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Thank You by Heather Nagami

Why, thank you for the compliment! Yes, I do speak well, don't I? I've studied hard these 24 years, well, 23 if you don't count that mindless baby talk. And no, I don't speak my own language, but thank you for your concern. I'm sure it is very much your business. I know it is a shame. But I'll promise you one thing. I'll learn someday! Yes! I thought that would make you happy. And, I think you're so right; I will need it when I go back. Oh, how I long to go back! Where everyone's hair is black, eyes are brown, and they think I'm just as much a foreigner as you think I am. And, may I ask, what ethnic background are you? Oh, regular? Yes, it must be boring to be so normal. I agree that a beautiful accent like your sister-in-law's would make you seem so much more interesting. But you do enjoy ethnic foods? Well, that's a start. I mainly like California rolls, kappa maki (the cucumber rolls), and tamago, you know-the egg one? American sushi? I guess you could call it that. Oh, you think so? Maybe, maybe I'm not Japanese. I'm sure they do all love raw fish. I bet they eat it everyday as they sit on their mechanical toilets with buckteeth and slanty eyes, saying "Ahhh, soooo". Oh, you think that's funny? What do you think "Heathers" look like? And I'm more like a "Li", your Asian sister-in-law? Now that I think of it, that does match my last name much better. How could my parents have been so foolish? I wonder if it's related to the Internment Camps. Dad went in as Koichi and came out as George. You should have been there to tell my dad, then seven years old, that simply changing his name wouldn't make him American. My sister just changed her name also. When she married, her last name became Tan. Her first name is Kimber, but feel free to call her Amy. Well, it was great meeting you. Yeah, sayanara! And I won't forget to tell grandfather what you said. He's spent a lifetime perfecting the design for those damn reliable cars of ours.