Stuff

"Bok! You're driving too fast!"

TL is shotgun. I'm at the back. Bok is driving and driving too fast.

To our left, the mountain full of rubble. To our right, a pit. The car is like the devil, zigzagging around the zigzag road.

The windows are closed but everyone's hair is flying. Mine is whipping behind me like the wings they say they look like. My hair is beating on my back and shoulders like a distressed conscience. Flap, flap, flap, says my hair.

I should be scared but it's funny. It's funny because Bok is laughing and for all his crazy driving, he's never been in an accident if you don't count that dog he killed a long time ago.

Bok says, "Okay, everyone, we're coming to a stop. Hold on to the Stuff."

What Stuff?

The car's full of it. Packages, boxes, containers of Stuff.

The car stops, at the edge of the cliff. We jerk forward. Me, TL, Bok and the Stuff.

We grab what we can.

Nothing falls off. We look wide-eyed at each other. Whew. Then we burst out laughing.

This is when I think to ask, "Bok, nasan si Jill?"

***

Oh my God, where did all these people come from? If you think I am cleaning this house, and don't tell me this is my house because look at it, it just isn't, you're so wrong.

Fine, okay, I'll start with this bathroom. Where's Fe? What is she doing by the river? Gathering stones? Well she's lost it and I think I have too! We don't live by the river. See, I told you this isn't my house.

So this room with the adjacent bath is ready. Someone can sleep here. All those rooms I have to clean! Don't even ask me what I'm going to cook for dinner!

I don't know what to do next! It's too hard! I can't!

Who are these people? They're not my guests! This is not my house! I am not cleaning another part of it!

***

Daddy says, "Would you give me a present? I want a radio."

I say, "Uh, okay. What for?"

"I like radios."

"Uh, sure. I'm going to find you the perfect radio."

"You're such a good daughter."

Daddy has never asked me for anything. Anything! This request is making me nervous. I will have to talk to Mama about it.