I stand the camera on a pile of booksto fit everyone in the yardDad says get all of themcall out whoever's still in the kitchenI pull a chair to the leftGrandma says let people through
Mận is carrying a basin of waterHòa holds his half-eaten bowlUncle Đạt bites the end of a cordMum is looking for her braceletDad lifts the crooked backdropsays everyone stand close together
I set it to ten secondsthen run across the doorstep
The first time I trip on a chair legGrandma's shoulder has left the framethe next time Thu takes a calland turns her face into the houseDad calls each person by nameMum moves furthest back
I want Mum beside mepull her by the hand across the yardDad is already standing thereI stop between themGrandma says Nhi give me your handI'm still holding Mum's
Hòa comes over with his bowl and asksdo you need me out of the frameI shake my head and touch the camerathe screen begins to count down
I set it to ten secondsthen run across the doorstep
Mận turns to call her childUncle Đạt bends to tie the cordDad holds the red backdropGrandma leans away from the basinI've just squeezed in beside Mumthe camera has already taken it
I enlarge each face to lookDad says take anotherThu is putting on her coatHòa has already washed his bowlonly two of my fingertipsstick out beside Mum's hip
Grandma bends down to look closelyasks why the other hand is missingI drag the picture to the rightmy finger slides beyond the frame