School Teacher on Vacation
 
By Bunkong Tuon
 
 
She is in her late twenties. Not yet married.
Maybe she wants children, someday soon.
It is hot in this time of year.
And the men are out, shirtless, tanned, and cut.
 
She is a teacher at a local school.
She dreamed of making a change in the world.
Now, she dreams of summer vacations,
And making trips like this down South.
 
He comes up to her with his confident smile,
She is uncomfortable at first; it's been a while,
But he knows the language, and he is quick:
He invites her upstairs to his room.
 
She does not remember what it was she came for.
She smiles when she feels his member growing in her hands.
In the moment of his ecstasy, she sees her own reflection.
She pushes him off, locks herself in the restroom and weeps.
 
He apologizes and asks her what is the matter.
She says nothing and that she is all right.
She unlocks the restroom door and excuses herself.
He is relieved that she has left his apartment.
 
In her room, she is packing up her belongings.
She puts everything in the suitcase except the books.
They don’t tell her how lonely her life can get.
These books only tell of their authors' nervous breakdowns.
 

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