This afternoon I bought a four-wheel suitcasethe shopwoman rolled it round onceit ran quietly on the tiled floorI tried pulling it with two fingersshe gave me a little padlock tootwo keys tied together in a packet
I put the packet in the mesh pocketbeside the cream-coloured liningat home the children gather roundI spin the wheels to show themMum sits at the far end of the wooden platformpicking thread off Nhi's shoulder
Just press it downand that's it shut
I draw the two zipper pullsinto the little round openingmy other hand pressing the lid downa dry click beneath my fingerI lift it for Mum to tryNhi asks where the key is
I pat my right trouser pocketthen my left for a second timethrough the gap in the unfinished zipperI see the key packet in the mesh
Just press it downand that's it shut
Đức reaches over to try turning itI push his hand awaythe lock I just bought is still shiningI cover it with a shirtthe girl says I can see itI tell her to go outside and eat
I call the woman who sold the suitcaseshe says if the key's insidedon't try twisting it any morebring it back to the shop tomorrow morning
Mum says call Hòa overI say let me do itmy fingertip has started bleedingblood sticks to the trimNhi pushes the warranty card towards meI put my finger on it
