Chapter 17

In the movies, the hero jumps off a burning boat before the bomb blows up in a couple minutes, and gets to swim to the shore in safety, but in reality, I feel like I jump off a burning boat and get to float in triumph for a few seconds before I see the alligator.

That's life for you.

Before we came to America, we thought we had our goals figured out. Everything was clear and straight. But look at us now, going down detours and dead-ends while trying to beat the odds.

Clarice and Elise both took the day off work to help me. Although Karmen was unemployed, she still insisted that it was also her day off from her day offs. And with Ms. McHugh, we completely emptied the deli.

The sooner we got the work done, the less chan