Mail Ordered Bride

Part 13

I run through the dirty streets of Bangkok with a letter from my sister Freen who's living in America under my dirty, holey jacket home where Father and me are living. It's a small shack along a dirt road... oh, my name is Heng and I like warm hugs. I miss my sister because she always looked after me ever since our mother passed away even I don't remember her much but Freen told me that she loved us. Freen would tuck me into bed at night, walk me to school every morning, patch up my clothes, read me stories, and sing me songs. I wish that she didn't have to leave us behind but Father says that she had to in order to take care of us and when I ask why she had to move so far away, he would say that it's part of her job.

I don't know what Freen is doing in America but I hope that she comes back soon to visit because it's really lonely without her. I walk through the door of our home to find Father who's laying under the covers of his bed and I climbed on the bed, sitting next to home. The color is slowly returning to his face now that we can afford the medicine that he needs and better food with the money that Freen sends us. I'm glad that he is getting better because I don't want to lose him too like when we lost Mother because the medicine was too costly and it was too late to save her. Then I would all alone with my sister being so far away and I would be sent to an orphanage or worse, a workhouse.

"How was school, my boy?" Father asked running his boney fingers through my hair.

"It was okay but I stopped by the post office and we got a letter from Freen" I said pulling the letter out of my jacket.

"A letter you say? Why don't we read it and see how your sister is doing?" Father said smiling.

"Okay" I said ripping the letter open.

Dear Father and Heng,

How are you two doing? I am hoping that you are well and are receiving the money that was promised. My intended Becky is graciously allowing me to write you this letter to the both of you and I have to admit that I was skeptical when she said that I could. At first that she was saying that to appease me and not actually send the letter but she was there with me when I sent it. I feel bad for thinking so lowly of her but Becky has been so kind to me, a lot kinder than I expected her to be and has not done anything against my will even though she could have. I miss you so much and I wish that you were here with me in this wondrous place to experience it with me. I am making friends in this country. Heng, remember to wash behind your ears and to brush your teeth because we do not want you losing your teeth too soon. Father, I hope that you are taking the medicine like you should and I hope that you are eating properly. I would love to hear from the both of you soon. I love you both so much.

Love Freen

"Father?"

"Yes Heng"

"What does intended mean?" I asked confused.

"Intended means the person to whom somebody is engaged to be married" Father answers.

"So Freen plans to marry this Becky person?" I asked surprised.

"Yes my boy, she does. It is part of her job as a mail ordered bride and she is doing this because she needs to take care of us since I am too sick to work and you are too young" Father said ruffling my hair. "But from what I can tell from the letter that this Becky person is a kind person is willing to take care of your sister"

"But still. She's marrying someone that she doesn't love and shouldn't love be the reason that you get marry?" I asked frowning.

"Yes but sometimes you do not have the luxury to marry for love and will have to do things that you do not want to. Do you understand?"