Finding a Family

Chapter 12

Term: dilemma

Since Le Ly was without a job, she had been offered a job as a waitress. It was through this job that she had met a man named Jim. She showed him where she worked and Jim had come to watch her work and she had said this, "I told him I had learned, if nothing else, that a "regular life"-one with work and wages and self-respect-if not very glamorous, was for me." After talking to Le Ly, Jim had said that he was looking in Danang for a woman who would take care of him, and that woman was Le Ly. She was hesitant at first because of how fast things were moving, like in the war. Also, Le Ly was still hurt by her experience with Red. However, Le Ly and Jim lived happily together, but Le Ly kept having a recurring dream that haunted each time she dreamt it. The dream involved Jim driving a jeep, but he would not slow down no matter how loudly Le Ly cried. After these dreams is when Jim started to exhibit alarming behavior. Jim had been out drinking quite a bit with his friends and one night he had come home and was choking Le Ly. She was struggling for air and trying to break free from Jim's grip. The next day Le Ly had told a man in a jeep what happened to her that night and he drove her to a station. Jim was then relocated and had to move away from Le Ly. Once again, someone in Le Ly's life disappointed her and left her lonely. Throughout the past few chapters, Le Ly has had a recurring dilemma. She is left alone and without a man for her son to look up to. Le Ly has struggled with finding someone who can care for her and her son. However, whenever someone else comes into her life, she tries to be as open as she can. Le Ly is trying very hard to create a better life for her son and herself.