Chanthaly (ຈັນທະລີ)

Mommy?

Mommy?

Turn around and cover your eyes.

I couldn't cut deep enough.

What have you done?

What have you done?

Tell her her to turn around.

You know I can't.

I want to see her face.

I can't.

Tell her her to turn around.

I want to see her face.

What have you done?

I ask you to not disturb my home.

Offer guidance.

Stay near. Protect us.

Accept these offerings.

Amen.

My mother says the more attention you give the spirits,

the more power they have.

She must be right, Thong.

The more time I spend at the shrine,

the more you haunt me.

Can't you see I'm praying?

Hold out your hand.

I brought you something... It's candy.

Sugar's bad for my heart.

And if my father catches you hanging around outside...

I know, I know.

If you know, Thong, then what the hell are you doing?

I'll come back after he's gone.

Chan!

Open the gate.

Don't come back.

Not today.

Let me help you.

No, you idiot! Just go away.

Chan!

Are you all right?

Did you take your pills yet?

Go rest. I'll get the gate.

Chan!

Are you all right?

Chan.

I brought you a glass of water.

I won't be back until late tonight.

I'll make you dinner.

Don't worry about me.

I started your first load of linens...

Then there's a load of clothes from the customers.

Okay.

You don't have to rush. Rest first.

The machine probably has about twenty minutes to spin,

then you have to get back to work. Okay?

Did you eat yet?

I'm not hungry.

Did you fill out the customer's invoice?

Not yet.

But I will.

Chan.

Are you even listening?

I bought you the washing machine.

I invested in you having this business,

to give you something to do.

I know, father.

You need to be responsible for it.

Do you still have the box with mom's stuff in it?

Why?

I was wondering if you kept the blanket

mom wrapped me in when I was a baby.

Chan.

Because if you have the box...

There's no blanket in there.

If you still have the box...

I still have the box.

But there's nothing in there

that has anything to do with you.

Your mother never wrapped you in any blanket.

Then why do I remember a polka-dot blanket?

Chan.

Please, stop.

How did mom die?

I've told you.

Tell me again.

I've told you. Your mother died in childbirth.

Then why do I remember her?

I don't know, Chanthaly. Why?

Are you hungry, Moo?

Chan?

What the hell are you doing in my house, Thong?

I'm sorry...

I called for you from outside, but you didn't hear.

The gate was unlocked...

The front door was wide open,

and I didn't see your dog.

I thought you might be hurt.

This neighborhood's safe.

You only think so because you never go out.

Nothing's ever happened to anybody I know.

Well, how many people do you actually know?

C'mon. Let's go get ice cream.

I'm not allowed to leave the house alone.

You wouldn't exactly be alone. You'd be with me.

I'll get it.

I should go, shouldn't I?

Whatever.

I have to finish my work.

You're older than me, right?

Not so much older.

Do you remember my mother?

She passed away before my family moved here.

Your dad used to talk about her some.

I've been remembering things about her.

From when I was little.

So, who were you praying to at the shrine yesterday?

Were you praying to your mom?

Of course not.

Well, she might still be here.

She might be listening.

I don't even know if I believe in that stuff.

Then what were you doing at the shrine yesterday?

I don't know.

It's what people do.

Your mom does it all the time.

Yeah, but my mom's old.

Anyway, I just remembered a few things about my mom...

I think my mom used to sing this song to me...

What the hell are you doing?

I dunno.

Shit.

Hey!

Why's the gate locked, Chan?

Thong!

If you're thinking about hiding that guy,

I've already seen him, so come on.

Is my uncle suddenly okay with you having a boyfriend?

Don't tell my dad, okay?

You can go home now, lover boy.

He's not my-

Right. Of course, he's not.

He's the good kid from the neighborhood,

that sneaks in when your dad's away, right?

I'm so sorry, miss.

It's not like that.

Come on. Help me lift these.

The baskets are heavy today.

You know, it's shameful to sneak boys in,

when your father's not here.

Thong's been my friend since we were little kids.

Then you should both know better.

How many baskets are there?

C'mon. Let's put it in the car.

I'm not saying you shouldn't have a boyfriend.

You're old enough. You're twenty something already.

You probably should have one.

I turned twenty-two last year.

Ever since your mom died, your dad worries about you.

I mean, you have the same heart problem...

I know, I know.

I know your father doesn't like you going out.

But I'll talk him into letting me take you sometime.

How's that sound?

You always say that, but you never do.

I mean it this time.

Come on, darling, don't be afraid.

It's just a puppy.

Come on.

Damn.

He sure likes that, doesn't he?

Dad?

Dad?

Is that you?

Mommy?

Are you really here, mom?

Chan. Open the door.

Where's the box?

What box?

Chanthaly.

I know you took the box from my room.

Where is it?

Under the vanity.

What did you take out of here?

Nothing.

Chan.

I couldn't remember what mom's face looked like.

So you looked at the old photos?

Yes.

What else did you take?

Nothing. I didn't take anything else.

Why aren't there any photos of mom and me together?

Did you put the photos back in the box?

All of them?

Yes.

Dad?

Why were you sleeping in?

Don't you have work to do?

I think that I saw...

Mom.

I think I saw her in the house and I could feel a...

And I couldn't remember what her face looked like.