This is from Angie Chau's collection of short stories about the experiences of Vietnamese immigrants as they try to fit into the United States. In this story, a father struggles with both his memories of the boat ride away from Vietnam and with the casual attitude toward his daughter displayed by his co-workers.

It was short but intense and evocative. I'd like to read more by her and have ordered the full book of the same title, Quiet As They Come.

This story was originally published as "The Mailman" in The Santa Clara Review. ( )