I'm changing a lock at the shopwhen Đạt calls for the third timeplease bring your pliers and help usMum has a long journey tomorrowI hang a sign out towards the laneback in three minutes
I arrive by the kitchenmy shoulder picks up the smell of dillĐạt clears a place on the wooden platformpushes the orange basket to the edgethe lock lies across my kneefingerprints on the plated surface
The key's in theredon't shake it again
I shine a light through the mesh-pocket gapthe two keys still tied togetherĐạt says the lock's under warrantyI turn it in my palmif you want the casing kept intacttake it to the shop tomorrow morning
In the yard they're raising glassessomeone calls where's HòaI lift the pliers halfwayĐạt catches my wristhis mother stands in the doorway askingcan it be opened before we eat
I point to the metal loopwhere it's thinner than a chopstickI ask shall I cut it hereĐạt turns his face towards the yardLâm gives one nodI close the two handles
The cut loop flies under the platformĐạt kneels down to look at onceI open the mesh pocket and take the keysput them into his handwell-wishes come from the yardhe puts the keys in his trouser pocket
The key's in therenow take it out
I find some string for a temporary tiethread it through both zipper pullsĐạt holds the short end for methe long end keeps slipping from my hand
When I carry my bowl into the yardthey're clearing the final dishNhi has saved a portion at the table's edgecold fish clings to the bowlI hold the chopsticks in my left handmy right still smells of iron
Outside the shop on the streetthe sign still says three minutes