There were two pairs of slippers in a plastic bag next to the bed,

along with body lotion and a shoeshine mitt.

Weng thought of the old man he’d seen cleaning his shoes with
a tissue outside the gas station toilet,

then wondered if his mother and father were together again.

He stayed in his room for the rest of the day and watched
television, though sometimes got up

and went to the window with his binoculars.

At any moment, he thought, a person is dying or being born.