Mai saw Vinh the next night. And the one after that. By the third night, she felt so safe and cared for that she didn’t want morning to come. After two weeks of seeing each other every evening, he asked if they could arrange a more permanent situation.
Mai was taken aback. What did he mean? What more did he want from her?
“I think you know I have fallen completely in love with you, Mai,” he began.
She touched his face. “I love you too, Anh Vinh.”
“Will you let me take care of you? And your son?”
She glanced at him side-eyed. “And in return?”
“We will spend as much time with each other as possible.”
“You want me to be your mistress.”
“Will you do me that honor?”
She thought about it. For about a second. “Of course.”
Mai retired from the “profession” and hoped she would never be forced into it again. She returned to a daytime schedule. That in itself was a joy: to move and live and eat like the rest of the world. Best of all it meant she could devote more time to Nguyệt. He was almost four years old and went to nursery school in the mornings. Now she could to pick him up every day, usually with lunch for them both. Together they would share a picnic, then explore Saigon. She showed him the cathedral, the many small temples hidden behind storefronts, the zoo, the pier, even the markets. She ignored the boarded-up stores and bars, the detritus of bombed-out buildings that had yet to be cleaned up, and other destruction that reminded her they were still at war. The time they spent together reminded her of when he was an infant and she couldn’t tear herself away from him.
She and Vinh discussed how and when he should meet Nguyệt—Vinh wanted to get to know him. At first Mai was reluctant; she wondered if, in some vague way, she was being unfaithful to Sandy. She worried that Vinh would reject Nguyệt because of his Caucasian blue eyes and sharp chin, both of which had become more pronounced as he grew. Then she realized she was being selfish. Nguyệt needed a man in his life, and Vinh was eager to take on that role. Eventually, she decided they would meet at a pier on the Saigon River.
A few days later, on a bright, breezy afternoon, Mai and Nguyệt went to the pier for a picnic. They were finishing their lunch when Mai said, “I have a surprise for you.”
His face brightened and he replied eagerly. “What? What?”
Mai shaded her eyes and pointed. “You see those big ships and tankers out there?”
Nguyệt shaded his eyes. “Those big boats?”
“Yes. How would you like to meet the man in charge of one of them?”
Nguyệt’s mouth dropped open. “Yes!”
“He is a friend of mine,” Mai said.
“Oh boy!”
A few minutes later Vinh strolled up in his uniform. He’d pinned a spray of colorful badges and medals on his lapels. Nguyệt stared at them with his mouth open. Mai stood up, but Nguyệt was so excited it made him shy, and he hid behind Mai’s skirt.
Vinh was carrying a small paper bag. He kissed Mai on her cheek and gazed around from side to side, pretending to search for someone.
“Mai, I thought a little man was going to be here.”
Nguyệt giggled from behind Mai.
“Did you hear something, Mai?” Vinh said.
“No. Did you?” she said.
More giggles.
“I suppose not. That is too bad, because I have a gift for him.”
Nguyệt poked his head around. “Here I am!”
“Ah. So you are. Come out and let me see you, little man.”
Nguyệt sidestepped around until he was facing Vinh. Mai introduced them.
“Well, what a surprise. That is the name of the little man whose gift this is.”
Nguyệt looked up at Mai. “May I have it, Mama?”
When she nodded, Vinh gave Nguyệt the bag. He opened it and took out a box. Inside was a tiny model of a tanker. Nguyệt’s face showed his delight and he promptly started playing with it on the grass beside the pier.
“What do you say, Nguyệt?”
“Thank you.” He looked over at Vinh. “Where did you get all your medals?”
“I will tell you later if you wish.”
“Oh yes,” Nguyệt said. “I would like that.”
By the end of the summer, Mai and Nguyệt had moved out of their rooms in District 6 back to District 1, where Vinh rented a modest apartment for them. Mai said tearful goodbyes to the aunties who had taken such good care of Nguyệt, promising to bring him back for visits. Overwhelmed with its space and light, Mai loved the new apartment from the moment she saw it. There were two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a parlor. The building even had a garden plot in back, which, because of the war, had been neglected. She began to tend it, trying to remember how her mother had grown vegetables out of what seemed like dry sandy soil.
Whenever Vinh came to visit, he always brought a small toy or book for Nguyệt. Sometimes, in what Mai thought was an ingenious idea, Vinh brought a miniature flag of a nearby country, to introduce Nguyệt to geography.
Mai asked him to stop. “You will spoil him.” But Vinh didn’t. His thoughtfulness made Mai realize what a unique man he was. And how grateful she was to have him in their lives. In fact, his kindness was contagious, and Mai noticed she was softening, too. It was easier for her to consider forgiving the people in her past who had hurt her, because of the peace and joy now in her life.
One night, after Vinh left, Nguyệt asked, “Mama, is Chú Vinh my father?”
An icy fear raced up her spine. She had prepared for this moment. Then again, perhaps he was too young to learn about Sandy. He had asked a simple question. She would reply with a simple answer. The next question after that would be the key.
“No, Nguyệt. But he is your uncle.”
“My uncle?”
“Yes. Uncle Vinh.”
“Oh. That is good. I love him.”
Mai threw her arms around him, relieved she did not need to tell him about Sandy yet. “He loves you too, con yêu.”
The next time Vinh came to visit, Nguyệt ran to Vinh, who scooped him up in his arms. “Mama says you are my uncle.”
Vinh’s neck reddened. He grinned. “Yes. And I am so proud to be.”