from letter to "story", regarding Monga

Dear Monga,
Remember when I emailed you that I couldn't afford rent for my apartment and had to move out? I didn't know what to do next. You said I could move in with you. So, I did. The next day. You watched as I moved heavy boxes of books into the basement. "That's too heavy for you", you said over and over as I ignored you and kept going. I think you and I both knew that I didn't want to move into your house, but that I was grateful to you for taking me in. But, just in case you weren't aware of my gratitude...Thank you for taking me in.
Love,
Jodie Anne


I was still recovering from the flu when I shut the door to my apartment and read the eviction notice posted there. Options of where to go, what to do, raced through my mind. I coughed, blew my nose and cried. Monga was my only real option. I used the 3-block walk to campus to gear myself up for the begging she'd wring out of me. Her "yes" would be waiting for just the right dramatic moment. And then: "I supPOSE. If you have nowhere ELSE to go." Translation: "I'm so lonely and have always wanted all you kids with me, anyway. Of COURSE you can live here! Stay for the rest of your life!"

After class, I got online to see if Monga and I could chat through instant messaging. This seemed easier than hearing her voice. I could skim the difficult parts. The next day, I was moving in.

Monga watched as I lugged heavy boxes of books to the basement where I'd be staying (the window-less dungeon). "That's too heavy for you", she'd say, hands on hips, supervising. At one point, I hauled a dresser down those 13 stairs: walking sideways and pulling the dresser, letting it thunk emphatically at each step-- my punctuation to ANOTHER "That's too heavy for you".

I don't think I said a word until I was completely finished. I sat panting on the couch in the living room. Monga came in with a glass of water for me, and a tissue (my nose was dripping and I couldn't stop sneezing). "You shouldn't have done all that yourself." I refrained from blunt sarcasms like, You obviously weren't gonna help me. "It's amazing what you can do when you have to," I said.

Monga sank into her recliner and picked up the crossword puzzle book. "I suppose."

I sat there sipping my water, ruing my new home (its loaded past and stifling secrets). "Thanks for the water," I said. "Well, I'm glad SOMEbody appreciates me around here," Monga said, solving a clue in her puzzle.