cold anyway
Lena says
and Van scowls
shrinks down in his seat
until I toss him a frog
and its companion
cicada
on the back of a piece of origami paper
Samnang has scrawled
495 95 113 1A
left
bridge
right
refuge
he says
hold this, in case I get lost
soon we’re out of YiaYia’s neighborhood
and on the highway
but Samnang won’t tell me
where we’re going
mystery
he says
water
when we exit
I realize we’re in Newburyport
with all those big historic houses
then we turn left and suddenly
we see the mouth of the river
the one that also flows through Lowell
and YiaYia’s town
and Lena is calling out sights—
boats in the inlet
a tiny airfield with planes
a bridge we cross
signs say
Plum Island
and I vaguely recall
a day at the beach
one summer way back
with YiaYia and Papou
making a sand castle
all of us wearing long sleeves
long pants
hats
against the flies
I think I’ve been here
I tell Samnang
the dance troupe had a beach day here
last summer
he says
Serey helped organize it
at the entrance to the wildlife refuge
I pay the fee
since this outing was my idea
then Samnang parks in a lot
and we all pile out, pulling on gloves
wrapping scarves, zipping up
against the cold wind
Samnang lifts Van to his shoulders
and we walk up a boardwalk
through the grasses
and crest a dune
and suddenly we are perched
above a
not volcanic gray
but long creamy white
sand beach
at the edge
of the icy blue
Atlantic Ocean
for a moment I’m stalled
turning in both directions
holding back my whipping hair
running my tearing eyes
over and over
those far reaches of sand
and I’m thinking
as soon as she’s strong enough
I’ll bring my mother here
Van scrambles down
and he and Lena run toward the water
and when a wave breaks
they squeal and retreat to dry sand
Samnang takes my gloved hand
and I breathe deep the salt air
perfect
I say
good
he says
I figured it was my last chance
for what?
to give you a good reason to stay
I laugh
I already have plenty of reasons
but I’ll add this to the list
so your decision . . .
I stop
and with my gloved hands
recessed in my jacket sleeves
turn him toward me
now who’s a dodo
I say
I’m staying the year, Samnang