I put eight tables in the ledgerĐức ordered at the start of the weekby noon it was exactly tenhe nodded in front of the guests
I sent my child home for more ricethe homework left half doneNow he stands beside the sinksays charge us as you would familyI open the book to the price pagehe bends to turn the tapa bright watch on his wristhe lifts it away from the water
The fish costs what's on this linethe extras are written below
He counts the money three timeseach time it comes to just the sameI cross out the original number of tableswrite the new one beside itthe nib presses through two pages
Lâm has changed his shirt and comes to askhow much is still missingĐức raises a hand to stop himI read out the exact amount shortLâm stands still on the doorstepĐức reaches into his inside pocket
He takes out a small piece of paperjust enough for a name and an amountI give him the pen, he signs slowlythe last letter catches on a ruled line
The fish costs what's on this linethe extras are written below
Lâm hands me a bag of fruitsays take it home for your childI take it with the hand not holding the bookthe pen still tucked in my hairĐức has gone inside for a broom
I tuck his promise to pay inside the coverthe ledger's edge rubs my thumbmy child waits for me outsideholding a tilted lunch boxrice has slid to the side with the fisha spoon pushes it back