10 Years Ago
June 1, 2065
2000 CDT
Port Arthur, Texas
Near the Gulf of Mexico
Ho Vắn Duy's Point of View
“Check out what I got, Duy!” Little Sinh screams in excitement.
You’re only six years old, Sinh, and even though your black hair in a bowl cut makes you look uncool, you’re the fastest learner I know. Already a fantastic fishing prodigy with only one year of practice. You managed to capture a mackerel all by yourself on this beach.
“Not bad, Sinh. Not bad,” I say.
“Oh, here we go,” Sinh pouts.
“What?” I ask.
“Here comes the part where you one-up me! You and Quan always turn everything into a competition!” Sinh shouts as he points a finger at me.
“Hey, if we didn’t keep you humble, then you would become too big-headed, and that’s when bad stuff happens. Just think of it as tough love,” I say.
“Yeah yeah. So how did you manage to outdo me this time?” Sinh asks.
“Heh. Check it out broham!” I say.
“No way!” Sinh says.
“Yes, way!” I say.
“How did you manage to capture a swordfish?” Sinh asks in awe.
“With hard work and determination, of course! Not to mention my.
Bird poop just fell on my head…
“HAHAHAHAHAHA! See! That’s what happens when you get too big-headed!” Sinh points and laughs. “Birds poop on your head!”
“Yeah yeah. Anyway, where the heck is your shirt, Sinh? You’ll catch a cold,” I say.
“Then you and Quan should lead by example. I’m only copying Quan as I let my guns show for the ladies,” he says as he flexes his nonexistent muscles.
“Sinh put a shirt on!” Boisterous Quan yells out as he approaches.
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Your height and black mohawk don’t make up for your stupidity, Quan.
“Great. Here comes the part where he one-ups us,” I say.
“Yeah, Duy. Deja vu,” Sinh says as he rubs his chin.
“Sinh! Duy! My puny brothers. You two may have caught a mackerel and a swordfish, but I, the mighty Quan, with the assistance of my muscly muscles, have caught a giant yellowfin tuna!” Quan gloats like a jerk. “Do not fret my siblings. For I will guide you into a righteous path of muscles, glory, and awesomeness!”
“As long as we got food, then that’s all that matters. The village will be so proud! We’re like superheroes!” I say.
“We’re actually more like nitwits,” Sinh clarifies.
“Superheroes? Nitwits? I am unsure of the terms, but whatever they are, I am the best as always!” Quan says in excitement.
“You might be better than us right now, Quan, but one day we, along with our muscles, will catch up to you!” I say.
“Yeah yeah. I am looking forward to it, young Duy. There’s a reason why I must constantly keep you two humble. Competition and rivalries are healthy and build character. Now, let us go home before the sun sets. We all know the rules,” Quan says.
Right. Curfew. The soldiers won’t be able to patrol as well at night.
*
Inside the Ho Family’s House
A Wooden Cabin Located Not Too Far from the Beach
*
“A mackerel, swordfish, and a giant yellowfin tuna?!” Dad says in disbelief as he observes the prizes on the table. “Ha-ha. I love you guys!”
Sinh gets his whack haircut from you, father.
“Oh, Dung, we should attempt to bring a girl into the family, again,” Mom grossly flirts with Dad. “I love you all with all my heart, but being surrounded by men and boys who reek of fish and sweat all day is starting to take a toll on my sanity, especially since I’m homeschooling you three,” Mom says as she makes the final dinner preparations.
I must’ve been inspired by your tomboyish short black-haired, mother.
“Bữa tối được phục vụ (Dinner is served),” Mother says with a prideful smile.
Sweet! A burger all the way from the ranches. Yup. No doubt about it. This is the best family ever.
Someone’s knocking on the door.
Father gave us the nonverbal hand signal. The signal to hide and get the guns.
He’s putting himself in a strategic location by the door, so he can safely ask the secret codeword.
“Do you know the muffin man?” Father asks in a serious tone.
“That lives in Drury Lane?” The man answers correctly. “We need to change that fucking ridiculous password, Dung.”
“Richard, hello!” Father says as he opens the door and greets his friend.
“Put those things away, kids,” Mother says. “You know they’re only for emergencies, and the only current emergency is that nobody is eating the delicious food I slaved away all evening to make!”
Technically, you didn’t make it. You only cooked it on a solar cooker, but I like eating so I won’t say anything.
“Mother! You did not make the food! You only cooked it on a solar cooker!” Dumbass Quan blurts out.
“I’m sorry, did you say you wanted extra homework?” Mother asks with a smile.
“No. I said…” Quan s-
“Quan just got too much water in his ear, Mom,” Sinh interrupts. “He doesn’t know what he’s thinking.”
“What? Cannibals? Ridiculous!” Father says in disbelief as he continues his conversation at the door.
“Yeah yeah. Watch out for them,” Richard calmly warns. “Anyway, I just wanted to check up on my best pal. You make sure you hold on tight to your family. As a father myself, I know how important family is to a man’s sanity.”
“Excuse me,” Mother says with a bright smile as she gets in between Father and Richard. “We. Are. Hungry. Please. Leave. NOW!”
“The Ho’s were always my favorite family…,” Richard says in a strange tone as he complies with Mom’s request.
Who is that in the distance?
A rocket launcher whistle?! MOM!