Inside Out And Back Again

The ship travels down a river toward the sea. Conditions are difficult as they try to escape undetected; no lights or cooking means that initially refugees must rely on the food stashes they brought with them. Once Hà’s moldy rice from home is gone, she notices the good smells of sardines and sesame of the family near them, but Mother will not allow her to ask to share. When Hà must use the bathroom, she sees the bright, clean facilities of the captain’s cabin.

Once the vessel is at sea and heading toward Thailand, refugees get three servings of cooked rice and a cup of water each day. The captain says rescuers are looking for them. Brother Quang tutors younger students after the first week, and Brother Vũ, inspired by his love of Bruce Lee, teaches them kicks and punches. Hà takes their instruction but dreams of tasty food and simple pleasures she misses like napping and wearing “clean nightclothes / smelling of the sun” (82).

There are no bathrooms; refugees must relieve themselves behind a sheet off the side of the boat. There are no showers; even taking that into account, however, a terrible stink begins to emanate from Brother Khôi. Soon Brother Vũ discovers the dead body of the chick in Brother Khôi’s pocket. Brother Khôi cries out in grief and goes up to the deck to calm down with Brother Quang.

At the two-week mark of their refugee voyage, the passengers watch a flag-lowering ceremony that symbolizes the official end of the country of South Vietnam. Some passengers are in tears or crying out. Hà takes Brother Khôi to an empty spot at the ship’s rail; she lets the dead chick, tied up in Mother’s handkerchief with her mouse-bitten doll, fall into the water. Khôi seems to accept this burial for his beloved chick, but Hà laments her action once the doll is gone.

One night the captain fears discovery by the Communist Army, and all sit in dark silence without engines. The captain decides to continue to Thailand on one engine only, and so downsizes the rice and water rations due to the slower pace. Mother points out one evening to Hà that the moon doesn’t change, and that perhaps Father sees it as well wherever he is.

An American ship finds them and begins to tow the vessel. The American sailors carry food onto the refugee ship. More food arrives from the refugee ship’s own holds, as there is no need to ration now. There is enough water now for Hà to bathe. Soon Hà sees land in the distance; small boats take the refugees from the ship. Hà is fascinated by a sailor’s blond, fuzzy arm hair and pulls one strand, earning a smack from Mother and rapid translated excuses for her behavior from Brother Quang. The sailor just laughs and Hà smiles.

On the island of Guam, the family sees many refugee tents and a common eating area. Brother Vũ volunteers to help serve the corn beef hash; he also manages to take a whole large can of fruit cocktail for Mother, Hà, and the brothers, which everyone in the family prefers to the other refugee food options.