Mu.c Lu.c 00. Tu+.a cu?a Mai Tha?o 01. Mo^.t Tho+`i Xa Xu+a 02. Ho.c Tro` Que^ Be^n Ngu+o+~ng Cu+?a Ti`nh Ye^u 03. Trong Mie^`n Qua' Khu+' 04. Va`o Li'nh 05. DDe^. Nhu+'t Tha^.p Ba't DDao Phu? Thu? 06. So+.i Da^y DDi.nh Me^.nh 07. Bu+o+'c DDa^`u 08. Chie^'c DDu~a Tha^`n 09. Nga(n So^ng Ca'ch Nu'i 10. Nghie^.p Di~ 11. Mo^.t DDo+`i DDe^? Ho.c 12. DDa`i VOA ddie^?m sa'ch Mo^.t DDo+`i DDe^? Ho.c    back to top

00. TU+.A CU?A MAI THA?O

            MAI THA?O

     Tu+` tha`nh pho^' Winston-Salem, mo^.t cu`ng dda'y khua^'t la'nh cu?a tie^?u bang North Carolina to^i chu+a to+'i la^`n na`o nhu+ng hi`nh dung ddu+o+.c su+. ca'ch bie^.t ba(`n ba(.t vo+'i mo.i sinh hoa.t chi? co' o+? nhu+~ng vu`ng ta^.p trung lo+'n, co' mo^.t ba`n vie^'t tu+` nhie^`u na(m tre^n que^ ngu+o+`i dda~ du+.ng . Du+.ng la.i . Co' mo^.t nha` va(n thoa.t to+'i Hoa Ky` va` trong lu+~ thu+' dda~ vie^'t . Vie^'t la.i . Co~i vie^'t a^'y no^'i tie^'p vo+'i mo^.t kho+?i dda^`u dda~ co', ra^'t to^'t dde.p, o+? que^ nha`, chi? bi. gia'n ddoa.n bo+?i dda.i ho.a va` ddo^?i ddo+`i xa^?y ra tre^n dda^'t nu+o+'c, dda'nh da^'u no+i tha^n the^' nha` va(n ba(`ng mo^.t gia~ tu+` vi~nh vie^~n nhu+~ng na(m tha'ng lo^.ng gio' tre^n nghi`n tru`ng so'ng nu+o+'c, bo+?i nha` va(n a^'y, trong qua' khu+' va` tre^n suo^'t chie^`u da`i cuo^.c chie^'n co`n la` mo^.t si~ quan cu?a Ha?i qua^n Vie^.t Nam . To^i muo^'n no'i to+'i Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng, ca'i ba`n vie^'t dda~ ddu+o+.c du+.ng la.i, tu+'c kha('c va` trong mo^.t quye^'t ta^m va(n chu+o+ng kho^ng lay chuye^?n kho^ng ddo^?i ro+`i cu?a Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng, o+? Winston-Salem . Vo+'i hai ta'c pha^?m mo+'i hoa`n tha`nh la` truye^.n da`i MO^.T DDO+`I DDE^? HO.C va` ta^.p truye^.n MO^.T CHUYE^'N RA KHO+I ma` va`o ta^.p tha^n a'i na`y muo^'n gio+'i thie^.u cu`ng ba.n ddo.c .

     Vo+'i California no+i to^i ddang so^'ng va` nhu+ o+? tre^n dda~ no'i, North Carolina la` mo^.t ddi.a chi? xa vo+`i . Do va^.y, to^i va` Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng va^~n chi? co' thu+ tu+` va` ddie^.n thoa.i . Nhu+ng ru't nga('n la.i nhu+~ng ddu+o+`ng dda^'t va` no^'i lie^`n la.i nhu+~ng xa ca'ch, va(n chu+o+ng va^~n co' ddu+o+.c cho no' va` cho ngu+o+`i ca'i hie^.u lu+.c tuye^.t vo+`i nhu+ the^', va` tre^n ddie^?m na`y Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng chu+a ga(.p vo+'i to^i dda~ ra^'t ga^`n ra^'t tha^n . La.i tu+` la^u kia . Nha` va(n ha?i qua^n na`y, giu+~a hai la^`n ve^` be^'n dda~ co' truye^.n nga('n hay dda(ng tre^n Va(n va` dda~ nhie^`u la^`n to+'i tha(m ba'o qua'n o+? ddu+o+`ng Pha.m Ngu~ La~o . Vu+o+.t bie^?n, ddi ra kho?i nu+o+'c, ga(.p la.i Va(n tu.c ba?n o+? Hoa Ky`, qua mo^.t ho+.p ta'c vie^'t va` mo^.t ky? nie^.m vie^'t tha^n ti`nh dda~ co' vo+'i Va(n tu+` qua' khu+', Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng dda~ gu+?i cho to^i ga^`n nhu+ toa`n bo^., toa`n ta^.p nhu+~ng ba?n tha?o dda~ vie^'t, mo+'i vie^'t cu?a o^ng . Nhu+ gu+?i cho mo^.t die^~n dda`n ba.n . Va` dda'p la.i, qua nhu+~ng truye^.n nga('n cu?a o^ng, la^`n lu+o+.t, dde^`u dda(.n gio+'i thie^.u tre^n Va(n, ta.p chi' dda~ da`nh cho Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng mo^.t pha^`n dda^'t va` mo^.t co' ma(.t cu~ng tha^n ti`nh nhu+ the^' .

     DDo.c he^'t MO^.T CHUYE^'N RA KHO+I, ddo.c tie^'p to+'i MO^.T DDO+`I DDE^? HO.C, to^i tha^'y ddu+o+.c nhu+~ng gi` ? Tha^'y ddu+o+.c ma^'y ddie^`u to^i cu`ng ye^u me^'n . Tru+o+'c he^'t la` ta^'m lo`ng Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng ddo^'i vo+'i va(n chu+o+ng, o+? phi'a co' va(n chu+o+ng . DDo' la` hi`nh tha'i cu?a mo^.t ga('n bo' son sa('t, thu?y chung, qua tho+`i gian kho^ng co' ne^'p nha(n, qua ddo^?i ro+`i va^~n mo^.t ddo+`i be^`n vu+~ng . O+? ddu+o+.c vo+'i va(n chu+o+ng nhu+ va^.y dda~ la` mo^.t o+? dde.p . DDe.p va` dda^`y . Ca'i o+? kho^ng nu+?a ddu+o+`ng ddu+'t ga'nh, kho^ng lu'c co`n lu'c ma^'t, no'i ca'ch kha'c, mo^.t thu+o+`ng xuye^n o+?, mo^.t ma~i ma~i cu`ng, to? hie^.n trong va(n truye^.n Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng tha`nh mo^.t tho^'ng nha^'t va` mo^.t lie^n tu.c vie^'t tru+o+'c sau kho^ng bao gio+` thay ddo^?i, ma(.c da^`u tha^n the^' ngu+o+`i thi` dda~ kho^ng bie^'t bao nhie^u tha(ng tra^`m va` ddo^?i thay .

     DDie^`u ye^u me^'n thu+' hai, cu~ng la` ddie^`u ca('t nghi~a ta.i sao, vie^'t la.i ngay cu`ng vo+'i ba('t dda^`u la.i ddo+`i so^'ng tre^n que^ ngu+o+`i va` vie^'t ra^'t dde^`u tay, ra^'t chuye^n ca^`n, to+'i gio+` Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng mo+'i hoa`n tha`nh ddu+o+.c xong hai ta'c pha^?m . DDo' la` ca'ch vie^'t, lo^'i vie^'t Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng he^'t su+'c nghie^m chi?nh, ky~ lu+o+~ng vo^ chu+`ng . Va` nhu+ the^' vo+'i chi'nh o^ng tru+o+'c dda~ . Sa'u na(m tu.c ba?n Va(n to^i dda~ ga(.p nhie^`u truye^.n nga('n tha^.t hay . Nhu+ng o+? mo^.t so^', va^~n tie^'c la` ne^'u ta'c gia? vie^'t xong co`n chi.u kho' ddo.c la.i truye^.n mi`nh, su+?a chu+~a, mo^.t la^`n, nhie^`u la^`n, to+'i chuo^'t lo.c va(n the^? va` hoa`n chi?nh bu't pha'p, nhu+ ky~ lua^.t a^'y bao gio+` cu~ng co' o+? nhu+~ng nha` va(n lo+'n, thi` truye^.n dda~ hay co`n ddu+o+.c hay ho+n ga^'p bo^.i . Ne^n thu+o+`ng khuye^n ca'c anh em vie^'t mo+'i ddu+`ng bao gio+` ba(`ng lo`ng ngay vo+'i ba?n vie^'t la^`n dda^`u . Ma` ddo.c la.i, su+?a la.i, vie^'t la.i ne^'u ca^`n, cha^u dda'o, tu+`ng gio`ng tu+`ng ddoa.n . Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng kho^ng bao gio+` pha?i nha^.n o+? to^i lo+`i khuye^n a^'y . Nhu+~ng ba?n tha?o o^ng gu+?i ddi, dda'nh ma'y ra^'t dde.p, trang na`o cu~ng hoa`n chi?nh nhu+ mo^.t trang sa'ch dda~ in cho tha^'y ti'nh cha^'t chung quye^'t cu?a ba?n va(n sau khi ddo.c la.i nhie^`u la^`n, su+?a chu+~a nhie^`u la^`n . Va^.y ma` co`n co' nhu+~ng truye^.n to^i nha^.n ddu+o+.c ro^`i, va`i tua^`n sau la.i nha^.n ddu+o+.c the^m ba?n mo+'i, ye^u ca^`u hu?y bo? ba?n cu~ vi` mo^.t dda^`u truye^.n, mo^.t cuo^'i truye^.n va^~n tha^'y la` chu+a ddu+o+.c va` dda~ vie^'t la.i, co' truye^.n so hai ba?n vie^'t vo+'i nhau la` mo^.t vie^'t la.i hoa`n toa`n . To^i ra^'t u+ng y' ve^` no^? lu+.c kho^ng ngu+`ng dda.t to+'i hoa`n chi?nh a^'y cu?a Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng . Tha^'y ddo' la` mo^.t phong ca'ch nha` va(n .

     DDie^`u ye^u me^'n sau cu`ng, lo+'n ho+n hai ddie^`u ye^u me^'n tru+o+'c, la` ma(.c da^`u dda~ mu+o+`i ma^'y na(m tro^i da.t, mo^.t tro^i da.t ra^'t de^~ da`ng dda^?y va`o tha^'t la.c, ma(.c da^`u Vie^.t Nam dda~ nghi`n da(.m, que^ nha` dda~ nghi`n tru`ng, ba`n vie^'t Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng, giu+~a tho^? ngo+i lu+~ thu+' xa la., va^~n dda(.t ddu+o+.c va`o ddu'ng hu+o+'ng ddu'ng ta^`m vo+'i gio^'ng no`i va` dda^'t nu+o+'c o+? xa . Kho^ng bao gio+` to^i xa, cha(?ng bao gio+` to^i que^n, cha(?ng bao gio+` to^i kha'c . The^' gio+'i co' nghi`n bie^?n nghi`n tro+`i nhu+ng to^i chi? co' va` chi? so^'ng vo+'i mo^.t tro+`i mo^.t bie^?n . Toa`n bo^. va(n truye^.n Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng dda~ no'i cho Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng nhu+ va^.y . No'i mo^.t Vie^.t Nam toa`n pha^`n, trong ta^m trong ho^`n . No'i mo^.t dda^'t nu+o+'c va^~n ho+i tho+? va^~n ma'u ho^`ng, trong lo`ng trong da. . Du`ng mo^.t hi`nh a?nh cu?a dda.i du+o+ng, tre^n ddo' co' ddo+`i so^'ng, qua' khu+' va` tri' nho+' Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng tra?i ro^.ng, thi` la` mo^.t ha?i tri`nh da^~u dde^m to^'i va` gio^ng ba~o, da^~u phu+o+ng hu+o+'ng mi.t mu`ng va` so+n cu`ng thu?y ta^.n, ha?i tri`nh a^'y va^~n tu+` mo^.t be^'n dda^.u va` tro+? ve^` be^'n dda^.u .

     Nhu+~ng ngu+o+`i da^n la`nh cu?a mo^.t vu`ng bie^?n ma(.n va` nhu+~ng kinh ddo^.ng tu+`ng lu'c cu?a chie^'n tho+`i da`i tha(?m trong Gio`ng So^ng Cu?a Tu`ng . Ngu+o+`i li'nh tre?, ca'i khuo^n ma(.t die^~m le^. tan na't cu?a ti`nh ye^u, giu+~a nhu+~ng vui buo^`n dda^`u ddo+`i la`m tha`nh ky? nie^.m, la`m tha`nh vo^'n so^'ng, trong Tha`nh Pho^' Va` Qua^n Tru+o+`ng . Nhu+~ng hi`nh a?nh, nhu+~ng ca?nh tu+o+.ng kha'c cu?a cuo^.c chie^'n to+'i mo^.t tho+`i ky` dda~ ki'n tru`m tha^n the^', lu+?a dda.n, ca'i che^'t va` tuye^'n dda^`u ddo? lu+?a be^n ca.nh ddie^'u thuo^'c la' va` chai ru+o+.u ma.nh cu?a ddo+`i so^'ng thu+o+`ng nha^.t, trong Mu`a DDo^ng Va` Con DDu+o+`ng . Mu+a, gio', nhu+~ng con ddu+o+`ng la^`y lo^.i, su+. buo^'t la.nh cu?a tro+`i dda^'t ho+.p nha^.p vo+'i su+. buo^'t la.nh cu?a lo`ng ngu+o+`i trong Cho^~ He.n . DDi.a danh nhu+~ng ha?i tri`nh, be^'n bo+` nhu+~ng gio`ng so^ng trong Be^'n Ca.n, trong Ha.m Tru+o+?ng Va` Ngo.c . To^i vu+`a da^~n chu+'ng mo^.t so^' truye^.n trong MO^.T CHUYE^'N RA KHO+I . Ro^`i to+'i toa`n the^? nhu+~ng tha'ng na(m, nhu+~ng cha(.ng ddoa.n dda~ tra?i qua va` ke^? la.i trong MO^.T DDO+`I DDE^? HO.C . DDe^? chu+'ng ve^` ca'i be^'n dda^.u mo^.t ddo+`i kho^ng ro+`i bo? cu?a Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng, vo+'i mo^.t ba`n vie^'t du+.ng o+? dda^u thi` cu~ng la` pha^`n dda^'t que^ hu+o+ng, vo+'i mo^.t hu+o+'ng vie^'t hu+o+'ng to+'i hu+o+'ng na`o thi` cu~ng tu+` mo^.t ta^m the^? Vie^.t Nam ma` vie^'t .

     DDie^`u muo^'n no'i cuo^'i cho't vo+'i va`o ta^.p: tri' nho+' Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng la^'p la'nh, tha^.t to^'t . Chu+a lo.t, chu+a tru`ng . O+? tu+`ng ca'i nho?, o+? tu+`ng chi tie^'t . Nhu+ng dde^? to+'i ddu+o+.c mo^.t the^? hie^.n trong sa'ng va` to^'t dde.p o+? va(n chu+o+ng, no' co`n thie^'u cho no' mo^.t xe^'p dda(.t tinh te^', mo^.t ga.n lo.c ca^`n thie^'t . Mo^.t khoa?ng ca'ch nu+~a, dde^? tha^'y ro~ ho+n va` lo+'n ro^.ng ho+n, tu+`ng ddo^'i tu+o+.ng . Bo+?i chu+a ne^n o+? nhie^`u ddoa.n, nhie^`u khu'c la` nhu+~ng ro^'i ra('m, nhu+~ng chen la^~n kho^ng a(n nha^.p cu?a mo^.t tri' nho+' qua' cho^`ng cha^'t, the^m va`o la` nhu+~ng nga('t ddoa.n, chuye^?n ddoa.n, dda?o lo^.n tra^.t tu+. tho+`i gian su+? du.ng ho+i nhie^`u, khie^'n ngu+o+`i ddo.c kho' theo do~i, kho' tie^'p nha^.n, va` kho^ng pha^n nha^.n ddu+o+.c dda^u la` nhu+~ng pha^`n chi'nh ye^'u ta'c gia? muo^'n du+`ng la.i va` nhu+~ng pha^`n thu+' ye^'u muo^'n chi? lu+o+'t nhanh qua .

     Khuye^'t ddie^?m nho? na`y chi? la` mo^.t khuye^'t ddie^?m ky~ thua^.t, ra^'t kho' tra'nh o+? ca'c ta'c pha^?m dda^`u . Va` cu~ng ra^'t de^~ kha('c phu.c, nha^'t la` vo+'i Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng ma` mo^'i quan ta^m ha`ng dda^`u la` ta.o cho va(n the^? mi`nh ca`ng nga`y ca`ng to+'i ddu+o+.c vu+~ng va`ng va` hoa`n chi?nh . Nhu+ chi'nh o^ng dda~ no'i vo+'i to^i nhie^`u la^`n . Va(n chu+o+ng dda~ ra kho+i ro^`i . Tha^n a'i chu'c Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng co`n ddu+a no' to+'i ddu+o+.c tha^.t nhie^`u nhu+~ng be^'n bo+` to^'t dde.p .

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01. MO^.T THO+`I XA XU+A

            NGUYE^~N TA^'N HU+NG

     Nga`y Hu`ng sinh ra la` nga`y chie^'n tranh cha^'m du+'t . Hu`ng ra ddo+`i nhu+ mo^.t vi` cu+'u tinh cu?a nha^n loa.i . Hu`ng hay ddu`a vo+'i mi`nh nhu+ va^.y . Tha^.t ra cu~ng co' chu't tru`ng ho+.p vi` Hu`ng sinh va`o na(m cuo^'i cu`ng cu?a the^' chie^'n thu+' hai . Ro~ ho+n, Hu`ng sinh nha(`m nga`y "chie^'n tha('ng A^u cha^u," nga`y Hitler dda^`u ha`ng DDo^`ng Minh . Ma(.c du` ma~i sau na`y Hu`ng mo+'i bie^'t, nhu+ng tho+`i ddo', tho+`i Hu`ng mo+'i lo+'n, mie^`n nam Vie^.t Nam co`n chia la`m hai mu+o+i mo^'t ti?nh, dde.p nhu+ mo^.t ba`i tho+ la`m Hu`ng de^~ nho+':

     Gia Cha^u Ha` Ra.ch Tra`
     Sa Be^'n Long Ta^n So'c
     Thu? Ta^y Bie^n My~ Ba`
     Cho+. Vi~nh Go` Ca^`n Ba.c, Ca^'p

     Gia DDi.nh, Cha^u DDo^'c, Ha` Tie^n, Ra.ch Gia', Tra` Vinh . Sa DDe'c, Be^'n Tre, Long Xuye^n, Ta^n An, So'c Tra(ng . Thu? Da^`u Mo^.t, Ta^y Ninh, Bie^n Ho`a, My~ Tho, Ba` Ri.a . Cho+. Lo+'n, Vi~nh Long, Go` Co^ng, Ca^`n Tho+, Ba.c Lie^u . Va` Ca^'p tu+'c Vu~ng Ta`u . Sau na`y, ma^'y ai bie^'t co' bao nhie^u ti?nh o+? mie^`n Nam . Nhie^`u ti?nh ddo^?i tha`nh qua^.n, nhie^`u qua^.n ddo^?i tha`nh ti?nh, nhie^`u ti?nh bi. ddo^?i te^n xo'a te^n tre^n ba?n ddo^` va` cu~ng co' nhie^`u ti?nh mo+'i mo.c le^n . Thoa.t dda^`u nghe kho^ng ho+.p tai, Thu? Da^`u Mo^.t ra Bi`nh Du+o+ng, Be^'n Tre ra Kie^'n Ho`a, My~ Tho ra DDi.nh Tu+o+`ng ... nhu+ng nghe rie^'t ro^`i cu~ng quen . Ma^'y la^`n ddo'ng qua^n mie^.t Tra` Cu', DDu+'c Ho`a, DDu+'c Hue^., Hu`ng co' di.p cho.c ma^'y tha(`ng ba.n ba?n xu+':

     - Ha^.u Nghi~a, Kie^'n Tu+o+`ng ... ca'i ti?nh sanh sau dde? muo^.n cu?a tu.i ma`y co' ca'i te^n mo+'i nghe dda~ tha^'y ba^`n co^' no^ng ro^`i, la`m sao ma` so sa'nh vo+'i nhu+~ng ti?nh co' bo^'n nga`n na(m va(n hie^'n nhu+ My~ Tho, Ca^`n Tho+ cu?a tu.i tao ddu+o+.c .

     Ma` thie^.t ti`nh, ti?nh My~ Tho cu?a Hu`ng xu+a nay va^~n la` mo^.t ti?nh co' tie^'ng va` cu~ng la` ti?nh duy nha^'t o+? mie^`n ddo^`ng ba(`ng co' ddu+o+`ng ra^`y xe lu+?a ddi Sa`i Go`n . Co' ca'i hay o+? cho^~ ddo' ma` ro^`i cu~ng bi. nha` Ngo^ go+~ ddi .

     Di ti'ch co^? nhu+'t cu?a My~ Tho co' le~ la` chu`a Vi~nh Tra`ng, mo^.t co^ng tri`nh kie^'n tru'c ddu+o+.c xa^y ca^'t va`o khoa?ng 1840-1842, tho+`i Thie^.u Tri. . Nhu+~ng khu kha'c nhu+ khu Vu+o+`n La`i, cho+. Cu~, be^'n Ta('m Ngu+.a, chu`a Cha` Va`, ca^`u Quay, be^'n ddo` ty co^ng an, chu`a Pha^.t A^n, nha` tho+` Lo+'n, Ba('t-tam-ba(ng, dda`i chie^'n si~, lo` heo, ca^y xa(ng, ca^`u Ba('c, dda^'t tha'nh Ta^y, bo't so^' ta'm, be^'n xe Mo+'i, be^'n xe Cu~, Vo`ng Nho?, Vo`ng Lo+'n ... cu~ng dda^u co' gi` dda(.c bie^.t . Ho.a cha(ng la` hai ca'i gie^'ng nu+o+'c . DDu'ng va^.y, kho^ng co' tha`nh pho^' na`o o+? mie^`n Nam ma` co' mo^.t gie^'ng lo+'n nhu+ va^.y . Ma` ta.i sao kho^ng go.i la` ho^` nhu+ ho^` Chung Thu?y be^n Be^'n Tre cha(?ng ha.n . Ho^` nghe lo+'n ho+n gie^'ng nhu+ng dda(`ng na`y gie^'ng lo+'n ho+n ho^`, tru+o+`ng ho+.p ngoa.i le^. . Gie^'ng cha('c cu~ng la^u ddo+`i, co' le~ ddu+o+.c dda`o lu'c ti?nh mo+'i tha`nh la^.p, tho+`i Ta? qua^n Le^ va(n Duye^.t xa^y tha`nh DDi.nh Tu+o+`ng, tha`nh Nam Vang .

     Gie^'ng chu+'a nu+o+'c ngo.t cho ca? tha`nh pho^' trong mu`a gio' nam vi` nu+o+'c bie^?n ngu+o+.c do`ng Cu+?u Long len lo?i va`o ta^.n dda^y . Mu`a nu+o+'c ngo.t cha(?ng ai the`m dde^? y', qua mu`a nu+o+'c ma(.n mo+'i tha^'y mu+.c nu+o+'c gie^'ng tha^'p da^`n . Khoa?ng mu+o+`i na(m gie^'ng ddu+o+.c tu bo^? su+?a sang mo^.t la^`n . Nu+o+'c ddu+o+.c bo+m ra va` gie^'ng ddu+o+.c pho+i kho^ . Mo^.t ma`n ba('t ca', mo` o^'c ga.o, nghe^u, so` ... ro^`i mo+'i to+'i co^ng ta'c dda`o gie^'ng, dda`o sa^u the^m dde^? chu+'a the^m nu+o+'c . Gie^'ng tro+? tha`nh mo^.t mo? lo^. thie^n va` co^ng nha^n la`m dda^'t nhung nhu'c nhu+ ba^`y kie^'n . DDa`o mo^.t hai thu+o+'c ma` ma^'t ddo^i ba tha'ng, xong, xa? nu+o+'c vo^, ddo^i ba tha'ng sau nu+o+'c va^~n co`n ho^i mu`i bu`n, vi. chi pha?i ma^'t nu+?a na(m gie^'ng mo+'i tro+? la.i ti`nh tra.ng bi`nh thu+o+`ng ...

     Da^n chu'ng so^'ng xung quanh gie^'ng ddu+o+.c quye^`n xa`i nu+o+'c gie^'ng nhu+ng kho^ng ddu+o+.c ta('m gie^'ng, ca?nh sa't ba('t . Ngoa.i tru+` dda'm ho.c tro`, nhu+'t qui? nhi` ma, dda~ mang danh la` ha`ng thu+' ba thi` ma(.c du` ca?nh sa't co' ru+o+.t, ho.c tro` co' cha.y, la^u la^u cu~ng pha?i ta('m gie^'ng tru+a tru+o+'c khi ddi ho.c hay cu~ng ta('m gie^'ng chie^`u tru+o+'c khi ddi pho^' . Va` no'i dde^'n ho.c tro` thi` pha?i ke^? dde^'n tru+o+`ng trung ho.c Nguye^~n DDi`nh Chie^?u, cu~ng la^u ddo+`i, co' le~ chi? sau tru+o+`ng Bu+o+?i o+? Ha` No^.i va` tru+o+`ng Pe'trus Ky' o+? Sa`i Go`n ve^` phu+o+ng die^.n tha^m nie^n .

     Ti?nh My~ Tho co' na(m qua^.n: Ca'i Be`, Cai La^.y, Cha^u Tha`nh, Be^'n Tranh va` Cho+. Ga.o . Trong na(m qua^.n, qua^.n Cho+. Ga.o co' le~ la` qua^.n nho? nhu+'t, nghe`o nhu+'t . Nhi`n ca'i nha` lo^`ng cho+. thi` ddu? bie^'t, chi? lo+'n ba(`ng hai ca'i ddi`nh . Na(m qua^.n na(`m do.c theo so^ng Tie^`n Giang va` hi`nh nhu+ ca`ng xa ra bie^?n da^n cu+ ca`ng nghe`o . Con ga'i la^'y cho^`ng ve^` mie^.t ga^`n bie^?n na`y thi` bi. che^, la^'y cho^`ng ddi le^n chu+' ai la^'y cho^`ng ddi xuo^'ng . Mi`nh lo+~ sinh ra trong vu`ng na`y thi` cu~ng ma('c to^.i la^y, co~ng nghe`o ddem lie^.ng vo^ bu+ng, cong lu+ng vu.t cha.y e^ ... e^ ddu+`ng cha.y theo . Ro^`i cu~ng cha.y theo . Nhu+ng co' le~ nho+` ca'i nghe`o ma` ho.c tro` vu`ng na`y la.i co' tie^'ng ho.c gio?i ... Cho dde^'n vu`ng gia'p ranh vo+'i ti?nh Go` Co^ng, vu`ng Ho`a DDo^`ng, cho+. Dinh mo+'i tha^'y da^n cu+ ddo^ng ddu'c, ddo+`i so^'ng tru` phu' tro+? la.i . Pha^`n lo+'n ba` con be^n ngoa.i, ma^'y ca^.u ma^'y di` cu?a Hu`ng o+? vu`ng na`y .

     DDo^' anh con ri't ma^'y chu+n
     Ca^`u O^ ma^'y nhi.p, cho+. Dinh ma^'y ngu+o+`i
     Ma^'y ngu+o+`i ba'n a'o con trai
     Cho+. trong ba'n chi?, cho+. ngoa`i ba'n kim

     Cho+. Dinh ddo^ng ngu+o+`i chen chu+n nhu+ chu+n ri't ? Co`n ca^`u O^ co' pha?i la` ca^`u dden na(`m giu+~a DDo^`ng So+n va` cho+. Dinh ? Ca^`u so+n dden, sau na`y co`n ke^u la` ca^`u Sa^.p, bo+?i vi` bi. Vie^.t Minh giu+.t sa^.p . Va` ta.i sao ba'n a'o con trai, ba'n chi? ba'n kim ?

     Qua^.n Cho+. Ga.o ddu+o+.c chia la`m na(m xa~: Ho`a DDi.nh, Bi`nh Phan, Bi`nh Phu.c Nhu+'t, Bi`nh Phu.c Nhi` va` An Tha.nh Thu?y . Ngoa.i tru+` xa~ An Tha.nh Thu?y gia'p ranh vo+'i ti?nh Be^'n Tre, co`n bo^'n xa~ kia na(`m do.c theo kinh Cho+. Ga.o, con kinh no^'i lie^`n mie^`n Tie^`n Giang va` Sa`i Go`n qua kinh Nu+o+'c Ma(.n mie^.t Go` Co^ng va` so^ng Lo`ng Ta?o mie^.t Vu~ng Ta`u . No'i dde^'n kinh Cho+. Ga.o thi` pha?i no'i dde^'n ba('c Cho+. Ga.o tre^n ti?nh lo^. 21 My~ Tho-Go` Co^ng, loa.i ba('c ke'o tay, ddo^i khi la`m tro+? nga.i lu+u tho^ng cho ca? ddu+o+`ng thu?y la^~n ddu+o+`ng bo^. . Mo^~i la^`n ta`u to+'i, pha?i xa? da^y ca'p chi`m xuo^'ng dda'y cho ta`u qua, tha('ng ta`u kho^ng a(n la('m ne^n ta`u co' quye^`n u+u tie^n . Co`i xu'p-le^ ba'o ddo^.ng tu+` dda(`ng xa va` nha^n co^ng ke'o ba('c pha?i nha('m chu+`ng va^.n to^'c cu?a ta`u ma` la`m vie^.c . Nhie^`u lu'c u+o+'c lu+o+.ng sai, pha?i xa? da^y ca'p kha^?n ca^'p khi ba('c ddang o+? giu+~a do`ng, ngu+o+`i va` xe le^nh dde^nh tro^i da.t va`o bo+` ca? tie^'ng sau mo+'i ve^` ddu+o+.c be^'n . Ma~i dde^'n lu'c sa('p ve^` nu+o+'c co^ng binh My~ mo+'i ca^'t ddu+o+.c ca^`u Cho+. Ga.o . Tha^.t la` tie^.n lo+.i, xe qua ca^`u ma(.c da^`u cu~ng pha?i ddo'ng tie^`n nhu+ng kho^ng pha?i cho+` ddo+.i, ta`u ghe du+o+'i kinh qua la.i cu~ng kho^ng ca^`n pha?i ha. co^.t buo^`m vi` mo'ng ca^`u tha^.t cao . Chi? to^.i cho be^'n pha`, bi. bo? que^n, tro+? tha`nh hoang la.nh im va('ng, cu`ng chung so^' pha^.n vo+'i hai ca^y co^.t da^y the'p le? loi buo^`n te? su+`ng su+~ng be^n tro+`i, da^'u ve^'t cu?a Ta^y dde^? la.i . Do.c hai bo+` kinh Ta^y cu~ng la`m lo^., lo't dda' ong hoa(.c dda' ddo?, cho xe cha.y . DDe^'n lu'c Vie^.t Minh no^?i da^.y thi` lo^. bi. ca('t, ca^`u bi. sa^.p ddu+o+`ng lo+'n bie^'n tha`nh ddu+o+`ng mo`n, ro^`i nhie^`u ddoa.n ma^'t hu't trong ru+`ng ca^y .

     Hu`ng sinh ra o+? xa~ Bi`nh Phu.c Nhu+'t . Muo^'n to+'i xa~ chi? co' hai ddu+o+`ng, ddu+o+`ng thu?y ba(`ng kinh Cho+. Ga.o, ddu+o+`ng bo^. ba(`ng con lo^. dda' ddo? xua^'t pha't tu+` ti?nh lo^. 21, co`n con ddu+o+`ng do.c theo bo+` kinh thi` da`nh rie^ng cho Vie^.t Co^.ng . Ne^'u ddi ddu+o+`ng bo^., ddo^. nu+?a chu+`ng lo^. dda' ddo?, thi` ai cu~ng nga.c nhie^n vi` hai to`a nha` ddo^` so^. mo.c le^n giu+~a ddo^`ng, nha` co' ho^` ta('m tre^n sa^n thu+o+.ng co' ca'i tu.c danh la` la^`u Co^-Ta'm-Co^-Chi'n . Co^ Ta'm, co^ Chi'n co' cho^`ng Ta^y dda~ ve^` Ta^y ma^'y mu+o+i ddo+`i Ta^y ro^`i, tha`nh thu+? la^`u bi. bo? hoang, su.p ddo^?, ba^y gio+` chi? co`n la` cho^~ nghi? cha^n cu?a dda'm tre? cha(n tra^u . Ma^'y la^`n ba ma' Hu`ng bao xe ngu+.a ve^` tha(m que^ trong di.p Te^'t, cuo^'i tha^.p nie^n 50, Hu`ng ca?m tha^'y bu`i ngu`i mo^~i khi ddi ngang qua dda^y .

     Kho^ng hie^?u ba ma' Hu`ng di chuye^?n ve^` xa~ Bi`nh Phan va`o na(m na`o, chi? bie^'t ra(`ng o^ng no^.i Hu`ng muo^'n ba Hu`ng ve^` dda^y la^.p nghie^.p, no^'i nghie^.p o^ng la`m nghe^` "tra.i ca^y ." Tra.i ca^y cu?a ba Hu`ng ca^'t ta.i Ca^`u Sa('t ca'ch cho+. qua^.n khoa?ng mo^.t ca^y so^' . Phi thu+o+ng ba^'t phu', o^ng no^.i Hu`ng no'i hoa`i ca^u no'i tre^n . Ba ma' Hu`ng ca^'t tra.i kho^ng bao la^u thi` gia ddi`nh ba` co^ Hu`ng cu~ng do.n theo, nhu+ng ve^` cho+. qua^.n, ca^'t nha` mo+? tie^.m tre^n mie^'ng dda^'t ma` ba Hu`ng mo+'i sang . Coi nhu+ cho kho^ng . Kho^ng ngo+` cu+?a tie^.m cu?a co^ Hu`ng pha't dda.t nhanh cho'ng va` tu+` tu+` tro+? tha`nh cu+?a tie^.m lo+'n nha^'t trong cho+. qua^.n, la^`u le^n hai ba tu+`ng . Co^ Hu`ng gia`u, nhu+ng dda'm cha'u nhu+ Hu`ng cu~ng cha(?ng nho+` va? ddu+o+.c gi` . Gia`u cha gia`u me. thi` ham, gia`u co^ gia`u chu' ai la`m na^'y a(n . Va? la.i co^ Hu`ng ddo^ng con la('m, mu+o+`i la(m mu+o+`i sa'u ddu+'a . DDe? dde^'n ddu+'a thu+' mu+o+`i kho^ng co`n dda(.t te^n nu+~a, cu+' ke^u so^', mu+o+`i, mu+o+`i mo^.t, mu+o+`i hai ... cho dde^'n kho^ng bie^'t mu+o+`i ma^'y thi` ba('t dda^`u dda(.t te^n tro+? la.i, Bi'ch Va^n, Bi'ch Thu?y .

     Ba Hu`ng kho^ng gia`u ddu+o+.c la` ta.i vi` o^ng ba'n chi.u nhie^`u qua', ba'n chi.u kha('p ca? la`ng kha('p ca? qua^.n . To^'i nga`y chi? vie^.c ddi ddo`i no+. cu~ng he^'t thi` gio+` . Ro^`i da^`n da^`n bi. ke.t vo^'n kho^ng pha't trie^?n ddu+o+.c . Nhie^`u tra.i cu+a ma'y no^?i le^n, tra.i mi`nh co`n cu+a tay thi` la`m sao ma` ca.nh tranh ddu+o+.c . Tuy va^.y cho^~ la`m a(n la^u cu~ng co' ca'i ti`nh, ba` con trong xa~ cu~ng co`n lui to+'i tra.i cu?a ba Hu`ng, cho ne^n gia ddi`nh Hu`ng mo+'i co`n co+ ho^.i so^'ng . Mo^~i la^`n "kie^'n su'c" tu+` Sa`i Go`n ve^` be^'n cu~ng vui la('m, cho`m xo'm dde^'n phu. ra~ be` cho ca^y chi`m xuo^'ng so^ng, pha?i co' thu+' tu+. lo+'p lang, dde^? kho?i bi. tro^i . Xong vie^.c ro^`i nha^.u nhe.t, tie^.c tu`ng . Lu'c ke'o "su'c" le^n dda` dde^? "ra~ ta`o pho^," xe? ddo^i, cu~ng va^.y . Ngu+o+`i ta du`ng da^y xie^`ng bu+. co+~ co^.t mo^.t dda^`u va`o su'c co`n dda^`u kia qua^'n va`o ba'-la(ng co' hai ca'i lo^~ to dde^? xo? hai ca^y ddo`n, ro^`i quay le^n vo`ng vo`ng theo kie^?u tra^u dda.p ra. . Mo^~i la^`n ra~-ta`o-pho^ ma` ca^y dda(.c thi` ba Hu`ng mu+`ng la('m, tha^'y co' lo+`i, co`n ca^y bo^.ng thi` may ra hue^` vo^'n . La`m nghe^` ca^y ta`i nghe^. duy nha^'t la` bie^'t lu+.a ca^y, nhie^`u ca^y be^n ngoa`i lo^~ hang va^.y ma` be^n trong dda(.c nhu+ sa'p, tra'i la.i nhie^`u ca^y be^n ngoa`i tro^ng la`nh la(.n ma` be^n trong da^.p na't cu~ng kho^ng bie^'t chu+`ng . Ca^y co' lo^~ co' hang thi` mua ddu+o+.c re? ne^n de^~ kie^'m lo+`i . Ba Hu`ng ti'nh tie^`n ba(`ng ba`n toa'n la('c ca('c le. la('m, le. ho+n la` la`m tre^n gia^'y nhie^`u . La`m tre^n gia^'y cha^.m la` vi` o^ng pha?i la^?m nha^?m ca'i cu+?u chu+o+ng chu+~ nho cu?a o^ng mo^~i la^`n o^ng vie^'t ra mo^.t con so^' . Hu`ng nghe rie^'t ro^`i cu~ng thuo^.c chu't i't, ma` no' cu~ng co' va^`n ... cu+?u cu+?u ba't nha^'t, ba't cu+?u tha^'t nhi`, tha^'t cu+?u lu.c tam, lu.c cu+?u ngu~ tu+' ... dda^u kha'c gi` chi'n la^`n chi'n ta'm mo^'t, chi'n la^`n ta'm ba?y hai ...

     Nghe^` ca^y cu?a ba Hu`ng ca`ng nga`y ca`ng xuo^'ng do^'c, ba'n chi.u ddo`i chu+a he^'t thi` dde^'n lu'c o^ng ba('t dda^`u mua chi.u o+? Sa`i Go`n, mo^~i la^`n ho. xuo^'ng ddo`i no+., co+m nu+o+'c dda~i dda(`ng ma' Hu`ng me^.t tho+? kho^ng ra ho+i . Le~ di~ nhie^n cu~ng pha?i quo+ qua`o dda^u ddo' chu't ddi?nh ma` tra? cho ho. dde^? ho. vui lo`ng ra ve^` chu+' dda^u bao gio+` tra? he^'t mo^.t la^`n .

     DDo' la` nhu+~ng na(m Hu`ng ddi ho.c so+ ho.c, tie^?u ho.c . Tru+o+`ng so+ ho.c xe'o xe'o vo+'i nha` Hu`ng be^n kia so^ng, so^ng Tham Thu, mo^.t nha'nh so^ng lo+'n cha?y va`o kinh Cho+. Ga.o . No'i la` tru+o+`ng nhu+ng thu+.c ra dda^y la` mo^.t trong nhie^`u nha` nghi? ma't cu?a o^ng Ho^.i ddo^`ng Lu+o+.ng . Nha` ne^`n ddu'c ca^'t theo kie^?u Ta^y cao ra'o ma't me? . Mo^~i nga`y ba Hu`ng pha?i la^'y xuo^`ng ddu+a Hu`ng sang so^ng va` ru+o+'c Hu`ng ve^` . Trong ca'i ca(.p da'n ba(`ng gia^'y da^`u cu?a Hu`ng chi? vo?n ve.n co' cuo^'n va^`n ABC . Qua na(m sau o^ng Ho^.i ddo^`ng la^'y nha` la.i va` Hu`ng ddu+o+ng nhie^n to^'t nghie^.p . Tru+o+`ng so+ ho.c pha?i do+`i le^n cho+. qua^.n nha^.p chung vo+'i tru+o+`ng tie^?u ho.c . Thu+.c ra dda^y cu~ng la` nha` cu?a o^ng Huye^.n la^'y la`m tru+o+`ng . Qua^.n gi` ma` nghe`o qua'! Hu`ng ba('t dda^`u theo anh chi. cu?a Hu`ng cha.y bo^. tu+` nha` dde^'n tru+o+`ng mo^~i nga`y, mo^.t ca^y so^' ddi mo^.t ca^y so^' ve^` . Hu`ng pha?i cha.y mo+'i ki.p ngu+o+`i lo+'n ddi bo^., tuy nhie^n Hu`ng cu~ng co' ca'i ca(.p dde^.m hai nga(n nhu+ ngu+o+`i lo+'n chu+' kho^ng co`n o^m ca(.p da'n ba(`ng gia^'y da^`u nu+~a .

     DDu+o+.c nu+?a na(m thi` qua^.n co' chu+o+ng tri`nh xa^y ca^'t tru+o+`ng mo+'i, tra? nha` cho o^ng huye^.n . Nu+?a buo^?i ddi ho.c nu+?a buo^?i ddi la`m tru+o+`ng, ai cu~ng pha?i ddi ke^? ca? lo+'p ddo^`ng a^'u . Tru+o+`ng ddu+o+.c du+. tru` ca^'t la`m ba da~y theo hi`nh chu+~ U vo+'i hai nha` hi`nh ba't gia'c o+? ma(.t tie^`n la`m va(n pho`ng hie^.u tru+o+?ng va` pho`ng ho.p cho tha^`y co^ . Cho^~ giao ddie^?m cu?a hai lo^'i ddi hi`nh chu+~ tha^.p se~ la` sa^n co+` co' vu+o+`n bo^ng . Bo^'n go'c co`n co' sa^n ta^.p the^? du.c the^? thao, sa^n cho+i vu~ ca^`u, bo'ng chuye^`n ... Kho^ng ngo+` du+. a'n bo^ng hi`nh coi dde.p nhu+ va^.y ma` la.i ca^'t tre^n mo^.t bi`a ru+`ng hoang va('ng . Ma^'y lo+'p nho? nhu+ Hu`ng ddi theo dde^? cho+i nhie^`u ho+n dde^? la`m nhu+ng cu~ng la` lo+'p tro^ng dde^'n gio+` ddi la`m tru+o+`ng nhie^`u nha^'t . Cha(.t ca^y pha' ru+`ng, ban go` la^'p no^?ng, ro^`i ddem tra^u ca`y le^n mo^.t ba^.n . Tha^'y ddu+o+.c mie^'ng dda^'t tro^'ng nhu+ tha^'y ddu+o+.c nu+?a ddu+o+`ng, kho^ng bao la^u nu+~a se~ xong . Ro^`i dde^'n lu+o+.t khua^n dda^'t dda^'p ne^`n, dda^'p ddu+o+`ng ddi . DDa^'t tro^.n vo+'i tra^'u, ra?i tre^n ma(.t dda^'t cho mau kho^, dda^u dda^u cu~ng tha^'y tra^'u ... Co^ng ta'c cu?a ho.c tro` cu~ng chi? dde^'n chu+`ng ddo', pha^`n co`n la.i du+.ng tru+o+`ng, lo+.p tru+o+`ng, co^.t ke`o phe^n va'ch thi` do dda'm tho+. chuye^n mo^n lo . Va`i tha'ng sau ti?nh tru+o+?ng xuo^'ng ca('t ba(ng long tro.ng kha'nh tha`nh, co' ddo^`ng ca na`y co^ng da^n o+i ddu+'ng le^n dda'p lo+`i so^ng nu'i ... va` co' ai bao na(m vi` so^ng nu'i que^n tha^n mi`nh ... Ne^`n tru+o+`ng ca`ng nga`y ca`ng kho^, nu+'t ne? ca`ng nga`y ca`ng lo+'n, ba`n ghe^' ca`ng ga^.p ghe^`nh cho^?ng dda^`u cho^?ng go.ng, va^.y ma` cha(?ng ai pha`n na`n . Ma^'y tru+o+`ng so+ ho.c quanh vu`ng la^`n la^`n ddo'ng cu+?a ta^.p trung ve^` tru+o+`ng qua^.n, ho.c tro` ca`ng nga`y ca`ng ddo^ng . Gio+` ra cho+i co' ca` rem ca^y, co' ke.o ke'o quay so^', co' nu+o+'c dda' ba`o si ro^ ... mo^.t ca('c hai ca('c cu~ng ddu? xa`i .

     Khi lo+'n le^n, mo^~i la^`n tro+? ve^` qua ma'i tru+o+`ng xu+a cu+' nhu+ co`n tha^'y bo'ng da'ng tha^`y Ba?y gia`, tha^`y Ta'm Chu+o+ng, tha^`y Chi'n Chu+o+ng, tha^`y Hoa`ng ... va` ca? anh Tu+ ca` rem ... Nho+' ma^'y la^`n bi. ddo`n, bi. khe~ tay, nho+' ma^'y la^`n cho+i u dda'nh lo^.n, nho+' nhu+~ng dde^m tra(ng trung thu ru+o+'c co^. dde`n, co' pha't ba'nh, co' dda^'u xa?o . Hu`ng nghi~ co' ma^'y ai ddu+o+.c ca'i co+ ho^.i tu+. ca^'t tru+o+`ng cho mi`nh ho.c .

     Tro+? la.i va^'n dde^` la`m a(n, ngoa`i vie^.c la`m ca^y ba ma' Hu`ng co`n pha?i lo ca`y ca^'y na(m ma^~u ruo^.ng cu?a o^ng no^.i Hu`ng o+? du+o+'i bo+` lo^. me o^ng chu? Hoa`ng, lo^'i duy nha^'t ddi va`o sa^n banh . Qua kho?i sa^n banh thi` dde^'n khu ru+`ng Ca^y DDie^.p, ro^`i mo+'i dde^'n ruo^.ng . Vu`ng Ca^y DDie^.p na`y no^?i tie^'ng la` linh thie^ng ma qua'i . Thie^n ha. ddo^`n ra(`ng du+o+'i go^'c ca^y ddie^.p, ca^y to nhu+'t trong vu`ng, la` hang co.p . Qui? hie^.n ho^`n tha`nh co.p nha?y ra a(n thi.t ngu+o+`i, xu+o+ng xo'c dda^`y hang . Chu+a tha^'y qui? chu+a tha^'y co.p, nhu+ng tha^'y dda^y la` nghi~a ddi.a cu?a Vie^.t Minh, cu?a nhu+~ng ngu+o+`i che^'t kho^ng cho^~ cho^n . Co' la^`n bo^. ddo^.i cho^n ddo^`ng bo.n o+? dda^y ca? tie^?u ddoa`n, mu+o+`i ma^'y dde^m lie^n tie^'p . Ma` kho^ng pha?i de^~ cho^n vi` dda`o dda^u cu~ng ddu.ng xa'c, la^'p la.i dda`o no+i kha'c, ro^`i cu~ng la^'p la.i dda`o no+i kha'c nu+~a, dde^m qua dde^m . Khu ru+`ng nhu+ dda~ ddu+o+.c cho^n na(m ba?y lo+'p ngu+o+`i .

     DDo^'i vo+'i Hu`ng, chi? kho^? mo^.t ddie^`u la` mo^~i la^`n ra ruo^.ng pha?i ddi qua nhu+~ng ddu+o+`ng mo`n len lo?i trong khu ru+`ng na`y, nha^'t la` ddi ban dde^m, the^m tro+`i mu+a ri? ra? . Ngo.n dde`n lo^`ng soi sa'ng bu+o+'c cha^n mi`nh chu+a ddu? la`m sao soi sa'ng co? ca^y . Tay ba('t a^'n ma` bu.ng run ca^`m ca^.p . DDi ddoa.n giu+~a thi` ddo+~, so+. nha^'t la` ddi sau cho't . Hi`nh nhu+ dda^u dda^u cu~ng co' oan ho^`n che^'t ba('n che^'t tra^.n, che^'t tu+'c tu+o+?i ... kho^ng sie^u thoa't ddu+o+.c, la^?n qua^?n, qua^'n qui't vo+'i na^'m mo^` cu?a mi`nh trong vu`i da^.p la~ng que^n .

     Bo+` ruo^.ng gia'p ranh vo+'i ru+`ng, ca'i xa qua.t du`ng dde^? bo+m nu+o+'c so^ng va`o ruo^.ng dda(.t du+o+'i co^'ng la.i cu~ng hu+o+'ng ve^` phi'a ru+`ng . Mo^~i la^`n dda.p nu+o+'c dde^m, vu+`a ngo' ca^y nhang ddo^'t ti'nh gio+` thay phie^n vu+`a ngo' vo^ ru+`ng tu+o+?ng mi`nh nhu+ ddang cu'ng va'i dda^'t tro+`i cho nhu+~ng vong ho^`n da^.t do+` kia ddu+o+.c sie^u tha(ng ti.nh ddo^. . Mu`i hu+o+ng tra^`m pha?ng pha^'t kho^ng dduo^?i ddu+o+.c ba^`y muo^~i vo ve thi?nh thoa?ng ca('n nhu+ ong chi'ch . Ca^y nhang nhu+ da`i the^m, cha'y hoa`i kho^ng ta('t . La('m lu'c vu+`a dda.p vu+`a ngu?, tra^.t cha^n bi. ba`n dda.p dda^.p muo^'n su+ng o^'ng quye^?n ma` co`n bi. anh ba.n phi'a dda^`u be^n kia pha`n na`n:

     - Ngu? gu.c ha?, mo+'i dda.p co' ma^'y ca^y dda~ ngu? ro^`i, dda.p he^'t bo' nhang ddo' chu+a cha('c dda~ xong . Ba^y gio+` nu+o+'c mo+'i ddu+'ng, ma^'y tie^'ng nu+~a mo+'i ro`ng .

     - Nghe na?n qua', nghi? chu't ddi . Vo^ ru+`ng nho^? mi` ve^` nu+o+'ng a(n ca'i dda~, ddo'i bu.ng ro^`i ...

     Ma ddo'i dda^u so+. dda'm ma dda'm qui? kho^ng mo^` . Mi` kho^ng ai tro^`ng ma` mo.c dda^`y ru+`ng, o+'t va` o^?i do chim a(n chim i?a cu~ng mo.c dda(.c nga^.t trong ddo' .

     Ba Hu`ng la^`n la^`n thu go.n nghe^` ca^y kho^ng la`m lo+'n nu+~a, tro+? ve^` Bi`nh Phu.c Nhu+'t xa^y nha` ma'y xay lu'a . O^ng mua la.i nha` ma'y cu?a mo^.t ngu+o+`i ba.n tre^n be^'n pha`, go+~ ra cho+? ve^` ro^`i ra'p la.i . Lu'c dda^`u la`m a(n ddu+o+.c la('m, da^n trong vu`ng kho^ng co`n cho+? lu'a qua nha` ma'y Quo+n Long nu+~a nhu+ng ba Hu`ng va^~n ba^.n ta^m ve^` va^'n dde^` cu?a mo^.t no+i ngu+o+`i mo^.t nga? . Sau ma^'y tha'ng ddi ddi ve^` ve^`, o^ng quye^'t ddi.nh giao cho chu' Hu`ng qua?n ly' ro^`i la^u la^u xuo^'ng tha(m mo^.t la^`n . O^ng linh ti'nh vie^.c cha` lu'a la^'y tie^`n na`y kho^ng be^`n . Mo^.t dde^m o^ng na(`m chie^m bao tha^'y mo^.t con sa^u ro.m tha^.t to, xanh nhu+ sa^u ma~ng ca^`u, dda^`y lo^ng la' kho^ng hie^?u tu+` dda^u xua^'t hie^.n tre^n ma(.t ba`n ro^`i ba('t dda^`u bo` dde^'n cha^n dde`n, le^n ngo.n dde`n, to+'i bong bo'ng ... bong bo'ng no^? tie^u tan ... Sa'ng nga`y sau co' ngu+o+`i dde^'n ba'o tin ba'nh tro+'n nha` ma'y bi. be^?, phang va`o co^.t nha`, nha` sa^.p va` nhie^`u ngu+o+`i bi. thu+o+ng . DDa^`u ma'y loa.i xu+a co' hai ba'nh tro+'n hai be^n, be^? mo^.t ca'i kho^ng ca^n ba(`ng kho^ng cha.y ddu+o+.c . Ha`n la.i cu~ng kho^ng ddu+o+.c, no' se~ be^? nu+~a tie^`n ma^'t ta^.t mang . Mua ca'i mo+'i cu~ng kho^ng co', kie^?u cu~ kho^ng ai ba'n . Ro^'t cuo^.c ro^`i ba Hu`ng pha?i ba'n sa('t vu.n ca'i nha` ma'y ddo' ...

     Tha^'t ba.i vu. nha` ma'y xay lu'a ba Hu`ng ddo^?i nghe^` la^`n nu+~a, bie^'n tra.i ca^y tha`nh tra.i mo^.c va` tra.i ho`m . O^ng kho^ng co`n ddi Sa`i Go`n kie^'n su'c, be` ca^y ba(`ng ddu+o+`ng so^ng nu+~a ma` mua ca^y va` cu+a ta.i cho^~ ro^`i cho+? ve^` ba(`ng ddu+o+`ng bo^. . Tru+` khi co' ngu+o+`i dda(.t nguye^n mo^.t ca'i nha` hay i't ra va`i bo^. co^.t va`i bo^. ddo`n tay thi` ba Hu`ng mo+'i la`m mo^.t chuye^'n kha kha', ba(`ng kho^ng ddi mo^.t chuye^'n nho? dde^? mua ca^y ddo'ng giu+o+`ng, ba`n, tu?, ghe^', ddi-va(ng, so'ng che'n ... Na(m ba?y o^ng tho+. ddu? la`m ca(n tra.i the^m o^`n a`o na'o nhie^.t, vui nha` vui cu+?a . Va`i ngu+o+`i o+? xa, a(n ngu? la.i tra.i, na(m ba nga`y mo+'i ve^` tha(m nha` mo^.t la^`n . Ban dde^m ho. uo^'ng tra`, tro` chuye^.n, no'i chuye^.n tie^'u la^m . Ma' o+i con muo^'n la^'y anh tho+. ba`o . A?nh khom lu+ng a?nh dda^?y ca'i na`o cu~ng sa^u . Co' ngu+o+`i nga^m tho+, tho+ Lu.c Va^n Tie^n, ngu+o+`i tho^?i ke`n ba(`ng la' co'c ke`n, tie^'ng ke`n nhu+ ke`n dda'm ma .

     La`m tho+. mo^.c muo^'n pha't thi` pha?i e^'m, nhu+'t la` ma^'y o^ng tho+. ca^'t nha`, ma^'y o^ng tho+. co' bu`a Lo^~ Ban . Nhu+ng ma^'y o^ng tho+. ddo'ng ddo^` mo^.c na`y ca^`n gi` pha?i e^'m ? Kho^ng e^'m kho^ng ddu+o+.c . Kho^ng e^'m thi` tho+. mo^.c ca^'t dda^`u kho^ng le^n, ta'n gia ba.i sa?n, che^'t vo+. che^'t con, kho^ng e^'m lo+'n pha?i e^'m nho?, to^? da.y va^.y . Chi'nh vi` va^.y ma` la^`n ddo' ba Hu`ng bi. co^ Ba To? pha`n na`n:

     - Ca'i giu+o+`ng mua cu?a anh thie^.t ky`, ngu? sa'ng da^.y kho^ng bie^'t ddu+o+`ng ra, ca'i cu+?a mu`ng be^n na`y ma` cu+' va.ch va.ch phi'a be^n kia .

     Ro^`i o^ng Na(m DDa.i cu~ng pha^n tra^`n:

     - Tu+` nga`y la^'y ca'i giu+o+`ng cu?a anh ve^` con vo+. to^i no' ngu? no' quay ma(.t va`o va'ch .

     Nhu+ng kho^ng ba(`ng chu' Chi'n Tra^u, cu+. nu+. ba Hu`ng mo^.t tra^.n du+~ to+.n:

     - Anh nghi~ coi no' e^'m ca'i gi` ma` tha(`ng nho? tui dde^m na`o ngu? cu~ng dda'i da^`m . Giu+o+`ng tui dda(.t anh la` giu+o+`ng pho`ng ma`, no' e^'m va^.y thi` la`m sao tha(`ng nho? a(n o+? vo+'i vo+. con no' ddu+o+.c .

     Kho^ng bie^'t co' dda'i da^`m thie^.t hay kho^ng nhu+ng chu' Chi'n cu+' no'i rie^'t dde^'n no^~i ba Hu`ng pha?i ddo^?i cho chu' ca'i giu+o+`ng kha'c ...

     DDa(.c bie^.t co' o^ng tho+. chuye^n mo^n la`m na('p ho`m, nghe^` cu?a o^ng la` dde~o ca^y va.t ca^y vo+'i ca'i ri`u co' ca'nh chuo^`n da`i ho+n ca'n ri`u . DDe~o la`m sao cho tro`n cho tro+n tru cho a(n kho+'p vo+'i khuo^n ho`m kho^ng pha?i chuye^.n de^~ . Na('p ho`m dda`n o^ng thi` mo^ ho+n na('p ho`m dda`n ba` cu~ng pha?i dde~o cho ddu'ng kie^?u ddu'ng ca'ch . Tie^`n co^ng cu?a o^ng ga^'p ddo^i ma^'y o^ng tho+. kia va^.y ma` o^ng cu+' ddo`i ddi la`m cho^~ kha'c hoa`i . Ba Hu`ng cu~ng bu+.c mi`nh o^ng la('m nhu+ng kho^ng ti`m ai thay the^' o^ng ta ddu+o+.c . DDe^m na`o ngoa`i tra.i ho`m nghe tie^'ng ca^y va(.n mi`nh ke~o ke.t la` sa'ng ho^m sau co' ngu+o+`i to+'i mua ho`m, co' ngu+o+`i qua ddo+`i . DDe^m na`o ba Hu`ng cu~ng ddo^'t nhang o+? ba`n tho+` tie^n su+, kho^ng hie^?u o^ng va'i ca'i gi`, o^ng co' chi.u va'i cho da^n trong la`ng che^'t he^'t hay kho^ng .

     Cho dde^'n lu'c ma' Hu`ng mo+? tie^.m ha`ng xe'n thi` tra.i mo^.c tra.i ho`m cu?a ba Hu`ng cu~ng sa('p su+?a de.p . Lu'c dda^`u ma' Hu`ng chi? ddi.nh ba'n nu+o+'c ma('m da^`u lu+?a qua nga`y, nhu+ng ro^`i tie^.m ca`ng nga`y ca`ng pha't . Ba Hu`ng xoay qua nghe^` bo^? ddo^` va` so^? sa'ch cho vo+. . Ma^'y mu`a ba'n Te^'t ma^'y na(m ddo' cu~ng ra^`m ro^., co' hoa mai, du+a ha^'u, co' pha'o bo^ng, li` xi` ... Nhu+ng ro^`i ma^'y tie^.m lo+'n mo+? ra ngoa`i dda^`u ca^`u giu+.t mo^'i, tie^.m cu?a ma' Hu`ng bi. thu.t va`o trong kho^ng thua^.n ddu+o+`ng buo^n ba'n . Tie^.m ca`ng nga`y ca`ng e^', ke^. ca`ng nga`y ca`ng tro^'ng . O^ng la`m kho^ng xong dde^'n phie^n ba` ro^`i cu~ng tha^'t ba.i, ddo+`i ngu+o+`i nhu+ con nu+o+'c lu'c le^n lu'c xuo^'ng ...

     Bi`m bi.p ke^u nu+o+'c lo+'n anh o+i
     Buo^n ba'n kho^ng lo+`i che`o cho^'ng mo?i me^

     Tie^'c re? chie^'c ghe lu` mu.c la^`n trong u., ba Hu`ng quye^'t ddi.nh tro+? la.i nghe^` ca^y, nha^'t ddi.nh la^`n na`y la`m lo+'n . Chie^'c ghe lu` tro^ng nhu+ ca'i ho^.p du`ng dde^? be` ca^y, chie^'c ghe chi? ca^`n tro.ng ta?i ma` kho^ng ca^`n gi` ve^` hi`nh da'ng be^` ngoa`i . Pha?i xa`i no' tro+? la.i . Ba Hu`ng quye^'t ddi.nh nhu+ va^.y va` o^ng dda~ ddo+. ruo^.ng la`m vo^'n dde^? mo+? dda^`u mo^.t ma`n phie^u lu+u mo+'i .

     DDo' cu~ng la` na(m Hu`ng ba('t dda^`u xa nha` le^n ti?nh theo ho.c ban trung ho.c . Mo^~i ngu+o+`i mo^.t que^ hu+o+ng, mo^.t thuo+? thie^'u tho+`i . Que^ hu+o+ng va` thuo+? thie^'u tho+`i cu?a Hu`ng chi? co' chu+`ng ddo', nhu+ng luo^n luo^n ga^`n gu~i ga('n bo' vo+'i Hu`ng nhu+ hi`nh vo+'i bo'ng . Mo+'i ddo' ma` dda~ tha`nh xa xu+a .

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02. HO.C TRO` QUE^ BE^N NGU+O+~NG CU+?A TI`NH YE^U

            NGUYE^~N TA^'N HU+NG

     Ai cu~ng bie^'t mie^`n Nam mu+a na('ng hai mu`a . DDa~ va^.y mu+a nghi?, na('ng ngu?, ui ui la`m lai rai . DDu'ng la` ca'i mie^`n la`m cho+i a(n thie^.t . Kha'c vo+'i mie^`n Ba('c kho^ ca(`n, kha'c vo+'i mie^`n Trung so?i dda', ddo+`i so^'ng mie^`n Nam o^n ho`a, thi.nh vu+o+.ng . Da^n mie^`n Nam du+ a(n du+ dde^? ... Ma` co' tha^.t ddu+o+.c nhu+ va^.y hay kho^ng ? Coi va^.y cho+' kho^ng pha?i va^.y, ma` ddo^i khi co`n te^. ho+n va^.y, ca^u no'i kho^ng va(n chu+o+ng na`y la^u la^u cu~ng co' cho^~ xa`i . Kho^ng du+ a(n du+ dde^? gi` ca? . DDo' la` tru+o+`ng ho+.p cu?a Hu`ng trong nhu+~ng na(m Hu`ng mo+'i ho.c le^n ban trung ho.c ...

     - Cho tu.i no' ddi ho.c ddi, dde^? ro^`i tu.i no' ve^` va'c gia. vay chu+~ hay la` va'c gia. vay lu'a cho bie^'t . Hu+', nghe`o ma` la`m sang .

     Ba` con la`ng xo'm sao hay chi.u kho' xi` xa`o ba`n ta'n ve^` nhu+~ng vie^.c la`m cu?a thie^n ha. qua' ... De.p ddu+o+.c ca'i quan nie^.m co^? hu? cu?a da^n la`m ruo^.ng dda^u pha?i de^~, ma` kho^ng hie^?u vi` ly' do na`o, ba ma' Hu`ng quye^'t ti`nh cho dda'm con ddi ho.c . No'i la` ddi ho.c cho sang chu+' tha^.t ra dda'm Hu`ng cha(?ng thua gi` dda'm con bi. "ddem bo? cho+. ." Ba ma' Hu`ng vi` ba^.n ke^' sinh nhai, dda^`u ta('t ma(.t to^'i, dda^u co`n thi` gio+` dde^? y' dde^'n chuye^.n ba`i vo+? ho.c ha`nh cu?a dda'm Hu`ng . Tro+`i sanh tro+`i nuo^i, tha^.m chi' dde^'n vie^.c chi. em Hu`ng ddang o+? dda^.u nha` na`y hay o+? tro. ca(n ga'c kia chu+a cha('c ba ma' Hu`ng dda~ bie^'t .

     Hu`ng no^'i go't chi. Kim, chi. Cu'c, va` anh Ta^'n la`m bo^?n pha^.n "nha` que^ le^n ti?nh" dde^? ddi ho.c . La^`n dda^`u tie^n qua' giang xe ddo` le^n My~ Tho, Hu`ng tha^'y lo lo ma(.c du` co' chi., co' anh ddo' . Kho^ng bie^'t ro^`i se~ la`m ca'i gi`, a(n dda^u, ngu? dda^u, ho.c tru+o+`ng na`o . Suo^'t tu+` nho? dde^'n gio+`, Hu`ng chu+a bao gio+` ro+`i la`ng, kho?i qua^.n, chu+a bie^'t tu+` gia~ ba.n be` . Tu+. nhie^n Hu`ng tha^'y tra'ch nhie^.m bo^?n pha^.n cho chi'nh ba?n tha^n mi`nh qua' lo+'n .

     Chuye^.n gi` dde^'n, se~ dde^'n . Hu`ng thi dda^.u va`o lo+'p tie^'p lie^n tru+o+`ng Nam Tie^?u ho.c, chi. Kim, chi. Cu'c, va` anh Ta^'n va^~n pha?i ho.c tru+o+`ng tu+ . Mo^~i nga`y ho.c mo^.t buo^?i, buo^?i sa'ng, co`n buo^?i chie^`u du+ thi` gio+` rong cho+i . So+ mi tra('ng, xa` lo?n dden, de'p nha^.t . Qua^`n xa` lo?n ma` cu~ng ba('t bo? a'o vo^ qua^`n ... Tru+o+`ng lo+'n la('m, tu+o+`ng vo^i, va'ch ga.ch, ma'i ngo'i ha(?n ho`i chu+' dda^u co' vu. ne^`n dda^'t, va'ch va'n, ma'i la' xa^.p xe^. nhu+ tru+o+`ng cu~ cu?a Hu`ng . Lo^'i ra va`o co' hai ha`ng phu+o+.ng vi~ tro^`ng la^u na(m ta`n che gia'p mi' . Hai ddu+o+`ng bie^n ddo^? xi-ma(ng mo^ le^n cao nhu+ hai con ro^`ng da`i thu+o+`n thu+o+.c . Ca'i gi` tro^ng cu~ng khang trang, sa.ch se~ . Bo+?i va^.y Hu`ng nghi~ mi`nh muo^'n ho.c do+? cu~ng kho^ng ddu+o+.c .

     Ca(n nha` tro. dda^`u tie^n cu?a chi. em Hu`ng la` nha` cu?a o^ng Ba?y, chi? bie^'t o^?ng thu+' ba?y ma` kho^ng ro~ o^?ng te^n gi` . No'i la` nha` thi` cu~ng ho+i qua', tha^.t ra ddo' chi? la` mo^.t ca'i cho`i trong he?m cu.t, ca^'t sa't ha`ng ra`o ke~m gai cu?a Ty canh no^ng . Co' Ty canh no^ng ddo' ma` xo'm na`y kho^ng ddu+o+.c go.i la` xo'm Ty Canh No^ng ma` bi. go.i la` xo'm Lo` Heo mo+'i xui . Ta.i vi` tru+o+'c co^?ng vo^ Ty canh no^ng la` lo` heo, mo^.t Cha'nh Hu+ng cu?a ti?nh My~ Tho . Sau na`y i't ai ke^u xo'm Lo` Heo ta.i vi` ba.n ha`ng tu+. ddo^.ng nho'm cho+., ba('t dda^`u tu+` Ca^y Xa(ng ddo^? vo^, tru+o+'c i't sau ddo^ng, ro^`i ddo^ng qua' ne^n chi'nh quye^`n mo+'i ca^'t luo^n cho+., tha`nh cho+. Tha.nh Tri., xo'm tro+? tha`nh xo'm Cho+. Tha.nh Tri. . O^ng Ba?y gia` hu+u tri' ro^`i ma` kho^ng chi.u ve^` que^ du+o+~ng gia`, co`n luye^'n tie^'c ca'i lo` heo . Nghe^` nghie^.p cu?a o^ng ma` . Thi?nh thoa?ng o^ng ddi tha(m lo` heo xa'ch ve^` mo^.t ddu`m ruo^.t, kho^ng ha(?n la` ruo^.t gia` ma` cu~ng kho^ng ha(?n la` ruo^.t non . Thu+' ruo^.t gi` chi? dde^? cha(.t khu'c tha('ng la^'y mo+~ ma` tho^i . Ma^'y khu'c ruo^.t cha(.t khu'c ddo' teo la.i tha`nh te'p mo+~, lo+'n nho?, ngoa(`n ngoe`o, ddu? hi`nh ddu? da.ng . Coi ghe^ va^.y nhu+ng ma` ma^'y lu'c kho^ng co' gi` a(n co+m, ddem ra nhai cu~ng ddo+~ kho^? la('m . Hu`ng nghi~ o^ng Ba?y ve^` que^ cu~ng kho^ng ddu+o+.c, su+'c ma^'y ma` o^ng co' ddu+o+.c mie^'ng dda^'t ca(.m du`i . Ma` con cha'u cu?a o^ng dda^u sao cha(?ng tha^'y ngu+o+`i na`o to+'i thuo^'c men, tha(m nom ?

     Kho^ng hie^?u ai gio+'i thie^.u chi. Kim vo+'i o^ng Ba?y, ma` tie^`n thue^ nha` ra^'t pha?i gia', ga^`n nhu+ cho o+? kho^ng . O^ng o+? dda(`ng tru+o+'c co' ke^ mo^.t ca'i giu+o+`ng va` mo^.t ca'i ba`n . Co`n pha^`n sau va` nha` be^'p o^ng giao he^'t cho dda'm Hu`ng . Ban dde^m banh ghe^' bo^' cho bo^'n chi. em dda~ kho^ng co`n cho^~ tro^'ng, va^.y ma` chi. Cu'c co`n lo^i the^m chi. Sen, ba.n cu`ng lo+'p que^ be^n Ta^n Tha.ch, ve^` o+? chung . O^ng Ba?y co' la^`n no'i:

     - Tha^'y ma^'y ddu+'a ba^y la` tao vui ro^`i . Cuo^'i tua^`n tu.i ba^y ve^` nha` he^'t tao buo^`n qua' xa' . Tao lang thang ra Ca^y Xa(ng ngo^`i uo^'ng ca` phe^ ca? buo^?i ma` cu~ng chu+a he^'t buo^`n .

     Nga`y thu+' hai la` nga`y ba^.n ro^.n nha^'t, ma` cu~ng la` nga`y vui nha^'t . Ba^.n ro^.n vi` pha?i thu+'c da^.y so+'m dde^? ddo'n xe ddo` tu+` que^ le^n My~ Tho . Qua ddu+o+.c pha` Cho+. Ga.o coi nhu+ ddi ddu+o+.c nu+?a ddu+o+`ng, chu+a qua ddu+o+.c thi` ke^? nhu+ chu+a ddi to+'i dda^u he^'t . Xuo^'ng xe o+? My~ Tho co`n pha?i ddo'n xi'ch-lo^ cho+? ha`nh ly', qua^`n a'o, ddo^` dda.c ve^` nha` tro. ro^`i vo^.i va~ thay ddo^` cha.y ddi ho.c . Bu+~a na`o xui ga(.p o^ng xi'ch lo^ dda.p kho^ng no^?i thi` chi? bie^'t van va'i cho tro+`i ddu+`ng sa'ng vo^.i . Nga`y thu+' hai la` nga`y vui nha^'t ta.i vi` ddo^` a(n ddem theo co`n nguye^n, co`n nhie^`u mo'n muo^'n a(n mo'n na`o thi` a(n, thi.t kho, du+a gia', te'p rang, kho^? qua ha^`m ... chu+'a dda^`y trong ma^'y lon guigoz . A(n nhi'n nhi'n co+~ na`o ro^`i ma^'y nga`y ga^`n cuo^'i tua^`n cu~ng kho^ng co`n mo'n gi` dde^? a(n .

     Bo+?i va^.y ma^'y chi. pha?i tro^`ng the^m dda'm rau do.c theo ha`ng ra`o, ca.nh sa`n nu+o+'c ru+?a che'n . Mo^`ng to+i vo+'i mu+o+'p la` hai thu+' de^~ tro^`ng nha^'t . Mo^`ng to+i a(n rie^'t kho^ng co`n mo^.t ca'i la', chi? co`n ma^'y so+.i gia^y ti'm ti'm la(n qua(n tre^n ha`ng ra`o . Mu+o+'p, ban dda^`u a(n tra'i ro^`i dde^'n a(n bo^ng, xong a(n ddo.t, a(n luo^n la' non ... Ma^'y bu+~a co' canh mo^`ng to+i, canh mu+o+'p pha bo^.t ngo.t thi` co`n ddo+~, ma^'y bu+~a chi? co' "canh nu+o+'c co+m" va` di~a muo^'i o+'t thi` co+m vu+`a do.n ra la` Hu`ng dda~ tha^'y no ngang . Bo+?i va^.y anh Ta^'n va` Hu`ng thi?nh thoa?ng ti`m ddu+o+`ng "ta^?u ." Anh Ta^'n xuo^'ng tu.i tha(`ng A^'u tha(`ng Chu+~, co`n Hu`ng cha.y le^n nha` tha(`ng Kie^n . Da^'u die^'m ca'ch ma^'y ro^`i la^`n la^`n ba.n be` cu~ng bie^'t . No'i la` ddi tha(m ba.n be` cho co' ti`nh chu+' thie^.t ra la` ddi a(n chu+.c, a(n ke' .

     Kho^ng hie^?u tha(`ng Kie^n cho+i tha^n vo+'i Hu`ng vi` ly' do gi`, co' le~ ta.i Hu`ng ho.c gio?i . Nha` no' gia`u qua' so vo+'i Hu`ng nghe`o ro+'t mo^`ng to+i . Nha` tha(`ng Kie^n to.a la.c o+? dda^`u ddu+o+`ng Vo`ng Nho?, ca.nh Ca^`u Sa('t . Be^n ngoa`i nhi`n vo^ chi? tha^'y toa`n ca^y a(n tra'i, ma^.n ho^`ng dda`o, xoa`i re'p, o^?i xa' li., vu' su+~a ..., bao bo.c bo+?i mo^.t ha`ng ra`o ga.ch co' song sa('t nho.n, va` hai ca'nh cu+?a sa('t tha^.t to . Nghe no'i nha` no' lu'c tru+o+'c co' la^`n la` tru. so+? cu?a lu+.c lu+o+.ng Cao DDa`i . Co^?ng la` ddie^?m re~ cu?a hai con ddu+o+`ng dda' ddo? da^~n dde^'n hai ba^.c tam ca^'p bu+o+'c le^n ne^`n nha`, ne^`n ddu'c ba(`ng dda' xanh cao kho?i dda^`u . Qua mo^.t bao lo+n nho? ro^`i mo+'i dde^'n cu+?a ca'i . Nha` ba gian, co^.t ca(m xe tro`n thie^.t bu+. dda'nh ve.c-ni dden bo'ng nhu+ thoa da^`u ha('c . DDo^` dda.c dde^? chu+ng nhie^`u ho+n dde^? xa`i ba`y bie^.n kha('p no+i . DDo^` ca^?n xa` cu+`, ddo^` cha.m tro^?, ddo^` co^? ... Ro^`i to+'i nha` ca^`u, nha` be^'p, nha` ngang, nha` chu+'a ba`n bi-da, banh-bong . Phi'a sau nu+~a la` ho^` ca' tie^'p gia'p vo+'i mo^.t ddo^`ng co? bao la . Co? ma('c co+~, co? tranh la^~n lo^.n vo+'i nhu+~ng dda'm co? o^'ng, co? chi? . DDo' la` no+i Kie^n va` Hu`ng hay tha? die^`u sau gio+` co+m .

     A(n co+m o+? nha` Kie^n cu~ng gio^'ng nhu+ ddi a(n tie^.m . Co' ke? ha^`u ngu+o+`i ha., co' khai vi., co' lai-se't, co' che'n ddu+.ng nu+o+'c cha^'m rie^ng, co' kha(n lau rie^ng . Bo+?i va^.y kho^ la^n cha? phu.ng ma` a(n kho^ng tha^'y ngon . Hu`ng tha^'y ma^'t tu+. nhie^n trong ba^`u kho^ng khi' trang tro.ng na`y . Ma(.c du` tuo^?i co`n nho?, nhu+ng Hu`ng cu~ng bie^'t nhu.c vi` mie^'ng a(n, ne^n nhie^`u khi tha` a(n co+m tra('ng vo+'i nu+o+'c co+m co`n khoa'i ho+n la` ddi a(n co+m chu+.c vo+'i ca' thi.t .

     Cho dde^'n lu'c Kie^n ta(.ng cho Hu`ng nhu+~ng ddo^i gia`y ba-ta nu+?a sa.t, nhu+~ng ddo^i vo+' so+`n go't thi` ti`nh ba.n ba('t dda^`u xa . Hu`ng kho^ng co`n chi.u ddu+.ng no^?i su+. ca'ch bie^.t giu+~a hai ddu+'a nu+~a . Cu~ng may da.o ddo' va`o mu`a he`, mu`a chia tay xa?y ra ddu'ng lu'c . Ca? na(m tro+`i cho+i vo+'i nhau ma` Kie^n kho^ng bie^'t Hu`ng o+? dda^u, kho^ng co' di.p na`o bu+o+'c cha^n dde^'n xo'm Lo` Heo cu?a Hu`ng . Da^'u die^'m vo+'i ba.n ddu+o+.c nhu+ va^.y cu~ng la` khe'o la('m ro^`i, Hu`ng nghi~ .

     Mu`a thi na(m ddo' Kie^n va` Hu`ng dde^`u dda^.u vo^ tru+o+`ng co^ng, nhu+ng kho^ng ho.c chung lo+'p vi` cho.n sinh ngu+~ chi'nh kha'c nhau . Tru+o+`ng Nguye^~n DDi`nh Chie^?u lu'c ddo' chu+a mo+? ro^.ng ra to+'i dda.i lo^. Hu`ng Vu+o+ng, co^?ng sau co`n ngo' ra ddu+o+`ng Huy`nh Ti.nh Cu?a nho? xi'u . Ba da~y la^`u hai tu+`ng, lo+.p ngo'i Ta^y ddo? au, hi`nh chu+~ U, da`nh cho lo+'p ho.c va` mo^.t da~y tre^.t song song vo+'i da~y giu+~a la`m pho`ng thi' nghie^.m, pho`ng hie^.u tru+o+?ng, pho`ng gia'o su+ . Nha` cu?a o^ng hie^.u tru+o+?ng na(`m xa trong go'c tra'i . Ca'i gi` cu?a Ta^y dde^? la.i coi cu~ng co' ve? xa xu+a, cu~ ky~ .

     Qua na(m sau chi. Kim ddi Sa`i Go`n ho.c va` xin ddu+o+.c cha^n ba'n ve' tru+o+`ng ddua hai nga`y thu+' ba?y, chu'a nha^.t . Thi?nh thoa?ng chi. gu+?i tie^`n ve^` phu. giu'p chi. em Hu`ng co`n la.i du+o+'i ti?nh vi` chi. em Hu`ng kho^ng co`n o+? nha` o^ng Ba?y nu+~a, ma` pha?i mu+o+'n nha` kha'c . O^ng Ba?y che^'t, nha` sang cho ngu+o+`i la. . Hu`ng tha^'y thu+o+ng o^ng Ba?y va` nho+' nga`y na`o o^ng da^~n Hu`ng ddi tha(m lo` heo . Pha?i no'i la` lo` bo` heo thi` mo+'i ddu'ng, vi` dda^y la` cho^~ gie^'t bo` la^~n heo . Bo` bi. dda^.p dda^`u ba(`ng bu'a ta., nhie^`u con xa'n mo^.t bu'a thi` ro^`i ddo+`i, ma` nhie^`u con na(m ba bu'a chu+a chi.u xie^?ng nie^?ng . Heo thi` bi. tho.c huye^'t lu~ khu? tre^n sa`n xi ma(ng, xa^y cao ho+n ma(.t dda^'t khoa?ng va`i ta^'c, co' ddu+o+`ng ra~nh da^~n huye^'t va`o thu`ng . Cho^~ ghe^ go+'m nhu+ va^.y ma` kho^ng hie^?u o^ng Ba?y da^~n Hu`ng va`o ddo' la`m chi . DDe^m na`o ngu? Hu`ng cu~ng giu+.t mi`nh nghe va(ng va(?ng be^n tai tie^'ng heo ke^u bi. tho.c huye^'t . Nhu+ng, ngu+o+`i ta no'i ddo' kho^ng pha?i la` tie^'ng heo ke^u ma` la` tie^'ng cu?a tha(`ng cha tho.c huye^'t bi. heo ha`nh .

     Ca(n nha` tro. thu+' hai cu?a chi. em Hu`ng la` nha` chu' Hai Bo^. . Co' hai ddie^?m kha'c vo+'i nha` o^ng Ba?y, mo^.t la` kho^ng pha?i o+? nha` sau ma` o+? be^n cha'i, va` hai la` pha?i ddo'ng tie^`n, na(m chu.c mo^.t tha'ng . Nha` chu' Hai Bo^. na(`m trong xo'm no^?i tie^'ng ho+n xo'm Lo` Heo nhie^`u, xo'm Ha`ng Co`ng . Ke^u la` xo'm Ha`ng Co`ng vi` tu+` xa nhi`n to+'i dda~ tha^'y mo^.t da~y ca^y co`ng, ca^y me ta^y, cao lo+'n ta`n ro^.ng kho^ng thua gi` nhu+~ng ca^y dda la^u ddo+`i . Xo'm Ha`ng Co`ng no^?i tie^'ng ta.i vi` dda^y la` xo'm la`ng cho+i . Nhu+ng muo^'n mu+o+'n nha` vo+'i gia' re? cho ne^n dda'm Hu`ng pha?i tu+. dde^` cao: ga^`n bu`n ma` cha(?ng ho^i tanh mu`i bu`n . Tha^.t ra xo'm chia la`m hai khu, mo^.t be^n tu+` ha`ng co`ng tro+? ra Ha~ng Xa'ng thi` ong bu+o+'m nho+?n nho+, co`n mo^.t be^n tu+` ha`ng tru+'ng ca' tro+? va`o dda^'t Tha'nh Ta^y thi` la` da^n la`m a(n lu+o+ng thie^.n, co' am Co^ Sa'u, co' ra^~y tro^`ng bo^ng hue^. ...

     Con ddu+o+`ng da^~n vo^ xo'm Ha`ng Co`ng la` hai ddu+o+`ng mo`n do.c hai be^n ddu+o+`ng ra^`y xe lu+?a cha.y giu+~a hai gie^'ng nu+o+'c . Hai ddu+o+`ng mo`n na`y cu~ng chi? ddu+o+.c xa`i va`o mu`a na('ng ma` tho^i, va`o mu`a mu+a thie^n ha. ddi luo^n tre^n ddu+o+`ng ra^`y cho kho?i di'nh si`nh . Co? hai be^n bo+` gie^'ng kho^ng ai ca('t cao dde^'n ngu+.c .

     Da.o ddo' chie^`u na`o Hu`ng va` tha(`ng DDu+'c, ba.n cu`ng lo+'p que^ be^n Lo^.c Thua^.n, va` ma^'y ddu+'a ba.n cu`ng xo'm cu~ng ddi nha?y xe lu+?a, xe lu+?a tro+? dda^`u chua^?n bi. cho chuye^'n sa'ng . Mo^.t tro` cho+i ly' thu' kho^ng to^'n tie^`n nhu+ng cu~ng kho^ng ke'm pha^`n nguy hie^?m . Tu+` nha` ga xe lu+?a cha.y thu.t lu`i tro+? le^n Ha`ng Co`ng, vo`ng vo^ mie^.t Ba`u Su'ng, xong vo`ng ra va` cha.y to+'i tro+? le^n mie^.t Xo'm Tre, Na(m No^`i ro^`i mo+'i cha.y thu.t lu`i tro+? ve^` . Xe lu+?a le^n mi`nh nha?y le^n, xe lu+?a ve^` mi`nh nha?y xuo^'ng, kho^ng thua gi` phim cao bo^`i dda'nh vo+'i mo.i da ddo? . Xe lu+?a tro+? dda^`u thu+o+`ng cha.y cha^.m nhu+ng ddo^i lu'c do+? chu+'ng cha.y xa? ga, xi.t kho'i la`m bo.n Hu`ng te' la(n vo`ng vo`ng ma^'y vo`ng mo^~i la^`n ba^.m gan phi tha^n xuo^'ng dda^'t . Ba^`m mi`nh, sa? dda^`u go^'i ne^n bo.n Hu`ng bie^'t to+?n, bie^'t ho.c kho^n, cu+' ddeo theo xe lu+?a ddi xuo^'ng pho^' cho+` cho no' cha.y cha^.m la.i mo+'i nha?y xuo^'ng lo^.i bo^. tro+? ve^` . Nhu+ng co+~ na`o cu~ng pha?i nha?y tru+o+'c khi xe lu+?a vo^ nha` ga, vi` ma^'y o^ng xe^'p ga ba('t ddu+o+.c ha.ch ho?i, ha(m do.a ddu? ddie^`u thi` co`n phie^`n ho+n nu+~a .

     DDa^u ai ngo+` sau na`y ddu+o+`ng ra^`y xe lu+?a tro+? tha`nh ddu+o+`ng Ly' Thu+o+`ng Kie^.t no^'i da`i, cha.y tu+` nha` ba` gia` vo+. o^ng Thie^.u, qua gie^'ng nu+o+'c, qua chu`a Mo^.t Ma('t tu+'c tha'nh tha^'t Cao DDa`i, xuye^n qua ddu+o+`ng Vo`ng Nho? co' tru+o+`ng ba'n co^ng Tru+o+ng Co^ng DDi.nh ro^`i le^n ti.nh xa' Ngo.c Tu+o+`ng, trung ta^m Qua^n Tie^'p Vu., sa^n bay Bi`nh DDu+'c va` tie^'p gia'p vo+'i ddu+o+`ng ddi Sa`i Go`n ta.i chu?ng vie^.n Cha^n Phu'c Minh . Ma^'y ca^y co`ng bi. trie^.t ha. dde^? mo+? ddu+o+`ng, xo'm la`ng cho+i Ha`ng Co`ng i't co`n nghe ai no'i to+'i va` dda~ tro+? tha`nh xo'm Bo+` Gie^'ng Tre^n .

     Kho^ng hie^?u co' pha?i vi` a?nh hu+o+?ng cu?a xo'm Ha`ng Co`ng hay kho^ng ma` ca? hai vo+. cho^`ng chu' Hai Bo^. dde^`u la`m nghe^` y ta' . Ngoa`i nhu+~ng phie^n tru+.c chi'nh o+? du+o+'i nha` thu+o+ng lo+'n, hai vo+. cho^`ng thay phie^n nhau ddi chi'ch da.o, tie^`n vo^ cu~ng kha(?m . Va^.y ma` hai tha(`ng con trai cu?a chu' thie^'m nuo^i hoa`i kho^ng tha^'y lo+'n, thuo^'c men ddu? thu+' ma` tu.i no' va^~n o^'m tong teo nhu+ bi. sanh thie^'u tha'ng .

     O+? nha` chu' Hai Bo^. kho^ng ddu+o+.c thoa?i ma'i ba(`ng nha` o^ng Ba?y . DDi ddu+'ng pha?i co' gio+` gia^'c . Ho.c ba`i cu~ng kho^ng ddu+o+.c ho.c khuya, so+. hai tha(`ng nho? gia^.t mi`nh . Ngay ca? mie^'ng dda^'t ba(`ng bu.m tay phi'a sau nha` cu~ng kho^ng ddu+o+.c tu+. do tro^`ng tro.t . Chi? ddu+o+.c dda'm rau ra(m . Ma(.c du` bi. ma^'y ca^y go`n che he^'t na('ng ma` dda'm rau ra(m cu~ng mo.c xanh ri` nhu+ dda'm co? . Chi. em Hu`ng nho+` va`o dda'm rau na`y ra^'t nhie^`u . Ma^'y lu'c ke.t tie^`n, chi. Cu'c ba bo^'n bu+~a lie^n tie^'p cho anh Ta^'n vo+'i Hu`ng a(n co+m vo+'i mo^~i mo^.t mo'n ddo^.c nha^'t "rau ra(m xa('t nhuye^~n tha? vo^ nu+o+'c tu+o+ng ." Gio' ddu+a ca^y ca?i ve^` tro+`i, rau ra(m o+? la.i chi.u mu`i nu+o+'c tu+o+ng, tu.i Hu`ng nga^m nhu+ va^.y . Du~ng Thanh La^m kia "ca' ha^'p, ca' ha^'p hoa`i pha?i ngu+'a," thi` mi`nh "rau ra(m, rau ra(m hoa`i pha?i cay ." Bo+?i va^.y chi. Cu'c mo^.t la^`n ddo' ddo^?i mo'n a(n mo+'i ma` mo^~i la^`n nho+' la.i Hu`ng tha^'y nho'i trong tim .

     - Bu+~a nay co' gi` a(n kho^ng chi. ba ? Hay la` bo^?n cu~ soa.n la.i ?

     - Co' no^`i ca' kho dde^? tre^n be^'p ddo' .

     Anh Ta^'n va` Hu`ng nghe no'i co' no^`i ca' kho trong bu.ng nhu+ mo+? co+`, ha^'p ta^'p do.n co+m . DDe^'n chu+`ng do+? no^`i ca' ra mo+'i tha^'y ho+~i o^i:

     - Ca' kie^?u gi` ky` va^.y chi. Ba ? Sao toa`n la` dda^`u ma` kho^ng tha^'y pha^`n dduo^i!

     - Cu?a thie^'m Hai ca('t cho ddo' . Chi. kho cho ma^'y em a(n ddo+~ .

     Hu`ng nghe.n nga`o nhi`n anh Ta^'n, nhe. nha`ng dda^.y na^'p vung la.i .

     - Chi. Ba a`, sao chi. la`m va^.y ? Tu.i em tha` che^'t ddo'i ...

     - Chi. tha^'y hai em a(n vo+'i nu+o+'c tu+o+ng hoa`i, chi. kho^ng no+~ .

     Ro^`i ba chi. em nhi`n nhau ro+m ro+'m nu+o+'c ma('t .

     Qua na(m sau chi. em Hu`ng ba'i bai chu' Hai Bo^. cha.y ve^` chu' Hai Ha^.u, chu' lao co^ng que't do.n cho tru+o+`ng Nguye^~n Co^ng Tru+', tru+o+`ng chi. Cu'c va` anh Ta^'n ddang ho.c . Chu' Hai Ha^.u ddu+o+.c o^ng ba'c la` o^ng Le^ Va(n Cha^?n cho giu+~ mie^'ng vu+o+`n tre^n ddu+o+`ng Vo`ng Nho?, xe'o xe'o vo+'i lo^'i va`o chu`a Pho^? DDu+'c . DDo^'i die^.n la` nha` cu?a o^ng DDo^'c Ho.c, ca'i nha` ga.ch so+n nu+o+'c vo^i ma`u ti'm mo+'i nhi`n vo^ tu+o+?ng la` nha` tho+` vi` ca^'t theo kie^?u ddu+a dda^`u song ra ddu+o+`ng . Ca(n nha` ddo^.c nha^'t vo^ nhi., kho^ng gio^'ng nha` na`o cu?a ca? tha`nh pho^' My~ Tho . DDa'm con ga'i cu?a o^ng DDo^'c ke^nh kie^.u du+~ la('m kho^ng the`m cho+i vo+'i dda'm Hu`ng . Hai be^n ddu+o+`ng Vo`ng Nho? khoa?ng ddo' la` hai con ra.ch cho ne^n nha` na`o cu~ng co' ca^`u . Ca^`u vo^ nha` o^ng DDo^'c la` ca^`u ddu'c ba(`ng xi ma(ng cho xe cha.y co`n ca^`u vo^ nha` chu' Hai Ha^.u la` ca^`u du+`a, tha^'y le'p ve^' ho+n ngu+o+`i ta qua' co+~ .

     Chu' Hai Ha^.u cu~ng nhu+ o^ng Ba?y, cho o+? kho^ng . Nhu+ng vie^.c dda^`u tie^n la` pha?i ca^'t the^m mo^.t ca'i cha'i tie^'p theo ta^'m va'ch va'n du+`a cu?a nha` chu' . Ca^'t ra dde^'n go^'c vu' su+~a la` vu+`a, va` pha?i va`o ru+`ng ddo^'n ca^y . Mie^'ng dda^'t ro^.ng me^nh mo^ng, chi? ma(.t tie^`n tro^ng ra lo^. co`n ddu+o+.c khai kha^?n, tro^`ng tro.t, chu+' pha^`n sau kho^ng ai cha(m so'c ca^y co^'i mo.c nhu+ ru+`ng . Qua ma^'y go` ma? dda' xanh, qua ca'i ao co' ca^y ma^.n da ngu+o+`i la` dde^'n bi`a ru+`ng . Len lo?i va`o trong ti`m nhu+~ng ca^y tha(?ng ma` ddo^'n . Ma^'y ca^y lo+'n la`m co^.t va` ke`o, ma^'y ca^y nho? la`m ddo`n tay . Anh Ta^'n mo+'i xa'n mo^.t bu'a dda^`u ... bo^~ng nhie^n ru`ng mi`nh, tay cha^n ue^? oa?i, kho^ng la`m a(n gi` ddu+o+.c nu+~a . Xa'ch bu'a tro+? vo^ nha` le^n giu+o+`ng na(`m ma` le^n co+n so^'t . Ky` thie^.t . Thie^'m Hai pha?i xo^i che` cu'ng mo+'i he^'t .

     O+? vo+'i chu' Hai Ha^.u thi` kho?i pha?i lo ve^` ma(.t kinh te^' . Rau ca?i thi` dda^'t tro^'ng thie^'u gi`, ma(.c su+'c ma` tro^`ng . A(n co+m kho^ng co' rau nhu+ nha` gia`u che^'t kho^ng co' nha.c, bo+?i va^.y ba^`u, bi', mu+o+'p, du+a leo bo` tha? gia`n, rau tho+m, xa` la'ch, ca?i tro+`i, ca?i ro^? le^n xanh lie^'p . Co`n ca' to^m thi` de^~ tho^i, tay la`m ha`m nhai . La`m sie^ng thi` dda^'p dda^.p ta't mu+o+ng, la`m bie^'ng thi` ddi ca^u ca' bo^'ng du+`a ca' bo^'ng ca't, co`n tro+'t lo+'t luo^n thi` chi? ddi ca('m ma^'y ca^y ca^`n-ca^u-ca('m do.c theo mu+o+ng dde^? ba('t ca' tre^ . Ma(.c du` xa nhu+ng nu+o+'c so^ng Ba?o DDi.nh cu~ng tra`n to+'i dda^y, trong mu+o+ng cu~ng co' nu+o+'c lo+'n nu+o+'c ro`ng . Va`o mu`a mu+a chu' Hai hay tro^`ng the^m va.t mi`, dde^? a(n thi` i't nhu+ng dde^? ba('t chuo^.t thi` nhie^`u . Chuo^.t co^'ng con na`o con na^'y lo+'n ba(`ng con heo con . Chuo^.t co^'ng xu` ke^u "ru` ru` ru` ..." mo+'i a(n ddu+o+.c, co`n chuo^.t co^'ng lang ke^u "che't che't che't ..." thi` chi? gie^'t ddem cho^n . Tra'i ca^y cu~ng kho^ng thie^'u thu+' gi`, ngoa`i du+`a vo+'i chuo^'i vu+o+`n na`o cu~ng tro^`ng, co`n co' ma^.n, xoa`i, bu+o+?i, o^?i, chu`m ruo^.t, vu' su+~a ... Ca^y vu' su+~a be^n cha'i mo+'i a'c, nhie^`u dde^m Hu`ng ddang ngu? ma` da'm ru.ng xuo^'ng mu`ng ddo^`m ddo^.p, coi ma'i la' cha^`m nhu+ kho^ng .

     Ba^'y gio+` Hu`ng mo+'i nho+' ra la` mi`nh ddang so^'ng o+? mie^`n Nam, mie^`n la`m cho+i a(n thie^.t . Chi. Cu'c the^m mo^.t la^`n nu+~a ke'o chi. Sen ve^` o+? chung . Ba.n be` Hu`ng ddu+'a na`o ma` kho^ng thi'ch ddi vu+o+`n, kho^ng thi'ch le^n cho+i vo+'i Hu`ng . Ma^'y bu+~a a(n co+m vu+o+`n, mo^~i ddu+'a mo^.t to^ bu+ng ra go` ma? dda' xanh vu+`a a(n vu+`a tro` chuye^.n cu~ng tha^`n tie^n . Tro+`i chie^`u nho+` ddo' ma` the^m y' nghi~a .

     Mo+'i so^'ng vo+'i chu' Hai Ha^.u chu+a mu.c mo^.t lo+'p la' thi` pha?i do.n ddi no+i kha'c . La^`n na`y kho^ng rie^ng gi` chi. em Hu`ng ma` ca? chu' thie^'m Hai . DDa'm con o^ng Cha^?n ddo`i chia gia ta`i ma(.c du` o^?ng chu+a che^'t . Chu' Hai Nhi` ve^` Sa`i Go`n coi ra.p ha't Va(n Ca^`m o+? Phu' Nhua^.n thi` kho^ng ti'nh ro^`i, ma^'y ba` co^ gia`nh nhau ma^'y dda'm ruo^.ng trong xa~ Thanh Bi`nh thi` cu~ng ye^n, chi? co`n chu' Na(m Tru+'ng, ca^.u u't, la` tha^`u dda'm ruo^.ng vu+o+`n do.c theo ddu+o+`ng Vo`ng Nho? . Chu' Na(m ddo`i ba'n mie^'ng vu+o+`n chu' thie^'m Hai va` dda'm Hu`ng ddang o+? dde^? la^'y tie^`n u?i ruo^.ng la^.p cu+ xa' Le^ Va(n Cha^?n ddo^'i die^.n tru+o+`ng trung ho.c ba'n co^ng Tru+o+ng Co^ng DDi.nh . Ly' do chi'nh dda'ng dde^? dduo^?i ta' vu+o+`n . May la` nho+` ba` con ne^n chu' Na(m Tru+'ng co`n nghi~ ti`nh, giao cho chu' Hai Ha^.u tro^ng coi mie^'ng vu+o+`n kha'c tuo^'t tre^n nga~ ba sa^n bay Bi`nh DDu+'c, ngo' va`o Xo'm Tre .

     La.i mo^.t la^`n nu+~a kha(n go'i go^`ng ga'nh di ta?n ve^` vu+o+`n, chuye^'n na`y ve^` vu+o+`n tha^.t chu+' kho^ng pha?i ve^` vu+o+`n ngoa.i o^ dde`n va`ng nu+~a . Chu' thie^'m Hai ca^'t nha` mo+'i, va` chi. em Hu`ng cu~ng ca^'t nha` mo+'i ca'ch nhau mo^.t ca'i mu+o+ng . Ta.i vi` gia ddi`nh chu' thie^'m Hai ta(ng cu+o+`ng nhanh cho'ng, ti'nh to+'i con be' Ga'i Nho? dda~ la` ddu+'a thu+' sa'u ro^`i . DDa'm Hu`ng cu~ng ta(ng cu+o+`ng the^m con be' Ga^'m se~ va`o ho.c lo+'p tie^'p lie^n . Em ke^' Hu`ng, con be' DDe.p, ma^'t ho^`i co`n nho? ne^n giu+~a Hu`ng vo+'i con be' Ga^'m co' ca'ch khoa?ng . Va? la.i dda'm Hu`ng cu~ng dda~ lo+'n cho^`ng ngo^`ng ro^`i ne^n thi'ch o+? rie^ng . O+? rie^ng ba.n be` trai ga'i cu~ng de^~ .

     Da.o ddo' Hu`ng i't ve^` que^ tha(m nha` va`o cuo^'i tua^`n ma` o+? la.i vo+'i ba.n be` . Bu+~a na`o co' tie^`n thi` ddi a(n pho+? Ta`u Bay, ddi a(n hu? tie^'u Pha'nh Ky', hoa(.c ddi thu.t bi-da Cha^u Die^`u . DDu+'a na`y tu+o+?ng ddu+'a kia co' tie^`n ma` ma^'y ba^.n ngo^`i ddo^`ng ma` chu+a bao gio+` bie^'t to+?n . Co' ca^y vie^'t Pa-ke hay ca'i kie^'ng Ra^`y-ban ca^`m ddo+~ cu~ng ddu+o+.c va`i tra(m ma` tra? tie^`n no+. . Bu+~a na`o kho^ng tie^`n thi` ddi ta('m so^ng Cu+?u Long, Ca^`u Ta`u, Ca^`u Ba('c, Ca^`u Da^`u cu?a nha` ma'y DDo^~ Quang . Mo^.t la^`n ta.i Ca^`u Ta`u, ga(.p lu'c nu+o+'c ro`ng sa't dde^'n no^~i tha^'y lu+o+`n chie^'c ta`u chi`m na(`m la^.t u'p ngoa`i kho+i, ddu+'ng tre^n ca^`u nhi`n xuo^'ng nu+o+'c dda~ tha^'y ngo^.p ma` da'm nha?y . Ho+n mu+o+`i thu+o+'c co', chi? nha?y ddu+'ng tho^i ma` lu'c tro^`i le^n dda~ muo^'n hu.t ho+i . Lo^.i ra chie^'c ta`u chi`m, tha^'y nu+o+'c cuo^'n xoa'y ma` so+. . Bao nhie^u ddu+'a che^'t o+? cho^~ na`y ma` sao va^~n co`n ngu . Ngu thi` co' ngu nhu+ng tu.i ba.n la`m ddu+o+.c thi` mi`nh pha?i la`m ddu+o+.c ... Ro^`i co' bu+~a ddi cho+i xa ho+n mo^.t chu't, qua Co^`n Ro^`ng, Ta^n Tha.ch, Be^'n Tre, vo^ Go` Ca't, Thanh Bi`nh, Be^'n Tranh, le^n Trung Lu+o+ng, Be^'n Chu`a, Ta^n Hie^.p, xuo^'ng Cai La^.y, Ca'i Be` .

     Va`o giu+~a nie^n kho'a na(m ddo', Hu`ng ddi ho.c a(n sa'ng kho?i to^'n tie^`n . Ma^'y o^ng ba'n ba'nh mi` thi.t, su+~a dda^.u na`nh, bo` bi'a, dda^.u ddo? ba'nh lo.t tru+o+'c co^?ng tru+o+`ng kho^ng o^ng na`o chi.u la^'y tie^`n cu?a Hu`ng .

     - Tho^i, kho?i ca^`n tra?, co' ngu+o+`i tra? cho chu' ma^`y ro^`i . A(n ca? tha'ng chu+a cha('c dda~ he^'t .

     Hu`ng la`m ti~nh, bo? tie^`n vo^ tu'i:

     - Thie^.t ha? ? Ai tra? cho tui va^.y ?

     - Kho^ng ddu+o+.c tie^'t lo^. bi' ma^.t a` . Tie^'t lo^. bi' ma^.t thi` chu' ma`y kho^ng co' a(n ma` tao cu~ng kho^ng co' ba'n a` .

     - Nhu+ng ta.i sao o^ng bie^'t tui la` ngu+o+`i to+'i a(n ma` o^ng kho^ng la^'y tie^`n .

     - A, ca'i ddo' thi` cu~ng la` bi' ma^.t nu+~a!

     Ma^'y o^ng Ta`u ki'n mie^.ng tha^.t, Hu`ng kho^ng bie^'t ngu+o+`i gu+?i tie^`n cho mi`nh a(n sa'ng la` ai, gia` tre?, trai ga'i . Nhu+ng Hu`ng bie^'t cha('c ngu+o+`i ddo' kho^ng la` ba` con tha^n thuo^.c gi` vo+'i Hu`ng vi` ngoa`i ma^'y chi. em ra dda^u co`n ai . Hu`ng suy nghi~ hoa`i ma` kho^ng ti`m ra ca^u tra? lo+`i ... Nhu+ng ho^m ddo' o^ng ba'n su+~a dda^.u na`nh da'm ngang nhie^n ddo`i tie^`n, Hu`ng vu+`a mo'c tu'i vu+`a ho?i:

     - U?a, kho^ng ai tra? tru+o+'c cho tui a` ?

     Ro^`i nhu+ o^ng su+.c nho+' ddie^`u gi`, o^ng ho?i la.i:

     - Pha?i chu' ma`y hay ddi chung vo+'i tha(`ng ... co' ca'i bo+'t ddo? be^n ma' pha?i ho^n ? . Bu+~a nay no' dda^u ro^`i ? Ne`, ca^'t tie^`n ddi .

     DDu'ng la` tha(`ng Cha^u, co' ho^~n danh la` Cha^u Bu'a vi` ca'i bo+'t ddo? ddo' . Va^.y la` ma^.t hie^.u dda~ bi. kha'm pha' . La^`n ho^`i ro^`i tha(`ng Cha^u cu~ng bie^'t, ha(m he ddo`i a(n chia . Chi? bie^'t to+'i ddo' tho^i, ca? tha'ng tro+`i kho^ng ba^.t mi' the^m ca'i bi' ma^.t na`o he^'t . Hu`ng ddo^?i chie^'n thua^.t vo+'i o^ng ba'n ba'nh mi`:

     - Tui tha^'y tui a(n nhu+ va^`y hoa`i mang to^.i mu't dda^`u . Ba bu+~a nu+~a ma` o^ng kho^ng cho tui bie^'t ngu+o+`i ddo' la` ai thi` tui ... tha` nhi.n ddo'i ddi ho.c tho^i .

     - E^, chu' ma`y no'i thie^.t hay no'i gio+~n dda^y ?

     - Thie^.t ma` .

     - Co' ngu+o+`i lo cho, su+o+'ng qua' ma` kho^ng chi.u ha? ?

     Chie^'n thua^.t ho^`i ma~ thu+o+ng cu?a Hu`ng coi va^.y ma` hie^.u nghie^.m . Qua nga`y thu+' ba ddu'ng ha.n ky`, o^ng Ta`u trao cho Hu`ng mo^.t bi` thu+ kho^ng mo^.t chu+~ be^n ngoa`i . Hu`ng xe' thu+ xem le'n mo^.t mi`nh:

     - Tho^i, che^'t tao ro^`i Cha^u o+i .

     - Gi` ma` che^'t ma^.y . DDu+a tao coi ..., no'i tao nghe vo+'i .

     No'i la`m sao ddu+o+.c . Trong bao thu+ vo?n ve.n co' mo^.t ta^'m hi`nh, phi'a sau vie^'t ma^'y chu+~ ngoa(`n ngoe`o: "Ta(.ng anh ye^u qui' ." Con Ca^?m, che^'t ro^`i, con Ca^?m ba.n be' Ga^'m o+? phi'a vu+o+`n sau nha` . Pha?i a(n no'i la`m sao dda^y, chi? tha^'y Ca^?m to+'i nha` mo^.t hai la^`n .

     - Da^'u ha? ? Tru+o+'c sau gi` tao cu~ng bie^'t .

     Qua nga`y sau Hu`ng trao cho o^ng Ta`u mo^.t bu+'c thu+ he.n Ca^?m o+? con ddu+o+`ng tha^.t va('ng mu.c ddi'ch kho^ng pha?i dde^? de^~ ta^m ti`nh ma` chi? so+. thie^n ha. tha^'y . Ca^?m co`n nho? qua', ngu+.c chu+a cha('c dda~ da^.y tra'i tra`m, ti`nh ye^u cu~ng ne^n dde^? trong lo`ng ma` tho^i, trai ga'i do.c ddu+o+`ng ai coi cho ddu+o+.c . Hu`ng chi? coi Ca^?m nhu+ em ga'i, cho+` tho+`i gian dde^? hie^?u tha^.t lo`ng mi`nh . Hu`ng bie^'t dde^m ddo' Hu`ng la`m Ca^?m buo^`n vo^ ha.n .

     Su+. vie^.c na`y dda(.t Hu`ng va`o ngu+o+~ng cu+?a ti`nh ye^u ma` chi'nh Hu`ng cu~ng chu+a da'm nghi~ to+'i . Hu`ng tu+. ho?i ai thu+o+ng mi`nh va` mi`nh dda~ dde^? y' ai chu+a . Ho.c tro` dde^. tu+' cu~ng lo+'n ro^`i, mu+o+`i la(m mu+o+`i sa'u ro^`i . Mo+'i nga`y na`o chu' Hai Ha^.u da^~n Hu`ng ddi so+n tru+o+`ng Nguye^~n Co^ng Tru+', be^n ho^ng nha` o^ng Cha^?n, co^' ti`nh cho Hu`ng tha^'y ma(.t con Phu+o+.ng, cha'u no^.i cu?a o^ng Cha^?n . DDa'm na`y ho.c do+? nhu+ng gia`u, chuo^.t sa hu~ ne^'p, chu' Hai Ha^.u no'i mi' mi' nhu+ va^.y . Ro^`i da.o na`o cho+i tha^n vo+'i tha(`ng Quye^`n, em Va^n cu?a no' co' mo'n ngon va^.t la. gi` thi` cu+' nhu+ pha?i dde^? da`nh cho Hu`ng, rie^ng cho anh Hu`ng . Lu'c ddu+a cu~ng kho^ng la^'y tay ve^` lie^`n, giu+~ ddo' ho+i la^u, bo^'n ma('t cha.m nhau nhu+ ba('n mo^.t nie^`m tin . The^m con nho? ba'n mi'a ngoa`i Ca^`u Ba('c, suy't chu't nu+~a Hu`ng bi. dda^.p, may ma` co' tha(`ng Cha^u Bu'a . Ta.i con nho? co' ca?m ti`nh vo+'i Hu`ng, vie^'t thu+ cho Hu`ng chu+' ai ma` the`m ddi gia`nh ga'i vo+'i lu~ dda^`u tra^u ma(.t ngu+.a ddo' . Pha?i bie^'t no'i nho? nhe. thi` ngu+o+`i ta nhu+o+`ng cho, Hu`ng tha^'y mi`nh le^n ma(.t qua' xa' co+~ .

     Ca^?m, Phu+o+.ng, Va^n, va` luo^n ca? con nho? ba'n mi'a cu~ng dde^`u ddang ho.c tie^'p lie^n, la`m nhu+ o+? My~ Tho lo+'p tie^'p lie^n la` lo+'p ti`m ye^u cho con ga'i . DDo^'i vo+'i Hu`ng dda(.c bie^.t co`n co' the^m mo^.t con nho? ho.c tie^'p lie^n nu+~a, lo+'p tie^'p lie^n tu+ thu.c cu?a o^ng Pha.m Co^ng Bi`nh . Ho^`ng Lan . DDa^`u lo`ng hai a? to^' nga, Ho^`ng Hoa la` chi. em la` Ho^`ng Lan . Ho^`ng Hoa cu~ng dde.p nhu+ng kho^ng ba(`ng Ho^`ng Lan . Con nho? vo'c da'ng ma?nh mai, nu+o+'c da tra('ng bo'c mo^i ddo? nhu+ son . Hai tha(`ng con o^ng Bi`nh nga`y na`o kho^ng cha^.n o+? ca^`u thang le^n lo+'p ho.c . Tha(`ng Lu+~ con chu? tie^.m may Batou nga`y na`o kho^ng dda.p xe dda.p re^` re^` he^'t dda.i lo^. Le^ Lo+.i . Tha(`ng Cha^u tu+` be^n dda^'t Tha'nh Ta^y cu~ng nha`o qua ... Co`n da^n Be^'n Tre thi` vo^ so^' ke^?, tha(`ng Ho`a da^n Giao Long, tha(`ng Thie^.n da^n Vang Quo+'i, tha(`ng La.c da^n Bi`nh DDa.i ... tha(`ng na`o cu~ng theo . Toa`n la` dda'm ba.n trang lu+'a vo+'i Hu`ng .

     Tu.i no' dda^u ngo+` Hu`ng kho^ng theo ma` Hu`ng ddu+o+.c . Ta.i vi` Ho^`ng Lan ho.c chung lo+'p vo+'i be' Ga^'m, em Hu`ng . Thi?nh thoa?ng be' Ga^'m da^~n Ho^`ng Lan ve^` nha` cho+i, Hu`ng co' di.p ni.nh dda^`m, va` sau ddo' ma^'y la^`n ddi vu+o+`n, vo^ tuo^'t mie^.t Xo'm Tre, thi` ti`nh ye^u nhu+ co' ai ddu+a ddu+o+`ng da^~n lo^'i . Mo^.t la^`n Hu`ng ghe' nha` tha(m Ho^`ng Lan ba^'t thi`nh li`nh, chi? co' mi`nh Ho^`ng Lan o+? nha` . Ho^`ng Lan so+. va` Hu`ng cu~ng so+. . Kho^ng hie^?u Ho^`ng Lan so+. gi`, nhu+ng Hu`ng chi? so+. mi`nh ca^`m lo`ng kho^ng dda^.u, vo^ ti`nh la`m to^?n thu+o+ng ca'i thie^ng lie^ng cao quy' cu?a ti`nh ye^u . May ma` co' co^ Na(m be^n he` qua cho+i lu'c Hu`ng tha? lu+ng na(`m vo~ng tre^n bo^. va'n ma` Ho^`ng Lan ddang u?i ddo^` .

     - Con nho? na`y u?i ca'i qua^`n chu+a tha(?ng, to+'i ho^`i la^'y cho^`ng ro^`i la`m sao ?

     - Tho^i ddi ba` . Thie^'u ddie^`u cha'y ro^`i ma` co`n tha(?ng vo+'i kho^ng tha(?ng ...

     Cuo^'i na(m ddo' chi. Kim dda^.u pha^`n mo^.t ro^`i la^'y cho^`ng o+? Sa`i Go`n, chi. Cu'c cu~ng dda^.u pha^`n mo^.t ro^`i ddi da.y tie^?u ho.c o+? Cai La^.y, Hu`ng va` anh Ta^'n dda^.u trung ho.c dde^. nha^'t ca^'p, be' Ga^'m dda^.u va`o dde^. tha^'t tru+o+`ng co^ng, Le^ Ngo.c Ha^n . Theo nha` ngu+o+`i ta dda'ng ly' ra pha?i ma^`n heo a(n mu+`ng, dda(`ng na`y ba ma' Hu`ng cho mo^~i ddu+'a co' na(m chu.c ba.c, kho^ng ddu? tie^`n ddi My~ Tho da^~n bo^` ra qua'n My~ Duye^n a(n kem ...

     Du` the^' na`o ddi nu+~a, ne^'u thu+o+.ng dde^' cho cuo^.c ddo+`i na`y lu`i la.i, Hu`ng cu~ng se~ van xin cho mi`nh ddu+o+.c la`m mo^.t ngu+o+`i ho.c tro` que^, mo^.t la^`n nu+~a le^n tha`nh, la^n la be^n ngu+o+~ng cu+?a ti`nh ye^u cu?a tho+`i mo+'i lo+'n .

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03. TRONG MIE^`N QUA' KHU+'

            NGUYE^~N TA^'N HU+NG

     Con ddu+o+`ng Ly' Thu+o+`ng Kie^.t no^'i da`i, ho'a tha^n cu?a ddu+o+`ng xe lu+?a cu~, mu`a na`o cu~ng tro+? nga.i . Ly' do tha^.t ddo+n gia?n la` vi` ba'c Ta'm lu.c lo^. co' nhie^.m vu. pha?i ba?o ve^. con ddu+o+`ng . Ca'ch duy nha^'t ma` ba'c dda~ ho.c ddu+o+.c o+? tru+o+`ng Co^ng Cha'nh la` xa'ch ki ddi xuo^'ng ruo^.ng dda`o lo+'p nhu+.a ddu+o+`ng "made in Vie^.t Nam" le^n, dda^.p nho? ra ro^`i ra?i tu+' gia(ng tre^n ma(.t dda' . Va`o mu`a na('ng, bu.i bay mu` mi.t mo^~i la^`n co' xe cha.y qua hay chi? ca^`n mo^.t co+n gio' lo+'n . Lo^.i bo^. suo^'t con ddu+o+`ng, lo^~ mu~i co' khoen . Va`o mu`a mu+a, con ddu+o+`ng tro+? tha`nh nha~o nhe.t . DDi bo^. co`n kho^ng muo^'n vu+~ng vi` ddo^i gia`y ha`m e^'ch ca`ng lu'c ca`ng to, ca`ng na(.ng, no'i gi` to+'i ddi xe dda.p xe ga('n ma'y . Si`nh qua^'n va`o ca(m, va`o ba'nh xe, va`o ga.t-ddo+`-bu kho^ng ma^'y cho^'c la` pha?i va'c, pha?i da^~n, hoa(.c pha?i go+?i . To^.i nghie^.p cho ma^'y co^ ho.c tro` trung ho.c, kho^ng bie^'t pha?i ddi kie^?u sao cho vu+`a lo`ng ca'i a'o da`i tra('ng thu+o+'c tha, lu+o+.t thu+o+.t cu?a mi`nh .

     Tuy tra('c tro+? va^.y nhu+ng nho+` cho^~ o+? la^u cho ne^n con ddu+o+`ng na`y, ma(.c du` kho^ng pha?i la` con ddu+o+`ng mang te^n em, ddo^'i vo+'i Hu`ng cu~ng co' nhie^`u ca'i ti`nh . Tho+`i ddo' la` tho+`i bi`nh, hoa(.c gia? ta.m go.i la` tho+`i bi`nh ddi, vi` chie^'n tranh chu+a lan tra`n va`o tha`nh thi. . Ban dde^m cu~ng chu+a co' gio+'i nghie^m . Bo.n Hu`ng lu'c ddo' ddang mo+'i ta^.p dda`n ta^.p ha't cho ne^n nguye^n ban thu+o+`ng hay ma?i me^ tri`nh die^~n nghe^u ngao ngoa`i ddu+o+`ng cho dde^'n hai ba gio+` khuya . Cho kho?i phie^`n la`ng xo'm ddang ca^`n su+. ye^n la(.ng nghi? ngo+i . A'nh tra(ng sa'ng nga`, co' ca^y dda to, co' tha(`ng cuo^.i gia`, o^m mo^.t mo^'i mo+ . Nho+` nhu+~ng ba`i ha't va` nhu+~ng dde^m tra(ng nhu+ va^.y ma` ban nha.c mo^.t nga`y mo^.t tie^'n . O^m mo^.t mo^'i mo+ ? Mo+ gi` ? Hu`ng mo+ ra(`ng con ddu+o+`ng ma~i ma~i la` cu?a rie^ng mi`nh va` lu~ ba.n, kho^ng pha?i la` cu?a chi'nh phu?, cu?a co^ng ty gi` ca? .

     DDa^y la` vu`ng ngoa.i o^ tha`nh pho^' cho ne^n kho^ng co' ca?nh nha` cu+?a ca^'t san sa't, khi't va'ch vo+'i nhau, kho^ng co' ca?nh dda^u ma(.t, ddu.ng ddi't . Ma` mo^.t be^n ddu+o+`ng la` ruo^.ng, tra?i da`i tuo^'t ra ddu+o+`ng Ngo^ Tu`ng Cha^u, ddu+o+`ng ddi Bi`nh DDu+'c, ddi ca(n cu+' DDo^`ng Ta^m . Va` mo^.t be^n la` vu+o+`n, a(n luo^`n ra ddu+o+`ng Nguye^~n Tri Phu+o+ng, ddu+o+`ng ddi Trung Lu+o+ng, Be^'n Chu`a . Mo^.t ma(.t no^'i tie^'p xuo^'ng vu+o+`n o^ng Kha'nh co' nuo^i ddu? thu+' tha^.p va^.t, tri~ tri'ch, co^ng ngo^~ng, ru`a ra('n, tra(n lu+o+n, nhu+ la` mo^.t ca'i so+? thu' tu+ .

     Con ddu+o+`ng dda~ mang dde^'n cho Hu`ng hai nie^`m vui kha'c bie^.t . Vi` o+? ruo^.ng co' ca'i vui cu?a ruo^.ng . Mu`a nu+o+'c no^?i ddi soi e^'ch, che'm ca', mu`a gieo ma. ddi ba('t ca' tre^ le't, cua ddo^`ng, mu`a ca^'y lu'a ddi ca^u ca' ro^, va` mu`a dda^.p lu'a ddi ba('t ca' ca.n, ca' cha.ch . Va` o+? vu+o+`n thi` co' ca'i vui cu?a vu+o+`n, mu`a ma^.n co' ma^.n, mu`a xoa`i co' xoa`i, mu`a mi't co' mi't, mu`a vu' su+~a co' vu' su+~a ..., mu`a na`o mi`nh cu~ng a(n tra'i ca^y ddi ... ha'i tro^.m ddu+o+.c he^'t . Cu?a nha` luo^n luo^n thua xa cu?a thie^n ha. . Ca^y tha^'p kho?i tre`o cha(?ng no'i la`m gi`, ca^y cao cu~ng kho?i tre`o luo^n . Tre`o la`m chi cho me^.t trong khi tre^n tay mi`nh co' ca'i na' gia`n thung . Nhu+ xoa`i tu+o+.ng cha(?ng ha.n, tra'i na`o tra'i na^'y to ba(`ng ba('p chuo^'i ma` to`ng ten chi? bo+?i ca'i cuo^'ng nho? xi'u, da`i tho`ng . Chi? ma`nh treo chuo^ng . Mo^.t tha(`ng ba('n mo^.t tha(`ng hu+'ng, va` pha?i ba('n ngay cuo^'ng cho tha^.t ngo.t . Ky. nhu+'t la` ba('n tru'ng tra'i xoa`i, ba('n tru'ng tra'i xoa`i la` bi. ma^'t phie^n, kho^ng ddu+o+.c phe'p ba('n nu+~a ma` pha?i chi.u kho' giu+~ "go^n ."

     Ba('n tra'i ca^y thi` qua' de^~, ba('n ga` ba('n vi.t mo+'i kho' . Vi` ga` vi.t bie^'t cha.y, bie^'t la . DDa~ va^.y quanh qua^?n kho^ng chi.u ddi xa nha`, ba('n kho^ng khe'o chu? nha` nghe tie^'ng, be^? o^?, cha.y che^'t kho^ng ki.p tro^'i . Pha?i ngay con ma('t va` kho^ng co' vie^n thu+' hai . Che^'t kho^ng ki.p la, che^'t kho^ng ki.p gia~y, chi? co`n tra^n mi`nh, hai ca(?ng ddo+ ra, oa(`n oa.i . Ta`n nha^~n thie^.t, nhu+ng pha?i co' no' cho no^`i cha'o khuya, mo+'i co' ddu? hu+'ng thu' dde^? ba`n chuye^.n chi'nh chi., chi'nh em . Vi` tho+`i cuo^.c dda^?y ddu+a, ho.c tro` dde^. nha^'t dde^. nhi. ba^'y gio+` ba('t buo^.c pha?i so+'m tham gia ca'c hoa.t ddo^.ng chi'nh tri. hay i't ra cu~ng pha?i so+'m co' chu't i't suy tu+ ve^` va^.n ma.ng dda^'t nu+o+'c . Da^`u sao cu~ng la` lo+'p dda`n anh, lo+'p la~nh dda.o cho dda'm ho.c tro` . Ma` no'i cho cu`ng, cu~ng chi? co' ba con ddu+o+`ng tho^i, con ddu+o+`ng quo^'c gia, con ddu+o+`ng co^.ng sa?n, va` con ddu+o+`ng lu+ng chu+`ng ca^`u an . Bie^'t so+'m muo^.n gi` ro^`i thi' sinh cu~ng pha?i cho.n mo^.t trong ba dde^`: ddi li'nh, vo^ bu+ng, hay ... la`m tha^`y gia'o .

     Kho^ng co' ga` vi.t thi` pha?i ddi dda`o tru`n ca^u ca' . Ca' tra, ca' do^`, ca' ca^`u tie^u, ca' gi` cu~ng ddu+o+.c, mie^~n la` co' ca' cho no^`i cha'o khuya . Tho+`i buo^?i na`y ho.c tro` lo+'n cu~ng dda^u co`n thi` gio+` dde^? ddi ca^u tho+`i, ca^u va^.n ngoa`i so^ng trong ra.ch . Ca^u ca' tro^.m co`n pha?i ca^?n tha^.n ho+n la` ba('n ga` ba('n vi.t nhie^`u, vi` ho^` ca' thu+o+`ng ddu+o+.c dda`o sa't be^n he` chu? nha` . Pha?i bie^'t mo^`i tha? xuo^'ng la` ca' ca('n ca^u lie^`n tu+'c kha('c, va` ca' ca('n ca^u thi` pha?i giu+.t le^n bo+` lie^`n tu+'c kha('c, kho^ng ddu+o+.c cha^.m tre^~ mo^.t ti'ch ta('c na`o he^'t . Con ca' le^n bo+` ro^`i ma` tie^'ng ddo^.ng chi? nhu+ con ca' a(n mo^'ng, mo+'i ddu'ng ddie^.u . Ye^'u tay mo^.t chu't, bi. con ca' lu+o+.n va`i vo`ng du+o+'i nu+o+'c la` tra^.t ddu+o+`ng ra^`y, chu? nha` da'm se~ bu+ng dde`n ra ddi tha(m ho^` ca' . Le^n tre^n bo+` pha?i tru`m ca' vo^ bao bo^' ngay . Ca' gia~y ba.ch ba.ch kho^ng thua gi` con cho' con . Cu~ng bie^'t su?a nu+~a cho+': ke.t-ke.t, ke.t-ke.t ... ke.t-ke.t . Da^y nho+. gi` cu+' dde^? nhu+ va^.y ve^` nha` ti'nh sau . Ma^'y bu+~a he^n di'nh ddu+o+.c mo^.t con me. la` xong, co`n ma^'y bu+~a xui ga(.p toa`n nhu+~ng con mo+'i da^.y thi`, la`m ddi la`m la.i ca'i ma`n "giu+.t, chu.p" na`y hoa`i cu~ng kho^ng kha' ddu+o+.c . La.ng qua.ng, tra'i tim trong ngu+.c no' nha?y luo^n ra ngoa`i ...

     Nhu+~ng hoa.t ddo^.ng ve^` dde^m cu?a bo.n Hu`ng do.c theo con ddu+o+`ng heo hu't na`y la^`n la^`n ddu+o+.c du nha^.p qua mie^`n Go` Ca't, chu`a Vi~nh Tra`ng . Ta.i vi` ba.n be` cu?a Hu`ng so^'ng o+? mie^.t na`y ddo^ng, va? la.i khu na`y "vu+o+`n ro^.ng, ra`o thu+a, de^~ kie^'m ga` ." Chu? vu+o+`n o+? dda^y mo^~i ngu+o+`i te^. la('m cu~ng co' na(m ba?y ma^~u . Vu+o+`n na`y no^'i tie^'p vu+o+`n kia tru`ng tru`ng ddie^.p ddie^.p nhu+ ru+`ng, nhie^`u cho^~ a^m u ti~nh mi.ch kho^ng tha^'y a'nh sa'ng ma(.t tro+`i kho^ng tha^'y da^'u ve^'t con ngu+o+`i, mo+'i bu+o+'c va`o cu+' tu+o+?ng mi`nh la` Lo^~ Bi`nh So+n tre^n hoang dda?o, cu+' tu+o+?ng mi`nh bu+o+'c the^m bu+o+'c nu+~a la` da'm ti`m ddu+o+.c ca'i DDe^' Thie^n DDe^' Thi'ch thu+' hai .

     DDe^m Noel na(m ddo' chi? co' ba ddu+'a tru' ddo'ng ta.i nha` Quye^`n . Hie^.p, Hu`ng va` kho^? chu? . Vu+`a xong ma`n cha'o ca', Quye^`n nhu+ cho+.t nho+' ra mo^.t ddie^`u le^n tie^'ng:

     - E^, ma^'y chi. Ba^'t Tri, Ba^'t Minh, Ba^'t Tho^ng do+? thie^.t, mi`nh cu~ng ne^n da.y cho ma^'y ba? ba`i ho.c "ca^u ca'" na`y mo+'i ddu+o+.c . Nghe ddo^`n ma^'y ba? chi? bie^'t ca^u ca' tho`i lo`i a(n ddi ho.c tho^i .

     Hie^.p phu. ho.a theo:

     - U+`a, nho+` ca' tho`i lo`i cha('c kho^ng a(n cu+'t cho ne^n ma^'y ba? mo+'i ho.c gio?i, no^?i tie^'ng nhu+ va^.y . Co`n tu.i mi`nh a(n ma^'y con ca' ca^`u na`y hoa`i cha('c cu+'t no' do.ng le^n o'c, dda^`u o'c no' lu' la^~n ddi . A`, ma` ga^`n nha` ba'c Ba cu~ng co' ma^'y ho^` ca' ngon la`nh la('m nha, bu+~a na`o mi`nh vo^ ddo' ca^u ddem cho o^?ng nha^.u .

     Hu`ng ho?i:

     - Ba'c Ba na`o ?

     Hie^.p tra? lo+`i ngay:

     - Thi` ba'c Ba o+? ga^`n chu`a Vi~nh Tra`ng ma^`y mo+'i ga(.p ho^m ddo', mo+'i ddo' ma` que^n ro^`i . O^?ng la` o^ng Ba^'t Tha`nh, ba cu?a ma^'y chi. Ba^'t Ba^'t ma` tha(`ng Quye^`n mo+'i nha('c . O^?ng co`n da'm dda(.t cho con cho' cu?a o^?ng te^n la` Ba^'t Tu+? nu+~a ma^.y . DDe^? bu+~a na`o cho+` o^?ng ddi va('ng coi no' ba^'t tu+? hay no' tu+? cho bie^'t, cho o^?ng nha^.u con cho' cu?a o^?ng thi` o^?ng mo+'i bo+'t ca'i ta^.t "ba^'t ba^'t" cu?a o^?ng .

     Ba'c Ba vo+'i ca^y ddo+`n vi-o^-lo^ng thi` que^n sao ddu+o+.c, Hu`ng xen va`o:

     - E^, tu.i mi`nh dda^u co' the^? la`m chuye^.n ba^'t nho+n, ba^'t nghi~a, ba^'t ca^`n pha?i tra'i nhu+ va^.y ddu+o+.c . Nghe tha(`ng Quye^`n no'i ba'c Ba coi va^.y cho+' ma` chi.u cho+i la('m ma` . Pha?i ho^n ma^.y ? O^?ng bie^'t ddo+`n vi-o^-lo^ng, va^.y sao mi`nh kho^ng ke'o o^ng gia` ba^'t ca^`n ddo+`i vo^ ban cu?a mi`nh luo^n cho no' xo^m tro` .

     Hie^.p cu+o+`i cu+o+`i:

     - U+`a, o^?ng chi.u cho+i la('m . O^?ng co`n ba^'t ke^? du+ lua^.n, da'm la(m le ta'n ti?nh ba` Sa'u ma' tha(`ng Quye^`n nu+~a ddo' .

     Quye^`n nghe ca^u no'i ddo' kho^ng lo.t lo^~ tai, be`n ca('t ngang:

     - Tho^i de.p tu.i ma`y ddi . Tha(`ng na`o muo^'n ddi pho^' thi` theo tao ddi lu+.a ddo^` vi'a .

     - DDi pho^' gio+` na`y ?

     - Noel ma` ma^.y!

     - DDi thi` ddi .

     Hie^.p va` Hu`ng theo Quye^`n ddi ho?i tha(m su+'c kho?e ca'i tu? a'o cu?a o^ng Sa'u, o^ng gia` cu?a tha(`ng Quye^`n . Mo^~i ddu+'a lo^i ra mo^.t ca'i, ve^'t cu~ng ddu+o+.c ma(ng-to^ cu~ng ddu+o+.c, ba^.n xu`ng xi`nh nhu+ tha'm tu+? . Ro^`i ca? ba ta`ng hi`nh va`o bo'ng dde^m . Hie^.p dde^` nghi. ddi ta('t ddu+o+`ng vu+o+`n, kho^ng chi.u ddi ddu+o+`ng ca'i . Cuo^'i ddu+o+`ng, lu'c sa('p ra kho?i vu+o+`n thi` nguy thay ... lo.t ngay o^? phu.c ki'ch cu?a dda'm li'nh ddo^`n Ca^y So^' Bo^'n .

     - Ai ddo', do+ tay le^n .

     - Gio+~n hoa`i ma^'y cha ...

     Co' tie^'ng tha(`ng Quye^`n tra? lo+`i .

     - Do+ tay le^n . Kho^ng tho^i tao ba('n tha^'y me. ba^y gio+`!

     Co' a'nh dde`n pin ro.i vo^ ma(.t, co' tie^'ng ke'o co+ ba^?m le^n dda.n la'ch ca'ch, Hu`ng he^'t su+'c nga.c nhie^n . Sao la.i co' vu. na`y . Cha('c tha(`ng Quye^`n dda~ ga^y lo^.n, hie^`m khi'ch vo+'i tu.i no' ro^`i, tha(`ng Quye^`n a^?u la('m . Bie^'t nhau qua' ma`, tu.i no' xu+a nay va^~n ne^? ma(.t dda'm Hu`ng la` dda'm dda`n anh sao bu+~a nay da'm la`m chuye^.n qua'i go+? ddo^.ng tro+`i nhu+ va^.y ddu+o+.c . Con ddu+o+`ng vu+o+`n ddi dda~ mo`n cha^n, trie^.u trie^.u la^`n kho^ng tha(`ng na`o da'm ho?i . Bu+.c thie^.t . Nhu+ng pha?i ddu+a hai tay le^n tro+`i, tu.i na`y no^?i co+n cu~ng da'm ba('n a^?u la('m cho+' cha(?ng pha?i cho+i ...

     - Ai ddo', ddu+'ng la.i . "Tie^`n tuye^'n ."

     - "Xung phong ." DDi na(m ve^` ta'm . Ho^'t ddu+o+.c ba con .

     La^`n dda^`u tie^n vo^ chuo^`ng co.p, la^`n dda^`u tie^n cho muo^~i a(n "re^`-quay-do^ng ." Sa'ng nga`y, tha(`ng tu+ Na(ng da'm la`m ma(.t la. ha(m he ddo`i gia?i ca? ba le^n Ty Co^ng An, ro^`i ba?o vi` nha^n dda.o ne^n mo+'i chi.u tha? ve^` . Ke^? tu+` ddo', Hu`ng tha^'y thuo+? thanh bi`nh nhu+ dda~ he^'t . Ke^? tu+` ddo', nhu+~ng hoa.t ddo^.ng ve^` dde^m cu?a bo.n Hu`ng coi nhu+ dda~ che^'t . Va` ke^? tu+` ddo', Hu`ng tha^'y tie^'ng no'i kho^ng co' su'ng dda.n ye^?m tro+. cu?a mi`nh kho^ng da(`n ma(.t ddu+o+.c ai .

     Ba` Sa'u, ma' tha(`ng Quye^`n, cho^`ng chu+a che^'t nhu+ng ba? pha?i o+? go'a, ta.i vi` o^ng Sa'u chi? nghe nhu+~ng gi` co^.ng sa?n no'i ma` kho^ng nhi`n ky~ nhu+~ng gi` co^.ng sa?n la`m, cho ne^n o^ng mo+'i bi. ba'c du. do^~ ta^.p ke^'t ra Ba('c . Ba` Sa'u o+? va^.y vo+'i ba` ngoa.i, ke^? tu+` nga`y hai ngu+o+`i chia tay va` tha(`ng Quye^`n ddu+o+ng nhie^n la`m con mo^.t . Nghe dda^u o^ng Sa'u ra ngoa`i dda`ng ngoa`i la`m lo+'n la('m, ha(m he cho ngu+o+`i ve^` ddo'n tha(`ng Quye^`n ddi ta^.p ke^'t luo^n . Nhu+ng, tha(`ng con cu+ng cu?a o^ng dda~ quen mu`i "tu+ ba?n" ma^'t ro^`i, dda^u co' chi.u ddi . Anh em ba` con chu' ba'c, ba` con ba.n di` cu?a tha(`ng Quye^`n la^`n la^`n ngu+o+.c ddu+o+`ng mo`n Ho^` Chi' Minh tro+? ra Ba('c ra'o tro.i . Con di` Ba?y, tha(`ng Co^ng vu+`a mo+'i ddi na(m ro^`i, ru.c ri.ch to+'i con Da^n nu+~a la` xong . Hu`ng me^'n con Da^n, sau na`y ddo^?i la.i la` Va^n vi` Da^n la` con ga'i nghe kho^ng ho+.p, cu+' va'i tro+`i cho no' ddu+`ng ddi .

     - Em ha~y suy nghi~ cho ky~ ddi . Tha^n em la` ga'i, em kho^ng chi.u no^?i su+o+ng gio' cu?a nu'i ru+`ng Tru+o+`ng So+n dda^u .

     - Cha ra Ba('c, me. trong tu` . Em ba^y gio+` cu~ng cha(?ng bie^'t nghe ai .

     - Nghe ngoa.i . Ngoa.i dda^u muo^'n em ddi .

     DDa'm ra Ba('c hoa.t ddo^.ng cho co^.ng sa?n kho^ng no'i gi`, dda'm co`n la.i o+? trong Nam cu~ng na(`m vu`ng, kinh ta`i cho co^.ng sa?n luo^n . Di` Ba?y cu?a tha(`ng Quye^`n, tu+'c ma' con Va^n, cu~ng dda~ bi. ba('t va`o tu` ma^'y na(m qua, tu` chi'nh tri. . Co`n chu' Ba cu?a no' la`m nghe^` ca^y, chu? tha^`u khai kha^?n ru+`ng ngoa`i mie^`n Trung, tha'ng na`o cu~ng cho+? tie^`n le^n nu'i cho co^.ng sa?n he^'t bao bo^' na`y to+'i bao bo^' kha'c .

     Tin co^.ng sa?n da'm ve^` chu`a Vi~nh Tra`ng tha?m sa't anh Ho`a, chu? ti.ch ban dda.i die^.n ho.c sinh tru+o+`ng Nguye^~n DDi`nh Chie^?u, la`m cha^'n ddo^.ng kha('p ti?nh My~ Tho . Kho^ng ai ngo+` co^.ng sa?n la.i no+~ gie^'t mo^.t ho.c sinh mo^` co^i cha me., so^'ng ta.m trong nha` chu`a dde^? ddi ho.c, va` ho.c gio?i nhu+ anh . DDa'm tang cu?a anh tro+? tha`nh mo^.t dda'm bie^?u du+o+ng tinh tha^`n cho^'ng co^.ng cu?a toa`n tru+o+`ng, toa`n qua^n, toa`n da^n . Chu+a bao gio+` tha^'y tinh tha^`n ddoa`n ke^'t vu+o+.t cao nhu+ lu'c na`y, mo^.t khu'c quanh li.ch su+? quan tro.ng cu?a tru+o+`ng nhu+ dda~ ddu+o+.c dda'nh da^'u . Va` tie^'p theo ddo' kho^ng bao la^u, dda'm con cha'u cu. DDo^` cu~ng dda~ tham gia co^ng ta'c bie^?u ti`nh, xuo^'ng ddu+o+`ng tie^'p tay vo+'i sinh vie^n ho.c sinh Sa`i Go`n, dde^? la^.t ddo^? o^ng hie^.u tru+o+?ng Pha.m Va(n Lu+o+.c, mo^.t kho+?i ddie^?m cu?a phong tra`o la^.t ddo^? nha` Ngo^ va`o na(m 63 .

     Tru+o+'c ddo', anh em thu+o+`ng lui to+'i vo+'i anh Ho`a, thu+o+`ng ga(.p anh que't la' sa^n chu`a, thu+o+`ng chuye^.n va~n, tha?o lua^.n chuye^.n ho.c ha`nh vo+'i anh trong ca(n pho`ng o+? ma'i hie^n ta^y, ca(n pho`ng co' va'ch nga(n ba(`ng nhu+~ng ca^y song ddu+'ng, vuo^ng ca.nh . Ba^y gio+`, kho^ng ma^'y ai da'm be'n ma?ng to+'i chu`a vi` so+. bi. lie^n lu.y, chi? co`n dda'm Hu`ng, qua' quen thuo^.c vo+'i nhu+~ng ta`n ca^y bo'ng ma't, nhu+~ng ngo^i mo^. dde^`n dda`i quanh chu`a, kho^ng no+~ dde^? linh ho^`n anh the^m co^ ddo+n gia' la.nh . Gio.ng no'i cha^~m ra~i, tra^`m hu`ng cu?a anh nhu+ cu~ng co`n quanh qua^?n dda^u dda^y, nhu+ dda~ ho`a la^~n trong tie^'ng chim qua. ke^u thu+o+ng .

     Tha(`ng Quye^`n bi. ba` gia` co^.ng sa?n cu?a no' chi?nh ly' lie^n tu ba^'t ta^.n, vi` hi`nh nhu+ ddie^`u gi` ba? lo cho no' thi` no' kho^ng ma`ng, ma` ddie^`u gi` no' muo^'n la`m thi` ba? kho^ng ddo^`ng y' . Ca?nh chung so^'ng ho`a bi`nh la.nh na`y ma(.c du` ke'o da`i nhie^`u na(m nhu+ng cu~ng co' nga`y cha^'m du+'t . Tu+` lu'c ba` Sa'u qua nha` xi`-ne.c ba` gia` con Hu+o+ng, ngu+o+`i ti`nh co' cha^n dung cu?a no', thi` ti`nh me. con ba('t dda^`u xa . Vi` tha(`ng Quye^`n ba('t dda^`u xa cha.y cao bay .

     Quye^`n va` Hu+o+ng da'm da('t nhau le^n Sa`i Go`n sinh so^'ng . Tha(`ng Quye^`n ti`m ddu+o+.c mo^.t cha^n ke^' toa'n cho My~ Kim DDi.a O^'c co^ng ty, a(n ngu? luo^n o+? cho^'n ha^.u lie^u cu?a va(n pho`ng chi nha'nh o+? ddu+o+`ng Le^ Va(n Duye^.t . Con Hu+o+ng mo+'i kho^? ho+n, ban dda^`u o+? dda^.u nha` ngu+o+`i quen ddi ba'n ve' so^' Kie^'n Thie^'t, ma~i nu+?a na(m sau mo+'i ti`m ddu+o+.c vie^.c la`m va` cho^~ a(n cho^~ o+? ta.i tie^.m ba'n huy chu+o+ng hua^n chu+o+ng qua^n ddo^.i, hie^.u An Tha`nh, xe'o xe'o cho+. Be^'n Tha`nh tre^n ddu+o+`ng Le^ Tha'nh To^n . DDa~ cu`ng nhau ddi xa, dda~ cu`ng nhau ddi the^m bu+o+'c nu+~a ..., ma^'y ba^.n ddi Vu~ng Ta`u, ma` tha(`ng Quye^`n cu+' tha'nh thie^.n cho+` ca'i dda'm cu+o+'i . DDa'm cu+o+'i la`m gi` co' mo^.t khi ba` me. chie^'n si~ dda~ the^` vo+'i Ba'c va` DDa?ng la` kho^ng cha^'p nha^.n cho con Hu+o+ng tro+? tha`nh dda?ng vie^n cu?a gia ddi`nh ba` . Kho^ng hie^?u vi` na?n lo`ng chie^'n si~ hay vi` o^ng chu? gia`u tay a^'n ma` con Hu+o+ng tro+? tha`nh ba` chu? kho^ng bie^'t thu+' ma^'y cu?a tie^.m An Tha`nh .

     - Ti`nh nghi~a Hu+o+ng-Quye^`n chi? the^' tho^i!

     Quye^`n co' la^`n than vo+'i Hu`ng nhu+ va^.y . Ro^`i kho^ng hie^?u vi` na(.ng lo`ng chie^'n si~ hay vi` ha^.n ti`nh ddo+`i dden ba.c ma` tha(`ng Quye^`n ti`nh nguye^.n ddi Thu? DDu+'c .

     Chuye^.n ti`nh ca?m tay ddo^i cu?a Hu+o+ng va` Quye^`n coi ddau thu+o+ng va^.y nhu+ng ma` kho^ng gay go ba(`ng chuye^.n ti`nh ca?m tay ba cu?a Va^n, Hie^.p va` Hu`ng . Hu`ng bie^'t Va^n tu+` ho^`i co`n nho?, ta('m mu+o+ng co`n o+? truo^`ng, va` Hu`ng kho^ng hie^?u mi`nh bie^'t thu+o+ng Va^n va`o lu'c na`o, co' le~ lu'c ngu+.c Va^n vu+`a mo+'i cho+'m . Va^n thu+o+ng Hu`ng la` chuye^.n hie^?n nhie^n vi` o+? ca'i xo'm na`y dda^u co' ai la` con trai cu`ng lu+'a, ma` ne^'u co' thi` nha` na`y ca'ch nha` kia ca? ma^'y ca^y so^', ma^'y khi ddu+o+.c ga(.p . Hu`ng cho+i tha^n vo+'i Quye^`n, ve^` nha` Quye^`n ngu? dde^m ha` ra^`m . Tha^'y ma(.t nhau hoa`i, tu+. nhie^n ca'i ca?m ti`nh kho^ng mo+`i cu~ng dde^'n . Ban dde^m ho.c ba`i chung, hai ddu+'a hay ngo^`i ddo^'i die^.n nhau, cha^n khe^`u cha^n, cha^n ga'c cha^n, tha(`ng Quye^`n ngo^`i ke^' be^n la`m gi` bie^'t ddu+o+.c .

     Mo^.t la^`n ddo' Hu`ng vo^ buo^`ng, to^'i om chi? chu+'a co' mo^~i mo^.t bo^` lu'a, dde^? ti`m ma^'y tra'i xoa`i du' ma` ba` ngoa.i thu+o+`ng hay da^'u du+o+'i ta^'m dde^.m phu? le^n lu'a, thi` Va^n cu~ng kho^ng he.n ma` ga(.p, da'm no^'i dduo^i theo ke? le'n lu't . Hu`ng ne'p mi`nh va`o va'ch ro^`i nhe` nhe. bu+o+'c ra phi'a sau lu+ng ke^ mo^`m vo^ tai:

     - Hu` .

     - A'i ... Anh Hu`ng la`m Va^n he^'t ho^`n .

     Hu`ng xi` gio', go+~ hai tay Va^n ddang dde` le^n ngu+.c, ke'o vo`ng ra sau lu+ng mi`nh, o^m Va^n va`o lo`ng . Bo'ng to^'i chi.u to^.i ddo^`ng lo~a vo+'i nu. ho^n dda^`u . Nhi.p tim cu?a Va^n, nhi.p tim cu?a Hu`ng nghe bi`nh bi`nh, kho^ng hie^?u ta.i vi` ke? he^'t ho^`n hay ta.i vi` ngu+o+`i le'n lu't . Va^n bo^~ng so+., vu`ng kho?i tay Hu`ng bo? cha.y .

     Hie^.p la.i dde^'n vo+'i Va^n trong mo^.t tru+o+`ng ho+.p ra^'t kha'c thu+o+`ng, lu'c Va^n dda~ co' chu't i't y' nie^.m, ca?m gia'c ve^` trai ga'i . Hie^.p o+? tro. nha` ngu+o+`i ba` con ddi ho.c, cha(?ng may la.i ga^`n nha` Va^n, va` sau ddo' cu~ng cha(?ng may nha^.p ba^`y vo+'i dda'm Quye^`n, Hu`ng . Vi` ga^`n nha` de^~ cha.y qua cha.y la.i, Hie^.p la.i ra`nh co^ng vie^.c vu+o+`n tu+o+.c, ca^y tra'i, ne^n co^ng vie^.c la(.t va(.t phu. giu'p ba` ngoa.i kho^ng i't . Ro+m ga^`n lu+?a de^~ cha'y, va^.y ma` o^ng to+ ba` nguye^.t co`n ddo^? the^m da^`u . Chie^`u ho^m ddo' Hie^.p sang nha` cho+i, tha^'y ddo^'ng du+`a kho^ mo+'i giu+.t ve^` cao nhu+ nu'i ne^n, mo+'i xa(n tay a'o ti'nh lo^.t phu. . Hie^.p nho+` Va^n vo^ nha` la^'y ca^y "dda^`m ." Va^n ddang no'i chuye^.n vo+'i con nho? ba.n, bi. nho+` ngang cu~ng u+'c, vu`ng va(`ng vo^ nha` la^'y ca^y dda^`m tro+? ra ddu+'ng ngay cu+?a to tie^'ng:

     - Ne` . Ra'n ma` chu.p .

     Con nho? du+~ thie^.t, Hie^.p cu+' tu+o+?ng la` no' no'i cho+i ai de` no' tha?y dda.i . Hie^.p chi? co`n u' o+', ddu+a hai tay ddo+~ la^'y ca^y dda^`m theo ca'ch la`m sao ma` dde^? ca^y dda^`m ca('m pha^.p xuo^'ng ba`n cha^n . Ma'u pho.t ra co' vo`i, Hie^.p ddie^'ng ho^`n kho^ng la ddu+o+.c tie^'ng na`o quy. xuo^'ng o^m cha^n, Va^n ma(.t bie^'n sa('c cha.y vo^ re'o ngoa.i vi` chi? co' ngoa.i o+? nha` . Ro^`i li'nh qui'nh, Va^n xe' te.t ca'i a'o cu?a mi`nh dde^? ba(ng bo' ve^'t thu+o+ng do chi'nh mi`nh ga^y ra . Sau ddo', Va^n co`n pha?i tha(m nuo^i cha(m so'c ve^'t thu+o+ng dda~ tha`nh ky? nie^.m ddau ddau trong tim cu?a ca? hai, cho ne^n mo^'i ti`nh anh cha`ng hie^.p si~ vu+o+`n mo+'i co' di.p nhen nhu'm, le^n hu+o+ng .

     Ba('t ca' hai tay, Va^n tha^.t qua' qua('t da'm ho.c sa'ch DDie^u Thuye^`n ddu`a gio+~n vo+'i ti`nh ye^u . Cu~ng he^n, kho^ng bao la^u thi` co^ na`ng bi. ba.i lo^. . Mo^.t a'nh ma('t ti`nh du` che dda^.y ca'ch ma^'y cu~ng sa'ng nhu+ la^n tinh . Mo^.t cu+? chi? ti`nh du` kho^ng tie^'ng ddo^.ng nhu+ng cu~ng no'i le^n nga`n tie^'ng no'i . Hie^.p va` Hu`ng la`m sao kho^ng tha^'y kho^ng nghe, cho ne^n mo^.t dde^m tra(ng no. hai ddu+'a ga(.m mi'a lu`i, ta^m su+. ngoa`i su+o+ng . Bie^'t nhau he^'t ro^`i, dda^u ai tra'ch ai, chi? ca^`n mo^.t ca'ch gia?i quye^'t e^m dde.p, e^m dde.p cho ca? ddo^i be^n, be^n ti`nh be^n ba.n . The^' tho^i . Mo^.t la' thu+ hai ddu+'a vie^'t chung, ai ddu+o+.c tra? lo+`i, ngu+o+`i ddo' tha('ng . Hai ddu+'a ddo^`ng y' nhu+ va^.y, va` mo^.t tua^`n sau Hie^.p ddu+o+.c thu+ ho^`i a^m .

     Hu`ng buo^`n du+~ la('m . Kho^ng ngo+` ca'i mo^'i lie^n he^. ma^.t thie^'t dai da(?ng nhie^`u na(m giu+~a Va^n va` Hu`ng trong hoa`n ca?nh nhu+ nu+?a anh em, nu+?a bo^` bi.ch ddo' kho^ng dda'nh ddo^?i ddu+o+.c mo^.t tho+`i gian nga('n cu?a tuo^?i tro`n tra(ng . Vi` tro.ng ba.n, tro.ng lo+`i hu+'a Hu`ng ba('t dda^`u ti`m ca'ch que^n Va^n, xa la'nh Va^n . A'c nghie^.t thay, Hu`ng ca`ng lo+i thi` Va^n ca`ng to+'i . Hie^.p na`o dda^u co' bie^'t, nhu+ng Hu`ng cu~ng dda^u la`m sao tro+? la.i ddu+o+.c khi ta^m ti`nh mi`nh nhu+ co`n mang mo^.t ve^'t thu+o+ng chu+a la`nh . Hu`ng ddi Ha?i Qua^n . Hie^.p tha^'y mi`nh ddu+o+.c chu+~ ti`nh nhu+ng ma^'t da^`n chu+~ ba.n, buo^`n, cu~ng dda(ng ddi Thu? DDu+'c . Mo+'i hay, ddu+o+`ng va`o ti`nh ye^u, co' hai ngu+o+`i ye^u, co' to^.i la` mi`nh ...

     Hai na(m sau, Quye^`n hy sinh trong tra^.n Sa^`m Giang . Qua na(m ke^' ba` ngoa.i ma^'t, ro^`i kho^ng la^u ma' Quye^`n, sao cu+' hay go.i la` ba` Sa'u, cu~ng ma^'t theo . Va^n ba'n tie^.m thuo^'c ta^y Cho+. Cu~ mo^.t tho+`i gian, ro^`i cuo^'i cu`ng cu~ng ngu+o+.c ddu+o+`ng mo`n Ho^` Chi' Minh ra Ba('c . Va^n dda~ ga(.p Hu`ng la^`n cho't ta.i bu`ng binh Sa`i Go`n tru+o+'c khi ra ddi . Nhu+ng Va^n kho^ng no'i ddu+o+.c tie^'ng na`o, Va^n xi?u ta.i cho^~ vi` tha^'y Hu`ng ddang ddi vo+'i mo^.t ngu+o+`i ba.n ga'i . Mo+. Ta'm, ngu+o+`i sau na`y ve^` o+? nha` cu?a ba` ngoa.i, ke^? la.i cho Hu`ng nghe, Hu`ng dda^u ngo+` dda^u bie^'t, cho+.t tha^'y nga^.m ngu`i ..., Nghi`n tru`ng xa ca'ch, ngu+o+`i dda~ ddi ro^`i . Co`n gi` dda^u nu+~a, ma` kho'c vo+'i cu+o+`i ... Pha^`n Hie^.p, Hie^.p ra tru+o+`ng, ddo^?i ve^` tie^?u khu Vi~nh Long, cu+o+'i vo+. Vi~nh Long .

     Sau 75, Hu`ng theo ddoa`n ngu+o+`i cha.y loa.n, ddem gia ddi`nh di ta?n sang My~ . Hie^.p ddi ho.c ta^.p, ro^`i sau ddo' ra tu` ve^` que^ so^'ng vo+'i vo+. con trong xa~ Thanh Bi`nh . Nghe dda^u di` Ba?y cu?a Quye^`n dda~ che^'t trong tu` . Nghe dda^u chu' Ba kinh ta`i cu?a Quye^`n le^n la`m qua^.n tru+o+?ng Qua^.n Ba, ro^`i sau ddo', la`m xuo^i vo+'i Vo~ Nguye^n Gia'p the^m va^y the^m ca'nh . Va` nghe dda^u ba cu?a Quye^`n, o^ng Nguye^~n Gia Quy`, cu~ng co`n ddu+o+.c ca'i co+ ho^.i cho^'ng ga^.y ddi ddo^'t ne'n hu+o+ng ta`n be^n mo^` vo+. ma? con . Chi? co' Va^n, mo^.t hi`nh bo'ng nga`y xu+a, dda~ kho^ng co`n nghe ai nha('c dde^'n .

     O^i, nhu+~ng hi`nh bo'ng nga`y xu+a, ti`nh ba(`ng hu+~u nga`y xu+a, nhu+~ng da^'u ve^'t nga`y xu+a ... nay dda~ tha`nh ma^y kho'i . Nhu+ng, ddo^'i vo+'i Hu`ng, ta^'t ca? nhu+ se~ kho^ng bao gio+` che^'t, ma` chi? ma~i ma~i bo^`ng be^`nh, ma~i ma~i tro^i le^nh dde^nh trong mie^`n qua' khu+' ...

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04. VA`O LI'NH

            NGUYE^~N TA^'N HU+NG

     Mu+o+`i ba tuo^?i, mie^.ng co`n ho^i su+~a, ma` Hu`ng dda~ da'm ddi Sa`i Go`n mo^.t mi`nh . Mo+'i nghe tu+o+?ng nhu+ con ni't ddi "bu.i ddo+`i ." Ma` ddi ddu+o+.c hay kho^ng la` a(n thua o+? tha(`ng DDie^.p va` tha(`ng Quye^`n, hai tha(`ng ba.n ho.c ngo^`i chung mo^.t ba`n vo+'i Hu`ng . Hai ddu+'a no' co' nhie^.m vu. lo tie^`n . Chi? ca^`n mu+o+`i ddo^`ng tho^i, ta'm ddo^`ng cho ca'i ve' xe lu+?a mo^.t chie^`u ha.ng ca' ke`o da`nh cho tre? em, va` hai ddo^`ng dde^? ddi xe buy't vo+'i la.i pho`ng tha^n . Chi? lo ba^.n ddi, kho?i lo ba^.n ve^` . Cha(?ng nhu+~ng kho?i lo ba^.n ve^`, ma` lu'c ve^` co' the^? Hu`ng co' tie^`n thie^.t nhie^`u la` dda(`ng kha'c . Di~ nhie^n DDie^.p va` Quye^`n se~ kho^ng ma^'t pha^`n a(n chia, a(n lo+`i . Ma` pha?i co' tie^`n ngay chie^`u nay, ba(`ng kho^ng Hu`ng cu~ng da'm ddo^?i y' la('m . Chuye^.n xa?y ra trong lu'c mi`nh bo^'c ddo^`ng, la`m lie^`u mo+'i co' hu+'ng thu' . No'i ddu+o+.c la` pha?i la`m ddu+o+.c, nhu+ng tu.i tha(`ng DDie^.p va` tha(`ng Quye^`n dda^u bie^'t la` Hu`ng dda~ co' ke^' hoa.ch ha(?n ho`i . Vi` co' la^`n chi. Kim, chi. thu+' hai cu?a Hu`ng, co' no'i:

     - Em muo^'n le^n chi. de^~ la('m . Xuo^'ng nha` ga Sa`i Go`n em ddi ra co^?ng cha'nh la` bu`ng binh . Be^'n xe buy't na(`m be^n tay pha?i . Em le^n xe buy't ddi Phu' Nhua^.n . Xe na`o cu~ng co' dde^` be^'n dda^.u, vie^'t be^n tre^n ta^'m kie^'ng tru+o+'c . Em da(.n o^ng ba'n ve' cho em xuo^'ng o+? ra.p cho+'p bo'ng Va(n Ca^`m . DDo^'i ddie^.n vo+'i ra.p Va(n Ca^`m la` mo^.t ca'i he?m lo+'n, em ddi mu't ca'i he?m ddo', ro^`i ho?i nha` co^ Sa'u Su+o+ng o+? dda^u thi` ai cu~ng bie^'t . Nha` co^ la` nha` cuo^'i ngo~ ngo' ra ddu+o+`ng .

     Lo^. tri`nh ro~ nhu+ ban nga`y la`m sao ma` la.c ddu+o+.c . Va? la.i ne^'u co' la.c thi` "ddu+o+`ng ddi cu~ng na(`m trong mie^.ng," ai ma` la`m hie^?m la`m chi vo+'i tre? con . Cu~ng he^n la` va`o tho+`i ddo' "me. mi`n" chu+a ra ddo+`i .

     Ba gio+` khuya Hu`ng co' ma(.t o+? nha` ga, cho^~ ma` ba^y gio+` la` Vu+o+`n Hoa La.c Ho^`ng . Va'ch tu+o+`ng vo^i ma`u va`ng cam cu~ ky~ vo+'i hai ca'i co^?ng sa('t lo+'n . Mo^.t be^n la` lo^'i ra va`o cu?a ha`nh kha'ch va` mo^.t be^n la` lo^'i ra va`o cu?a xi'ch-lo^, xe ke'o cho+? ddo^` ba-ga lu'c na`o cu~ng ta^'p na^.p nho^.n nhi.p . Va`o be^n trong mo+'i co' pho`ng ba'n ve', pho`ng cho+` ddo+.i cho ha`nh kha'ch, pho`ng kie^?m soa't ha`nh ly' ... v .v .

     DDi chuye^'n so+'m tu+o+?ng la` ddo^ng, ai de` co' ma^'y ngoe . Ma^'y o^ng bu+. co' ma'u ma(.t, ma(.c ve^'t tha('t ca`-va.t tu+` da~y pho`ng ngu? ddo^'i die^.n vo+'i nha` ga cu~ng le`o te`o ba(ng qua ddu+o+`ng . Ho^m ddo' Hu`ng su+?a soa.n tro^ng chi?nh te^` la('m . A'o so+ mi tra('ng da`i tay ba(`ng va?i te't-to+-ron mo?ng, qua^`n ga-ba.t-ddin xanh dda^.m hai li u?i tha(?ng nhu+ dao, gia`y be'c-ca-na da thie^.t dden bo'ng, ddo^i vo+' ddo? a-la-ddinh mo+'i tinh . Ba.n be` dda^u no+~ dde^? Hu`ng be^. ra.c va'c ma(.t ve^` tha`nh ddo^ la^`n dda^`u tie^n, cho ne^n mo^~i ddu+'a ddu+a mo^.t mo'n, ca'i na`o vu+`a ca'i na`o dde.p cu+' ma(.c ti`nh ma` cho.n . Chi? co' ca'i no'n ni? la't-se^ chi'nh co^'ng la` cu?a Hu`ng mo+'i mua, nho+` la~nh tie^`n ho.c bo^?ng .

     Xe lu+?a huy't co`i ba'o ddo^.ng ba la^`n thi` tu+` tu+` chuye^?n ba'nh . Xi.t-xa.c, xi.t-xa.c, xi.t-xa.c chui va`o pho^', khua^'y ddo^.ng ma`n su+o+ng khuya . Qua Ca^`u Ta`u, qua co^?ng so^' mo^.t tre^n ddu+o+`ng Gia Long, qua co^?ng so^' hai tre^n ddu+o+`ng Tra^`n Quo^'c Toa?n ma` sau na`y ddo^?i la` ddu+o+`ng O^ng Ba` Nguye^~n Trung Long . Ta`u cha.y nhanh ho+n qua Gie^'ng Nu+o+'c, qua Ha`ng Co`ng, ro^`i qua ma^'y dda'm ruo^.ng hai be^n ddu+o+`ng Vo`ng Nho? . Trong bo'ng dde^m ma(.t ruo^.ng dden ngo`m nhu+ mo^.t ma(.t ho^` me^nh mo^ng . Tie^'ng co. sa't ra^.p ri`nh cu?a ddu+o+`ng sa('t va` ba'nh xe dde^`u dde^`u nhu+ mo^.t ddie^.u nha.c buo^`n . Nhu+~ng bu.i than ho^`ng tu?a ra tu+` o^'ng kho'i nho^ cao tre^n no^`i su'p-de, bay bay trong kho^ng gian mo+` to^'i . Thi?nh thoa?ng mo^.t ho^`i co`i rung ddo^.ng ma`n dde^m . Hu`ng ro+`i cu+?a so^? tro+? ve^` ngo^`i tre^n ba(ng da`i . Nguye^n toa xe chi? co' va`i ngu+o+`i, na(`m ngu? cu~ng co`n cho^~ tro^'ng . Su+. kho+?i ha`nh cu?a mo^.t ddoa`n xe lu+?a cu~ng chi? co' va^.y, Hu`ng nghi~ .

     Kho^ng ma^'y cho^'c ddoa`n xe ngu+`ng la.i o+? ga Trung Lu+o+ng . Ma^'y toa ha.ng sang kho^ng bie^'t nhu+ the^' na`o, nhu+ng toa cu?a Hu`ng ddu'ng la` ddang bi. ma^'y ba` "la'i ma^.n" xa^m la(ng . Ca`-ro`n na`o ca`-ro`n na^'y dda^`y a^'p ma^.n, ma^.n ho^`ng dda`o so.c, ma^.n ho^`ng dda`o dda', ma^.n da ngu+o+`i, ma^.n xanh, ma^.n tra('ng, ma^.n ddo? ... ddu+o+.c phu? so+ sa`i ba(`ng ma^'y ta^'m la' chuo^'i, va` lo+'p da^y bo^' ra`ng ri.t theo kie^?u ma.ng nhe^.n . Ca`-ro`n na`y cho^`ng le^n ca`-ro`n kia ma` kho^ng so+. da^.p . Nhu+ng, pha?i la`m va^.y mo+'i ddu? cho^~ . Va` pha?i la`m cho nhanh, cho ki.p gio+` xe lu+?a cha.y . Tie^'ng ngu+o+`i no'i chuye^.n ba^y gio+` a't luo^n tie^'ng ho+i nu+o+'c xi` xi` o+? dda^`u ma'y .

     Hu`ng giao khoa'n toa ddo' cho ma^'y ba` ba.n ha`ng, tro^'n le^n toa ke^' tro^'ng tro+n nhu+ kho^ng ngu+o+`i, vu+`a thoa?i ma'i vu+`a kho?i pha?i lo cho bo^. ddo^` vi'a . Ro^`i cu~ng kho^ng ma^'y cho^'c ddoa`n ta`u ghe' la.i ga Ta^n Hu+o+ng, may la` ga na`y i't ngu+o+`i ddi ne^n ta`u ngu+`ng kho^ng la^u . Ke^', dde^'n ga Ta^n Hie^.p . Mo+'i la` kho^'n kho^?, kho^ng thua gi` ga Trung Lu+o+ng, nhu+ng la^`n na`y kho^ng pha?i ma^.n ma` la` ca^`n ta`u, ca?i ta`u-xa.i, dda^.u o^-que . Ca^`n ta`u bay mu`i tho+m ba't nga't, tha^'y the`m mo'n thi.t bo` xa`o .

     DDoa`n ta`u qua ga Thu? Thu+`a, qua ga Ta^n An . Hu`ng la^`n le^n toa tre^n nu+~a cho ddo+~ cha^.t . Hu`ng nga.c nhie^n tha^'y toa na`y kho^ng gio^'ng ma^'y toa kia, o+? khoa?ng giu+~a co' ca'i qua^`y nho? ba'n nu+o+'c ngo.t va` ddo^` a(n va(.t . Hu`ng kho^ng da'm mua mo'n gi` he^'t, so+. thie^'u tie^`n lu'c to+'i Sa`i Go`n . Ro^`i Hu`ng la^'y cho^~ ngo^`i ngay cu+?a so^?, gio' tho^?i va`o pha^`n pha^.t . Cho^~ na`y ra^'t ly' tu+o+?ng dde^? nhi`n ra ngoa`i nhu+ng cu~ng de^~ bi. cha'y qua^`n cha'y a'o vi` nhu+~ng bu.i than ho^`ng no'ng ddo?, bo+?i va^.y hi`nh nhu+ lu'c na`o cu~ng tro^'ng . He`n chi, ma^'y toa sau dduo^i la` ma^'y toa ha.ng be't . La~nh ddu?, kho^ng pha?i chi? lu+?a tho^i ma` co`n kho'i nu+~a . Ca`ng ve^` phi'a dda^`u ma'y hi`nh nhu+ toa ca`ng sang, cho^~ ngo^`i cu~ng la^`n la^`n ddo^?i kha'c, tu+` ba(ng ca^y qua ghe^' ca^y, ro^`i cha('c tu+` ghe^' ca^y qua ghe^' ne^.m .

     Ngay lu'c xe lu+?a du+`ng la.i o+? ddie^?m he.n ho`, cho^~ tra'nh nhau cho chuye^'n ddi va` chuye^'n ve^`, thi` o^ng xe't ve' xua^'t hie^.n, ma(.c ddo^`ng phu.c ka-ki xanh ddo^.i mu~ ca't-ke^'t nhu+ li'nh . Hu`ng mo` tu'i qua^`n la^'y ca'i ve' ca^`m sa(~n no+i tay . Ca'i ve' ma`u ddo?, hi`nh chu+~ nha^.t, la`m ba(`ng gia^'y ca.c-to^ng da`y, lo+'n ba(`ng ca'i na('p vie^'t . O^ng xe't ve' ba^'m tre^n ve' cu?a Hu`ng mo^.t lo^~ tro`n ba(`ng mu't ddu~a nhu+ng nga^`n ngu+` kho^ng chi.u tra? la.i:

     - Ma`y ddi vo+'i ai ?

     - Mo^.t mi`nh .

     - Ma`y mua ve' ha.ng ba ma` ngo^`i toa ha.ng nhu+'t thi` sang qua' ro^`i .

     Ro^`i o^?ng cu~ng ddu+a la.i, Hu`ng ngang nhie^n bo? ca'i ve' va`o tu'i kho^ng the`m no'i tie^'ng na`o . Co' le~ ta.i tha^'y Hu`ng co`n nho? ne^n o^?ng kho^ng muo^'n la`m kho' de^~ . Ho+n nu+~a o^?ng ba^.n qua' chu+`ng, co`n bie^'t bao nhie^u ngu+o+`i pha?i ba^'m . Ca.ch, ca.ch, ca.ch, le. la`ng nhu+ mo^.t ca'i ma'y . Hu`ng nga^~m nghi~ xe't ve' kie^?u na`y cu~ng nhu+ kho^ng, gia? su+? ne^'u nhu+ Hu`ng xuo^'ng o+? ga Ta^n An thi` ve' cu?a Hu`ng la`m gi` co' ba^'m lo^~ . Cu+' va^.y ma` xa`i hoa`i sao ..., a, co`n ma`u sa('c cu?a ve' nu+~a cho+'! Ro^`i dde^'n ga Be^'n Lu+'c, vo+'i mu`i tho+m chua chua cu?a tho+m, cu?a kho'm . Xong dde^'n ga Bi`nh DDie^`n, Bi`nh Cha'nh, Phu' La^m, ga na`o cu~ng ngu+`ng ne^n cha^.m nhu+ ru`a va` mi`nh ngo^`i la^u cu~ng tha^'y cha'n .

     Lu'c va`o Cho+. Lo+'n thi` ma(.t tro+`i dda~ lo^' da.ng, ma^'y ba` ba.n ha`ng khuya hi vo.ng co`n ki.p thi` gio+` ddi nho'm cho+. . Hu`ng ra ddu+'ng o+? cu+?a so^? nhi`n ma(.t Sa`i Go`n, Sa`i Go`n muo^n ma(.t . Tru+o+'c ma('t Hu`ng la` ma(.t xa^'u vo+'i nhu+~ng xo'm nha` lo+.p to^n lo+.p la', va'ch gia^'y va'ch ca^y lo^.n xo^.n kho^ng mo^.t thu+' tu+. na`o, ca'i thu.t vo^ sa^u nhu+ ma^'t hu't ca'i lo' ra ngoa`i nhu+ muo^'n ddu.ng ma^'y toa xe . Va^.y ma` cu~ng co' ngu+o+`i so^'ng, co' tre? con cha.y cho+i . Ro^`i dde^'n ma(.t dde.p la` nhu+~ng con ddu+o+`ng the^nh thang, xe co^. da^.p di`u, vo+'i nhu+~ng nha` la^`u nga(n na('p, nhu+~ng co^ng vie^n tu+o+i ma't do.c theo ddu+o+`ng Hu`ng Vu+o+ng, bi.nh vie^.n Ho^`ng Ba`ng . Co`n ma(.t ti`nh ca?m ye^u thu+o+ng, ma(.t a(n cho+i dda`ng ddie^'m, ma(.t cao bo^`i du dda~ng ..., ma(.t gi` gi` nu+~a la`m sao ma` nhi`n tha^'u ddu+o+.c .

     Cu+' theo lo+`i chi? da^~n cu?a chi. Kim, Hu`ng nha?y le^n xe buy't ddi Phu' Nhua^.n . Va` ti`m ddu+o+.c ca'i he?m ngo' qua ra.p ha't Va(n Ca^`m . To+'i cuo^'i he?m, Hu`ng kho?i ca^`n ho?i tha(m ai cu~ng bie^'t nha` na`o la` nha` cu?a co^ Sa'u Su+o+ng, be`n go~ cu+?a ddu+'ng ddo+.i:

     - Tro+`i o+i, Hu`ng, sao em le^n ma` kho^ng cho chi. hay, chi. ddi ddo'n . Co^ sa'u o+i, co' em cu?a con le^n cho+i ne` . Sao no' ddi hay ghe^ .

     Chi. Kim nga.c nhie^n thi` i't ma` Hu`ng nga.c nhie^n thi` nhie^`u . Hu`ng nga.c nhie^n vi` hi`nh nhu+ chi. Kim co' ba^`u . He`n chi la^u ro^`i kho^ng tha^'y chi. ve^` My~ Tho ...

     Ba^y gio+` Hu`ng cu~ng le^n chi. Kim, nhu+ng kho^ng pha?i ddi tha(m ma` la` o+? luo^n vo+'i chi. dde^? ddi ho.c . DDa.i ho.c . Ba?y na(m Nguye^~n DDi`nh Chie^?u bie^'t bao nhie^u ti`nh, ti`nh tha^`y, ti`nh ba.n, ti`nh ye^u . Ma` ro^`i pha?i chia tay . Nho+' nga`y na`o Hu`ng mo+'i ro+`i que^ le^n ti?nh, ma` ba^y gio+` ro+`i ti?nh ve^` tha`nh ddo^ . Co' ddie^?m gio^'ng la` mi`nh se~ ho.c mo^.t tru+o+`ng mo+'i, la`m mo^.t ddoa.n ddo+`i mo+'i cu?a ngu+o+`i ho.c tro`, nhu+ng co' ddie^?m kha'c la` nga`y xu+a mi`nh co`n nho? co`n kho+`, ba^y gio+` mi`nh lo+'n, mi`nh hie^?u ddo+`i ddo^i chu't . Ba?y na(m tro^i qua, chi. Kim ba^y gio+` cu~ng dda~ co' bo^'n nho'c, kho^ng co`n o+? Phu' Nhua^.n ma` do+`i ve^` Ba`n Co+` . Mo^.t ngo~ he?m cha.y ra ddu+o+`ng Nguye^~n Thie^.n Thua^.t, ga^`n qua'n ca` phe^ Na(m Du+o+~ng, ga^`n tru+o+`ng tie^?u ho.c Phan DDi`nh Phu`ng .

     DDu+o+`ng xe lu+?a kho^ng co`n, ba^y gio+` va(n minh ho+n muo^'n ddi Sa`i Go`n chi? ca^`n nha?y le^n xe ddo` A' DDo^ng cu?a o^ng Tha^`y Ha`i hoa(.c chui vo^ ma^'y chie^'c xe lo^ . Xe ddo` re? ho+n ddo^i chu't nhu+ng pha?i cho+` la^u, ddo^ng kha'ch mo+'i chi.u cha.y, dda~ va^.y ru+o+'c kha'ch do.c ddu+o+`ng gio^'ng nhu+ xe lu+?a ne^n cha^.m nhu+ ru`a . Xe lo^ ma(.c du` ddu? kha'ch mo+'i cha.y nhu+ng nhanh ho+n vi` i't cho^~, dde^'n khi cha.y thi` cha.y mo^.t ma.ch nhu+ chuye^'n ta`u suo^'t, kho^ng ghe' dda^u he^'t, cho ne^n nhie^`u ba^.n chi? ho+n tie^'ng ddo^`ng ho^` la` dda~ dde^'n no+i . Ro^`i be^'n xe cu~ do+`i ra Xa Ca?ng Mie^`n Ta^y, no'i la` ddi Sa`i Go`n nhu+ng chi? to+'i Phu' La^m tho^i . Tu+` Phu' La^m vo^ Sa`i Go`n la` chuye^.n kha'c, honda o^m, xi'ch lo^ ma'y, taxi, xe lam ..., la^'y la`m cha^n .

     Nghi~ la.i ddo+`i ngu+o+`i ai cu~ng co' so^', muo^'n ca?i ca'i so^' cu?a mi`nh cu~ng kho^ng ddu+o+.c . Sau khi dda^.u pha^`n hai, theo thu+' tu+. u+u tie^n Hu`ng quye^'t ta^m, thu+' nha^'t tranh ma^'y ca'i ho.c bo^?ng ddi ngoa.i quo^'c, thu+' hai la` thi va`o Phu' Tho., thu+' ba Quo^'c Gia Ha`nh Cha'nh, thu+' tu+ DDa.i Ho.c Su+ Pha.m . Co`n ma^'y pha^n khoa kha'c thi` kho?i pha?i thi, coi nhu+ la` bu+o+'c ddu+o+`ng cu`ng . Gia^'c mo+ na`y cu~ng dda^u co' gi` qua' lo+'n ddo^'i vo+'i mo^.t ho.c tro` gio?i nhu+ Hu`ng, mo^.t ho.c tro` ma` kho^ng na(m na`o kho^ng co' i't la('m sa'u la^`n xu+o+'ng danh, kho^ng na(m na`o kho^ng la~nh pha^`n thu+o+?ng, kho^ng na(m na`o kho^ng la~nh ho.c bo^?ng . Va^.y ma` tro+.t vo? chuo^'i sa.ch ba'ch, vi` hi`nh nhu+ ngoa`i ca'i ta`i mi`nh co`n pha?i co' ca'i "con o^ng cha'u cha," co' ca'i "chi ddi.a" ke`m theo nu+~a mo+'i cha('c a(n .

     Ma^'y ddu+'a ba.n tha^n di'nh ngay vo`ng dda^`u, tha(`ng La^m Tri' Minh ddi Pha'p, tha(`ng Qua'ch Tinh Va(n ddi U'c, tha(`ng Nguye^~n Tha`nh Cha^u ddi Nhu+.t ... ro^'t cuo^.c ca'i so^' cu?a Hu`ng nhu+ di'nh lie^`n vo+'i nhu+~ng con so^' cu?a ban B cho ne^n Hu`ng pha?i vo^ Khoa Ho.c DDa.i Ho.c . Ba.n be` xi? va?:

     - Xong "oral" ma`y bie^'t tao la`m the^m bao nhie^u ba`i ta^.p ho^n ? Ba nga`n ho+n . Ma`y cu+' lo dda`n ddi.ch ca ha't vo+'i ma^'y em hoa`i la`m sao ma` dda^.u ddu+o+.c .

     Hu`ng pha^n tra^`n:

     - Tu.i ma`y vu+`a pha?i tho^i . Ca'i vu. ho.c bo^?ng ddi du ho.c thi` ke^? nhu+ tao do+? ddi, nhu+ng o+? tru+o+`ng DDie^.n, ca'i ba`i toa'n DDie^.n mu+o+`i la(m ca^u cha.y da`i tu+` dda^.p DDa Nhim ve^` Sa`i Go`n, ro^`i vo^ nha`, xuo^'ng be^'p ..., tao kho^ng co' do+? a` . Tao co`n cho ca'i tha(`ng ke^' be^n tao co.p-de^ ma` no' dda^.u ro^`i sao ?

     Ca'i kho^ng khi' dda.i ho.c no' la`m cho sinh vie^n na(m du+. bi. ro+i va`o ca?nh bo+ vo+ la.c lo~ng, nha^'t la` nhu+~ng sinh vie^n o+? ti?nh mo+'i le^n, Hu`ng ca?m tha^'y nhu+ va^.y . La. tha^`y, la. ba.n, la. lo+'p, la. gia?ng ddu+o+`ng . Ma^'y nga`y dda^`u Hu`ng cu+' nhu+ lu'c na`o cu~ng trong tu+ the^' cha.y vo`ng vo`ng, kho^ng bie^'t dda^u la` dda^u . Gia'o su+, gia?ng vie^n, gia?ng nghie^.m vie^n tha^'y ddo' ma` chu+a cha('c dda~ bie^'t ma(.t . Ho'a ho.c, Chu Pha.m Ngo.c So+n, ddie^.n, Le^ Co^ng Ca^?n, sinh ho'a ho.c, Pha.m Hoa`ng Ho^. ... nhu+~ng te^n tuo^?i cu?a mo^.t tho+`i .

     Ti`nh tha^`y tro` kho^ khan nhu+ sa ma.c . Ti`nh ba.n be` xa xo^i nhu+ ca'ch so^ng ca'ch bie^?n . DDa.i gia?ng ddu+o+`ng ro^.ng nhu+ ra.p cho+'p bo'ng, tha^`y gia?ng ba`i cho na(m sa'u tra(m sinh vie^n kho^ng bie^'t ai la` ai, cu~ng kho^ng kha'c gi` mo^.t die^~n vie^n va(n nghe^. va(n gu+`ng tru+o+'c dda'm ddo^ng kha'n thi'nh gia? ho+n pha^n nu+?a ddang ngu? ga` ngu? ga^.t . He^'t gio+`, tha^`y ne'm cu.c pha^'n co`n thu+`a vo^ ba?ng leo le^n "xe^' ho^.p" vo.t ddi, ho.c tro` tu'a ra nhu+ va~n ha't . Ba.n be` cu`ng que^ cu`ng lo+'p vo+'i Hu`ng ba^y gio+` vo?n ve.n co' hai ddu+'a, tha(`ng To^ Kim Tie^`n va` tha(`ng Du+o+ng Va(n U't . Mo^.t so^' xua^'t ngoa.i, mo^.t so^' o+? ca'c pha^n khoa kha'c, va` mo^.t so^' lo+'n ro+'t ho.c la.i dde^. nha^'t o+? du+o+'i ti?nh . Chi? co`n bo^. ba he^'t tho+`i, tru+a na`o cu~ng chui xuo^'ng ca'i qua'n du+o+'i ca^`u thang phi'a sau dda.i gia?ng ddu+o+`ng a(n ddu ddu? u+o+'p nu+o+'c dda' la.nh . Ma^'y di~a ddu ddu? ma`u ti'm, ma`u ho^`ng, ma`u va`ng nhu+ dda~ tro+? tha`nh mo'n a(n thua^`n tu'y cu?a tru+o+`ng Khoa Ho.c .

     Hu`ng o+? Sa`i Go`n kho^ng ddu+o+.c bao la^u thi` anh Khai, cho^`ng chi. Kim, chuye^n vie^n su+?a ma'y bay cu?a Air Vie^.t Nam dda(ng ddi kho^ng qua^n . Kho^ng dda(ng ddi kho^ng qua^n thi` bo^. binh se~ ho^'t, pha?i bie^'t ddu+o+`ng ma` cha.y tru+o+'c ke?o kho^ng ki.p . Chi. Kim va` ma^'y nho'c ca ba`i "ddu+o+`ng ve^` que^ ngoa.i," va` Hu`ng pha?i ddi ti`m nha` tro. kha'c . Cu~ng may la` co' nha` cu?a chi. Kim Sa, chi. ba` con cu?a Hu`ng, ga^`n ddo' ne^n Hu`ng kho?i pha?i ddi xa . Va^~n co`n tie^'p tu.c cuo^'c bo^. dde^'n tru+o+`ng nhu+ mo.i nga`y, vi` nha` tro. mo+'i cu~ng co`n na(`m trong khu Ba`n Co+` . Hu`ng nho+' mang ma'ng hai chi. Kim Sa, Kim Phu.ng la` ba` con gi` gi` cu?a trung tu+o+'ng Nguye^~n Va(n Ma.nh . Ba Hu`ng co' la^`n no'i ca? do`ng ho. chi? co' ca'nh ddo' la` pha't . Nhu+ng, o+? nha` chi. ruo^.t thi` o+? kho^ng, co`n o+? nha` chi. ba` con thi` va^~n pha?i tra? tie^`n . Chi'nh vi` ba^.n bi.u ca'i vu. tie^`n ddo' ma` vie^.c ho.c ha`nh cu?a Hu`ng mo+'i do+? dang .

     O+? du+o+'i ti?nh ho.c tro` dde^. nhi. ca^'p muo^'n kie^'m tie^`n the^m cu~ng de^~, ddi da.y ke`m . Cho`m xo'm quen bie^'t nhau cu~ng co', ba.n be` gio+'i thie^.u cu~ng co' . Na(m ba?y ddu+'a ca^'p du+o+'i gom la.i tha`nh mo^.t lo+'p nho?, vu+`a tie^.n cho ngu+o+`i da.y vu+`a lo+.i cho dda'm ho.c tro` . Co`n o+? Sa`i Go`n, kie^'m mo^.t mo^'i ke`m tu+ gia dda~ kho' ma` va^'n dde^` di chuye^?n co`n kho' ga^'p ma^'y la^`n ne^'u kho^ng co' ddu+o+.c mo^.t chie^'c xe ga('n ma'y la`m cha^n . Bo+?i va^.y Hu`ng mo+'i ddi kie^'m tie^`n ba(`ng ca'ch tro^? ta`i ... ddi thi mu+o+'n . Thi ba(`ng tu' ta`i tra'ng nie^n . Tru+o+'c he^'t thi cho anh Hu+o+`ng ba.n anh Khai cu~ng ddang la`m Air Vie^.t Nam . Chi? ca^`n co' ba(`ng tu' ta`i mo^.t la` ddu+o+.c hoa~n di.ch, ma` lu+o+ng Air Vie^.t Nam thi` ngon ho+n lu+o+ng li'nh kho^ng qua^n nhie^`u . Mu+o+`i nga`n tie^`n co^ng . Chu+a thi ma` anh Hu+o+`ng dda~ ddu+a chie^'c Ve'lo Solex, sa'u nga`n, cho Hu`ng cha.y tru+o+'c . Chi "xo^.p" nhu+ va^.y thi` mi`nh kho^ng la`m coi cu~ng kho^ng ddu+o+.c .

     - Nga`y mai Hu`ng nho+' ddu+a cho anh mo^.t ta^'m hi`nh nha, loa.i nho? bo? tu'i, dda(.ng la`m the? .

     - U+`a, dde^? Hu`ng ve^` lu.c nga(n ke'o coi co' co`n ta^'m na`o kho^ng . Ma` la`m the? gi` ?

     - A^.y, ca'i the? na`y kho^ng pha?i de^~ la`m dda^u . Ca'ch na`y a(n cha('c, ba?o dda?m kho^ng ai nghi ngo+` gi` he^'t .

     Va`i nga`y sau lu'c ddi nha^.u tie^'t canh vi.t Ho^`ng Tha^.p Tu+., anh Hu+o+`ng mo+'i lo`i ra ca'i the? nha^n vie^n Air Vie^.t Nam cu?a Hu`ng, cho Hu`ng . Kho^ng ca^`n na^'u che` cu'ng ma` bo^~ng du+ng ddo^?i te^n ddo^?i ho., ddo^?i nga`y sinh tha'ng dde?, ddo^?i luo^n ca? nghe^` nghie^.p ddi.a chi? . Thi tu' ta`i mo^.t ban B ddo^'i vo+'i Hu`ng cu~ng de^~ tho^i, chi? la`m tru'ng hai ba`i toa'n, ba`i va^.t ly', ba`i ho'a ho.c la` ddu? dda^.u ro^`i . Vie^.t va(n thi` la`m nghi. lua^.n lua^n ly' kie^'m the^m ddie^?m, cho+' tho+ va(n que^n he^'t ro^`i dda^u la`m nghi. lua^.n va(n chu+o+ng ddu+o+.c . Kho^ng ca^`n do` ba`i, co`n bao nhie^u thi ba^'y nhie^u, ma` Hu`ng cu~ng la^'y "bi`nh thu+'" cho anh Hu+o+`ng . Qua? tha^.t, va`o pho`ng thi vo+'i ca'i the? Air Vie^.t Nam kho^ng ai da'm ha.ch ho?i Hu`ng mo^.t tie^'ng .

     Lu'c ddo' Ve'lo Solex va` Mobylette va^~n co`n thi.nh ha`nh, ma(.c du` xe Sachs, Goebel cu?a DDu+'c dda~ ba('t dda^`u nha^.p ca?ng ma.nh . Hu`ng la^'y la`m ha`i lo`ng vo+'i "mo'n ddo^` la`m cu?a" mo+'i co' cu?a mi`nh . Nhu+ng, co' chie^'c xe ro^`i ma` thie^'u ba.n be` cu~ng ma^'t vui, tha`nh thu+? Hu`ng bo? ho.c ve^` My~ Tho cho+i . Chi. em ba.n ga'i o+? ti?nh cu~ng de^~ me^'n de^~ thu+o+ng ho+n nhie^`u . O+? tre^n na`y con ga'i ho.c le^n du+. bi. Khoa Ho.c, chu+'ng chi? Toa'n Ly' Ho'a hay chu+'ng chi? Toa'n DDa.i Cu+o+ng gi` cu~ng va^.y, ddu+'a na`o ddu+'a na^'y ca(`n co^~i, tha^'y ma` to^.i . Ca'i gu+o+ng ma(.t ho.c tro` nhu+ dda~ ma^'t, thay va`o ddo' nhu+~ng u+u tu+ ray ru+'t cu?a cuo^.c so^'ng ha(`ng nga`y, nhu+~ng ba(n khoa(n phie^`n muo^.n o+? tu+o+ng lai . Hu`ng kho^ng muo^'n mi`nh so+'m tro+? tha`nh o^ng cu. non cho ne^n ve^` ti?nh hu+o+?ng nha`n . Bo^` bi.ch, ba.n be`, ca` ke^ de^ ngo^~ng va^.y ma` vui ho+n .

     Nhu+ng hu+o+?ng nha`n cu~ng dda^u co' de^~ . Kho^ng bao la^u o^ng ba` gia` pha't gia'c, bi. chu+?i nhu+ chu+?i gia(.c, bi. dduo^?i nhu+ dduo^?i ta`, cho ne^n Hu`ng mo^.t phen nu+~a pha?i tro^`i dda^`u tro+? ve^` tha`nh ddo^ . DDang lu'c mi`nh cha'n ho.c ma` co`n pha?i nhai la.i ba`i cu~ thi` ddu'ng nhu+ la` co+m ne^'p ma('c mu+a, nuo^'t he^'t vo^ . Su+'c ngu+o+`i co' ha.n, Hu`ng bie^'t mi`nh co' gio?i ca'ch ma^'y ddi nu+~a so+'m muo^.n gi` ro^`i cu~ng pha?i ddi li'nh . Mo^.t na(m dda~ kho^ng xong, bo^'n na(m la`m gi` kho^ng tru.c tra(.c . Vi' du. mi`nh ho.c sang na(m thu+' ba, thi ro+'t, pha?i ddi Thu? DDu+'c thi` co`n gi` a^n ha^.n ho+n . Tha` la` to^'c chie^'n to^'c tha('ng, ddi li'nh tru+o+'c ma(.c may co`n ddu? thi` gio+` le^n tu+o+'ng .

     Nhu+ng tru+o+'c khi ddi li'nh Hu`ng nghi~ mi`nh pha?i thi mu+o+'n mo^.t keo nu+~a . Kie^'m tie^`n ca'ch na`y de^~ qua' kho^ng la`m cu~ng uo^?ng . Mu+o+`i la(m nga`n, mo^.t la` thi cho tha(`ng cha'u cu?a o^ng To^?ng Tru+o+?ng Gia'o Du.c do anh Hu+o+`ng gio+'i thie^.u, hai la` thi cho tha(`ng Ngo^n, ba.n Hu`ng, bo? ho.c ddi li'nh thu?y tu+` ho^`i ro+'t trung ho.c dde^. nha^'t ca^'p ... ba^y gio+` ddang tro^'n qua^n di.ch . Hu`ng cha(?ng no+~ bo? ba.n be` . Vie^.c tie^`n ba.c thi` kho?i pha?i lo, vi` con Be' Ba bo^` tha(`ng Ngo^n ddang la`m vu~ nu+~ chuye^n nghie^.p . Hai ddu+'a no' da'm a(n co+m nha` ha`ng mo^~i nga`y thi` chuye^.n bo? tie^`n ra mua ca'i ba(`ng ca^'p cu~ng la` chuye^.n le? te? . Chi? lo mo^.t ddie^`u hai ddu+'a no' ga^y go^? lie^n mie^n kho^ng bie^'t nga`y na`o gio+` na`o tan ha`ng ra~ dda'm . Ma` hai ddu+'a cu`ng mo^.t que^, xa~ Ta^n Hie^.p, co' dda`o bo+'i tie^n nho+n to^? ddu+o+`ng cu?a nhau cu~ng kho^ng sao .

     - Ma`y ddu+`ng tu+o+?ng lu'c na`y ma`y la`m ra tie^`n nuo^i tao la` ma`y la`m le^n . Ma`y pha?i nho+' ho^`i ma`y bo? nha` ddi theo tao, tao lo cho ma`y kho^ng thie^'u mo^.t mo'n gi` . Tao ma` la^'y ddu+o+.c ba(`ng tu' ta`i ro^`i thi` ma`y se~ tha^'y, mu+o+`i ca'i ma(.t cu?a ma`y cu~ng vu+'t so.t ra'c he^'t ma` tho^i .

     - Tho^i ddi . Ma(.t ma`y so^'ng ba'm che'o a'o dda`n ba` ma` co`n lo+'n ho.ng .

     Tu.i na`y chu+?i nhau ta`n kho^'c thie^.t . Ba nga`y thi, ba nga`y Hu`ng mang ca'i the? kho^ng pha?i la` nha^n vie^n Air Con Ro^`ng nu+~a ma` la` pho'ng vie^n nha` ba'o Tia Sa'ng do tha(`ng Du~ng cha'u tha(`ng Ngo^n la`m giu`m . Ba nga`y le^n DDa Kao o+? cho+i vo+'i tu.i no', ddu? ba nga`y tha(`ng Ngo^n ca`ng ta`n te^. ho+n, bi. con Be' Ba xa'ch dao ru+o+.t cha.y cu`ng nha` . Tro^'n qua^n di.ch ma` ro^'t cuo^.c cu~ng pha?i cha.y ba(ng ra ddu+o+`ng thoa't ma.ng . Che'm gie^'t nhau coi du+~ to+.n va^.y ro^`i la`m ho`a vo+'i nhau cu~ng le. . Mo+'i ma^`y tao ddo' ro^`i anh anh, em em cu~ng lie^`n theo ddo' . Hu`ng kho^ng sao hie^?u no^?i ca'i ti`nh ye^u co' u+o+'p cha^'t bu.i ddo+`i na`y . Ho+.p ro^`i tan, tan ro^`i ho+.p tu+`ng gio+` tu+`ng phu't . Ca^'u xe' nhau ro^`i cu~ng pha?i ba'm vi'u la^'y nhau . DDe^? so^'ng, dde^? co^.ng sinh co^.ng hu+o+?ng, kho^ng ta'ch nhau ro+`i ra ddu+o+.c .

     Ro^'t cuo^.c ro^`i tha(`ng Ngo^n cu~ng co' ba(`ng tu' ta`i mo^.t ha.ng "bi`nh thu+'," mo^.t ca'i gia^'y hoa~n di.ch kie^?u mo+'i, nhu+ no' mong muo^'n . Nhu+ng ddo^'i vo+'i Hu`ng hoa~n di.ch dde^? la`m ca'i gi`, ne^'u mi`nh kho^ng co' cha^n la`m cho mo^.t ha~ng thu+o+ng ma.i cu?a tu+ nha^n hay la`m cho mo^.t co+ so+? ha`nh cha'nh cu?a chi'nh phu? . Tho+`i buo^?i na`y muo^'n kie^'m ddu+o+.c mo^.t so+? la`m, mo^.t la` pha?i co' ngu+o+`i gio+'i thie^.u hai la` pha?i ba` con xa ga^`n vo+'i ma^'y xe^'p lo+'n, ma` Hu`ng thi` kho^ng ho^.i ddu? ddie^`u kie^.n na`o he^'t .

     Kho^ng ngo+` trong hai na(m va'c ma(.t ve^` tha`nh ddo^, Hu`ng kho^ng la`m ne^n mo^.t tro` tro^'ng gi` coi ddu+o+.c . Hu`ng nghi~ ra(`ng ba(`ng tu' ta`i hai u+u ha.ng cu?a mi`nh cha('c ro^`i cu~ng chi? la` ca'i pa't-po dde^? mo+? ddu+o+`ng va`o li'nh ma` tho^i . Va`o li'nh!

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05. DDE^. NHU+'T THA^.P BA'T DDAO PHU? THU?

            NGUYE^~N TA^'N HU+NG

     Hu`ng ba('t buo^.c pha?i dde^'n Nha Trang la^`n dda^`u tie^n ba(`ng ddu+o+`ng bie^?n . Tu+` ngoa`i kho+i nhi`n va`o, Nha Trang qua? la` mo^.t ba~i ca't da`i ngu't nga`n, xa ti't . Ba~i ca't tra('ng mi.n, im li`m, pha(?ng phiu, a^'p u? bo+?i nhu+~ng lu+o+.n so'ng thi` tha^`m no^'i tie^'p nhau tuo^n va`o bo+` . Tha`nh pho^' kho^ng co' nha` cho.c tro+`i nhu+ tra?i da`i cho dde^'n ta^.n cha^n nu'i ddang la`m bi`nh phong cho bu+'c tranh thu?y ma(.c . Ba^`u tro+`i xanh, trong va('t kho^ng mo^.t go+.n ma^y cu?a mo^.t nga`y va`o thu . Mu`a nha^.p ho.c, nha^.p kho'a ba('t dda^`u va` mu`a he`, vo+'i Hu`ng, mu`a he` cuo^'i cu`ng cu?a ddo+`i ho.c tro`, ddo+`i sinh vie^n, nhu+ ro^`i dda~ tro^i qua .

     Du+o+ng va^.n ha.m Cam Ranh, HQ 500, loa.i ta`u lo+'n nhu+'t cu?a Ha?i Qua^n Vie^.t Nam lu'c ba^'y gio+`, u?i ba~i tru+o+'c vo`ng tha`nh cu?a Trung Ta^m Hua^'n Luye^.n Ha?i Qua^n sau hai nga`y le^nh dde^nh ngoa`i bie^?n kho+i . Cu~ng bie^'t lo+` mo+` la` Ha?i Qua^n Vie^.t Nam co' ba Trung Ta^m Hua^'n Luye^.n chi'nh . Trung Ta^m Hua^'n Luye^.n Bo^? Tu'c o+? Sa`i Go`n la` tru+o+`ng tu nghie^.p da`nh cho ca'c si~ quan trung ca^'p va` cao ca^'p . Trung Ta^m Hua^'n Luye^.n Cam Ranh la` tru+o+`ng dda`o ta.o thu?y thu?, li'nh ta`u co+ ba?n . Va` Trung Ta^m Hua^'n Luye^.n Nha Trang go^`m hai tru+o+`ng, thu+' nhu+'t la` tru+o+`ng Chuye^n Nghie^.p So+ DDa(?ng va` Cao DDa(?ng, tru+o+`ng tu nghie^.p cho Ha. Si~ Quan, va` thu+' hai la` tru+o+`ng Si~ Quan Ha?i Qua^n, tru+o+`ng dda`o ta.o si~ quan, quan ta`u co+ ba?n . Co`n tru+o+`ng tho+. la(.n, ngu+o+`i nha'i, tru+o+`ng ong bie^?n, sea bees, tru+o+`ng go~ se't, tru+o+`ng cha.y ru`a ... gi` gi` nu+~a o+? dda^u ? La`m sao ma` bie^'t he^'t ddu+o+.c! Cu+?a ddo^? bo^. mo+? ra va` toa`n kho'a mo^.t tra(m hai mu+o+i ta'm te^n, le^n bo+` xe^'p tha`nh na(m nho'm, na(m trung ddo^.i . Cao tru+o+'c tha^'p sau tre^n ba~i ca't xoai xoa?i do^'c . DDa^`u o'c co`n la('c lu+, ma(.t dda^'t nhu+ co`n nghie^ng qua nghie^ng la.i .

     - Anh ddi ta`u co' vui kho^ng ?

     - Da. vui .

     - Anh co' me^.t kho^ng ?

     - Da. me^.t .

     - Anh co' ca^`n to^i khe^nh ho^. anh ca'i sac-marin kho^ng ?

     - Da. kho^ng a. . Ca'm o+n .

     - Ne`, anh uo^'ng mie^'ng nu+o+'c ddi cho kho?e .

     - Da. ... u+.c, u+.c ... ca'm o+n anh .

     Nghie^m . DDa(`ng tru+o+'c . Bu+o+'c . Mo^.t hai ba bo^'n, mo^.t hai ba bo^'n ... Hu`ng nga.c nhie^n tha^'y dda`n anh cha(m so'c dda`n em coi bo^. tu+? te^' qua', coi bo^. ti`nh nghi~a qua' . Va^.y ma` nghe thie^n ha. ddo^`n cu+' ra dda^y la` se~ bi. quay nhu+` tu+?, quay che^'t so^'ng . Na(m trung ddo^.i no^'i dduo^i nhau ba(ng qua ddu+o+`ng, hie^n ngang bu+o+'c vo^ co^?ng tru+o+`ng, nhu+~ng bu+o+'c cha^n coi nhu+ oai hu`ng nhu+ng ue^? oa?i, na(.ng ne^` vi` ca'i sac-marin cha^'t cho^`ng tre^n vai . Sa^n co+` ro^.ng ra~i, sa.ch se~ ... Da(.m cha^n ta.i cho^~ . Bu+o+'c . Mo^.t hai ba bo^'n, mo^.t hai ba bo^'n ... DDu+'ng la.i . DDu+'ng . Nghie^m . Nghi? . Thao die^~n nghi?, tu+. do nghi? .

     Ta^'t ca? nhi`n le^n mo^.t ca'i kha'n dda`i nho nho? la`m ta.m ba(`ng va'n e'p . Kho'a dda`n anh ba^y gio+` hoa`n toa`n bao va^y kho'a dda`n em vo^ giu+~a . Mo^.t so^' ddo^ng va^~n tie^'p tu.c len lo?i va`o trong ha`ng ho?i tha(m su+'c kho?e, ho?i tha(m ve^` chuye^'n ha?i ha`nh vu+`a qua . Ro^`i bo^~ng mo^.t tie^'ng ho^ qua' lo+'n nhu+ xe' ba^`u kho^ng khi':

     - Nghie^m .

     - Nghie^m ma` anh co`n nhu'c nhi'ch ha? ? Anh co' bie^'t ddu+'ng nghie^m la` ddu+'ng the^' na`o kho^ng ?

     - Anh . Nghie^m ma` anh co`n cu+o+`i ha? ? Anh da'm gio+~n ma(.t vo+'i dda`n anh ha? ? Anh da'm cho^'ng ddo^'i ha? ? O+? ngoa`i kia anh chuye^n mo^n xa'ch ddo^.ng, bie^?u ti`nh, xuo^'ng ddu+o+`ng pha?i kho^ng ?

     - Da. . DDa^u co' .

     - Da. da. ca'i gi` ..., chu+a chi anh dda~ da'm ho.c sa'ch xin xo? ro^`i .

     O^ hay, sao co' vu. na`y . Tie^'ng na.t no^., tie^'ng la he't cu?a dda'm dda`n anh tha^.t ti`nh co' ho+i lo+'n, ho+i ro^.ng ho.ng, cha't chu'a be^n tai . Tho^i ro^`i, lo+`i ddo^`n qua? kho^ng sai . DDa'm hu`m ho^? na`y se~ quay mi`nh nhu+ quay de^', quay cho su+'t ca`ng ga~y go.ng, quay cho tra^`y vi tro'c va?y, chu+a cha('c dda~ tho^i . Ba^y gio+` pha?i la`m sao dda^y . Than va~n, run so+. cu~ng muo^.n ro^`i . Ba.n be` sao mi`nh va^.y, che^'t cho'c ai ... Mo^.t gio.ng no'i nhe` nhe. be^n tai Hu`ng:

     - Ca'c anh ye^'u qua' . Coi ne` ..., mo+'i ddu.ng nhe. mo^.t ca'i la` xie^?ng nie^?ng ro^`i . Ca'c anh dda~ tha^'y ca'c anh he`n ha. chu+a . Ca'c anh dda~ la`m nhu.c nha~ Ha?i Qua^n ro^`i, toa`n la` bu'n thiu, te'p riu .

     Hu`ng ddu+'ng ngay nga('n tro+? la.i, bu+.c do.c lo~ ma('t nhi`n tha(`ng cha nho? xi'u con ma` da'm no'i mi`nh riu riu . O+? Sa`i Go`n ma` pha't ngo^n bu+`a ba~i kie^?u na`y la` bi. a(n ddo`n ro^`i . Kho^ng hie^?u sao Hu`ng cha(?ng da'm ho+? mo^i . Mo^.t ca^u nhi.n chi'n ca^u la`nh, cho^~ na`y dda^u pha?i la` cho^~ dda^'u ly', ca'i lua^.n ly' mo^.t chie^`u ddo' . Ro^`i nhu+ ai cu~ng hie^?u tha^n pha^.n mi`nh, kho^ng bao la^u chi? co`n nghe toa`n la` ca^u ho?i ma` kho^ng tha^'y ca^u tra? lo+`i . Ba`i die^~n va(n cha`o mu+`ng dda`n em kho^ng ai the`m nghe vu+`a cha^'m du+'t, thi` nhu+~ng ca^u no'i ga(`n ga(`n nhu+ ra le^.nh cu~ng ba('t dda^`u vang do^.i .

     - Ta^'t ca? kho'a 17 nghe dda^y . Ho^m nay ca'c anh se~ ha^n ha.nh, ddu+o+.c dda`n anh ca'c anh, chi'nh thu+'c long tro.ng ddo'n tie^'p .

     - Long tro.ng ddo'n tie^'p . Anh nghe chu+a, long tro.ng ddo'n tie^'p .

     - Ca'c anh bie^'t ca'c anh co' to^.i, ...

     - Co' to^.i, co' to^.i, co' to^.i .

     - ... dda~ dde^? dda`n anh ca'c anh cho+` ddo+.i ca? na(m tro+`i .

     - Cho+` ddo+.i ca? na(m tro+`i, cho+` ddo+.i ca? na(m tro+`i, anh bie^'t kho^ng ?

     Chi? ca^`n mo^.t ngu+o+`i no'i tre^n kha'n dda`i la` ddu? nghe ro^`i, dda^u ca^`n ca'i dda'm phu. dde^`, phu. die^~n na`y dda^u . Sao cu+' nhai ddi nhai la.i nhu+'c dda^`u nhu+'c o'c be^n tai .

     - Ca'c anh kho^ng the^? dde^? dda`n anh ca'c anh the^m tha^'t vo.ng, sau dda^y, dde^? ne^u cao gia^'c mo^.ng ha?i ho^`, ...

     - Gia^'c mo^.ng ha?i ho^`, gia^'c mo^.ng ha?i ho^` .

     - ... ca'c anh se~ cha.y mo^.t vo`ng qua^n tru+o+`ng theo su+. hu+o+'ng da^~n cu?a dda`n anh ca'c anh .

     - Chi? mo^.t vo`ng qua^n tru+o+`ng, mo^.t vo`ng qua^n tru+o+`ng .

     - Ta^'t ca? sac-marin le^n vai ... Cha.y .

     Hu`ng kho^ng ngo+` ca'i dda'm tha^n cao, ca(?ng da`i phi'a tru+o+'c pha't vu.t cha.y nhu+ gio', cha.y nhu+ muo^'n cha.y ddua nu+o+'c ru't vo+'i kho'a dda`n anh . Hu`ng mo?i me^.t, le.t dde.t phi'a sau . Mau le^n, mau le^n, ye^'u qua', ye^'u qua' nghe lu`ng bu`ng be^n tai . Hu`ng tha^'y he^'t, ngu+o+`i va^'p te', ke? su't gia`y, ddu+'a ro+i ma('t kie^'ng, tha(`ng va(ng mu~ ca't-ke^'t . Bo? luo^n . Cha.y, cha.y ta'n loa.n, cha.y lo^.n xa` nga^`u, cha.y nhu+ ddie^n . Mo^.t vo`ng qua^n tru+o+`ng ma` sao cha.y hoa`i kho^ng tha^'y he^'t . Cu~ng kho^ng ngu+`ng la.i ddu+o+.c, mi`nh nhu+ bi. do`ng nu+o+'c lu~ cuo^'n tro^i ddi, ra'n theo ba^`u ba.n nhu+ chim theo dda`n . Do^`n he^'t su+'c ta`n cho cuo^.c thu+? tha'ch dda^`u tie^n, kho^ng the^? bo? cuo^.c ddu+o+.c . Cuo^'i cu`ng Hu`ng cu~ng ve^` dde^'n mu+'c a(n thua, no+i ma` sau na`y Hu`ng mo+'i bie^'t la` Thao Die^~n Tru+o+`ng, thi` anh em pha^`n lo+'n dda~ ngay ha`ng tha(?ng lo^'i . Hu`ng qua(ng ca'i sac-marin, bi.ch, xuo^'ng cha^n, ddu+'ng vo^ vi. tri' cu?a mi`nh . Mo^` ho^i nho? gio.t, mie^.ng kha't kho^ . Su+'c no'ng nhu+ lo` than bo^'c le^n tu+` ma(.t dda^'t ca't, dda^`y so?i dda' .

     - Anh . Anh dda~ tha^'y me^.t chu+a ?

     - Da., tha^'y me^.t ro^`i .

     - Me^.t a`, anh la`m cho to^i mu+o+`i ca'i hi't dda^'t cho no' kho?e la.i coi .

     - Co`n anh, anh tha^'y me^.t chu+a ?

     - Da., chu+a ?

     - To^'t la('m . Anh ra dda^y nha?y tha(ng thie^n ddo^.n tho^? vo+'i to^i . Nhu+ va^`y ne` ..., chu+`ng na`o to^i ngu+ng anh mo+'i ddu+o+.c ngu+ng nghe chu+a .

     Bie^'t no'i ca'ch gi` cu~ng kho^ng o^?n ro^`i . Nhu+ng ma` mo+'i cha.y ve^`, tha` la` hi't dda^'t, nha?y xo^?m, ddi cha^n vi.t nhu+ tu.i bi. quay rie^ng dda(`ng kia co`n su+o+'ng ho+n la` ddu+'ng nghie^m kie^?u tro+`i tro^`ng, kho^ng da'm nhu'c nhi'ch nhu+ the^' na`y . Kho^ng bao la^u tro+`i dda^'t quay cuo^`ng, ma^'y ddu+'a bi.ch bi.ch ro^`i ma^'y ddu+'a o'i mu+?a xung quanh, Hu`ng co^' nho+' ca'i sac-marin cu?a mi`nh ddang na(`m o+? phi'a be^n na`o dde^? lo+~ co' nga~ xuo^'ng cu~ng nga~ cho e^m tha('m ... Va` Hu`ng mo+ ma`ng tha^'y mi`nh ddi ve^` be^.nh xa', bo^'n vo' ddu+a le^n tro+`i, hai tay hai cha^n co' bo^'n tha(`ng ba.n co`n ti?nh ca(.p ke` ...

     Cu+ xa' sinh vie^n si~ quan go^`m bo^'n da~y nha` tre^.t lo+.p fibro cement co' te^n: alpha, beta, omega va` xi . Da~y omega bi. Vie^.t Co^.ng pha'o ki'ch sa^.p tu+` ho^`i kho'a 14, mo^.t ddo^'ng ga.ch vu.n va^~n co`n dde^? y nguye^n, chu+a xa^y ca^'t la.i . Kho'a dda`n anh o+? ma(.t tru+o+'c, kho'a dda`n em o+? ma(.t sau . Mu+o+`i te^n chung mo^.t pho`ng, hai giu+o+`ng bo^' loa.i khung sa('t hai tu+`ng dde^? sa't hai be^n va'ch cho ta'm te^n, va` hai giu+o+`ng go^~ dde^? giu+~a pho`ng cho hai te^n co`n la.i . Hu`ng ddu+o+.c tra? ve^` pho`ng alpha 1 sau khi ddu+o+.c chi'ch cho mo^.t mu~i thuo^'c kho?e va` na(`m nghi? ddo^. ho+n mo^.t gio+` . Bu+o+'c cha^n vo^ pho`ng, tha^'y ba.n be` dde^? nguye^n ddo^` tra^.n na(`m ngu? ngo^?n ngang du+o+'i sa`n xi ma(ng . Hu`ng cu~ng chui vo^ trong go'c la`m mo^.t gia^'c . DDe^'n chie^`u ...

     - Te, ti't, ti't . Te, ti't, ti't ...

     - E^, da^.y . Co`i ta^.p ho.p cu?a mi`nh kia . Ta^.p ho+.p, anh em . Ta^.p ho+.p .

     - Pha?i ho^n ddo' cha no^.i ? DDe^? nghe ky~ coi ... Te, ti't vo+'i te, ti't, ti't, ca'i na`o cu?a mi`nh .

     - U+`, ma`y co' ngon thi` o+? ddo' ddi ma` ti't te, te ti't .

     Hu`ng ba gio` bo^'n ca(?ng cha.y ra sa^n kho^ng ca^`n bie^'t ai ddu'ng ai sai, vi` chu+a nghe ai da(.n ta^.n ma(.t co`i ke^u sao la` co`i cu?a mi`nh . Tha^'y ca? bo.n nho^'n nha'o xe^'p ha`ng ngoa`i ba~i ca't tro^'ng . Nhu+~ng khuo^n ma(.t bo+ pho+` lem luo^'c, nhu+~ng bo^. ddo^` xo^'c xe^'ch nha(n nheo, trong phu't cho^'c, ca? dda'm dda~ tro+? tha`nh be^. ra.c, to^`i ta`n nhu+ dda'm a(n ma`y . Kho^ng bie^'t lu~ dda`n anh se~ do+? tro` gi` dda^y . A(n co+m, pha?i, chi? to+'i gio+` a(n co+m tho^i, co`i ta^.p ho+.p ddi a(n co+m . DDi ha`ng mo^.t va`o pha.n xa', ddi be? go'c va`o ba`n a(n ke^ khi't khi't nhau tha`nh da~y, ke'o ghe^' mo^.t lu+o+.t, ngo^`i xuo^'ng mo^.t lu+o+.t . Ca' chuo^`n chie^n, canh ha^`m ba ro.i, mu+.c xa`o ba('p ca?i . Mo+'i nhi`n qua tu+o+?ng co+m qua^n tru+o+`ng cha('c cu~ng hu+o+ng vi. la('m, ai ngo+` ddu.ng ddu~a vo^ mo'n na`o cu~ng tanh o'i, nuo^'t vo^ muo^'n mu+?a tro+? ra . Ra'n a(n ma` la^'y su+'c, ne^'u ke'n a(n, kho^ng a(n ddu+o+.c ddo^` a(n thi` a(n ddo+~ co+m chan vo+'i nu+o+'c tra` cho bo+'t mu`i ho^i .

     Sau bu+~a a(n nha.t nhe~o dda^`u tie^n ddo', ta^'t ca? ve^` pho`ng ca(ng da^y bo^' cho giu+o+`ng cu?a mi`nh va` xe^'p la.i ddo^` dda.c la(.t va(.t cho co' nga(n na('p thu+' tu+. ... Mo+'i nga`y na`o ddi thi, mo+'i nga`y na`o ddi kha'm su+'c kho?e, mo+'i nga`y na`o ba.n be` tie^~n ddu+a nha^.p tra.i Ba.ch DDa(`ng 2, mo+'i nga`y na`o xe^'p ha`ng la~nh qua^n trang, va` mo+'i nga`y na`o mo+'i ta^.p ddi die^~n ha`nh mo^.t hai mo^.t hai, ta^'t ca? nhu+ hie^.n ra tru+o+'c ma(.t Hu`ng . Ba^y gio+`, ta^'t ca? nhu+ dda~ ro+i va`o mo^.t di~ va~ng qua' xa xo^i . Kho^ng co`n Sa`i Go`n, kho^ng co`n nhu+~ng chie^`u ddu+a em da.o pho^' . Hu`ng tha^'y bu+~a nay mo+'i nhu+ la` nga`y dda^`u tie^n mi`nh tha^.t su+. bu+o+'c va`o ddo+`i li'nh ... Te, ti't, ti't . Te, ti't, ti't ... tie^'ng co`i ta^.p ho+.p nhu+ ca('t go.n no^~i nie^`m suy tu+ cu?a Hu`ng . U?a, ca'i nga`y dda^`u tie^n na`y cha('c dda~ chu+a chi.u cha^'m du+'t .

     Ta^'t ca? ga^'p ru't ma(.c ddo^`ng phu.c, cha.y a`o ra ba~i ca't ta^.p ho+.p . Tro+`i chie^`u dda~ sang mo+` mo+` to^'i .

     - Ta^'t ca? kho'a 17 nghe dda^y . DDe^m nay, ddo^'i vo+'i ca'c anh, se~ la` dde^m kho^ng ngu? . Se~ la` dde^m lu+?a tra.i dde^? dda'nh da^'u ca'i gia^y phu't ca'c anh tu+. nguye^.n ro+`i bo? cuo^.c ddo+`i da^n chi'nh, ro+`i bo? ne^'p so^'ng sinh vie^n, dde^? ddi xa^y gia^'c mo^.ng ha?i ho^` .

     - Gia^'c mo^.ng ha?i ho^` . Ha ha ha ...

     - Sau khi nghe tie^'ng co`i, ca'c anh ba mu+o+i gia^y tro+? ve^` pho`ng thay ddo^` tie^?u le^~ ro^`i tro+? ra ta^.p ho+.p la^.p tu+'c . Anh na`o cha^.m tre^~ se~ ddu+o+.c dda`n anh ca'c anh cha(m so'c chu dda'o . Te .

     Cha.y ddi ro^`i la.i cha.y ve^` . Ho+n ba mu+o+i gia^y sau:

     - Kho'a 17 nghe dda^y . DDa`n anh ca'c anh nha^.n tha^'y ca'c anh di chuye^?n co`n cha^.m cha.p, de^`nh da`ng nhu+ ha`ng kho^ng ma^~u ha.m . DDe^? cho ca'c anh co' the^? ta(ng the^m va^.n to^'c, sau khi nghe tie^'ng co`i, ca'c anh ba mu+o+i gia^y tro+? ve^` pho`ng ma(.c the^m dda.i le^~, ro^`i ma(.c the^m tra^y-di be^n ngoa`i, tu+'c kha('c tro+? ra tri`nh die^.n . Te .

     La.i cha.y va` cha.y . Ca'i cu+?a pho`ng sao nho? qua', cha.y ra cha.y vo^ muo^'n dda.p la^~n le^n nhau . Tie^?u le^~ be^n trong, dda.i le^~ be^n ngoa`i, ro^`i tra^y-di be^n ngoa`i nu+~a . Bung ca'i sac-marin tuo^n he^'t me. no' le^n giu+o+`ng, chu.p cho le. ma(.c may co`n ddu? thi` gio+` . Ho+n mo^.t phu't sau:

     - Ta^'t ca? nghe dda^y . DDa`n anh ca'c anh nha^.n tha^'y ca'c anh chu+a tie^'n bo^. chu't na`o he^'t . Sau khi nghe tie^'ng co`i, ca'c anh ddu+o+.c mu+o+`i gia^y, la^.p la.i mu+o+`i gia^y, tro+? ve^` pho`ng mang gia`y kho^ng vo+', theo kie^?u mu+o+`i gio+` mu+o+`i, nhu+ the^' na`y ..., hai chie^'c gia`y nhu+ hai ca^y kim ddo^`ng ho^` . DDo^`ng tho+`i mang ta^'t ca? qua^`n a'o civil ddem ra dda^y la^.p tu+'c . Te .

     Mu+o+`i gio+` mu+o+`i thi` cu~ng kho^ng sao, ke.t ca'i kho^ng vo+', ca't xu'c vo^ gia`y ca` nha('c ca` nha('c, kho' ma` cha.y mau ddu+o+.c . Ma` cha^.m tre^~ thi` bi. quay rie^ng . Sau mo^~i ho^`i co`i, Hu`ng tha^'y so^' tro+? ra ta^.p ho+.p coi nhu+ ddu'ng gio+` ddu'ng gia^'c ca`ng lu'c ca`ng thu+a . Nhu+ng va^~n co`n la` so^' ddo^ng . Kho^n ho^`n thi` la^~n va`o dda'm ddo^ng, ngu+o+`i ta la`m sao mi`nh la`m va^.y, no^?i qua' cu~ng tie^u, chi`m qua' cu~ng ngu?m, chi? theo dda.o trung dung mo+'i co`n co+ ho^.i so^'ng . Hu`ng tha?y bo^. ddo^` da^n chi'nh co`n so't cu?a mi`nh va`o ddo^'ng ddo^` ro^`i tro+? ve^` ha`ng, tu+. ho?i kho^ng hie^?u mi`nh co' ddu? su+'c dde^? theo dda'm ddo^ng hay kho^ng . Ma^'y tha(`ng to con lo+'n xa'c ngu qua', so+. gi` ma` so+. du+~ va^.y . Cu+' nghe co`i la` la`m lie^`n nhu+ ca'i ma'y, kho^ng bie^'t nghi~ suy . Pha?i tu+` tu+` ma` ha`nh ddo^.ng .

     - Kho'a 17 nghe dda^y . Sau khi nghe tie^'ng co`i, ca'c anh quy` go^'i, hai tay dde^? le^n dda^`u . Te .

     DDo^'ng a'o qua^`n ba('t dda^`u le^n da`n ho?a, to^.i cho ma^'y te^n qua' run so+. ddem luo^n ma^'y bo^. ddo^` mo+'i ddi thie^u . Trong a'nh lu+?a ba^.p bu`ng ma(.t ma`y dda`n anh te^n na`o tro^ng cu~ng co' nanh co' gu't .

     - Ta^'t ca? la^.p la.i theo to^i: "To^i tu+` bo? da^n chi'nh ."

     - To^i tu+` bo? da^n chi'nh .

     - Lo+'n le^n .

     - To^i tu+` bo? da^n chi'nh .

     - Lo+'n le^n nu+~a .

     - To^i tu+` bo? da^n chi'nh .

     - Ta^'t ca? kho'c le'n, kho'c lo+'n le^n . Te .

     - Hu hu . Hu hu hu hu .

     - Anh . Kho'c ma` anh da'm cu+o+`i ha? . Kho'c le^n, kho'c nu+~a le^n .

     - Hu hu . Hu hu hu hu .

     - Pha-ro^ . Time out . Pha-ro^ . DDe^? ca'c anh ddu+o+.c say su+a vo+'i gia^'c mo^.ng ha?i ho^`, ba^y gio+` ta^'t ca? ddu+o+.c phe'p na(`m xuo^'ng, ngu+?a ma(.t le^n tro+`i, dde^'m sao dde^m . Te . DDe^'m le^n . Lo+'n le^n . Te .

     - Mo^.t, hai, ba, bo^'n ...

     - Na(m, mu+o+`i, mu+o+`i la(m, hai mu+o+i ...

     - Ta^'t ca? cu+o+`i le^n . Te .

     - Ha ha . Ha ha ha ha .

     - Kha(.c kha(.c kha(.c ...

     - Ma^'y anh da'm gio+~n ma(.t vo+'i dda`n anh ha? ? Bie^?u ma^'y anh cu+o+`i, ma^'y anh kho'c . Bie^?u ma^'y anh kho'c, ma^'y anh cu+o+`i . Gio+~n ma(.t vo+'i dda.i quan ha? ?

     - Ha ha . Ha ha ha ha . Kha(.c kha(.c kha(.c .

     - Pha-ro^ . Pha-ro^ . Ta^'t ca? quy` go^'i, hai tay le^n dda^`u . Te .

     - Ke^? tu+` gio+` phu't na`y ca'c anh ddu+o+.c quye^`n go.i dda`n anh ca'c anh la` nie^n tru+o+?ng va` xu+ng to^i . Anh na`o tie^'p tu.c anh anh, em em theo lo^'i da^n chi'nh se~ ddu+o+.c ca'c nie^n tru+o+?ng chie^'u co^' no^`ng ha^.u . Va` tie^'p theo dda^y la` pha^`n gio+'i thie^.u 17 nie^n tru+o+?ng "ddao phu? thu?" (danh xu+ng cu?a dda`n anh trong ban lo hua^'n nhu.c kho'a dda`n em) cu?a ca'c anh . Ke^? tu+` nga`y mai, nhu+~ng vi. ddao phu? thu? na`y se~ sa(n so'c ca'c anh ca`ng ta^.n ti`nh ho+n nu+~a .

     - DDe^. nhu+'t ddao phu? thu?, nie^n tru+o+?ng Vo~ Bu+?u Khai . Te . Kho'c le^n .

     - Hu hu . Hu hu hu hu .

     - DDe^. nhi. ddao phu? thu?, nie^n tru+o+?ng Ha` Quang Ha?i . Kho'c le^n .

     - DDe^. tam ddao phu? thu?, nie^n tru+o+?ng Tri.nh Xua^n Tu.ng . Kho'c le^n .

     - DDe^. tu+' ddao phu? thu?, nie^n tru+o+?ng Du+o+ng Va(n Te`o ...

     - DDe^. ngu~ ddao phu? thu?, nie^n tru+o+?ng Le^ Lu+o+ng Ngo^, kho'c le^n .

     - DDe^. lu.c ddao phu? thu?, nie^n tru+o+?ng Huy`nh Quang Hu+ng, ...

     - ...

     - DDe^. tha^.p tha^'t ddao phu? thu?, nie^n tru+o+?ng Ly' Ngo.c A^?n, kho'c le^n, kho'c le^n ...

     - Sau khi gia?i ta'n, ta^'t ca? ddo^` a(n thu+'c uo^'ng da^n chi'nh ma` ca'c anh mang theo pha?i ddu+o+.c thanh toa'n ba(`ng mo.i ca'ch ngay trong dde^m nay . Anh na`o chu+`a la.i, ba^'t cu+' mo'n gi`, la` anh ddo' se~ ... "ra'ch ." Kho^ng co+` ba.c ru+o+.u che`, kho^ng ca` phe^ thuo^'c la' gi` ca? . Ro~ chu+a ?

     - Ro~ .

     - Sau khi tan ha`ng ca'c anh ddu+o+.c phe'p la('c lu+ ve^` pho`ng . Nghi~a la` la(n ve^` pho`ng . Ro~ chu+a ?

     - Ro~ .

     - Tan ha`ng .

     - Co^' ga('ng .

     - Anh . Anh co' nghe la(n ve^` pho`ng hay kho^ng ma` anh cha.y . La(n, na(`m xuo^'ng, la(n . Anh da'm xa'ch ddo^.ng, cho^'ng ddo^'i dda`n anh ha? ?

     La(n lo'c, tra^`y tru.a ro^`i cu~ng la('c lu+ ve^` ddu+o+.c pho`ng, may la` ba~i ta^.p ho+.p cu~ng ga^`n cu+ xa' . Ca? bo.n nhi`n nhau pha^n va^n cho so^' pha^`n tru+o+'c ma('t cu?a mi`nh . Nga`y mai, nga`y mai ro^`i se~ ra sao vo+'i dda'm ddao phu? thu?, va` co`n pha?i chi.u ddu+.ng cho bie^'t dde^'n bao gio+` . So^'ng che^'t co' nhau la` huynh dde^. chi binh, chi binh kie^?u co^'t nhu.c tu+o+ng ta`n na`y thi` co`n huynh dde^. la`m chi cho ma^'t co^ng . Bu+o+'c ddu+o+`ng cu`ng coi nhu+ dda~ dde^'n, bo^'n phu+o+ng ta'm hu+o+'ng, chu+a nha^.n ra phu+o+ng na`o la` DDo^ng, hu+o+'ng na`o la` Ta^y, chu+a bie^'t dda^u la` be^.nh xa', chu+a bie^'t dda^u la` nha` ta('m, pho`ng ve^. sinh . La`m gi` ho+n, dda~ le^n lu+ng co.p ro^`i thi` chi? co`n pha?i co+~i tho^i .

     - E^, Hu`ng, dda^u ma`y phu. tao la`m he^'t ma^'y thu+' na`y coi .

     Vie^.t, Tru+o+ng Thanh Vie^.t, tha(`ng ba.n na(`m giu+o+`ng du+o+'i cu?a Hu`ng, vu+`a no'i vu+`a lo^i ra mo^.t ddo^'ng lu+o+ng kho^, thi.t ho^.p, su+~a, ddu+o+`ng, ba'nh ngo.t ... sa('p dda^`y tre^n ma(.t ba`n . Hu`ng tra? lo+`i du+'t khoa't:

     - Trong ca'i ca?nh the^ lu+o+ng na`y ma` a(n vo+'i uo^'ng gi` nu+~a ma^.y . Tie^'c re? la`m chi, dda`o lo^~ cho^n cha no' he^'t cho ro^`i, cho ddo+~ hoa.n na.n .

     Anh Nguye^~n Tha`nh Long, mo+'i chi.u co' mo^.t ta(ng ma` ca'i cha^n ba('t dda^`u co' ta^.t, ke'o xa` li?a xa` li?a ddi vo`ng vo`ng ho?i tha(m da^`u no'ng, cu~ng cu+o+`i he^` he^` che^m va`o:

     - Tha(`ng Hu`ng no' no'i tru'ng ddo' . Kho^ng nhu+~ng cho^n ma` co`n pha?i cho^n cho thie^.t ky~ nu+~a . Cho^n kho^ng ky~ tu.i no' tha^'y da^'u, tu.i no' moi le^n thi` ca`ng che^'t so+'m . O+? dda^y xu+' ca't cu~ng de^~, bu+o+i tay cho^n cu~ng ddu+o+.c, ne^'u ga(.p dda^'t gio^`ng nhu+ gio^`ng o^ng To^' thi` bo.n mi`nh nguy to .

     Nho'm be^n kia va'ch co`n co' tie^'ng vo.ng qua:

     - Co`n ma^'y bao thuo^'c la' na`y thi` sao .

     - Thi` ma`y ra'n thu+'c suo^'t dde^m ma` hu't cho he^'t .

     - Tu.i no' dda^u co' ca^'m hu't thuo^'c ddu+o+.c . Ca^'m nhu+ va^.y ma^'y tha(`ng ghie^`n che^'t me. no' he^'t sao . DDa^u co' ta`n nha^~n du+~ va^.y .

     - DDa`n anh la` cha me. ma`, ma`y muo^'n ddu+o+.c la`m con cu+ng thi` cu+' giu+~ ma` hu't .

     Mu+o+`i gio+` dde^m . Co`i ta('t dde`n . Cho+` . DDe^'n khi na`o chi? co`n nghe tie^'ng e^~nh u+o+ng, bu` to.t, va` tie^'ng nha` ma'y dde`n cha.y dde^m ru` ri` dda^u dda^y, ca? bo.n mo+'i da'm pha^n ta'n mo?ng ddi dda`o co^ng su+., la`m dda'm ma cho nhu+~ng ca(.n ba~ da^n chi'nh co`n so't la.i . Ro^`i nhu+ tha^'m me^.t, ta^'t ca? le^n giu+o+`ng la(n ra ngu?, chu+a ki.p nghi~ la` suo^'t ca? nga`y nay dda^u ai dda~ ddu+o+.c ddi ta('m .

     Te, ti't, ti't . Te, ti't, ti't . Na(m gio+` sa'ng . Tie^'ng co`i ta^.p ho+.p, sa'ng na`y co`n kie^m the^m tie^'ng co`i dda'nh thu+'c, ba('t dda^`u nghe co' ve? ma qua'i, ru`ng ro+.n . Kho^ng bie^'t lu'c na`o no' se~ ke^u, te, ti't, ti't, ddo+n gia?n nhu+ va^.y ma` la` ddie^?m ba('t dda^`u cu?a mo^.t chuye^?n ddo^.ng, mo^.t quay cuo^`ng . DDa`n anh ba`n giao nhie^.m vu. la`m ve^. sinh cho dda`n em, thu.t ca^`u tie^u, chu`i la-va-bo^, ru+?a pho`ng ta('m . Tu+` nho? dde^'n lo+'n chu+a bao gio+` la`m vie^.c na`y, ba^y gio+` ho^i thu'i, cha'n qua' . He^. tho^'ng nu+o+'c bi. nghe.t, cha?y to?n to?n nhu+ ngu+o+`i ta ddi dda'i . Pha?i ra gie^'ng la^'y nu+o+'c cho le., no'n sa('t ddi no'n sa('t ve^` chuye^`n tay nhau nhu+ da^n la`m dda^'t ddi dda`o kinh .

     Te, ti't, ti't . Xe^'p ha`ng ddi a(n sa'ng, ba'nh mi`, chuo^'i gia`, nu+o+'c tra` .

     Te, ti't, ti't . The^? du.c the^? thao, cha.y vo`ng vo`ng ba~i ta^.p, ba~i ca't tro^'ng giu+~a cu+ xa' va` bo^. chi? huy tie^?u ddoa`n sinh vie^n si~ quan . Mo^.t vo`ng, hai vo`ng, ba vo`ng, cha.y tre^n ca't ba('t dda^`u tha^'y gio^'ng nhu+ cha.y tre^n bu`n . Bo^'n vo`ng, bu+o+'c na`o cu~ng tha^'y lu'n xuo^'ng sa^u . Na(m vo`ng, co' ma^'y te^n ma(.t ma`y ta'i xanh . Sa'u vo`ng, co' tha(`ng o'i mu+?a . Ba?y vo`ng, nga~ li.ch bi.ch do.c ddu+o+`ng . Ta'm vo`ng, na(`m la lie^.t . Chi'n vo`ng, co`n mo^.t so^' ddi bo^. . Mu+o+`i vo`ng, mu+o+`i mo^.t vo`ng ..., chi? co`n ma^'y ca'n bo^. dda`n anh, ma^'y ca'n bo^. kho^ng co' nhie^.m vu. quay:

     - Ye^'u qua' . Ca'c anh ye^'u qua', pha?i cha.y to^'i thie^?u la` hai chu.c vo`ng .

     Sau ddo' ddo+~ ho+n, ta^.p ddi thao die^~n, mo^.t hai ba bo^'n, mo^.t hai ba bo^'n, cho dde^'n tru+a .

     Te, ti't, ti't . Mo^` ho^i nhu+ ta('m ma` va^~n pha?i xe^'p ha`ng ddi va`o pho`ng a(n, thu+' tu+. tu+`ng trung ddo^.i, ddi be? go'c vo^ ba`n a(n ra^'t dda`ng hoa`ng, li.ch su+. . Bo` ra-gu, canh rau muo^'ng, ga` kho sa? o+'t, coi bo^. co' ly' ...

     Te ... DDa`n anh bo^~ng du+ng o+? dda^u tu'a ra ddo^ng nghe.t . Hu`ng linh ti'nh nhu+ co' chuye^.n cha(?ng la`nh . Ca'i gi` nu+~a dda^y, tro+`i dda'nh tra'nh bu+~a a(n nghen .

     - Kho'a 17 nghe dda^y . Ta^'t ca? ke'o ghe^' ra . Te .

     - Ta^'t ca? xoay be^. ghe^' va`o trong . Te .

     - Ta^'t ca? quy` go^'i le^n, hai tay le^n dda^`u . Te .

     A', quy` go^'i hai tay le^n dda^`u . DDu'ng la` dda`n anh kho^ng so+. tro+`i dda'nh . Mo^.t so^' co`n tu+. nhie^n len lo?i va`o trong ha`ng ngu~ dda`n em ho?i tha(m su+'c kho?e tu+`ng ngu+o+`i .

     - Tra'i na`y la` tra'i gi`, anh .

     - Tra'i o+'t .

     - Tra'i na`y ma` la` tra'i o+'t a` . Tra'i na`y la` tra'i chuo^'i ca'c anh bie^'t kho^ng . Ai ma` co`n no'i tra'i o+'t la` se~ ra'ch vo+'i to^i . Anh, tra'i na`y la` tra'i gi` ?

     - Tra'i chuo^'i .

     - DDu+o+.c la('m . Anh a(n tra'i chuo^'i na`y cho to^i coi . Ha? mie^.ng ra .

     - Anh co' ca^`n uo^'ng ru+o+.u khai vi. kho^ng ?

     - Kho^ng .

     - Anh, che'n na`y la` che'n gi` ?

     - Nu+o+'c ma('m .

     - Ai da'm no'i vo+'i anh la` nu+o+'c ma('m, la` ru+o+.u khai vi. cu?a Ha?i Qua^n anh bie^'t chu+a . Anh uo^'ng vo^ cho to^i coi ...

     - Pha-ro^ . Sau khi nghe tie^'ng co`i, ta^'t ca? ba mu+o+i gia^y chun xuo^'ng ba`n . Te .

     - Su?a le^n, su?a to le^n . Te .

     Vu+`a cha^.t cho^.i, vu+`a no'ng nu+.c, ma` ddu+'a na`y pha?i su?a vo^ ma(.t ddu+'a kia . Ma^'y ta^'m drap tra?i ba`n che khua^'t a'nh sa'ng, ma(.t ma`y tha(`ng na`o tro^ng cu~ng dden nhu+ lo. cha?o . Su?a ma^.y, su?a ddi ma^.y . Qua^'u qua^'u, qua^'u qua^'u . Qua^'u ...

     - Pha-ro^, pha-ro^ .

     - Ta^'t ca? chun ra ngo^`i va`o ghe^' . Te .

     - Ta^'t ca? bo+'i co+m va`o che'n . Te .

     Xoong co+m ba^y gio+` thie^.t ddu'ng la` xoong cha'o heo . Lo+.i du.ng lu'c dda`n em la`m cho', dda'm dda`n anh xa^'u bu.ng dda~ ddo^? he^'t ma^'y mo'n a(n vo^ xoong co+m, tro^.n lo^.n xa` nga^`u . Tro^.n luo^n ma^'y mie^'ng vo? chuo^'i lai-se't, tha^'y ba('t go+'m .

     - Ta^'t ca? pha?i a(n he^'t che'n co+m tru+o+'c ma(.t trong vo`ng ba mu+o+i gia^y, anh na`o cha^.m tre^~ se~ la~nh pha^`n co`n la.i . Te .

     - Ye^'u qua' . Kho'a 17 ye^'u qua', co' ca'i a(n ma` cu~ng kho^ng xong . Ye^'u qua' .

     - Ta^'t ca? bo+'i co+m va`o che'n . Te .

     - A(n . Te .

     DDu+o+.c nu+?a che'n thu+' hai, Hu`ng muo^'n o'i tro+? ra . Chi.u tho^i, phen na`y kho^ng theo no^?i dda'm ddo^ng ddu+o+.c ro^`i, pha?i chi.u la~nh pha^`n a(n he^'t no^`i co+m tho^i, Hu`ng buo^ng ddu~a .

     - Anh . Anh theo to^i ra dda^y . Anh da'm che^ co+m Ha?i Qua^n ha?, va^.y la` anh kho^ng muo^'n so^'ng ro^`i . Anh ddi ba(`ng dda^`u go^'i gia'p vo`ng pho`ng a(n na`y cho to^i .

     DDu+o+.c . Bi. quay rie^ng nhu+ va^`y co`n su+o+'ng ho+n la` a(n ca'i ddo^'ng ho^? lo^'n ddo' nhie^`u . Che'n thu+' ba, co' the^m ma^'y te^n nu+~a ddi dda^`u go^'i vo+'i Hu`ng . Che'n thu+' tu+, ga^`n nu+?a kho'a . Che'n thu+' na(m, co`n la.i co' ma^'y tha(`ng, bu.ng na`o ma` a(n du+~ va^.y . Che'n thu+' sa'u ... Ro^`i ngu+o+`i cuo^'i cu`ng la` tha(`ng DDo^~ Va(n Qua? cu~ng pha?i tham gia co^ng ta'c vu+`a ddi dda^`u go^'i, vu+`a su?a ma tro+i ma` tho^i . Ma^'y ba` chi., ma^'y co^ em la`m trong pha.n xa' kho^ng ca^`m ddu+o+.c nu+o+'c ma('t, kha(n mu`-soa su.t su`i .

     Cha('c tha^'y chu+a ddu? "dose," dda`n anh sau ddo' ta^.p ho+.p dda`n em ngoa`i ba~i ta^.p . Toa`n bo^. 17 ddao phu? thu? da`n ha`ng ngang tru+o+'c ma(.t . Ngu+o+`i ma(.c a'o ra(`n ri, ke? ma(.c ddo^` tha'i cu+.c dda.o, te^n na`y va^.n qua^`n ddu`i a'o li'nh, te^n kia qua^'n ca'i qua^`n da`i o+? tra^`n tru`i tru.i . DDo^.i mu~ le^.ch, ddo^.i mu~ nghie^ng, ddo^.i mu~ ngu+o+.c . DDa(`ng dda(`ng sa't khi', kho^ng ma(.t na`o gio^'ng ma(.t na`o .

     - Nhu+ dda~ hu+'a vo+'i ca'c anh, ho^m nay ca'c anh se~ ddu+o+.c ca'c ddao phu? thu? ta^.n ti`nh sa(n so'c .

     - Ta^.n ti`nh sa(n so'c .

     - DDe^? ba('t dda^`u, ca'c anh se~ cha.y ddu+o+`ng tru+o+`ng vo`ng quanh sa^n ta^.p . Anh na`o tu+. ddo^.ng ro+`i bo? ha`ng ngu~ se~ ddu+o+.c tie^'p dda~i rie^ng re~ . Te . Cha.y . Te .

     Mo+'i a(n no ma` ba('t cha.y thi` kho^ng ho+.p ve^. sinh chu't na`o he^'t . Hi`nh nhu+ co' kinh nghie^.m buo^?i sa'ng, cho ne^n dda'm da^~n dda^`u chi? cha.y tu+` tu+` tho^i . Na(m vo`ng, chu+a te^n na`o dda`o ngu~, mo+'i ddo' ma` tie^'n bo^. tha^.t . Sa'u vo`ng, ba('t dda^`u co' ngu+o+`i nga~ ngu+.a . Ro^`i ma^'y vo`ng nu+~a tie^'p theo, nhie^`u te^n o'i mu+?a lai la'ng, na(`m ra?i ra'c kha('p ba~i ca't, thoi tho'p nhu+ cho+` che^'t . Kho^ng bie^'t to+'i vo`ng thu+' ma^'y thi` ca? kho'a dde^`u bi. quay rie^ng . Nguye^n ba~i ta^.p ga^`n ba tra(m ngu+o+`i, he^~ tha^'y ai ddu+'ng thi` bie^'t la` dda`n anh . DDa`n anh thi` co' ba to^'p, to^'p quay, to^'p cu+'u bo^`, va` to^'p cho nu+o+'c . DDa`n em thi` chi? co' bo`, tru+o+`n, la(n lo^.n, bo+i ngu+?a, bo+i xa^'p nhu+ mo^.t dda`n sie^u, ha?i ca^?u, trong ca'i bie^?n ca't . Ha?i a^u phi xu+', ngu+?a ma(.t le^n tro+`i vo^~ ca'nh dde^'m sao tru+a la` sung su+o+'ng nha^'t, co`n ddu+o+.c ca'i co+ ho^.i dde^? nghi? me^.t, dde^? la^'y ho+i .

     O+? phi'a ha`ng ra`o tru+o+`ng Ky~ Thua^.t co' ma^'y te^n kho^ng bie^'t cho^'ng ddo^'i dda`n anh co+~ na`o ma` bi. cho^n so^'ng chi? co`n ngo ngoe co' hai ca'nh tay va` ca'i dda^`u lo`i ra tre^n ma(.t ca't . Chi? co`n thie^'u ca'i ca`y va` ca(.p tra^u nu+~a la` xong . O+? phi'a ca^u la.c bo^. cu?a DDoa`n Vie^n co`n mo^.t nho'm ddang la(n ca'i thu`ng phi, co' mo^.t te^n bi. thu.t dda^`u trong ddo', quay vo`ng vo`ng nhu+ khu'c go^~ . Mo^.t te^n nu+~a ddang bie^?u die^~n mo^.t nghe^` mo+'i cu?a ngu+o+`i ha't xie^.c, nghe^` "ngu+o+`i ddi tre^n thu`ng phi ." Ne^'u ngu+o+`i ha't xie^.c kho^ng ddo'ng ddu+o+.c tuo^`ng thi` ngu+o+`i ha't xie^.c se~ tro+? tha`nh khu'c go^~, bo+?i va^.y da^`u thu`ng phi la('c lu+ ca'ch ma^'y cu~ng pha?i ra'n ma` giu+~ mi`nh, ra'n ma` ddi cho vu+~ng .

     Vi` lu'c na`o cu~ng ba^.n ro^.n vo+'i nhu+~ng ddo^.ng ta'c ngoa`i y' muo^'n cu?a mi`nh, ma` tho+`i gio+` qua mau . Lu'c sa('p ta`n cuo^.c thi` tro+`i dda~ ve^` chie^`u . Ta^'t ca? ddu+o+.c ta^.p ho+.p be^n ca'i gie^'ng lo+'n, dde^? la`m le^~ "cha`o ddo+`i ."

     - Ta^'t ca? quy` go^'i, hai tay le^n dda^`u . Te .

     - Ke^? tu+` gio+` phu't na`y, dda`n anh tuye^n bo^' cho ca'c anh ddu+o+.c la`m lo+'p tru+'ng mo+'i, lo+'p "tru+'ng thu'i ."

     - Tru+'ng th ... u'i, thu'i qua' ddi .

     - Trong tu+o+ng lai ca'c anh tua^`n tu+. se~ ddu+o+.c no+? ra no`ng no.c, no`ng no.c se~ ddu+'t dduo^i tha`nh nha'i, mo+'i ddu+o+.c ddi bo+`, ddi pho^', ddi Nha Trang .

     - U'i cha`, ddi Nha Trang .

     - Ta^'t ca? ba('t dda^`u la.y . Ba la.y, mo^.t ... hai ... ba ...

     Nhu+~ng gio.t nu+o+'c ma't, cha?y tu+` dda^`u xuo^'ng co^?, vu+`a ddu? tha^'m va`o ba^u a'o, tha^'m va`o da thi.t nhu+ la`m so^'ng la.i ca'i tha^n the^? kho^ khan, ga^`y go`, bu.i ba^.m . DDa`n anh chi? la`m ddu+o+.c co' bao nhie^u ddo' ro^`i tu+` tu+` ru't lui . Tu+`ng no'n sa('t mo^.t, ro^`i ha`ng chu.c, ha`ng tra(m no'n sa('t nu+~a do^.i va`o nhau tung to'e . DDa`n anh dda~ ddi xa, tie^'ng cu+o+`i gio+~n, chu+?i the^`, va(ng tu.c nhu+ hie^.n ve^` tu+` co~i che^'t, nhu+ ddu+o+.c nghe la.i la^`n dda^`u trong the^' gio+'i 17 .

     Bo'ng dde^m dda~ ve^` . Xong ddu+o+.c nga`y thu+' hai . DDu+o+.c ta('m ru+?a sa.ch se~, ddu+o+.c nhi`n la.i mi`nh trong gu+o+ng, ddu+o+.c ca^`m lu+o+.c che? ngo^i la`n to'c, nhu+~ng ddo^.ng ta'c thu+o+`ng nga`y mo+'i ddo' ma` tu+o+?ng chu+`ng nhu+ xa la. . Tha? lu+ng le^n giu+o+`ng tha^'y tho?a ma~n la`m sao . Cha('c pha?i vie^'t thu+ ve^` nha` die^~n ta? ca'i ca?nh nu+?a ddau thu+o+ng nu+?a thu' vi. na`y . Cuo^.c ddo+`i trong qua^n ngu~ ba('t buo^.c pha?i kha'c cuo^.c ddo+`i thu+o+`ng tu.c ro^`i . Ai no+~ bo? lo+~ ca'i co+ ho^.i na`y .

     - Te, ti't, ti't . Te, ti't, ti't . Te, ti't, ti't .

     Tho^i ro^`i, nga`y thu+' hai na`y cha('c cu~ng chu+a dda~ chi.u he^'t . Mo+'i ddu+o+.c sa.ch se~ mo^.t chu't, cha(?ng le~ la.i la`m cho do+ tro+? la.i . DDa`n anh kho^ng chi.u dde^? mi`nh ye^n . Ta^.p ho+.p, ta^.p ho+.p, ta^.p ho+.p hoa`i . Nhu+ng, kha'c ho+n ma^'y la^`n tru+o+'c, la^`n na`y ca? kho'a ddu+o+.c hu+o+'ng da^~n le^n gia?ng ddu+o+`ng 17 . Va^.y la` dde^m nay mi`nh se~ kho^ng bi. ha`nh to^.i, tu+o+?ng gi` cho+' ddi ho.c ca, ho.c ha't thi` de^~ ro^`i . Toa'n chie^'n si~ ha?i qua^n ra kho+i ho^m nay . Tro+`i nu+o+'c Nam gio' kho+i no^`ng ma'u say . Ra ddi kho^ng vu+o+ng the^ nhi, mie^`n Ba('c nu'i tuye^'t re't mu+o+'t, tha^n pho+i tre^n Nam Ba(ng Du+o+ng, tra?i tre^n nga`n tru`ng so'ng ... Ra kho+i so'ng vang ra.t ra`o, me^nh mo^ng so'ng va tha^n ta`u, nghe a^m u, u` u`, a't tie^'ng ma'y, a^`m a^`m, qua^n ta reo, ra^`m ra^`m, ta`u nha^'p nho^ . Mo+` mo+` xa ma^y nu'i, mo+` mo+` xa ma^y nu'i . DDi kho^ng vu+o+ng be^'n bo+`, cho+` . Ra kho+i tru`ng du+o+ng ba't nga't . Nga`y ve^` to^? quo^'c ghi te^n . Ro^`i tie^'p theo, DDa^y Ba.ch DDa(`ng Giang, so^ng hu`ng du~ng cu?a no`i gio^'ng Tie^n Ro^`ng, gio^'ng La.c Ho^`ng, gio^'ng anh hu`ng Nam Ba('c Trung . Tre^n tro+`i xanh ... ro^`i dde^'n DDu+o+`ng tru+o+`ng xa muo^n vo' ca^u bay da^.p do^`n, ddoa`n hu`ng binh ... Bo^~ng nhie^n dde`n ta('t to^'i mu`, va` nhu+~ng tie^'ng ho^ brimade, brimade vang do^.i nhu+ tro+`i long dda^'t lo+? . To+'i nu+~a ro^`i, dda`n anh to+'i nu+~a ro^`i . Ca? bo.n ddang ho^`n vi'a le^n ma^y, nho^'n nha'o nhu+ ong vo+~ to^?, thi` dde`n bu+.c sa'ng le^n . La.i nhu+~ng te^n ddao phu? thu? .

     - Te . DDa`n anh nha^.n tha^'y ca'c anh ca ha't ra^'t to^`i . Ca'c anh chi? bie^'t su?a tho^i . Ta^'t ca? quy` go^'i hai tay le^n dda^`u . Su?a le^n, su?a lo+'n le^n . Te .

     Su?a thi` su?a, co' ha.i ai . Tru cu~ng ddu+o+.c . Ma` nghe kia, co' tie^'ng tru cu?a ddu+'a na`o vu+`a lo+'n vu+`a trong, lanh la?nh kho^ng thua gi` tie^'ng cho' so'i thie^.t . Nghe ro+.n ngu+o+`i, dda~ va^.y co`n co' pha^`n phu. die^~n dde`n ma`u, lu'c cha'y lu'c ta('t cu?a dda'm dda`n anh nu+~a .

     - Chun xuo^'ng ba`n va` tie^'p tu.c su?a . Te .

     - Pha-ro^ . Ta^'t ca? chun ra ddi dda^`u go^'i vo`ng vo`ng gia?ng ddu+o+`ng . Te .

     - Ta^'t ca? xa(n o^'ng qua^`n kho?i dda^`u go^'i . Te .

     Da ngu+o+`i ca. vo+'i xi-ma(ng la`m sao kho?i mo`n, kho?i ddau . Va^.y ma` co' mo^.t te^n dda`n anh cho+i da.i da'm ca^`m mo^.t bu.m ca't ra?i ra?i tre^n lo^'i ddi . Tro^ng nhu+ xa'c pha'o ta? to+i, vi` mo^~i bu+o+'c ddi dda^`u go^'i la` mo^~i tie^'ng no^? . Xo^? o^'ng qua^`n phu? mo^.t dda^`u go^'i, dde^? la`m ca^y na.ng chi.u ddu+.ng, ga'nh go^`ng . Ro^`i cu~ng bi. ba('t xa(n le^n, ro^`i cu~ng le'n xo^? xuo^'ng .

     - Anh . Anh co' bie^'t con na`y la` con gi` kho^ng ?

     - Con nha'i .

     - Anh mo+'i chi? la` ca'i tru+'ng thu'i ma` da'm go.i con na`y la` con nha'i ha? . Con na`y la` o^ng no^.i cu?a anh, anh bie^'t chu+a . Ho^n o^ng no^.i anh mo^.t ca'i coi .

     - Ho^n kie^?u gi` ky` va^y., anh kho^ng bie^'t nu't lu+o+~i ha? ?

     - Anh kia . Anh da'm cu+o+`i ha? . Mu't o^ng no^.i anh mo^.t mie^'ng coi .

     - Mu't o^ng no^.i anh mo^.t mie^'ng .

     - Mu't o^ng no^.i anh mo^.t mie^'ng .

     - Ca'c anh la`m qua' o^ng no^.i he^'t xi' qua'ch ro^`i, tra('ng cha.ch me. no' ro^`i . Anh na`y, ha? to ho.ng ra . Nuo^'t luo^n o^ng no^.i anh ddi .

     - U+.c ...

     DDe^m ho^m ddo' tro+`i ddo^? co+n mu+a . Hu`ng tre'o cha^n du+.a lu+ng tre^n be^. cu+?a so^? ngo' ra ha`ng tho^ng mo+'i tro^`ng ma` lo`ng tha^'y ba^ng khua^ng . Nhu+~ng ha.t mu+a vo^ ti`nh dda~ xo'a tan da^'u ve^'t cu?a cho^~ cho^n ddo^` da^n chi'nh, tha`nh mo^.t ma(.t ca't pha(?ng . A'nh dde`n va`ng vo.t tu+` pha.n xa', tu+` be^n kia ha`ng ra`o Kho DDa.n, pha?n chie^'u nhu+~ng gio.t mu+a ddang tro+? tha`nh la^m ra^m, ca`ng la`m bo'ng dde^m the^m mo+` a?o . Nha Trang buo^`n, Hu`ng nghi~ va^.y, ma(.c du` chu+a bie^'t Nha Trang trong ruo^.t nhu+ the^' na`o ... Xong, ke^? nhu+ qua ddu+o+.c nga`y thu+' hai .

     - Hu`ng, nu+o+'c trong pho`ng he^'t ro^`i, to+'i phie^n ma`y ddi la^'y ki`a .

     Tha(`ng Phu+o+'c, Nguye^~n Tha`nh Phu+o+'c to+'i giu.c Hu`ng nhu+ va^.y .

     - To+'i gio+` ddi ngu? ro^`i ma` a(n vo+'i uo^'ng gi` nu+~a ma^.y .

     Tuy mie^.ng no'i va^.y nhu+ng Hu`ng cu~ng bie^'t bo^?n pha^.n, nha?y xuo^'ng la^'y ca'i no'n sa('t cha.y xuo^'ng nha` a(n . No^`i nu+o+'c tra` co`n lu+ng lu+ng, a^'m a^'m . Hu`ng chu.p ca'i ga'o mu'c ddo^? vo^ no'n lie^n tu.c, ro^`i ba cha^n bo^'n ca(?ng cha.y ve^`, cu+' so+. ga(.p pha?i dda`n anh . Nhu+ng cha.y tro+`i kho^ng kho?i na('ng, vu+`a ra kho?i cu+?a thi` nghe tie^'ng qua't tha'o:

     - Anh kia, gio+` na`y ma` anh cha.y ddi dda^u .

     - Da., ddi la^'y nu+o+'c cho anh em, nie^n tru+o+?ng .

     - Cho+' ca'i lu~ ddo' kho^ng co' cha^n kho^ng co' tay hay sao ma` anh pha?i la^'y giu`m . Anh gio?i la^'y thi` anh pha?i gio?i uo^'ng . Uo^'ng vo^ cho to^i coi .

     - Uo^'ng he^'t ?

     - Co`n cho+` ddo+.i gi` nu+~a .

     Ke^ mie^.ng uo^'ng o+? va`nh no'n the^' na`o nu+o+'c cu~ng cha?y u+o+'t a'o, ma` pha?i chi.u u+o+'t a'o kho^ng tho^i thi` be^? bu.ng . Pha?i bie^'t hy sinh . La`m xong mhie^.m vu., Hu`ng cha`o dda`n anh ca'i cu.p, xa'ch no'n kho^ng cha.y tuo^'t ve^` pho`ng kho^ng da'm ngo' ngoa'i la.i .

     - Nu+o+'c dda^u ma^.y ? He^'t ro^`i ha? ?

     - Co`n . Ma` nhi.n kha't ddi ngu? ddi . Hay la` ma`y muo^'n uo^'ng the^m mo^.t ca'i no'n sa('t nu+~a nhu+ tao thi` cu+' ddi thu+? coi .

     Hu`ng vo^~ ca'i bu.ng cho^ng bo^'c, u+o+'t nhe.p ma^'y ca'i ro^`i nha?y le^n giu+o+`ng . Ba^y gio+` mo+'i thie^.t la` dda~ qua ddu+o+.c nga`y thu+' hai .

     Nga`y thu+' ba cu~ng ba('t dda^`u ba(`ng thu.t ca^`u tie^u, chu`i la-va-bo^, ru+?a pho`ng ta('m . Cu~ng a(n sa'ng, chuo^'i gia` ba'nh mi` nu+o+'c tra` . Cu~ng cha.y the^? du.c the^? thao vo`ng vo`ng ba~i ta^.p . Cu~ng ddi die^~n ha`nh mo^.t hai ba bo^'n, mo^.t hai ba bo^'n, nhu+ng ba^y gio+` co' ke`m the^m pha^`n va(n nghe^., vu+`a ddi vu+`a ha't . Toa'n chie^'n si~ ha?i qua^n ra kho+i ho^m nay ... DDa^y Ba.ch DDa(`ng Giang, so^ng hu`ng du~ng cu?a no`i gio^'ng Tie^n Ro^`ng, gio^'ng La.c Ho^`ng, gio^'ng anh hu`ng Nam Ba('c Trung ... Va` chi? ho.c the^m ddu+o+.c mo^~i ca'i nghe^` dda'nh gia`y . DDa'nh ci-ra u+o+'t vo+'i nu+o+'c va` bo^ng go`n, kho^ng bo'ng kho^ng ddu+o+.c ddi a(n co+m . Bu+~a a(n tru+a nga`y thu+' ba thie^'u so't ra^'t nhie^`u, kho^ng co' ru+o+.u khai vi., kho^ng co' cha'o heo, kho^ng co' lai-se't, va` cu~ng kho^ng co' cho' ga(.m xu+o+ng .

     DDa`n anh cha('c dda~ tho^ng ca?m ro^`i . DDa`n anh dda~ bie^'t, huynh dde^. chi binh la` cu`ng chung ddo+`i li'nh ye^u nhau kha'c chi nha^n ti`nh . Nhu+ng, dda`n anh dda`n em sinh vie^n si~ quan ha?i qua^n ye^u nhau mo^.t ca'ch kha'c . Ba?o dda?m tha^'m thi'a ho+n nha^n ti`nh nhie^`u . Sau buo^?i co+m tru+a chu+`ng nu+?a gio+` thi` dda~ nghe te, ti't, ti't . DDa`n anh ba'o mo^.t tin buo^`n, anh Vu~ The^' Tie^.p dda~ chi'nh thu+'c ddi va`o lo`ng dda.i du+o+ng tu+` be^.nh xa' qua^n tru+o+`ng . Ma(.c du` ma~i sau na`y anh em mo+'i bie^'t anh Tie^.p che^'t vi` bi. a?nh hu+o+?ng cu?a bi.nh dda'i ddu+o+`ng, nhu+ng ca'i che^'t cu?a anh lu'c ddo' dda~ la`m tinh tha^`n anh em bi. cha^'n ddo^.ng, sa su't . Ai na^'y dda^m lo cho so^' pha^.n cu?a mi`nh, kho^ng bie^'t co' ne^n bo? cuo^.c nu+?a chu+`ng, hay co' ne^n cho^'ng ba'ng ca'i ddu+o+`ng lo^'i hua^'n nhu.c ha`nh hi`nh kie^?u kia . Nhu+ng nghi~ cho cu`ng, mi`nh cu~ng kho^ng co`n ca'i quye^`n cho.n lu+.a .

     - Ca'c anh dda~ la`m nhu.c Ha?i Qua^n, mo+'i va`o dda^y co' hai nga`y ma` dda~ che^'t mo^.t ngu+o+`i ro^`i . Ca'c anh pha?i che^'t the^m mu+o+`i sa'u ma.ng nu+~a thi` mo+'i xu+'ng dda'ng la`m quan, quan ta`u, ca'c anh hie^?u chu+a .

     Co' ngu+o+`i hy sinh, tu+o+?ng la` mu+'c ddo^. quay se~ ddu+o+.c gia?m xuo^'ng ddo^i chu't na`o ngo+` gia?m kho^ng gia?m ma` la.i ta(ng, ta(ng vu`ng vu.t . Tu+` ddi dda^`u go^'i tre^n ca't chuye^?n sang ddi dda^`u go^'i tre^n vi? sa('t, ro^`i to+'i luo^n, ddi dda^`u go^'i tre^n vi? sa('t la^.t ngu+o+.c . Tu+` dda^`u go^'i bo.c qua^`n chuye^?n sang dda^`u go^'i tra^`n, mo^.t bu+o+'c dda^`u go^'i mo^.t tie^'ng ke^u ... xe`o ... tre^n vi? sa('t no'ng . Tu+` qua^`n a'o, gia`y vo+' chuye^?n sang da thi.t, tay cha^n, tha^n the^?:

     - Anh . Ta.i sao anh da'm dde^? ra^u cu?a anh mo.c lo+?m cho+?m va^.y ha? ? Ne`, to^i giao anh hai mie^'ng ngo'i na`y, anh vu+`a nha?y tha(ng thie^n ddo^.n tho^? vu+`a ke.p va` nho^? he^'t dda'm ra^u ddo' cho to^i .

     - Co`n anh . Ra^u anh cu.t qua' kho^ng nho^? ddu+o+.c dda^u . Anh la.i ne^`n xi ma(ng dda(`ng kia vu+`a hi't dda^'t vu+`a ma`i ra^u ... nha(~n nhu.i cho to^i coi .

     - Mo'ng tay nho.n ? . Ma`i luo^n!

     Thu+o+ng cho roi cho vo.t, ghe't cho ngo.t cho bu`i, ca'i ca^u na`y ba^y gio+` nghe cha'n nga('t . Ma'u chu+a cha?y ruo^.t sao me^`m . Pha?i ro^`i, pha?i co' ma'u cha?y mo+'i co' ddi be^.nh xa', pha?i co' ddi be^.nh xa' mo+'i co' ba(ng bo', pha?i co' ba(ng bo' mo+'i co' mie^~n quay . Va^.y ma` so+. qua' nghi~ kho^ng ra . Ta`n tra^.n nu+o+'ng tha^n tre^n vi? sa('t, he^'t nu+?a kho'a no^'i dduo^i nhau ddi tha(m ma^'y co^ y ta' .

     DDe^m thu+' ba dda`n anh mu~i lo`ng tru+o+'c ca?nh ma'u ddo^? thi.t ro+i, tu+. ddo^.ng a^n xa' dda`n em . DDe^? thay the^' tro` cho+i brimade, dda`n em se~ tri`nh die^~n co^'ng hie^'n dda`n anh mo^.t dde^m va(n nghe^. kho^ng ngu+`ng, vi` ngu+`ng la` bi. quay tie^'p . DDa`n anh ho^m nay sang ho+n mo^.t chu't, le^n la`m vua, la`m chu'a, la`m dda.i tha^`n . Kie^.u vua, kie^.u chu'a, kie^.u dda.i tha^`n la`m ba(`ng ma^'y ca'i ... giu+o+`ng sa('t cu~ng co' hoa co' tu.i ba(`ng ... drap tra?i giu+o+`ng, ddu+o+.c ho^. to^'ng nghe^nh ngang ngoa`i ba~i ca't . Vo~ng anh ddi tru+o+'c, vo~ng na`ng theo sau . Cu~ng co' cung ta^`n my~ nu+~ ma(.c robe, jupe, cu~ng co' vu' bu+. vu' nho? ke`m theo kie^.u cho ma^'y nga`i . The^m va`i te^n dda^'m bo'p gia? la`m tha'i gia'm la` ddu? ma(.t ba' quan va(n vo~ trie^`u ddi`nh .

     - Ne` anh kia . Anh kie^'m dda^u ca'i con tie^.n ty` na`y no' ho^i na'ch qua' . Anh dduo^?i co^? no' ddi cho to^i coi ... ddi ddi cha . Anh kie^'m cho dda.i quan mo^.t con kha'c coi .

     - Tua^n le^.nh .

     DDe^m va(n nghe^. chu+?i nho?, chu+?i khe'o, chu+?i xie^n, chu+?i xe'o dda`n anh bi. lo^. ta^?y cho ne^n chu+o+ng tri`nh bi. ba('t buo^.c pha?i ngu+ng ngang nu+?a chu+`ng . Va` dde^m thu+' ba cu~ng cha^'m du+'t ba(`ng mo^.t co+n quay nhu+` tu+? .

     Qua nga`y sau, ca? kho'a ddi chi'ch TAB . Ma^'y nga`y a(n cha'o, ma^'y nga`y dda`n anh kho^ng da'm ddo^.ng mi`nh to+'i mo^.t co.ng lo^ng . Nho+` ca'nh tay ddau nhu+'c ta(ng ta(ng ma` ca'i tha^n ddo+~ kho^? . Lu'c he^'t thuo^'c thi` chu+o+ng tri`nh o^n toa'n dda.i cu+o+ng, ke`m the^m pha^`n tam gia'c ca^`u cu?a Ha?i qua^n dda.i u'y Le^ Phu.ng cu~ng ba('t dda^`u . Va^.y ma` chu+o+ng tri`nh hua^'n nhu.c va^~n tie^'p tu.c da`i da`i, xen ke~ vo+'i chu+o+ng tri`nh ho.c . DDe^'n ba tha'ng, cu~ng may la` cu+o+`ng ddo^. gia?m da^`n, gia?m da^`n .

     Tua^`n thu+' sa'u dda'nh dda^'u ba(`ng le^~ no+? ra no`ng no.c, va` tua^`n thu+' mu+o+`i hai dda'nh da^'u ba(`ng le^~ no`ng no.c ddu+'t dduo^i tha`nh nha'i . Cu~ng ta.i ca'i gie^'ng lo+'n nhu+ng hai la^`n sau na`y kho^ng nhu+~ng co' nu+o+'c gie^'ng ma` co`n co' xa` bo^ng, kem dda'nh ra(ng, ci-ra tri tre't le^n dda^`u . Nhu+ng, ky? nie^.m y' nghi~a nha^'t co' le~ la` le^~ nha^.n "bo^' con," Hu`ng co' bo^' la` dda`n anh Le^ Quang Trung hie^`n nhu+ cu.c bo^.t . To^.i cho nhu+~ng ba'c, chu' bi. tuye^.t do`ng kho^ng con, vi` kho'a 17 i't ngu+o+`i ho+n, pha?i nha^.n cha'u, con cu?a ba.n . DDe^m bo^' con la` dde^m la`m gia`u cho ca^u la.c bo^., bo^' pha?i dda~i con, nhie^`u khi con la^~n cha'u, mo^.t cha^`u . Ba tha'ng tro+`i chi? co' co+m qua^n tru+o+`ng, dda'm con cha'u nhi`n mo'n na`o cu~ng tha^'y the`m tha^'y ngon, ke^u mo'n na`o cu~ng tha^'y la'ng tha^'y he^'t, trong ti'c ta('c . Bo^' chi? nhi`n va` tho^ng ca?m, vi` ddoa.n tru+o+`ng na`y bo^' cu~ng dda~ qua ca^`u .

     Mo^.t nga`y di ha`nh le^n Ho`n Cho^`ng, va` mo^.t chuye^'n ha?i ha`nh ra Qui Nho+n, nhu+~ng tie^'t mu.c sau cu`ng tru+o+'c nga`y ga('n alpha va` dde^m da. vu~, cu~ng ddu+o+.c tua^`n tu+. die^~n ra theo ddu'ng li.ch tri`nh . Ga('n alpha, ca'nh cu+?a bu+o+'c va`o ddo+`i si~ quan, Hu`ng ca?m tha^'y ... no' ngoa.n mu.c la`m sao .

     Ro^`i chu+o+ng tri`nh ho.c chi'nh thu+'c ba('t dda^`u . Nhu+~ng mo^n ca(n ba?n cu?a si~ quan nhu+: Ha`ng Ha?i Ca^.n Duye^n, Ha`ng Ha?i Vie^~n Duye^n, Ha`ng Ha?i Thie^n Va(n, Va^.n Chuye^?n DDo^.i Hi`nh, Va^.n Chuye^?n Chie^'n Thua^.t, Ha?i Pha'o (ye^?m tro+. va` pho`ng kho^ng), Ngu+ Lo^i tu+'c torpedo, Thu?y Lo^i la` depth charge, La~nh DDa.o Chi? Huy ... v . v . Vi` pha?i la~nh dda.o chi? huy ne^n si~ quan cu~ng pha?i ho.c so+ qua 14 nghe^` cu?a thu?y thu?: Pho`ng Tai (cu+'u ho?a), Co+ Khi', DDie^.n Khi', Gia'm Lo^. (co+` dde`n), Ra-dar So-nar, Tro.ng Pha'o, Truye^`n Tin, Va^.n Chuye^?n, Bi' Thu+, Tie^'p Lie^.u, A^?m Thu+.c, Chie^u DDa~i ... Va` nhu+~ng mo'n a(n cho+i nhu+ Khie^u Vu~, Tha'i Cu+.c DDa.o, Xa~ Giao Ha?i Qua^n ... Tho+`i gian hua^'n nhu.c dda~ ddi sa^u va`o tie^`m thu+'c, tha^'y ki'nh me^'n dda`n anh vo^ bo+`, tha^'y mi`nh tro+? ne^n cu+'ng ra('n nhu+ se~ kho^ng co`n ca?nh ngo^. na`o la`m mi`nh lay chuye^?n na?n lo`ng, va` nhu+ se~ kho^ng co`n bie^'t the^' na`o la` xu'c ddo^.ng, ro+i nu+o+'c ma('t .

     ... Ro^`i tho+`i gian tha^'m thoa't qua mau:

     - Ta^'t ca? kho'a 18 nghe dda^y . Te . Ca'c anh pha?i bie^'t la` ca'c anh co' to^.i .

     - Co' to^.i, co' to^.i .

     - DDa~ dde^? dda`n anh ca'c anh cho+` ddo+.i ca? na(m tro+`i .

     - Cho+` ddo+.i ca? na(m tro+`i ..., cho+` ddo+.i ca? na(m tro+`i ...

     ... Va`, mu+o+`i ta'm ddao phu? thu? cho kho'a dda`n em cu~ng ddu+o+.c tra^n tro.ng gio+'i thie^.u .

     - ...

     - DDe^. tu+' tha^.p ngu~ ddao phu? thu?, nie^n tru+o+?ng Tri.nh Xua^n Tie^?u .

     - Kho'c le^n ...

     - DDe^. tam tha^.p lu.c ddao phu? thu?, nie^n tru+o+?ng Nguye^~n Bi'ch Nga^n .

     - Kho'c le^n ...

     - DDe^. nhi. tha^.p tha^'t ddao phu? thu?, nie^n tru+o+?ng Nguye^~n DDu+'c Nghi~a .

     - Co' ta dda^y ...

     - DDe^. nha^'t tha^.p ba't ddao phu? thu?, nie^n tru+o+?ng Nguye^~n ...

     Kho^ng ddo+.i ddo.c he^'t te^n, Hu`ng dda~ nha?y le^n kha'n dda`i nhu+ mo^.t vo~ si~ vo^ ddi.ch, cha^'p tay ba'i ta. cu`ng dda^'t tro+`i . Nguye^.n se~ ta^.n ti`nh sa(n so'c dda`n em, nguye^.n se~ giu+~ gi`n truye^`n tho^'ng Ha?i Qua^n nhu+ so^' pha^`n dda~ ddi.nh . Hu`ng ro^'ng le^n vang do^.i:

     - Ta la` dde^. nha^'t ... tha^.p ba't ddao phu? thu? ...

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06. SO+.I DA^Y DDI.NH ME^.NH

            NGUYE^~N TA^'N HU+NG

     Trong khi ta^'t ca? ba.n cu`ng kho'a ddang say su+a vo+'i gia^'c mo^.ng ha?i ho^`, thi` to^i bi. go+?i ve^` tru+o+`ng Ca^y Mai dde^? tie^'p tu.c ... ho.c ta^.p . Tru+o+`ng Ca^y Mai, mo+'i nghe ai cu~ng mu+o+`ng tu+o+.ng dda^y la` mo^.t tru+o+`ng tie^?u ho.c vo+'i dda`n tre? nho? trong lu+'a tuo^?i nga^.m o^ mai, cho+' dda^u ai ngo+` dda^y la` tru+o+`ng Ti`nh Ba'o cu?a Qua^n DDo^.i Vie^.t Nam Co^.ng Ho`a . Mo^.t trung ta^m dda`o ta.o nhu+~ng nha^n vie^n no`ng co^'t cho CIA Vie^.t Nam .

     No'i la` bi. hoa`n toa`n thi` cu~ng kho^ng ddu'ng la('m, pha?i no'i la` nu+?a bi. nu+?a ddu+o+.c thi` ho+.p ly' ho+n . Nu+?a bi. la` vi` to^i cu~ng nhu+ ba.n be` ddang co`n ye^u ne^'p so^'ng ha?i ho^` . Ho+n mo^.t na(m ddi ta`u va` sa'u tha'ng Duye^n DDoa`n thi` dda~ tha^'m va`o dda^u . Li'nh ta`u ma` kho^ng ddu? tho+`i gian ddi ta`u, kho^ng co' Ha?i Vu. Bo^.i Tinh thi` dda^u pha?i la` li'nh ta`u . Va? la.i ca'i nghe^` ha?i qua^n va^~n tha^'y hay, tha^'y dde.p ho+n ca'i nghe^` ti`nh ba'o nhie^`u . Co`n nu+?a ddu+o+.c la` vi` to^i cu~ng nhu+ ba.n be` dde^`u muo^'n ca ba`i ... ve^` mie^`n tha`nh ddo^ ye^u da^'u ..., dde^`u muo^'n ddu+o+.c ddi phe'p da`i ha.n o+? Sa`i Go`n .

     DDi phe'p da`i ha.n o+? Sa`i Go`n thi` co', nhu+ng da.o pho^' Sa`i Go`n da`i ha.n thi` hi`nh nhu+ kho^ng . Ta.i vi` ta^'t ca? ca'c si~ quan kho'a sinh dde^`u bi. dda(.t trong ti`nh tra.ng no^.i tru', dde^`u bi. ba('t buo^.c pha?i a(n co+m na^'u ba(`ng cha?o ddu.ng, gio^'ng y he^.t nhu+ ta^'t ca? mo.i qua^n tru+o+`ng . Kho^ng co' tru+o+`ng ho+.p ngoa.i le^., ke^? ca? ca'i tru+o+`ng Ca^y Mai na(`m trong Cho+. Lo+'n na`y . Thuo+? ddo+`i nay, ngay giu+~a kinh ddo^ a'nh sa'ng ma` cu~ng co`n ca'i ca?nh vo+. con tha(m nuo^i .

     Cu~ng nhu+ ta^'t ca? ca'c si~ quan ba.n, to^i cu+' nghi~ sau khi ma~n kho'a mi`nh se~ tro+? tha`nh Z .28 . Nhu+ng Z .28 la`m sao so^'ng no^?i vo+'i lu+o+ng li'nh o+? Vie^.t Nam, cho ne^n ro^'t cuo^.c ro^`i to^i cu~ng chi? ke'o da`i the^m nhu+~ng na(m tie^`n li'nh, ti'nh lie^`n chu+' cha(?ng co' gi` thay ddo^?i lo+'n . Tha^.t ra, nghe^` ti`nh ba'o, no'i to^?ng qua't, la` nghe^` nghie^n cu+'u ve^` ddi.ch, ve^` ke? thu` . The^' tho^i . Da^n thu+o+`ng, li'nh thu+o+`ng, quan thu+o+`ng dda^u da'm co^ng khai ba`n ba.c ve^` Ba'c va` DDa?ng, ve^` Trung U+o+ng Cu.c, ve^` Tru+o+`ng Chinh, ve^` Vo~ Nguye^n Gia'p, ve^` ngay ca? ca'i tin ba'o ... Nguye^~n Chi' Thanh dda~ che^'t tre^n ddu+o+`ng mo`n Ho^` Chi' Minh vi` a(n bom B .52 ... Co^ng khai ba`n ba.c nhu+ va^.y thi` kho?i ca^`n chu.p mu~ cu~ng bi. ddi tu` . Da^n mi`nh ma`, no'i ddo^.ng to+'i To^?ng Tho^'ng mo^.t chu't thi` cu~ng dda~ vo^ kha'm ro^`i no'i chi dde^'n va^'n dde^` ti`m hie^?u Ba'c, la`m quen Ba'c du` chi? qua ta`i lie^.u tin tu+'c .

     Nghie^n cu+'u ve^` ddi.ch muo^'n co' hie^.u nghie^.m cha('c pha?i theo ddu'ng binh thu+ To^n Vo~ Tu+? cho ne^n mo+'i dde? ra ca'i vo`ng la^?n qua^?n chu ky` ti`nh ba'o . Tin ba'o ddu+a ve^`, mi`nh ra co^ng pho^'i kie^?m, nha^.n ddi.nh, ddu'c ke^'t, ro^`i pho^? bie^'n ra tha`nh tin tu+'c . Tin tu+'c cu?a mi`nh tro+? tha`nh tin ba'o cu?a ngu+o+`i kha'c . Ti`nh ba'o ma`, dda^u ai tin ai . La.i ra co^ng pho^'i kie^?m, nha^.n ddi.nh, ddu'c ke^'t, ro^`i pho^? bie^'n tha`nh tin tu+'c . Tin ba'o co' ca'i so^'t de?o cu?a no', nhu+ co+m no'ng . Va` tin tu+'c co' ca'i nguo^.i la.nh cu?a no', nhu+ co+m nguo^.i . No'ng va` nguo^.i . No'ng chu+a cha('c dda~ ngon ma` nguo^.i chu+a cha('c dda~ do+? . A^.y! Ma` tin ba'o, tin tu+'c o+? dda^u ra ? Tu+` nguo^`n tin! Va^.y nguo^`n tin la` gi` ? La` ma^.t ba'o vie^n, la` co+ quan ba.n, la` tu` binh, la` kho^ng a?nh, la` ba'o chi', la` truye^`n hi`nh, la` ba.n be`, la` vo+. con, la` My~ ... vv . Nhu+ng, nguo^`n tin na`o la` nguo^`n tin tha^.t va` nguo^`n tin na`o la` nguo^`n tin gia? ? Ca'i ddo' mo+'i la` ddie^`u dda'ng quan ta^m, ca'i ddo' mo+'i la` ddie^`u dda'ng no'i . DDa^'y, tre^n dda^y la` ta^'t ca? nhu+~ng gi` ca^`n no'i cu?a chu+'ng chi? Ti`nh Ba'o DDa.i Cu+o+ng .

     To^i to^'t nghie^.p mo^.t la^`n nu+~a, la^`n na`y quan tro.ng kho^ng pha?i la` u+u, bi`nh, thu+', ma` quan tro.ng la` o+? lo+`i phe^ bi`nh cu?a ho^.i ddo^`ng gia'm kha?o . Co' kha? na(ng ve^` tha^?m va^'n, ma^'y chu+~ va('n ta('t nhu+ va^.y co' the^? thay ddo^?i ca? cuo^.c ddo+`i . Nhu+ng, ddo^'i vo+'i to^i thi` kha'c, tru+o+'c sau gi` cu~ng la` si~ quan ha?i qua^n, nghe^` ti`nh ba'o nhu+ nghe^` tay tra'i . Ho+n nu+~a ho.c ti`nh ba'o la` mo^.t chuye^.n ma` la`m ti`nh ba'o la.i la` mo^.t chuye^.n kha'c, ai cha? bie^'t chuye^.n trong tru+o+`ng va` chuye^.n ngoa`i ddo+`i kha'c nhau mo^.t tro+`i mo^.t vu+.c .

     Kho^ng bie^'t ca'i ddo+n xin phu.c vu. ga^`n nguye^n qua'n cu?a to^i vo+'i ly' do cha me. gia`, anh tu+? tra^.n co' ddu+o+.c cu+'u xe't hay kho^ng ma` trung ta' Tra^`n Va(n Ho+'n, tru+o+?ng pho`ng Nhi` bo^. tu+ le^.nh Ha?i Qua^n, ke^u to^i va`o va(n pho`ng tri`nh die^.n:

     - Anh ddu+o+.c chi? ddi.nh la`m "nai lo^" Tra` Cu', ba('t dda^`u va`o dda^`u tha'ng to+'i .

     - Da. .

     - Anh co' gi` ho?i kho^ng ?

     - Da. kho^ng .

     Nilo ddo.c la` nai lo^, chu+~ vie^'t ta('t cu?a chu+~ Naval Intelligence Liaision Officer, si~ quan lie^n la.c ti`nh ba'o ha?i qua^n . Kha'c xa vo+'i dde^`-lo^ be^n pha'o binh ma(.c du` lo^ na`o cu~ng ddi tie^n phong, cu~ng so^'ng o+? ngoa`i field . DDi nai lo^ thi` de^~ hie^?u ro^`i nhu+ng Tra` Cu' thi` to^i chu+a ro~ la` no+i na`o . To^i nho+' mang ma'ng la` mo^.t ddi.a danh o+? mie^.t Tra` Vinh, So'c Tra(ng, mie^.t co' nhie^`u ngu+o+`i Vie^.t go^'c Mie^n . Mo^.t tha('c ma('c lo+'n nhu+ va^.y ma` ta.i sao lu'c ddo' mi`nh kho^ng dda(.t va^'n dde^` vo+'i tru+o+?ng pho`ng ? Nhu+ng Tra` Cu' kho^ng the^? o+? mie^`n Trung, to^i da'm cha('c nhu+ ba('p . Da^`u gi` cu~ng o+? mie^`n Nam, cha(?ng xa ddu+o+`ng ddi ma` la.i ga^`n nha^n nghi~a, to^i hay nghi~ nhu+ va^.y .

     Nhu+ng ro^'t cuo^.c ddu+o+`ng ddi thi` co' ga^`n, nhu+ng nha^n nghi~a thi` xa . DDu+o+`ng ddi ga^`n vi` Tra` Cu' na`y la` Tra` Cu' o+? vu`ng Mo? Ve.t . Ga^`n la` ga^`n ddu+o+`ng chim bay tho^i, cho+' muo^'n to+'i Tra` Cu' cu~ng pha?i ma^'t ca? nga`y ddu+o+`ng . Ma` no'i la` ca? nga`y ddu+o+`ng cho de^~ nghe cho+' tha^.t ra ddu+o+`ng xe lu+?a kho^ng co' ma` ddu+o+`ng lo^. dda' cu~ng kho^ng co' luo^n . DDo^.c dda.o chi? co`n thu?y va^.n . Kho^ng va^.n thi` sang qua' cho tha^n pha^.n nai lo^, to^i kho^ng da'm nghi~ to+'i . Xuo^'ng Be^'n Lu+'c theo ta`u tua^`n ngu+o+.c do`ng Va`m Co? DDo^ng, ngu? mo^.t gia^'c thi` se~ dde^'n no+i . Co`n nha^n nghi~a thi` xa la` vi` trong vu`ng Mo? Ve.t la`m gi` co' da^n chu'ng, nha` cu+?a . Chi? co' mo^.t ca(n cu+' tro+ tro.i giu+~a ca'i bao la cu?a ruo^.ng ddo^`ng, tie^'p no^'i vo+'i ddo^`ng Tha'p Mu+o+`i quanh na(m phe`n chua nu+o+'c ddo.ng .

     Chie^`u tre^n Pha' Tam Giang ..., kho^ng hie^?u chie^`u tre^n Pha' Tam Giang dde.p nhu+ the^' na`o, nhu+ng chie^`u tre^n Va`m Co? DDo^ng thi` tha^.t la` tho+m tho, muo^n hi`nh va.n tra.ng . Tho+m tho vi` hai be^n bo+` so^ng la` ra^~y tho+m, ra^~y kho'm . Nhu+~ng luo^'ng tho+m, luo^'ng kho'm song song cha.y da`i xa ti't va`o trong bo+`, ngay ha`ng tha(?ng lo^'i kho^ng kha'c gi` o+? ddo^`n ddie^`n cao su . Ca? mo^.t ba^`u tro+`i nga`o nga.t mu`i tho+m! Muo^n hi`nh va.n tra.ng thi` chi? da`nh rie^ng cho nhu+~ng ngu+o+`i nhu+ to^i ma` tho^i, nhu+~ng ngu+o+`i li'nh thu?y dda'nh ddo^`ng Tha'p Mu+o+`i, kho^ng gio^'ng li'nh thu?y dda'nh thu?y, kho^ng gio^'ng li'nh thu?y dda'nh bo^. chu't na`o he^'t . Li'nh thu?y dda'nh ddo^`ng Tha'p Mu+o+`i ngoa`i ca-no^ hai tra(m na(m chu.c ma~ lu+.c la`m phu+o+ng tie^.n ddi ve^` tha`nh pho^' co`n pha?i xa`i nhie^`u loa.i ta`u dda(.c bie^.t ho+n nu+~a: ta`u mu? pha?n lu+.c, ta`u bay co' chong cho'ng sau dduo^i, ta`u cao su phi`nh le^n xe.p xuo^'ng nhu+ bong bo'ng ..., ta`u gi` chi? bie^'t lu+o+'t co? ma` kho^ng co' cha^n vi.t . Bo+?i va^.y chie^`u tre^n Va`m Co? DDo^ng cu~ng thay ddo^?i theo tu+`ng loa.i ta`u, cha^n tro+`i co' lu'c nhu+ nho^ le^n cao, co' lu'c nhu+ tu.t xuo^'ng tha^'p .

     Ca(n cu+' Tra` Cu' na(`m tre^n kinh Tra` Cu' ga^`n nga~ ba cha?y ra so^ng Va`m Co? DDo^ng . Mo^.t giang ddoa`n Ha?i qua^n My~, mo^.t dda.i ddo^.i Thu?y qua^n lu.c chie^'n My~ ddang ha`nh qua^n pho^'i ho+.p, co^.ng the^m mo^.t trung ddo^.i Ta'c Chie^'n DDie^.n Tu+? cu?a Ha?i qua^n Vie^.t Nam . Nai lo^ ma(.c du` mo^.t mi`nh, ddu'ng y chang la` quan kho^ng li'nh, cu~ng ddu+o+.c coi la` mo^.t ddo+n vi. . DDo'ng chung thi` ddo'ng nhu+ng hoa.t ddo^.ng rie^ng bie^.t mo^.t mi`nh mo^.t co~i . DDo^`ng thuye^`n vo+'i to^i la` tha(`ng nai lo^ My~, counterpart, nhu+ng to^i kho^ng la`m chung vo+'i no' ddu+o+.c vi` ta'nh tha(`ng na`y nhu+ Ta`o Tha'o . Ai ma` the`m ro+' dde^'n tie^`n ma^.t phi' cu?a nai lo^ la`m chi cho me^.t, pha?i ma^'t co^ng tha`nh la^.p lu+o+'i ba'o ca'o lu+o+'i, va^.y ma` to^'i nga`y no' cu+' tha(m to+'i tha(m lui ca'i nga(n ke'o co' chu+'a nu+?a trie^.u tie^`n ma(.t . Bu+.c . Cho ne^n tu+` ca(n nha` xi-ma(ng co^'t sa('t, to^i do.n luo^n xuo^'ng khu Vie^.t Nam o+? chung vo+'i dda'm li'nh cho co' ba.n, dda.n pha'o ki'ch cha('c cu~ng co`n ... con ma('t .

     DDo'ng o+? Tra` Cu' cu~ng gio^'ng nhu+ ddi ngoa.i quo^'c vi` Ha?i qua^n My~ bao a(n bao o+? luo^n cho dda'm nha^n vie^n Vie^.t Nam . Mi`nh la`m tha^n a(n nho+` o+? dda^.u, nhu+ da^n to^.c thie^?u so^', ngay tre^n dda^'t nu+o+'c mi`nh . Nhu+ng, a(n co+m My~ cao la('m va`i tua^`n thi` anh em ba('t dda^`u dda`o ngu~ . Ro^`i kho^ng a(n ma` cu~ng ddi la^'y . Mo^~i buo^?i sa'ng hai tru+'ng ho^.t ga`, cha^'t dda^`y no'n sa('t . Buo^`n, ddem ra dda'nh ba`i, ddu+'a na`o gom so`ng lu'c ve^` Sa`i Go`n se~ cho+? nguye^n mo^.t ca^`n xe' . DDo^` a(n tru+a va` chie^`u thi` cu~ng la^'y ro^`i ddem ra khu gia binh cu?a tie^?u ddoa`n Lu+.c Lu+o+.ng DDa(.c Bie^.t ngoa`i dda^`u kinh dde^? ddo^?i rau ca?i, gia vi., ca' kho^, va` thu+.c pha^?m kho^ . Ma^'y ba` chi. chi.u qua'; ham, bacon, chicken, hamburger, hotdog ... vv che^ la`m sao ddu+o+.c . Chi? co' thu+' sa'u a(n to^m hu`m la` phe ta la`m la'ng, kho^ng ddo^?i cha'c gi` he^'t . Sau ddo', mua be^'p ddie^.n ba('t dda^`u na^'u luo^n o+? trong tra.i . Thi?nh thoa?ng la^'y ca-no^ ddi hai ba tie^'ng ddu+o+`ng so^ng to+'i Hie^.p Ho`a, lo` ddu+o+`ng Hie^.p Ho`a va` chi khu DDu+'c Hue^., dde^? ddi cho+. .

     O+? giu+~a ddo^`ng la`m gi` co' nguo^`n tin to^'t, va` la`m sao ma` tuye^?n mo^. ma^.t ba'o vie^n ? Tin ba'o qua ca'c co^ng ddie^.n My~, co^ng ddie^.n Vie^.t cu?a ca'c ddo+n vi. ba.n thi` chi? lai rai . Thi?nh thoa?ng tu.i My~ mo+'i ba('t mo^.t va`i ngu+o+`i ti`nh nghi ddem ve^` cho to^i tha^?m va^'n . Ha^`u he^'t dde^`u la` da^n ddi la`m ra^~y, vo+'t ca' . Nhu+ng, la^`n ddo' la` mo^.t ba` gia` tuo^?i tra.c sa'u mu+o+i . Kho^ng bie^'t co' pha?i la` me. chie^'n si~ hay kho^ng ma` ba` ta kha(ng kha(ng kho^ng chi.u ho+.p ta'c, cu+' tra? lo+`i nha't gu+`ng nhu+~ng ca^u ho?i cu?a to^i . Ro^`i bo^~ng nhie^n lo+'n tie^'ng chu+?i, ca? to^i la^~n My~ . Tu+. a'i vu`ng le^n, to^i ky' gia^'y ddu+a ba` ta ve^` trung ta^m tha^?m va^'n chi khu va` kho^ng bie^'t so^' pha^`n cu?a ba` ta ra sao . Ma^'y nga`y sau ddi phe'p ve^` nha`, to^i ga(.p ma' to^i cu~ng cha.ng tuo^?i ddo' ddang lom khom be^n luo^'ng rau, su+.c nho+' dde^'n ba` gia` ti`nh nghi, lo`ng cho+.t tha^'y ba(n khoa(n lu+o+ng ta^m ca('n ru+'t . Cha(?ng le~ mi`nh cu~ng a'c dde^'n ddo^. gie^'t ngu+o+`i kho^ng ca^`n gu+o+m gia'o ? Ba? da'm ru.c xu+o+ng trong tu` . Ro^`i tha^'y a^n ha^.n sao mi`nh va^~n de^~ me^`m lo`ng xu'c ddo^.ng, va^~n co`n bie^'t ro+i nu+o+'c ma('t . To^i bie^'t, ba tha'ng hua^'n nhu.c che^'t so^'ng ngoa`i qua^n tru+o+`ng Nha Trang ro^`i nhu+ cu~ng chu+a ddu? dde^? la`m tra'i tim mi`nh tro+? tha`nh sa('t, dda' .

     Na(`m tra.i ddo.c co^ng ddie^.n hoa`i cu~ng cha'n, ne^n ngoa`i co^ng ta'c ti`nh ba'o to^i tham gia ca'c hoa.t ddo^.ng cu?a toa'n Ta'c Chie^'n DDie^.n Tu+? cho ddo+~ buo^`n . Nhu+~ng cuo^.c ha`nh qua^n dda(.t ma'y, nhu+~ng cuo^.c ha`nh qua^n kie^?m soa't ke^'t qua? la`m thi` gio+` qua mau . Ma'y ba'o ddo^.ng, sensors, thu he^'t a^m thanh trong vu`ng va` chuye^?n ve^` ca(n cu+', ddu+o+.c dda(.t ngang do.c trong nhu+~ng khu vu+.c co' nhie^`u ddu+o+`ng xa^m nha^.p ngu+o+`i va` vu~ khi' tu+` khu Mo? Ve.t ve^` thu? ddo^ . Co.ng a(n-ten nhu' le^n cao, ho`a ho+.p vo+'i dda'm co? ddo^`ng . Ban nha.c dde^m giu+~a cho^'n ddo^`ng sa^u nghe ro~ mo^`n mo^.t tre^n ma'y nha^.n . De^' ga'y, chuo^.t cha.y, va.c sa`nh ke^u, bu` to.t ro^'ng, e^~nh u+o+ng tru ... va` ddo^i khi co' tie^'ng ngu+o+`i ... mo+'i nghe dda~ no^?i da ga` . Vie^.t Co^.ng, Vie^.t Co^.ng ve^` . Ke^u pha'o binh da^.p . Da^.p lie^`n tu+'c kha('c, da^.p kho^ng co`n mo^.t mo^'ng, kho^ng co`n tie^'ng ddo^.ng mo+'i tho^i . Sa'ng nga`y ca? bo.n ha^n hoan lo^.i nu+o+'c pho^'i kie^?m . Vie^.t Co^.ng che^'t dda~ dda`nh, ai de` ca? ba^`y, tra^u bo` ma` ddi a(n dde^m, lo^.n co^? co? me^`m na(`m che^'t ngo^?n ngang ... Chie^'n lo+.i pha^?m co`n co' the^m ma^'y con ddi?a tra^u mang ta^.t the`m thuo^'c the`m vo^i, la^`n na`o cu~ng co^' ti`nh ddeo ba('p cha^n ba('p ddu`i theo mi`nh ve^` tra.i .

     La`m a(n vo+'i My~ mo^.t tho+`i gian coi bo^. cha('c kho^ng kha', cho ne^n trung ta' tru+o+?ng pho`ng Nhi` co' le^.nh cho to^i ddo^?i ve^` ca(n cu+' Cu? Chi la`m nai lo^ Su+ DDoa`n 25 . La.i cu~ng bi. che`n e'p nu+~a, xu+a nay nai lo^ pha?i na(`m o+? qua^.n, nai lo^ chi khu, hoa(.c na(`m o+? ti?nh, nai lo^ tie^?u khu, cho+' ai he^'t la`m nai lo^ giu+~a ddo^`ng la.i nha?y vo^ la`m nai lo^ su+ ddoa`n . Nai lo^ Vi~nh Long, nai lo^ My~ Tho, nai lo^ Ta^n Cha^u, nai lo^ Ha` Tie^n ... nghe vu+`a ho+.p tai vu+`a co' tho+' mo^.t chu't . Nhu+ng kho^ng sao, da^`u gi` tu+` Cu? Chi vo.t ve^` Sa`i Go`n cu~ng ga^`n .

     Ro^`i cha(?ng bao la^u to^i le^n trung u'y, ddu'ng nga`y ddu'ng tha'ng . Trung u'y thi` over qualified cho chu+'c vu. nai lo^, tha`nh thu+? to^i bi. trie^.u ho^`i ve^` bo^. tu+ le^.nh Ha?i Qua^n . Mo+'i dda^`u to^i ddu+o+.c chi? ddi.nh la`m si~ quan khai tha'c tin tu+'c qua^n khu 3, ro^`i sau ddo', vi` ho+i to tie^'ng cho ne^n kie^m the^m chu+'c vu. thuye^'t tri`nh vie^n cho ddo^ ddo^'c tu+ le^.nh Tra^`n Va(n Cho+n . Ba('t chu+o+'c Ha?i qua^n My~, Ha?i qua^n Vie^.t Nam cu~ng go.i ma^'y o^ng sao cu?a mi`nh ba(`ng ddo^ ddo^'c, bo^'n sao, ma(.c du` ca^'p ba^.c ghi ro~ ra`ng Pho' DDe^` DDo^'c, DDe^` DDo^'c . My~ thi` chi? good morning vo+'i admiral tho^i, chu+' dda^u co' ke`m rear, vice gi` gi` cho admiral la`m chi cho the^m da`i do`ng . Ki'nh thu+a ddo^ ddo^'c Tu+ Le^.nh Ha?i Qua^n ..., nghe no' quan lie^u la`m sao . Pha^`n thuye^'t tri`nh ba(`ng anh ngu+~ cho ddo^ ddo^'c Zumwalt thi` do trung u'y Hoanh, kho'a dda`n anh, dda?m nhie^.m . Trung u'y Hoanh thi` kho?i che^, ddie^?m thi ECL chu+a bao gio+` du+o+'i 95, muo^'n ddi My~ lu'c na`o cu~ng ddu+o+.c .

     Va`i tha'ng tru+o+'c khi ddi Guam la~nh ta`u, trung ta' tru+o+?ng pho`ng Nhi` kho^ng hie^?u vi` ly' do gi`, ddo^.t nhie^n co' le^.nh cho to^i thuye^n chuye^?n xuo^'ng Bi`nh Thu?y, Ca^`n Tho+ . Nhu+ ddu+o+.c ga~i ddu'ng cho^~ ngu+'a vi` to^i cu~ng ddi.nh xin ddo^?i ddi cho^~ kha'c . DDo+n vi. mo+'i la` Bo^. tu+ le^.nh Ha?i qua^n ha`nh qua^n So^ng . Coi mo^.t nu+?a Ha?i qua^n vi` Ha?i qua^n Vie^.t Nam lu'c na`y chia tha`nh hai lu+.c lu+o+.ng, lu+.c lu+o+.ng So^ng va` lu+.c lu+o+.ng Bie^?n . DDo^ ddo^'c DDinh Ma.nh Hu`ng la`m tu+ le^.nh lu+.c lu+o+.ng So^ng . Du+o+'i tay co' luo^n ca? ba ddo^ ddo^'c: ddo^ ddo^'c Hoa`ng Co+ Minh tu+ le^.nh lu+.c lu+o+.ng Thu?y Bo^. tu+'c lu+.c lu+o+.ng 211, ddo^ ddo^'c Nghie^m Va(n Phu' tu+ le^.nh lu+.c lu+o+.ng Tua^`n Tha'm tu+'c lu+.c lu+o+.ng 212, va` ddo^ ddo^'c Vu~ DDi`nh DDa`o tu+ le^.nh lu+.c lu+o+.ng Trung U+o+ng tu+'c lu+.c lu+o+.ng 214 . Lu+.c lu+o+.ng Thu?y Bo^. tra^'n so^ng Na(m Ca(n, so^ng O^ng DDo^'c, so^ng Ra.ch So?i, kinh Xa` No . Pha^`n lo+'n lu+.c lu+o+.ng Tua^`n Tha'm tra^'n so^ng Cu+?u Long, hai so^ng Va`m Co? . Pha^`n lo+'n lu+.c lu+o+.ng Trung U+o+ng tra^'n so^ng DDo^`ng Nai, so^ng Lo`ng Ta`o . Mo^~i lu+.c lu+o+.ng co' trung bi`nh tu+` ba dde^'n na(m lie^n giang ddoa`n go.i la` bo^. chi? huy cha^'m, nhu+ 211 .1, 211 .2, 211 .3 cha(?ng ha.n . Mo^~i cha^'m co' trung bi`nh tu+` ba dde^'n na(m cha^'m cha^'m tu+'c bo^. chi? huy giang ddoa`n, 211 .1 .1, 211 .1 .2 ... Lu+.c lu+o+.ng So^ng pho^'i ho.p ha`nh qua^n ca^'p qua^n ddoa`n vo+'i qua^n ddoa`n 3 va` qua^n ddoa`n 4 . Co`n la~nh tho^? cu?a qua^n ddoa`n 1 va` qua^n ddoa`n 2 thi` bi. che^ vi` kho^ng co' so^ng ?

     Cu~ng ca'i to^.i to tie^'ng cho ne^n ma(.c du` la` si~ quan dde^. tam, sau thie^'u ta' Nguye^~n Phu+o+'c DDu+'c tru+o+?ng pho`ng va` trung u'y Thie^.n pho' tru+o+?ng pho`ng, to^i va^~n pha?i la~nh pha^`n thuye^'t tri`nh . Va` co' le~ vi` to^i tra? lo+`i ca'c ca^u ho?i cu?a ddo^ ddo^'c Hu`ng va` ban tham mu+u co' pha^`n vu+~ng cha('c ma.ch la.c, kinh nghie^.m tu+` Sa`i Go`n ma`, cho ne^n la^`n la^`n thie^'u ta' DDu+'c tha^'y mi`nh nhu+ thu+`a, be`n xin ddi la~nh ta`u nhu+ trung ta' Ho+'n . Thie^'u ta' Vo~ Va(n An tu+` bo^. tu+ le^.nh Ha?i Qua^n ddo^?i xuo^'ng cu~ng kho^ng na('m vu+~ng ddu+o+.c gi`, la^`n la^`n ro^`i cu~ng ro+i va`o ti`nh tra.ng co' cu~ng nhu+ kho^ng .

     Tho+`i the^' ta.o anh hu`ng, bo^~ng nhie^n to^i ddu+o+.c tha(ng ca^'p dda(.c ca'ch nhie^.m chu+'c . Mo^.t na(m ba?y tha'ng ke^? tu+` nga`y le^n trung u'y, to^i la` mo^.t trong ba?y ddu+'a cu?a kho'a le^n dda.i u'y dda^`u tie^n . Kho^ng hie^?u pho`ng Nhi` dde^` nghi. ra sao, ca^'p so^' ra sao ma` to^i di'nh . To^i ddu+o+ng nhie^n tro+? tha`nh pho' tru+o+?ng pho`ng, trung u'y Thie^.n ba^y gio+` ke'm tha^m nie^n ho+n bi. thuye^n chuye^?n xuo^'ng be^'n Ninh Kie^`u . Ro^`i mo^.t buo^?i sa'ng dde.p tro+`i trung u'y Le^ Ta^m Hie^.p, ba.n cu`ng kho'a vo+'i to^i ddang la`m cha'nh va(n pho`ng cho ddo^ ddo^'c Hu`ng, go.i ddie^.n thoa.i tho^ng ba'o:

     - E^, chuye^'n na`y ma`y la.i le^n nu+~a ro^`i, nhu+ die^`u ga(.p gio' ...

     - Gi` ma` le^n ma^.y .

     - Su+?a soa.n tri`nh die^.n tu+ le^.nh .

     - Tao ? Tri`nh die^.n tu+ le^.nh gio+` na`y ? Gio+~n cho+i ma^.y ?

     - U+`a . Cho ma`y 5 phu't tho^i ddo' .

     - Chuye^.n gi` va^.y ma^.y ?

     - Chu't nu+~a ro^`i bie^'t, le. le^n .

     To^i nghi~ cha('c cha(?ng co' gi` quan tro.ng, ga(.p ma(.t ddo^ ddo^'c ha(`ng nga`y ma` . Nhu+ng, pha?i a'o ma~o chi?nh te^`, tri`nh die^.n kha'c xa vo+'i ca^`n ga(.p .

     - Anh la` si~ quan tha^m nie^n nhu+'t cu?a pho`ng Nhi` sau thie^'u ta' An ?

     Tu+ le^.nh bie^'t he^'t ro^`i co`n la`m bo^. ho?i, to^i no'i tha^`m trong bu.ng .

     - Da. pha?i .

     - Anh tha^'y kha? na(ng cu?a anh co' the^? dda?m nhie^.m no^?i pho`ng Nhi` hay kho^ng ?

     Ha? ? Coi luo^n pho`ng Nhi` ? Ca^u ho?i na`y dde^'n vo+'i to^i co' ho+i ddo^.t ngo^.t . A`, cha('c thie^'u ta' An cu~ng xin ddi la~nh ta`u . To^i bi`nh ti~nh tro+? la.i, tra? lo+`i mo^.t ca'ch du+'t khoa't:

     - Ne^'u ddo^ ddo^'c tin tu+o+?ng o+? to^i, to^i nguye^.n se~ phu.c vu. he^'t su+'c mi`nh .

     - DDu+o+.c ro^`i . Ke^? tu+` gio+` phu't na`y to^i chi? ddi.nh anh la`m Quye^`n tru+o+?ng pho`ng Nhi` .

     - Tua^n le^.nh ddo^ ddo^'c .

     Cha`o ca'i ru.p bu+o+'c ra kho?i pho`ng to^i ga(.p ngay trung u'y Hie^.p ngoa`i cu+?a:

     - Sao ? DDo^ ddo^'c cho ma`y la`m pha?i kho^ng ? Ca^'p so^' trung ta' nghe ma^.y .

     - U+`a . Chuye^.n quan tro.ng nhu+ va^.y sao ma`y kho^ng ba'o ddo^.ng tao gi` he^'t va^.y .

     - Pho`ng Nhi` nhu+ ma`y thi` de.p me. no' cho ro^`i . Cho+' ma`y chu+a bie^'t chuye^.n dde^m ho^m qua a` ?

     - Chuye^.n gi` ?

     - Co`n chuye^.n gi` nu+~a . Chuye^.n thie^'u ta' An pho`ng Nhi` cu?a ma`y ddo' . Lem nhem ba ca'i ddo^` la(.t va(.t cu?a My~ ba`n giao . DDo^ ddo^'c gia^.n qua' chu+`ng, o^?ng ky' co^ng ddie^.n thuye^n chuye^?n tha(`ng cha? ve^` Sa`i Go`n trong vo`ng 48 tie^'ng ddo^`ng ho^` . Ma^`y tha^'y thie^'u ta' An co' ddi la`m bu+~a nay kho^ng ?

     To^i nhu+ tre^n cung tra(ng ro+'t xuo^'ng . DDu'ng la` tro+`i ba^'t dung nho+n dda?ng . DDu'ng la` nhu+ die^`u ga(.p gio' . Ba^y gio+` pha?i chua^?n bi. vie^.c ba`n giao tho^i .

     Mo+'i la`m Quye^`n Tru+o+?ng Pho`ng ma` cuo^.c ddo+`i be^n ngoa`i dda~ thay ddo^?i ha(?n . Ngoa`i ddu+o+`ng co' xe jeep, co' ta`i xe^' . Trong nha` co' ddie^.n thoa.i da^n chi'nh, ddie^.n thoa.i nha` binh, ddie^.n thoa.i hot-line . Ho.p ha`nh ngo^`i ngang ha`ng ca^'p ta' . Thie^'u ta' Ba?y tu+'c Vu~ Tha^'t ta'c gia? DDo+`i Thu?y Thu?, tru+o+?ng pho`ng 3 . Thie^'u ta' DDie^.u tru+o+?ng pho`ng 6 . Trung ta' Lu~y tru+o+?ng pho`ng 4 ... Nhu+ng bu` la.i, co^ng vie^.c cu~ng ba('t dda^`u lu bu ho+n . Ho.p ti`nh ba'o ha`nh qua^n So^ng ha`ng tha'ng, ho.p cu?a tu+ le^.nh ha`nh qua^n So^ng mo^~i tam ca' nguye^.t, va` bay tru+.c tha(ng, cessna, ddi thanh tra ca'c ddo+n vi. vo+'i ddo^ ddo^'c Hu`ng nhu+ co+m bu+~a .

     Ho.p ti`nh ba'o ha`nh qua^n So^ng go^`m co' dda'm nai lo^ thuo^.c hai qua^n khu 3 va` 4, hai tru+o+?ng toa'n Su+u Ta^.p 3 va` 4, hai tru+o+?ng pho`ng Nhi` vu`ng So^ng Ngo`i 3 va` 4, va` ba tru+o+?ng pho`ng Nhi` lu+.c lu+o+.ng Thu?y Bo^., Tua^`n Tha'm, Trung U+o+ng . Na(m sa'u chu.c si~ quan . Va` mo+'i nga`y na`o to^i co`n la`m nai lo^, nai lo^ Tra` Cu' . DDa'm nai lo^ nho? lon ho+n kho^ng no'i la`m gi`, dda'm tru+o+?ng pho`ng, tru+o+?ng toa'n dde^`u tha^m nie^n ho+n to^i mo+'i ke.t . DDa.i u'y Bang kho'a 13, dda.i u'y To^'ng kho'a 15, dda.i u'y A^?n thu? khoa kho'a 16, ta^'t ca? dde^`u la` dda`n anh sa('p su+?a le^n thie^'u ta' hay i't ra cu~ng la` dda.i u'y thu+.c thu., co`n to^i thi` mo+'i nhie^.m chu+'c . The^m bie^.t ddo^.i tru+o+?ng Bie^.t DDo^.i Su+u Ta^.p, thie^'u ta' Chu Ba' Ye^'n, cu~ng ve^` du+. nu+~a thi` to^i la`m sao ma` ngo^`i chu? to.a cho ddu+o+.c . Pha?i bie^'t ta.o ca'i the^':

     - DDo^ ddo^'c tu+ le^.nh dde^'n . Nghie^m .

     - Mo+`i quy' vi. an to.a .

     - DDe^? khai ma.c buo^?i ho.p nga`y ho^m nay to^i co' ddo^i lo+`i vo+'i ca'c anh ..., ra(`ng thi` la` ..., va` to'm la.i, ra(`ng thi` la` ... nhu+~ng gi` tru+o+?ng pho`ng Nhi` chi? thi. trong phie^n ho.p na`y, ddu+o+.c coi nhu+ la` le^.nh cu?a to^i . Ca'c anh nghie^m chi?nh thi ha`nh ...

     - Ta^'t ca? . Nghie^m .

     Tu+ le^.nh ro+`i pho`ng ho.p, ba^`u kho^ng khi' tro+? tha`nh nghie^m tro.ng . DDa'm nai lo^ co' ma^'y khi ddu+o+.c tha^'y sao, ne^n ho+i giu+.t mi`nh, chuye^'n na`y ve^` ho.p tha^.t chu+' kho^ng pha?i ve^` cho+i . Ai na^'y lo ho^` so+ phu'c tri`nh . Nhu+ng, ma^'y quan to thi` cu~ng chu+'ng na`o ta^.t na^'y:

     - E^, ho.p mo^.t buo^?i co`n mo^.t buo^?i ddi xa? ho+i cho+' ma^.y .

     - DDa.i ca muo^'n ddi dda^u thi` ddi, ca^`n gi` pha?i nha('n nhu? vo+'i dda`n em la`m chi . Chi? so+. bie^n ba?n buo^?i ho.p, si~ quan thu+ ky' no' hay ... tha^'y sao ghi va^.y .

     Ho.p ti`nh ba'o kho^ng me^.t ba(`ng ho.p tam ca' nguye^.t cu?a tu+ le^.nh ha`nh qua^n So^ng . Ha^`u he^'t ma^'y o^ng ddo^ ddo^'c cu?a Ha?i Qua^n dde^`u co' ma(.t dda^`y ddu?, the^m mo^.t ddoa`n tu`y tu`ng lon la' to^'i thie^?u cu~ng ba bo^'n be^.t bu+. tre^n vai, mi`nh a(n no'i cu~ng pha?i lu+.a lo+`i . Le^n thuye^'t tri`nh ma` bi. tu+ le^.nh Ha?i Qua^n ho?i le^n ho?i xuo^'ng la` tha^'y me^.t ro^`i, tra? lo+`i a^'m o+' kho^ng tho^ng suo^'t, bi. quay ta.i cho^~ thi` co`n me^.t ho+n nu+~a . Cu~ng may ddo^ ddo^'c Cho+n co`n nho+' ma(.t to^i ho^`i co`n o+? Sa`i Go`n, o^?ng kho^ng cha^'t va^'n dda~ dda`nh, ddo^i khi o^?ng co`n ddo+~ ddo`n cho to^i nu+~a:

     - Ngu+o+`i ta dda~ tri`nh ba`y ho^`i na~y ro^`i, cha('c anh ngu? gu.c anh kho^ng nghe hay sao ma` anh ho?i to+'i ho?i lui .

     Tu+ le^.nh Ha?i Qua^n da(`n ma(.t nhu+ va^.y thi` ai ma` da'm ho?i the^m, bo+?i va^.y nhu+~ng la^`n thuye^'t tri`nh sau kho^ng co`n ai da'm ha.ch sa'ch to^i mo^.t ddie^`u gi` nu+~a . Ma` no'i cho ngay, pha^`n thuye^'t tri`nh cu?a pho`ng Nhi` ha`nh qua^n So^ng lu'c ddo' kho' ma` co' cho^~ che^ . Vi` to^i ba('t a'p phe vo+'i thie^'u ta' Sa('c, thie^'u ta' San ... dda`n em cu?a dda.i ta' Bi`nh, tru+o+?ng pho`ng Nhi` qua^n ddoa`n 4 va`o tho+`i thie^'u tu+o+'ng Nguye^~n Vi~nh Nghi, cho ne^n ba?n ddo^` ti`nh hi`nh, ba?n ddo^` tra^.n lie^.t, ba?n ddo^` gi` gi` ... dde^`u la` phim chu.p, chu+' dda^u co' co`n ve~ slide theo kie^?u cu~ ri'ch nhu+ ngay ca? bo^. tu+ le^.nh Ha?i Qua^n o+? Sa`i Go`n .

     Tru.c tra(.c hay kho^ng la` ma^'y pho`ng kia, nha^'t la` pho`ng 4 cu?a trung ta' Lu~y . Chi? co' ma^'y chie^'c ta`u chi`m ma` la^`n na`o cu~ng bi. quay, la^`n na`o cu~ng kho^ng na('m vu+~ng chie^'c na`o dda~ vo+'t ve^` thu?y xu+o+?ng, chie^'c na`o co`n ke.t du+o+'i so^ng . Ta`u chi`m hay na(`m trong vu`ng ddi.ch, mo^~i la^`n vo+'t ta`u la` mo^~i la^`n ha`nh qua^n lo+'n dde^? ba?o ve^. ta`u tru.c va` dda'm tho+. la(.n . Kho^ng ha`nh qua^n lo+'n thi` chie^'c na`y vo+'t chu+a xong chie^'c kia la.ng qua.ng cu~ng da'm chi`m theo . Bi. quay qua' ro^`i ro^'t cuo^.c chi? co' to^i va` dda.i ta' DDo^~ Kie^?m thuye^'t tri`nh . DDa.i ta' Kie^?m mo+'i ddo^?i ve^` thay trung ta' Lu+u Tro.ng DDa, trung ta' Yellow Dragon ta`u va?i Ta^n Cha^u, la`m Tham mu+u tru+o+?ng ha`nh qua^n So^ng . Sau pha^`n thuye^'t tri`nh cu?a to^i, dda.i ta' Kie^?m tha^`u he^'t ma^'y pho`ng kia . Cu~ng vui .

     DDi ha?i qua^n ma` to^i sa('p su+?a co' Kho^ng Vu. Bo^.i Tinh, ta.i vi` gio+` bay nhie^`u qua' . DDo^ ddo^'c Hu`ng ddi thi` to^i pha?i ddi, qua^n su+ ma` . Tru+.c tha(ng lu'c ddo' a(n SA 7 ho+i nhie^`u ne^n kho^ng da'm bay bo^?ng, bay xa` xa` ma(.t dda^'t dde^? ru?i co' a(n thi` a(n AK tho^i, cu~ng kho^ng dde^'n no^~i . DDi Chu+o+ng Thie^.n ho.p vo+'i tu+ le^.nh Su+ DDoa`n 21, chua^?n tu+o+'ng Chu+o+ng De^`nh Quay, cu+' bay do.c theo kinh Xa` No, tha^'y mi`nh nhu+ cha.y ddua vo+'i ghe xuo^`ng . Lu'c ga^`n dde^'n Vi. Thanh tru+.c tha(ng mo+'i vo.t cao kho?i ma^'y lu`m ca^y ro^`i dda'p xuo^'ng tu+'c kha('c o+? ddie^?m tha? kho'i ma`u . DDi My~ Tho thi` vui ho+n mo^.t chu't, tru+.c tha(ng bay do.c theo quo^'c lo^. 4 nhu+ cha.y ddua vo+'i xe ha`ng, xe ddo`, xe lo^, xe jeep, xe honda . Ga^`n to+'i DDo^`ng Ta^m cu~ng va^.y, tru+.c tha(ng pho'ng mo^.t bu+o+'c nhe. nha`ng nhu+ e^'ch nha?y bo+` gie^'ng . Chi? khi na`o ddi Na(m Ca(n, Ca` Mau, ne^'u kho^ng co' cessna, thi` tru+.c tha(ng mo+'i chi.u bay tuo^'t tre^n ma^y, cao tha^.t cao, cao kho?i ta^`m ho?a tie^~n .

     DDi bay thi. sa't ma(.t tra^.n thi` vui ga^'p bo^.i, nhu+ ddi xem cine' . Da.o ddo' chie^'n di.ch Tra^`n Hu+ng DDa.o 18, tra'ch nhie^.m ho^. to^'ng ddoa`n co^ng voa ddi Nam Vang, ddu+o+.c Vie^.t Co^.ng chie^'u co^' no^`ng ha^.u . Co' mu+o+`i la(m chie^'c ta`u ma` hai la^`n ddi hai la^`n qua`nh tro+? la.i, thie^.t ha.i mo^~i ba^.n hai chie^'c tro^i da.t ta^'p vo^ bo+` so^ng . Bi. pha'o ki'ch, pha'o ki'ch nhu+ mu+a . Nhu+'t qua' tam, ddo^ ddo^'c Hu`ng chuye^'n na`y quye^'t la`m a(n lo+'n . Ta^.p trung na(m giang ddoa`n, 2 giang ddoa`n Tua^`n Tha'm, 2 giang ddoa`n Thu?y Bo^., va` mo^.t giang ddoa`n Nga(n Cha^.n thuo^.c lu+.c lu+o+.ng Trung U+o+ng . The^m chie^'c giang pha'o ha.m HQ 331 . Co' ngu+o+`i ba`n, ddu+a giang pha'o ha.m le^n ddo' chi? la`m qua` cho Vie^.t Co^.ng, nhu+ng ddo^ ddo^'c Hu`ng cu+' quye^'t cho le^n . Tin tu+o+?ng va`o kha? na(ng tru+.c xa. cu?a ma^'y kha^?u 76 ly 2, ma^'y kha^?u bo^-pho 40 ly, ma^'y kha^?u o-e-li-ca^n 20 ly . Mo^.t pha^`n nhu+ dde^? thi. oai, ta`u lo+'n ma` .

     Pho^'i ho.p ha`nh qua^n vo+'i trung ddoa`n 31, bo^. chi? huy tie^`n phu+o+ng dda(.t ta.i Ho^`ng Ngu+. du+. tru` ca`n que't ddo^.i pha'o cu?a Vie^.t Co^.ng hay a^?n nu'p tre^n bo+` so^ng tre^n . Bo^. chi? huy tie^`n phu+o+ng cu?a Ha?i qua^n va^~n na(`m ta.i ca(n cu+' ha?i qua^n Ta^n Cha^u . Pho^'i ho.p vo+'i Su+ ddoa`n 4 kho^ng qua^n, oanh ta.c tu+` to+` mo+` sa'ng kho^ng bie^'t bao nhie^u phi vu. pha?n lu+.c F 5, A 37 va` A1 skyraider, nhu+~ng cuo^.n kho'i dden bay nga^.p tro+`i . Bo^. binh lie^`n ddu+o+.c tru+.c tha(ng va^.n, da^.p vo^ nhu+~ng ddie^?m pha'o .

     DDoa`n co^ng voa ba('t dda^`u di chuye^?n, ta`u ha?i qua^n ba?o ve^. cha.y song song hai be^n . Tre^n tru+.c tha(ng nhi`n xuo^'ng, chu+a bao gio+` to^i tha^'y nhie^`u ta`u nhu+ va^.y . Ta`u nhu+ ca', cha.y dda(.c so^ng . Chie^'c thu+' hai vu+`a qua kho?i vu`ng nguy hie^?m, thi` bo^~ng nhie^n, tung ... a^`m, tung ... a^`m, tung ... a^`m, nhu+~ng la`n kho'i ca^`u vo`ng in ro~ tre^n kho^ng trung . La.i pha'o . DDa.n no^? tre^n ta`u to'e lu+?a nhu+ pha'o bo^ng . DDa.n no^? du+o+'i nu+o+'c, nhu+~ng co^.t nu+o+'c du+.ng le^n nhu+ so'ng tha^`n . La^`n na`y ddo^.i pha'o Vie^.t Co^.ng kho^ng na(`m tre^n bo+`, ma` lie^`u che^'t a^?n nu'p tre^n ma^'y chie^'c ta`u chi`m, hai tie^?u ddoa`n bo^. binh nha?y tre^n bo+` nhu+ nha?y va`o cho^'n vu+o+`n kho^ng nha` tro^'ng . Cay thie^.t . A^` ... m ... a^`m ..., mo^.t tie^'ng no^? tra^`m, nga^n da`i, vang do^.i . Chie^'c thu+' tu+ ke'o nguye^n mo^.t xa` lan dda.n, xa` lan dda.n bi. no^? tung . Ca? do`ng so^ng da^.y so'ng, lu+?a tu'a le^n ddo? ca? mo^.t vu`ng tro+`i . Ta`u ke'o cha(.t da^y xa'ch xe kho^ng cha.y tie^'p . Ta`u ha?i qua^n bao va^y ma^'y chie^'c ta`u chi`m, va` ddoa`n co^ng voa tie^'p tu.c di chuye^?n . Ba^y gio+` chie^'c HQ 331 mo+'i co' di.p thu+? su'ng, chu`i bao nhie^u na(m mo+'i ddu+o+.c ba('n mo^.t gio+` ... Ta`n cuo^.c, hai dda.i ddo^.i Vie^.t Co^.ng che^'t pha^n nu+?a, ba('t so^'ng pha^n nu+?a . Ti.ch thu mo^.t lo^ vu~ khi': su'ng ca' nha^n, su'ng co^'i, su'ng kho^ng gia^.t, va` nhie^`u ho?a tie^~n ddie^`u khie^?n con co'c SA 3 chu+a ki.p xa`i . DDa~ thie^.t .

     Nhu+ng co' la`m la^u mo+'i bie^'t: ddi vo+'i ddo^ ddo^'c Hu`ng a(n ba'nh mi` tay ca^`m, ddi vo+'i ddo^ ddo^'c Minh hu't thuo^'c Bastos xanh, co`n ddi vo+'i tru+o+?ng pho`ng Nhi` ha`nh qua^n So^ng thi` chi? co' nu+o+'c a(n gia^'y . Cha'n qua' . Bo+?i va^.y ddu? hai na(m, ddu'ng tie^u chua^?n, to^i kho^ng xin ddi la~nh ta`u nhu+ ma^'y quan lo+'n pho`ng Nhi` ma` xin ddo^?i ra Phu' Quo^'c, bo^. tu+ le^.nh Vu`ng 4 Duye^n Ha?i . Hai na(m tro+`i, ddie^`u chi?nh thu+.c thu. cu~ng kho^ng xong thi` luye^'n tie^'c la`m chi .

     - Anh ddang na('m ti`nh ba'o tham mu+u cu?a mo^.t nu+?a Ha?i qua^n, ma` ba^y gio+` xin ddi coi mo^.t ca'i dda?o la` la`m sao ? Anh ddi.nh ddi hu+o+?ng nha`n ho+? ?

     DDa.i ta' Nguye^~n DDo^~ Ha?i tru+o+?ng pho`ng Nhi` bo^. tu+ le^.nh Ha?i Qua^n pha`n na`n vo+'i to^i nhu+ va^.y . Nhu+ng, to^i bie^'t o^?ng no'i cho co' chuye^.n no'i tho^i, o^?ng cu~ng bie^'t ba^'y gio+` to^i co' tho+' la('m . To^i muo^'n ddi dda^u nhu+ la` ... tu`y y' to^i . Go+'m chu+a! To^i bie^.n ba.ch:

     - Thi` to^i la`m o+? So^ng la^u qua' ro^`i, ba^y gio+` dda.i ta' pha?i cho to^i ra Bie^?n dde^? to^i co' di.p ho.c ho?i the^m cho+' .

     Va`i tua^`n sau, mo^.t la^`n nu+~a, to^i la.i pha?i ve^` tri`nh die^.n dda.i ta' Ha?i:

     - To^i cho anh ddi ma` o^ng Tham mu+u tru+o+?ng kho^ng cho ddi . Thu? bu't cu?a o^ng dda^y na`y, anh co`n tha('c ma('c gi` nu+~a kho^ng ?

     To^i ca^`m ca'i co^ng ddie^.n ddo.c ky~ ma^'y do`ng chu+~ vie^'t tay xe'o xe'o: "Kho^ng thua^.n . Giu+~ ddu+o+ng su+. ta.i Sa`i Go`n . DDo^~ Kie^?m, ky' te^n ." Ai cho+' dda.i ta' Kie^?m thi` de^~ ro^`i, cu+.u Tham mu+u tru+o+?ng ha`nh qua^n So^ng cu?a to^i ma` . To^i chi? bie^'t o^?ng mo+'i ddo^?i ddi ma` cha(?ng bie^'t o^?ng ddo^?i ddi dda^u . Ba^y gio+` la`m Tham mu+u tru+o+?ng Ha?i Qua^n ? O^?ng le^n thi` ddu+o+ng nhie^n to^i cu~ng le^n . Nhu+ng, ca'i o^ng na`y ky`, kho^ng hie^?u mi`nh gi` he^'t ...

     - DDa.i ta' cho to^i mu+o+.n ca'i co^ng ddie^.n dde^? to^i ddi ba`n la.i vo+'i o^?ng xem sao .

     Cha'nh va(n pho`ng tri.nh tro.ng mo+? cu+?a mo+`i va`o . "Commandant, ca'i na`y la` to^i xin ddi ma`, commandant phe^ nhu+ va^`y thi` ke.t dda`n em ro^`i . Commandant ho^`i tru+o+'c o+? ngoa`i ddo' commandant bie^'t ma`, de^~ so^'ng ho+n o+? dda^y ." "To^i tu+o+?ng anh bi. ddi dda`y ne^n to^i giu+~ anh la.i, anh muo^'n ddi thi` to^i cho anh ddi ." Cha.y ddi cha.y ve^`, va'c theo ca'i chu+~ to to^? bo^': "Thua^.n ." DDa.i ta' Ha?i nho^.t bu.ng, da(`n ma(.t to^i mo^.t ca^u:

     - To^i cho anh ddi kho^ng pha?i vi` ca'i thu? bu't cu?a o^ng Tham mu+u tru+o+?ng dda^u nghen ... Anh ra ddo' ddu'ng nga`y ddu'ng tha'ng la` to^i se~ ke'o anh ve^` .

     Ro^`i tru+o+'c khi ro+`i ha`nh qua^n So^ng, tru+o+'c khi ba`n giao cho thie^'u ta' Nguye^~n Ngo.c Quye^n, ha.m tru+o+?ng ta`u chi`m HQ 225 du+o+'i Na(m Ca(n, to^i tu+. nhie^n muo^'n ddu+o+.c le^nh dde^nh mo^.t la^`n nu+~a tre^n so^ng Va`m Co? DDo^ng nhu+ tho+`i mo+'i va`o nghe^`, mo+'i la`m nai lo^ . Tho+`i ddo', tho+`i con die^`u cu?a to^i mo+'i tha?, va` ba^y gio+` con die^`u dda~ ga(.p gio' dda~ le^n cao, tha^.t cao ... Co^ng ddie^.n dda'nh ddi chi? ma^'y chu+~ go.n ga`ng: "Tru+o+?ng pho`ng Nhi` ha`nh qua^n So^ng se~ tha'm sa't ti`nh hi`nh ..., ye^u ca^`u ca'c no+i nha^.n chua^?n bi. ye^?m tro+. ." Ma^'y ddo+n vi. nho? dda^u bie^'t tru+o+?ng pho`ng Nhi` ha`nh qua^n So^ng la` ai, tu+o+?ng la` quan lo+'n la('m . Trung ta' Giang, chi? huy tru+o+?ng cha^'m 3 ta.i Be^'n Lu+'c chua^?n bi. cho to^i 4 chie^'c PBR ho^. to^'ng va` chi? huy tru+o+?ng ca'c giang ddoa`n na(`m ta.i Tra` Cu' va` Go` Da^`u Ha. ddang chua^?n bi. ddo'n tie^'p, chua^?n bi. ho^` so+ thuye^'t tri`nh ti`nh hi`nh . Cho to^i . Mo^.t la^`n nu+~a, to^i tha^'y con die^`u cu?a mi`nh tha^.t su+. dda~ le^n . Nhu+ng le^n cao nu+~a, le^n ma~i ... hay ra^'t tie^'c con die^`u kia hi`nh nhu+ va^~n co`n ke.t bo+?i so+.i da^y ? Chu+`ng na`o so+.i da^y bi. ddu+'t ddi, con die^`u to^i mo+'i dde^'n ddu+o+.c vo+'i ma^y tro+`i me^nh mo^ng, me^nh mo^ng nhu+ tro+`i dda^'t cu?a ruo^.ng ddo^`ng Tra` Cu' na`y . Tra` Cu', ca'i ddi.a danh ba^'t hu? ddo' va` ca'i ca(n cu+' ba^'t hu? ddo' cu~ng ddang mo+` mo+` hie^.n ra tru+o+'c ma('t to^i . Bo^~ng du+ng to^i no'i:

     - Mi`nh vo.t le^n cha.y tru+o+'c ddi .

     - Da^~n dda^`u ha? dda.i u'y ? OK .

     Anh trung si~ va^.n chuye^?n dda^?y hai ca^`n ma'y, tie^'n full . Ta`u bo.c theo cua que.o nhu+ honda o^m le^` ddu+o+`ng . Vu+`a khua^'t ca'i doi tru+o+'c khi re~ vo^ kinh dde^? va`o ca(n cu+', thi` ddo^.t nhie^n bu`ng ... bu`ng, va` tie^'ng su'ng nho? no^? nhu+ ba('p rang . To^i ra hie^.u cho ta`u qua`nh tro+? la.i . Chie^'c BPR thu+' hai a(n B 40 tro+? tha`nh ngo.n lu+?a no^?i, ma^'y tha(`ng em ddang lo^.i bi` bo~m giu+~a do`ng . Ti`nh ba'o Vie^.t Co^.ng cu~ng le., mo+'i ddo' ma` dda~ bie^'t chie^'c na`o co' cho+? tru+o+?ng pho`ng Nhi` ha`nh qua^n So^ng . Sanh nghe^` tu+? nghie^.p, may ma` to^i ba?o tha(`ng em cha.y tru+o+'c va`o phu't cuo^'i . Chi? trong ddu+o+`ng to+ ke~ to'c ? Chi? la` so^' tro+`i ? Ma` to^i cu~ng dda^u chi.u ru+?a ca(?ng le^n ba`n tho+` so+'m nhu+ va^.y . Ha ha ..., may la` co+n gio' lo^'c kho^ng ma.nh la('m cho ne^n con die^`u cu?a to^i va^~n co`n ma('c ke.t so+.i da^y ..., so+.i da^y ddi.nh me^.nh .

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07. BU+O+'C DDA^`U

            NGUYE^~N TA^'N HU+NG

     Ro+`i tra.i Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, chu'ng to^i chi? bie^'t mo^.t ddie^`u la` nguye^n gia ddi`nh se~ ve^` xu+' la.nh, xu+' co' hoa anh dda`o, dde^? ddi.nh cu+ . Hai vo+. cho^`ng to^i, bo^'n ddu+'a con ba trai mo^.t ga'i, na(m tuo^?i, bo^'n tuo^?i, ba tuo^?i, va` mu+o+`i ba?y tha'ng . The^m mo^.t co^ em vo+., Huy`nh, mu+o+`i ba?y . Ve^` xu+' la.nh, pha?i, ta.i vi` vo+. cho^`ng to^i muo^'n va^.y . Hai ddu+'a dda~ tu+` cho^'i mo^'i sponsor-ship ddi Amarilo, Texas, vie^.n co+' la` muo^'n bie^'t, muo^'n thu+o+?ng thu+'c ca'i khi' ha^.u o^n ddo+'i, co' bo^'n mu`a xua^n ha. thu ddo^ng ro~ re^.t . Vie^.t Nam mi`nh, mie^`n Nam mi`nh mu+a na('ng hai mu`a ai la.i kho^ng bie^'t . Texas thi` chi? co' mo^.t mu`a, no'ng, nhu+ dda~ kha('c ghi trong dda^`u . Co`n mo^.t ly' do nu+~a la` vi` chu'ng to^i kho^ng muo^'n vo^ so^'ng trong no^ng tra.i . To^i cu~ng kho^ng muo^'n to^i va` dda'm con to^i se~ so+'m tro+? tha`nh dda'm cao bo^`i, nhu+ng kho^ng da'm tho^' lo^. cu`ng pho?ng va^'n vie^n thuo^.c co+ quan LIRS, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services . DDi dda^u cho+' ddi ve^` mie^`n ba('c, ve^` xu+' la.nh, thi` de^~ ro^`i . Cho^~ tro^'ng thie^'u gi` . Mi`nh cu~ng kho' lo`ng tu+` cho^'i sponsor-ship la^`n thu+' hai . Bo+?i va^.y chu'ng to^i o+? Fort Chaffee vo?n ve.n chu+a dda^`y tha'ng . Kho^ng co`n pha?i xe^'p ha`ng la~nh ddo^` a(n, khu B, mo^~i nga`y . Co+m My~ a(n chu+a ddu? tha'ng dda~ le^n to+'i co^? ho.ng, nuo^'t he^'t vo^ . Kho?i pha?i ddi la~nh, ddi lu+.a, ddi ddo^?i gia`y vo+' va` a'o qua^`n mu`a ddo^ng . Kho?i pha?i lang thang ngoa`i Hitching Post . Va` cu~ng kho?i bi. vo+. con ca(`n nha(`n:

     - Tra(m thu+' chuye^.n quan tro.ng kho^ng lo, lo chuye^.n gi` dda^u!

     - Chuye^.n gi` nu+~a ma` lo, My~ no' lo he^'t ro^`i .

     Phi co+ dda'p xuo^'ng phi tru+o+`ng Sioux Falls, South Dakota, sponsor ra tie^'p ddo'n nie^`m no+? . DDo^ng qua', ddu+'ng cha^.t ca? ha`nh lang . Ma'y hi`nh cho+'p lia li.a . DDa^u ngo+` dda'm mi`nh tro+? tha`nh nhu+~ng nha^n va^.t quan tro.ng nhu+ va^.y . Ba nha` tho+` ba?o tro+., Lutheran, United Methodist, va` United Church of Christ . Gio+'i thie^.u tu`m lum ro^`i cu~ng kho^ng bie^'t ai la` ai . Ba^y gio+` pha?i no'i ba(`ng tie^'ng My~, dda^u pha?i chuye^.n de^~, ma` kho^ng no'i coi cu~ng kho^ng ddu+o+.c . Tra^.t tru'ng gi` cu~ng pha?i no'i, yes hay no gi` cu~ng pha?i co' mo^.t tie^'ng la^'y lo`ng . Tha^y ke^. no', who care . Ma^'y ddu+'a nho? thi` nga^y tho+ vui ddu`a vo+'i ma^'y mo'n ddo^` cho+i mo+'i .

     Tu+` Sioux Falls ve^` Vermillion, tha`nh pho^' se~ la` home-town cu?a chu'ng to^i tre^n dda^'t My~, cu~ng ma^'t khoa?ng hai gio+` la'i xe . Xa lo^. I-29 ddi xuye^n qua vu`ng ruo^.ng ddo^`ng bao la, co` bay tha(?ng ca'nh . DDo^`i, ddo^`i, la.i ddo^`i, tie^'p no^'i tru`ng tru`ng ddie^.p ddie^.p . Na('ng chie^`u chan ho`a tre^n nhu+~ng ca'nh ddo^`ng lu'a mi` va`ng chi'n tha'ng mu+o+`i, nhu+~ng ca'nh ddo^`ng dda^.u na`nh, ba('p mo+'i ga(.t ... la`m to^i tu+o+?ng nhu+ mi`nh ddang tre^n quo^'c lo^. 4, tu+` Sa`i go`n ve^` Ha^.u Giang . Chi? kha'c la` no+i dda^y qua' ro^.ng, ro^.ng nhu+ sa ma.c, ro^.ng nhu+ bie^?n kho+i, kho^ng tha^'y lu`m ca^y kho^ng tha^'y xo'm gie^`ng nha` cu+?a .

     Ca(n nha` dda^`u tie^n cu?a chu'ng to^i tre^n que^ hu+o+ng thu+' hai na`y la` mo^.t ca(n nha` xu+a cu~, ti'nh ra co' le~ no' cu~ng ga^'p ddo^i tuo^?i cu?a to^i . Nha` tho+` Methodist mua ca(n nha` na`y vo+'i du+. ddi.nh pha' ddi dde^? la^'y mie^'ng dda^'t tro^'ng la`m ba~i dda^.u xe cho con chie^n, nhu+ng kho^ng ti`m ddu+o+.c cho^~ o+? cho gia ddi`nh to^i ne^n dda`nh pha?i la^'y no' the^' va`o . Nhu+ng chu'ng to^i cu~ng pha?i tra? tie^`n thue^, gia' re?, chi? ho+n tra(m ddo^ mo^~i tha'ng . Nha` co' hai ta^`ng va` pha^n nu+?a basement . Ta^`ng thu+' nha^'t co' pho`ng kha'ch, pho`ng a(n, nha` be^'p, toillet, va` mo^.t pho`ng ngu? cho kha'ch, la`m pho`ng ngu? cho Huy`nh ra^'t tie^.n . Ta^`ng tre^n go^`m ba pho`ng ngu? cho vo+. cho^`ng to^i va` bo^'n nho'c . Basement tro^'ng tro+n, chi? co' mo^.t lo` su+o+?i loa.i xu+a na(`m ngay giu+~a vo+'i nhu+~ng o^'ng da^~n ho+i a^'m tu?a ra kho^ng theo mo^.t thu+' tu+. na`o tro^ng nhu+ o^ng Pha^.t co' nhie^`u tay . DDo^` dda.c trong nha` cu~ng dda^`y ddu?, kho^ng tha^'y thie^'u mo'n gi` . Cu?a cho ddu+o+.c nhu+ va^.y la` qui' ho'a la('m ro^`i, o+? Vie^.t Nam mi`nh cu~ng pha?i la` ha.ng nha` gia`u mo+'i sa('m su+?a ddu+o+.c nhu+ va^.y . DDu'ng ro^`i, ba^y gio+` mo+'i tha^'y thie^'u nhie^`u mo'n . Ga.o, nu+o+'c ma('m, rau so^'ng ... thu+.c pha^?m A' DDo^ng .

     - Blizzard, ngay trong dde^m nay, mo^.t tra(m pha^`n tra(m .

     Ba` My~ go.i ddie^.n thoa.i cho vo+. to^i bie^'t la` the weatherman no'i nhu+ va^.y . To^i tra tu+. ddie^?n dde^? bie^'t blizzard la` gi`, ba~o tuye^'t, sao ma` so+'m nhu+ va^.y, mi`nh mo+'i to+'i co' ma^'y nga`y .

     - Pha?i chua^?n bi. .

     - Chua^?n bi. ca'i gi` ? Thu+.c pha^?m ha? ? Kho?i pha?i lo, ai mua dde^? dda^`y trong tu? la.nh ro^`i .

     Ba~o lu.t mie^`n Trung cu?a mi`nh ra sao mi`nh cu~ng chu+a co' ne^'m mu`i thi` bie^'t gi` ma` chua^?n bi. . To+'i dda^u lo to+'i ddo' ... Qua? tha^.t, na(m gio+` chie^`u tuye^'t ba('t dda^`u ro+i, lu+a thu+a, lu+a thu+a, ro^`i ca`ng lu'c ca`ng da`y, mu` mi.t . Nhi`n tuye^'t ro+i la^`n dda^`u tie^n tha^'y thi'ch thu', tha^'y ma~n nguye^.n la`m sao . Tha^'y ddu+o+.c ca?nh tuye^'t ro+i phu? con ta`u, ga Lyon dde`n va`ng, ca^`m tay em muo^'n no'i ... To^i ra ddu+'ng tru+o+'c sa^n, xo`e ba`n tay tro+n, ddo'n la^'y nhu+~ng ma?nh tuye^'t bay bay cu~ng ca?m tha^'y lo`ng la^ng la^ng . To^.i cho da^n Sa`i Go`n suo^'t ddo+`i co' bie^'t ca?nh tuye^'t ro+i bao gio+` . To^i muo^'n co' he^'t gia ddi`nh ba ma' anh chi. em to^i o+? dda^y, trong ca?nh na`y, lu'c na`y, nhu+ng to^i chi? co' to^i . Bo+ vo+ va` buo^`n tha^.t .

     Sa'ng nga`y ho^m sau thu+'c gia^'c nhi`n ra cu+?a so^? tha^'y tuye^'t cao kho?i dda^`u go^'i, nga^.p ca? ddu+o+`ng pho^', nga^.p ca? the^`m ba . Tuye^'t ddo'ng da^`y tre^n ca`nh ca^y, tuye^'t phu? tru`m ngo.n co? . Co`n nghe tie^'ng gio' hu' ngoa`i hie^n, tu+`ng loa.t tho^?i to^'c nhu+~ng bu.i tuye^'t tre^n ma(.t ddu+o+`ng bay lu+o+'t qua nhu+~ng ddu.n tuye^'t cao, che khua^'t mo^.t khoa?ng tro+`i, chi? co`n mo^.t va^`ng ma^y mu` tru+o+'c ma(.t . Ba~o tuye^'t dde.p, ba~o tuye^'t cha('c kho^ng gio^'ng ba~o lu.t mie^`n Trung .

     Vermillion la` mo^.t tha`nh pho^' nho?, chu+a ha(?n la` nho? so vo+'i nhie^`u tha`nh pho^' kha'c trong tie^?u bang na`y, nhu+ng co' tru+o+`ng dda.i ho.c lo+'n, University of South Dakota . Da^n chu'ng khoa?ng mu+o+`i hai nga`n, co^.ng vo+'i khoa?ng ta'm nga`n sinh vie^n, vi. chi la` hai chu.c nga`n ngu+o+`i . Va^.y ma` dda~ co' hai gia ddi`nh Vie^.t Nam dda~ ddu+o+.c ba?o tro+. dde^'n dda^y tru+o+'c chu'ng to^i, ba'c DDoa`n va` anh Mo+'i . Gia ddi`nh ba'c DDoa`n go^`m hai vo+. cho^`ng gia` va` bo^'n ddu+'a con thuo^.c tuo^?i choai choai, co`n ddo^.c tha^n . Con ga'i lo+'n cu?a ba'c dda~ co' gia ddi`nh, cho^`ng con thi` ddi.nh cu+ rie^ng o+? tie^?u bang Missouri . Anh Mo+'i, My~ su+?a ca'i te^n to^'t cu?a anh ta va` cu+' ke^u la` Mo.i, thi` co' vo+. va` hai ddu+'a con ga'i nho? . Ho. kho^ng ddi ddo'n tu.i to^i ddu+o+.c vi` ai cu~ng ba^.n ddi la`m, va? la.i tu.i to^i dde^'n kho^ng nha(`m va`o weekend .

     Vi` tuye^'t ro+i ba^'t tha^`n ne^n to^i ddu+o+.c mo^.t tua^`n nghi? ngo+i, kho^ng pha?i la`m vie^.c gi` ngoa`i vie^.c ddie^`n gia^'y to+` xin vie^.c . Kho?i pha?i la`m ddo+n no' cu~ng tha^u, tha(`ng chu? ha~ng la` ba.n tha^n cu?a tha(`ng Lyle thuo^.c nha` tho+` Lutheran, ddi.a chu? o+? vu`ng na`y . O+? be^n mi`nh ddi la`m ddo+n, no'i dde^'n nghe^` nghie^.p ma` ddie^`n vo^ hai chu+~ "la`m ruo^.ng" thi` bie^'t la` da^n nghe`o nhu+ng be^n na`y la.i kha'c, tha(`ng Lyle cu~ng vie^'t vo^ ca'i chu+~ la`m ruo^.ng, farmer, nhu+ng ba` con la.i ne^? so+. . Nghe no'i dda^'t cu?a o^ng co^' to^? cu?a no' dde^? la.i nhie^`u la('m, kha('p ca? vu`ng, lo+'p la`m lo+'p cho mu+o+'n ... Phu+o+ng tie^.n di chuye^?n cho to^i tu+` nha` dde^'n so+? la`m, ddi ddi ve^` ve^`, tha(`ng Lyle cu~ng dda~ lo ro^`i, ba.n cu?a no', tha(`ng George . Mo^~i nga`y tra? mo^.t ddo^`ng, mu+o+`i la(m mile mo^~i ba^.n, kho^ng ca'ch na`o hay ho+n . Load King, te^n cu?a ha~ng . Mo^.t chi nha'nh cu?a CMI Corporation, Contract Machinery International, chuye^n che^' ta.o xe trailer ha.ng na(.ng cho Army, Marine, Navy dde^? cho+? xe ta(ng, thie^'t gia'p, dda.i ba'c, hoa(.c su'ng dda.n . Mo+'i vu+'t bo? su'ng dda.n cha.y qua dda^y, la.i ddu't dda^`u va`o no+i che^' ta.o vu~ khi', hi`nh nhu+ kie^'p lua^n ho^`i cu?a to^i cha('c chu+a du+'t .

     Xu+o+?ng chia la`m na(m khu, khu mo^.t dde^'n khu na(m . Theo thu+' tu+. la` khu la`m beam va` parts, khu ra'p, khu ha`n, khu sand blast va` ha`n da(.m, khu so+n va` finishing . To^i ddu+o+.c chi? ddi.nh la`m o+? khu mo^.t, phu. cho tha(`ng Kurt, chuye^n vie^n phu. tra'ch ca'i ma'y ca('t sa('t lo+'n, the big-shear . Ca'i ma'y ca('t na`y da'm ca('t luo^n ca? the'p da`y ca? inch . Lu+o+~i dao da`i sa'u ba?y feet . Le~ di~ nhie^n pha?i du`ng ca^`n tru.c dde^? ddu+a sa('t hoa(.c the'p tu+` nha` kho le^n da`n ma'y . Loa.i the'p ta^'m pha?n lo+'n co`n pha?i du`ng the^m mo^.t thanh ddo`n co' sa'u ca'i mo'c mo^~i be^n ba ca'i nhu+ mo^.t ca'i gio^'ng lo+'n va` pha?i di chuye^?n tu+` tu+` vi` mie^'ng the'p cu~ng de^~ tuo^.t theo chie^`u nghie^ng . Ma^'y mie^'ng nho? thi` chi? xa`i ca'i "ke.p na'ch," tro^ng nhu+ tra'i xoa`i tu+o+.ng, co' mo^.t ke~ ho+? va` mo^.t he^. tho^'ng ddo`n ba^?y built-in trong ddo' . Vu+`a nhanh vu+`a tie^.n, mie^'ng the'p ca`ng na(.ng thi` su+'c ke.p ca`ng ta(ng, ai nghi~ ra ca'ch na`y cu~ng tuye^.t die^.u . Ta^'m the'p dda(.t ddu+o+.c le^n ba`n xong la` co^ng vie^.c cu~ng tha^'y nhe. nha`ng, chi? theo gia^'y order ddo chie^`u da`i chie^`u ro^.ng, la`m da^'u, ke? pha^'n, ro^`i dda^?y va`o ma` ca('t . Ngoa`i va^'n dde^` ni ta^'c, va^'n dde^` so^' lu+o+.ng cu~ng ra^'t la` quan tro.ng . Na(m chu.c mie^'ng ba(m ba ba(m ba?y, mo^.t tra(m mie^'ng mu+o+`i sa'u bo^'n bo^'n ..., va^.y ma` tha(`ng Kurt cu+' ddo mo^.t mie^'ng ca('t mo^.t mie^'ng . To^i lo'e le^n mo^.t sa'ng kie^'n, be`n ra phi'a sau ma'y hi` hu.c la`m mo^.t ca'i adjustable stop . Tha(`ng Kurt cu~ng cha(?ng ma`ng to^i ddang la`m ca'i gi` . Xong, to^i lo^i Kurt vo^ gia?i thi'ch:

     - He^, ma`y chi? ca^`n ddo khoa?ng ca'ch tu+` ca'i stop na`y to+'i lu+o+~i dao mo^.t la^`n tho^i . Kho'a ca'i stop la.i mo^.t cho^~, ro^`i cu+' vie^.c dda^?y vo^ ca('t bu`m, bu`m, bu`m ...

     Kurt la`m theo lo+`i to^i no'i, chi.u la('m, nhu+ng la('c dda^`u tra? lo+`i:

     - Y' kie^'n hay, nhu+ng ro^`i ma`y se~ kho^ng co`n vie^.c gi` dde^? la`m . Ma`y dda^u co' ddu+'ng xo+' ro+' ddu+o+.c, tu.i no' se~ sai ma`y ddi ho^'t ra'c, ru+?a ca^`u tie^u .

     Uo^?ng co^ng ca? buo^?i tro+`i, nhu+ng tha^'y no' no'i cu~ng co' ly':

     - Ma`y muo^'n xa`i thi` xa`i, kho^ng thi` tho^i . Ma`y muo^'n tha'o no' ra cu~ng ddu+o+.c . Tu`y ma`y .

     Kurt va^~n giu+~ ca'i adjustable stop cu?a to^i pho`ng khi kha^?n ca^'p, co`n thi` cu+' bo^?n cu~ soa.n la.i la`m hoa`i . DDo hai bie^n, la`m hai da^'u, ke? mo^.t ddu+o+`ng pha^'n to^? bo^', ddu+a va`o ma'y, quy` xuo^'ng nga('m nghi'a xe^ di.ch mo^.t ho^`i ro^`i mo+'i chi.u ca('t . A` ddu'ng ro^`i, pha?i la`m kie^?u na`y mi`nh mo+'i ddu+o+.c quy` go^'i . La`m vie^.c be^n na`y la^u la^u ddu+o+.c quy` go^'i la` sung su+o+'ng ro^`i . DDu+'ng ta'm gio+` mo^~i nga`y, ma'u do^`n xuo^'ng cha^n, ba('p cha^n te^ cu+'ng, mo^~i la^`n quy` go^'i ba('p thi.t nhu+ da~n ra chi.u cu+? ddo^.ng tro+? la.i . Quy` go^'i la` sung su+o+'ng! Ca('t sa('t ro^`i cu~ng de^~ tho^i, chi? ca'i vie^.c bu+ng ma^'y ta^'m sa('t mo+'i ca('t ddo' dde^? va`o rack cho thu+' tu+. mo+'i la` dda'ng so+. . Ti'nh ra mo^~i nga`y to^i bu+ng dde^'n ca? chu.c ta^'n . Cha(?ng le~ cuo^.c ddo+`i mi`nh ro^`i pha?i di'nh lie^`n vo+'i ca'i ma'y ca('t na`y sao ? Mo+'i nga`y na`o mi`nh cu~ng ddu+o+`ng ddu+o+`ng la` mo^.t si~ quan ha?i qua^n ma` . Kho^ng ddu+o+.c . To^i pha?i ti`m ca'ch thay ddo^?i cho^~ ddu+'ng cu?a to^i . To^i pha?i pha^n tra^`n, to^i pha?i no'i vo+'i sponsor, to^i no'i vo+'i tha(`ng Lyle:

     - Ma`y la`m o+n ti`m cho tao mo^.t vie^.c gi` kha'c ddi . Ma`y tha^'y kho^ng, tao nho? con, kho^ng thi'ch ho+.p vo+'i co^ng vie^.c tao ddang la`m .

     - Kho^ng de^~ gi` ti`m ddu+o+.c vie^.c na`o to^'t ho+n dda^u . Minimum wage la` hai ddo^`ng mu+o+`i xu, no' tra? cho ma`y ba ddo^`ng mo^.t gio+` la` kha' la('m ro^`i . Ma`y co' tha^'y ddie^`u na`y kho^ng ?

     - Tao kho^ng ca^`n bie^'t no' tra? tao ma^'y ddo^`ng . No' tra? tao hai ddo^`ng cu~ng ddu+o+.c mie^~n sao co^ng vie^.c no' nhe. nha`ng mo^.t chu't .

     - A`, hay la` nhu+ the^' na`y . Ma`y thi'ch la`m ca'i co^ng vie^.c gi` o+? du+o+'i Load King ? Ma`y cho tao bie^'t ro^`i tao se~ no'i vo+'i tu.i no' . Kho^ng ne^n ddi ha~ng kha'c .

     - Tho+. ha`n .

     To^i tra? lo+`i ngay kho^ng ca^`n pha?i suy nghi~ . Pha?i, ddu'ng la` tho+. ha`n, mo^.t nghe^` co' gia' trong dda'm tho+. nu+?a chuye^n nghie^.p nu+?a lao ddo^.ng na`y . Tho+. ha`n, to^'i nga`y ca^`m ca'i mo? ha`n, thi` cu~ng kho^ng gi` na(.ng nho.c la('m . Co`n ddu+o+.c ngo^`i, ddu+o+.c quy` go^'i, ddu+o+.c na(`m, ddu+o+.c leo tre`o tho?a thi'ch .

     Qua tua^`n sau to^i ddu+o+.c xe^'p va`o lo+'p ho.c ha`n . To^i mua a'o da, no'n ha`n, co`n bao tay thi` co' sa(~n cho da^n la`m sa('t . Mo^~i nga`y o+? la.i tre^~ hai gio+` dde^? ho.c . Ha`n ddu~a, ddu? co+~ lo+'n nho? . Ha`n ddu? kie^?u, flat, angle, bevel ... La^'p va^'p lu'c dda^`u ro^`i cu~ng smooth da^`n da^`n . Sau hai tua^`n, sau hai mu+o+i gio+` ta^.p do+.t, to^i thi . DDa^.u . Nga`y to^i ro+`i kho?i khu mo^.t, ro+`i kho?i ca'i ma'y ca('t sa('t, qua khu hai ta^.p te^~nh la`m tho+. ha`n, to^i tha^'y vui mu+`ng he^'t su+'c . Kho^ng pha?i vui mu+`ng cho to^i, ma` pha^`n lo+'n la` cho ca(.p gio` cu?a to^i, ddo+~ pha?i bo'p bo'p mo^~i dde^m, ddo+~ pha?i xoa da^`u no'ng . Tuy nhie^n no^~i vui mu+`ng na`y kho^ng ma^'y cho^'c cu~ng tan bie^'n ngay . DDu+'ng nu'i na`y tro^ng nu'i no., tra'nh vo? du+a cu~ng ga(.p vo? du+`a . Ha`n . Ha`n . Ha`n hoa`i . Ha`n mie^'t . Ha`n hai mu+o+i bo^'n tre^n hai mu+o+i bo^'n . Ha`n ddu~a, ha`n da^y, ha`n ddie^.n . Ha`n kho^ng pha?i la` ha`n, ma` ha`n la` nhie^.t . La` no'ng, la` cha'y, la` pho?ng, la` khe't, la` kho'i . Mu` mi.t ta(m ho+i ... Tu.i tho+. ha`n chi'nh to^ng co`n do.a to^i ra(`ng:

     - Ma`y ha`n la^u la('m cu~ng khoa?ng hai chu.c na(m thi` pha?i ve^` hu+u . Pho^?i cu?a ma`y kho^ng cho phe'p ma`y la`m the^m .

     - Thie^.t va^.y sao ?

     Nga`y la.i nga`y cu+' tha^'y ma^'y chie^'c trailer mo+'i cha^'m tack di'nh so+ so+ na(`m lu` lu` ddo', tie^'p tu.c ha`n, ha`n hoa`i kho^ng tha^'y he^'t . Mu`a la.nh na`y ha`n co`n tha^'y no'ng, dde^'n mu`a he` thi` so^'ng la`m sao no^?i . Cha('c pha?i chi.u "tha^n ba.i danh lie^.t" tho^i, la^`n na`y dda^u co' than phie^`n gi` vo+'i sponsor ddu+o+.c nu+~a . To^i dda~ ddu+o+.c ca'i gi` to^i ddo`i ho?i ro^`i .

     Trong dda'm tho+. ha`n hai mu+o+i bo^'n tre^n hai mu+o+i bo^'n cu?a to^i co' bo^'n na(m ddu+'a dda`n ba`, con ga'i . Lu'c ddo^.i no'n ha`n thi` ga'i cu~ng nhu+ trai, dde^'n ho^`i do+? no'n ra tha^'y ca(.p ma('t bo^` ca^u, tha^'y la`n da mi.n ma`ng va` ma'i to'c lo+ tho+ mi`nh mo+'i giu+.t mi`nh . DDa`n ba` con ga'i ai la.i ddi la`m tho+. ha`n, thie^'u gi` nghe^` dde^? la`m, ca'i nghe^` na`y no' la`m ma^'t he^'t ca'i ve? tha^?m my~ cu?a ngu+o+`i dde.p . Thie^.t la` uo^?ng, to^i nghi~ nhu+ va^.y .

     DDe^'n gio+` nghi?, gio+` a(n tru+a, ta^'t ca? nha^n vie^n trong ha~ng ma(.c du` a(n chung mo^.t cho^~, nhu+ng cu~ng chia ra tu+`ng nho'm, tu+`ng phe ngo^`i rie^ng tu+`ng ba`n, tu+`ng go'c . Thu+o+`ng thu+o+`ng pha?i la`m cu`ng nghe^` hay i't ra cu~ng cu`ng khu . DDa'm tho+. ha`n ddo^ng nha^'t, na'o ddo^.ng nha^'t . Tuy nhie^n dda'm tho+. ha`n dda`n ba` co`n ky` thi. tro^'ng ma'i, thi'ch ngo^`i rie^ng kho^ng nha^.p va`o dda'm dda`n o^ng . Trong dda'm ddo', ngo^`i xa trong go'c la.i la` con Maria, con tho+. ha`n go^'c Indian . Hi`nh nhu+ kho^ng ddu+'a na`o cho+i vo+'i no', cu~ng kho^ng tha^'y no' no'i chuye^.n gi` vo+'i ai . A(n xong la.i la^'y sa'ch ra ddo.c, kho^ng bie^'t sa'ch gi`, cha('c tie^?u thuye^'t . Cu~ng co' chu't la^.p di., la`m chuye^.n kho^ng gio^'ng thie^n ha. . To^i kho^ng muo^'n mi`nh ro+i va`o ca?nh bo+ vo+ ddo' ne^n ke^'t be` vo+'i dda'm tha(`ng George, George la`m o+? dda^y la^u na(m, co' tho+' la('m . Mi`nh co' di.p ho.c the^m tie^'ng My~, no'i tie^'ng My~ . Le~ di~ nhie^n to^i cu~ng pha?i ga(.m sandwich dde^`u dde^`u nhu+ tu.i no' tho^i . Mo^.t la^`n to^i ddem theo ma^'y con to^m kho^ cu?a tha(`ng ba.n be^n California gu+?i qua ddi.nh khoe mo'n A' DDo^ng cu?a mi`nh, nhu+ng ddu+'a a(n ddu+'a kho^ng a(n thi` bie^'t la` bi. che^ . Kho^ng ngo+` tu.i na`y co^? hu? qua', kho^ng nhu+~ng ky` thi. chu?ng to^.c ma` co`n ky` thi. thu+.c pha^?m nu+~a .

     - Ma^`y tu+` dda^u dde^'n ?

     Ho^m ddo' bo^~ng nhie^n con Maria ho?i chuye^.n to^i trong lu'c hai ddu+'a ha`n ga^`n nhau . Gio.ng no' nghe cu~ng lo+` lo+., kho^ng gio^'ng nhu+ My~, tuy nhie^n cu~ng la` gio.ng con ga'i . Co' ca'i kha'c . To^i tha^'y no' gio^'ng nhu+ mo^.t ngu+o+`i dda`n ba` Vie^.t Nam ta.i vi` to'c no' dden . To^i tra? lo+`i:

     - Tao la` ngu+o+`i Vie^.t Nam, tao to+'i tu+` Vie^.t Nam .

     - Bao la^u ro^`i ?

     Con nho? na`y coi bo^. ra`nh mi`nh qua' ma` co`n la`m bo^. ho?i, to^i tie^'p:

     - Va`i tha'ng . Ma`y la`m o+? dda^y la^u chu+a ?

     - Ga^`n mo^.t na(m nhu+ng tao cu~ng sa('p nghi? ...

     - Ta.i sao va^.y ?

     - Tha'ng to+'i cho^`ng tao ra tru+o+`ng . Tu.i tao se~ ve^` reservation cu?a tao o+? . Cho^`ng tao se~ la`m hie^.u tru+o+?ng tru+o+`ng trung ho.c o+? ddo' .

     - Ngon qua' ha? . Reservation cu?a ma`y o+? Sioux Falls hay Sioux City ?

     - Ca'ch dda^y xa la('m, ma^'y tra(m mile, ma`y kho^ng bie^'t dda^u . Tu.i tao thuo^.c bo^. la.c Crow Creek .

     - Va^.y ha? . Tao cu~ng kho^ng ra`nh khu na`y la('m .

     Maria thi?nh thoa?ng no'i chuye^.n vo+'i to^i, nhu+ng to^i kho^ng da'm to? ra tha^n thie^.n vo+'i no' . Bo.n My~ kho^ng u+a no', mi`nh tha^n vo+'i no' se~ bi. ho.a la^y . To^i nhie^`u la^`n muo^'n ti`m hie^?u ta.i sao My~ kho^ng u+a Indian ? Tu.i no' ba?o ra(`ng Indian la`m bie^'ng, to^'i nga`y say su+a kho^ng chi.u la`m vie^.c, o+? kho^ng a(n welfare . Nhu+ng la^`n la^`n to^i mo+'i hie^?u la` trong reservation thi` kho^ng co' vie^.c gi` la`m, ra ngoa`i thi. tu+' thi` bi. ha^'t hu?i, kho^ng bao la^u cu~ng bo? job ma` ve^` reservation, nha^.u cho que^n ddo+`i . Cu~ng may vu`ng na`y i't tha^'y da dden, kho^ng tho^i cu~ng coi ddu+o+.c ma`n ky` thi. da dden nu+~a . Nhu+ng ta.i sao tu.i My~ thi'ch da^n A' DDo^ng ? Cha('c chu+a to+'i lu'c no' ky` thi. cu~ng chu+a bie^'t chu+`ng . Tru+o+'c khi ro+`i kho?i Vermillion, Maria va` cho^`ng no', tha(`ng Tom la.i la` tha(`ng My~ ma` kho^ng pha?i la` Indian, co' dde^'n nha` tha(m tu.i to^i, cho ddi.a chi? va` he.n co' nga`y ga(.p la.i .

     To^i la`m o+? khu ha`n ddu+o+.c hai tha'ng, thi` bo^~ng nhie^n ddu+o+.c gu+?i tra? ve^` khu mo^.t, nhu+ng kho^ng pha?i phu. tra'ch ca'i ma'y ca('t sa('t nu+~a ma` thuo^.c nho'm la`m small parts . Cho^~ na`y tha^'y de^~ tho+? ho+n nhie^`u, bo+'t hi't kho'i . Thi?nh thoa?ng mo+'i ha`n, pha^`n lo+'n chi? cha^'m tack cho di'nh, mi`nh la` builder chu+' kho^ng co`n la` welder nu+~a . Na`o la` pedestal, out-rigger, tail gate, loading ramp ... tha^.m chi' cho dde^'n suspension block, goose neck pin . Co^ng vie^.c cu~ng co' ly' ho+n nhie^`u, cu+' theo blue-print ma` build, co`n ho.c ho?i the^m ddo^i chu't . To^i la^?n qua^?n theo tha(`ng leaderman dde^? ho.c ddo.c ma^'y ca'i ky' hie^.u dda(.c bie^.t . Kho^ng gi` kho' . Va`i tua^`n sau to^i tha^'y mi`nh cu~ng co' kha? na(ng dde^? la`m mo^.t leaderman, nhu+ng co`n pha?i ho^.i ddu? ddie^`u kie^.n, pha?i thi le^n tho+. ha`n ha.ng hai . DDu+o+.c . To^i ba('t dda^`u ta^.p le'n . Ha`n over head, ha`n vertical down, ha`n vertical up . Pha?i canh lu+?a nguo^.i mo^.t chu't, no'ng qua' sa('t cha?y he^'t . Ta^.p nhie^`u la^`n thi` cu~ng pha?i ddu+o+.c, nhu+ng co`n pha?i cho+` ddu'ng ky` ha.n nu+~a . To^'i thie^?u, pha?i co' ba tha'ng tho+. ha`n ca(n ba?n . Cho+` . DDu'ng nga`y . Thi . DDa^.u nu+~a . De^~ qua' . Nhu+ng chu+'c vu. leaderman cho+` hoa`i kho^ng tha^'y, hi`nh nhu+ ha~ng co' policy rie^ng cho dda'm da va`ng . Tho^i cu~ng ddu+o+.c, unofficial leaderman cu~ng kho?e ho+n nhie^`u . To^i ddu+o+.c bie^.t pha'i na(m te^n lon ton mo^~i nga`y, pha^n co^ng cho tu.i no' la`m vie^.c co`n pha^`n to^i giu+~ nhie^.m vu. cung ca^'p raw-material . Vi` pha?i order raw-material ne^n to^i pha?i tie^'p xu'c va` la`m tha^n vo+'i ma^'y ddu+'a cha.y ma'y cu+a, ma'y ca('t, ma'y tie^.n, ma'y khoan . Nhie^`u lu'c mi`nh order ga^'p ma` dda'm tho+. chuye^n nghie^.p na`y la.i ba^.n lang thang ta'n do'c kha('p no+i . Tho+. chuye^n nghie^.p thu+o+`ng thu+o+`ng co' nhie^`u thi` gio+` dde^? ba`n chuye^.n ddo+`i, chuye^.n car racing, horse racing, foot ball, base ball, ho+n la` chuye^.n pha^n ta^'c, foot inch o+? dda^y . Cu~ng nho+` va^.y ne^n to^i co' co+ ho^.i ho.c cu+a, ho.c tie^.n, ho.c khoan, ho.c la`m mu~i ... Nhu+ng ro^'t ro^`i "ba' nghe^. tra^`n tha^n!" Mi`nh la~nh lu+o+ng cu~ng nga^`n a^'y tho^i to^.i gi` la`m co^ng vie^.c cu?a ngu+o+`i kha'c . To^i la^`n la^`n cu~ng ta^.p ddu+o+.c ca'i ta'nh cu?a tu.i My~, tha^.t la` My~, ca'i ta'nh ma` la^`n dda^`u tie^n to^i tha^'y to^i che^, to^i kho' chi.u . Do your own job . Pha?i, ca'i job cu?a to^i co' dda'nh bo'ng cho ma^'y cu~ng la` tho+. ha`n tho^i, kho^ng ho+n kho^ng ke'm .

     Mu`a xua^n dde^'n, mu`a ai cu~ng ddo+.i mong, mu`a ddu+o+.c ddi ra ngoa`i, thoa?i ma'i . Bo^ng hoa vui ve?, ca^y co^'i dda^m cho^`i, ca'i gi` tro^ng cu~ng dde.p cu~ng tra`n dda^`y nhu+.a so^'ng . Nhu+ng hoa na`o la` hoa anh dda`o ? DDa^u pha?i o+? xu+' la.nh la` co' hoa anh dda`o, muo^'n xem hoa anh dda`o thi` pha?i ddi Hoa Thi.nh DDo^'n, ma^'y ngu+o+`i ba.n My~ no'i nhu+ va^.y . Tra^.t ddu+o+`ng ro^`i, Hoa Thi.nh DDo^'n o+? ta^.n mie^`n ddo^ng . Xa la('m, kho^ng the^? ddi ddu+o+.c vo+'i mo^.t hai nga`y nghi? phu. va`o cuo^'i tua^`n, tu.i to^i quye^'t ddi.nh ddi tha(m vu`ng Black Hill, ddi tha(m Rushmore Mountain, cho^~ co' ma^'y ca'i ma(.t cu?a ma^'y o^ng to^?ng tho^'ng My~ bi. da'n va`o va'ch nu'i, mo^.t tha('ng ca?nh quan tro.ng cu?a tie^?u bang nha` . Ro^'t cuo^.c tu.i to^i ddi tha(m ddu? thu+', tha(m Rushmore Cave, tha(m Cathedral Needle, tha(m Crazy Horse, tha^'y dda^'t My~ ca'i gi` cu~ng to lo+'n, cu~ng vi~ dda.i . Tie^'c la` kho^ng pha?i xu+' so+? cu?a mi`nh . Tre^n ddu+o+`ng ve^` do.c theo xa lo^. I-90 tu.i to^i co`n ghe' vu`ng Bad Land, vu`ng dda^'t su.p nhu+ mo^.t Grand Canyon co+~ nho? . DDu+o+.c la`m quen vo+'i ma^'y con chipmunk . Chu.p hi`nh ma^'y con prairie dog la`m ky? nie^.m . Sau cu`ng, chu'ng to^i ngu+o+.c do`ng Missouri ve^` phi'a ba('c dde^'n tha(m Maria va` Tom . Ga(.p lu'c hai ddu+'a no' ddang ba('t mo^.t ba^`y cho^`n con, cho^`n ho^i, baby skunk, vu+`a ve^` to+'i nha` . Maria va` Tom nga.c nhie^n khi nhi`n tha^'y tu.i to^i vi` tu.i to^i dde^'n ma` kho^ng ba'o tru+o+'c . Ke^? ra to^i ddo.c ba?n ddo^` My~ cu~ng kho^ng te^. la('m . To^i va`o dde^` ngay:

     - Ca'i gio^'ng na`y ho^i qua' ma` ma`y ba('t la`m chi .

     Tom cu+o+`i ha ha?, ro^`i gia?i thi'ch mo^.t ma.ch:

     - Ma`y chu+a bie^'t nuo^i gio^'ng na`y ha? . Ca'i gio^'ng na`y ba('t ve^`, ca('t bo? hai ca'i ha.ch ho^i ddi ro^`i nuo^i trong nha` nhu+ nuo^i pet; cho', me`o chuo^.t gi` tha^'y no' cu~ng so+. he^'t . Ho^i va^.y cho+' ma` kho^n la('m, nha^'t la` ca'i gio^'ng co' hai so.c tra('ng tre^n lu+ng na`y . Ma('c la('m chu+' cha(?ng co' re? dda^u, na(m sa'u chu.c mo^.t con . Sa(~n dda^y ma^`y theo tao, tao chi? cho ma^`y ca'i na`y ...

     Kho^ng hie^?u tha(`ng na`y ddi.nh do+? tro` gi`, to^i nha('c chu+`ng vo+. to^i va` Huy`nh tro^ng coi ma^'y ddu+'a nho? trong lu'c no'i chuye^.n vo+'i Maria, co`n to^i theo Tom xuo^'ng basement .

     - Tao chi? ma`y ca'i nghe^` na`y ma`y ddu+`ng co' chi? la.i ai he^'t nghe, tao ho.c cu?a mo^.t o^ng gia` o+? Tennessee . Tu.i ba'c si~ gia?i pha^~u mo^.t con charge na(m chu.c ddo^`ng, kho^ng re? dda^u . Ca'ch na`y chi? ma^'t na(m phu't . Mo^.t mu`a cu~ng kie^'m ddu+o+.c va`i nga`n de^~ nhu+ cho+i, chi? la`m trong ba tha'ng, tha'ng tu+ tha'ng na(m va` tha'ng sa'u .

     - Chi? co' ba tha'ng ?

     - U+`, sau tha'ng sa'u, baby skunk lo+'n ro^`i, kho' train la('m .

     - La`m sao bie^'t no' o+? dda^u ma` ba('t ?

     - DDa(ng ba'o . Thu+o+?ng na(m mu+o+`i ddo^`ng cho ai chi? mi`nh hang skunk . Thu+o+`ng thu+o+`ng ngu+o+`i ta chi? cho ma`y ma^'y ca'i xa'c skunk che^'t do.c ddu+o+`ng tho^i . Ma`y pha?i qua^`n khu ddo' ma` ti`m hang ... Ne`, ddeo kie^'ng vo^ ke?o no' spray vo^ ma('t ma`y thi` nguy .

     To^i la.i ho.c the^m mo^.t nghe^` mo+'i, nghe^` gia?i pha^~u skunk, de^~ nhu+ tro+? ba`n tay . Nhu+ng ma` con Maria co' ve? kho^ng ddu+o+.c vui khi tha^'y Tom so^'t sa('ng vo+'i to^i nhu+ va^.y va` la.i truye^`n the^m ca'i nghe^` bi' ma^.t dda(.c bie^.t na`y . Tha(`ng Tom ba^y gio+` cu~ng ddo^?i ta'nh tha^'y ro~, no'i nhie^`u ho+n ca? con Maria . No' ba?o to^i ra(`ng tu+` nga`y di chuye^?n ve^` dda^y chu+a bao gio+` tha^'y ba.n be` cu?a no' to+'i tha(m, to^i la` ngu+o+`i dda^`u tie^n cho ne^n no' khoa'i chi' la('m . Ngoa`i nghe^` la`m hie^.u tru+o+?ng no' co`n la`m the^m mo^.t nghe^` nu+~a, ca^`m ddo^` la^.u . DDo^` cu?a Indian cha^'t dda^`y nha` . Le~ di~ nhie^n tu.i no' la`m gi` co' tie^`n chuo^.c, nha^.u he^'t ro^`i, ne^n thi?nh thoa?ng Tom pha?i ddem xuo^'ng pho^' ba'n mo^.t la^`n la^'y la.i vo^'n, the^m mo^.t mo+' tie^`n lo+`i . Tom co`n collect su'ng nu+~a, ddu? loa.i, mo+'i co', cu~ co', cowboys co', indian co' ... treo dda^`y tu+o+`ng, ga'c dda^`y gia' . Nhu+ng chu+a co' M 16 va` AK 47, to^i cha^m bie^'m no' nhu+ va^.y . Tha^'y to^i co' ve? cu~ng u+a cho+i su'ng, Tom la^'y kha^?u Marlin, .22, ca^`m ddu+a cho to^i:

     - Ta(.ng ma`y ddo' . DDe^? ky? nie^.m vo+'i tao .

     To^i nga.c nhie^n ho?i la.i:

     - Thie^.t ho^n ma^.y ?

     No' ba?o to^i vie^'t te^n cho no' bie^'t ro^`i cha(?ng no'i cha(?ng ra(`ng la^'y ta^'m card visit la^.t phi'a sau vie^'t ma^'y do`ng xa'c ddi.nh so+? hu+~u chu? cu?a ca^y su'ng:

     - Tao nghi~ nhu+ va^.y ddu+o+.c ro^`i . Ma`y kho?i ca^`n xin gia^'y phe'p .

     Tru+o+'c khi ve^` no' co`n gu+?i cho to^i mo^.t mo+' tra` Tennessee, tra` re^~ chu+' kho^ng pha?i tra` la', go.i la` cu? cu~ng ddu+o+.c vi` gio^'ng nhu+ ma^'y cu? mi` . Ngu+?i cu~ng tho+m mu`i tra`, la. tha^.t ... Maria co`n muo^'n giu+~ tu.i to^i o+? la.i dde^? ddi tha(m reservation cu?a no', co' dda`i ky? nie^.m va` co' vie^.n ba?o ta`ng ca^'t giu+~ nhie^`u ddo^` xu+a cu?a bo^. la.c, nhu+ng ra^'t tie^'c tu.i to^i kho^ng co`n thi` gio+` . O^ng co^' cu?a no' nga`y xu+a la` tu` tru+o+?ng, con Maria no'i nhu+ va^.y . DDa^'t ddai vu`ng na`y ha^`u he^'t la` cu?a do`ng ho. no', ba^y gio+` thi` thuo^.c ve^` chi'nh phu? ro^`i, chi'nh phu? giu+.t kho^ng, kho^ng tra? tie^`n, nhu+ng dde^`n bu` la.i ba(`ng ca'ch xa^y ca^'t nha` cu+?a la`ng ma.c, tru+o+`ng ho.c, co^ng vie^n, va` nhie^`u tie^.n nghi kha'c, cho toa`n bo^. la.c . Ca'i gi` cu~ng mo+'i toanh, su+o+'ng qua' co`n ddo`i ho?i gi` nu+~a . Nhu+ng Maria cu+' nghi~ la` ba^'t co^ng, no' kho^ng co`n xu+' so+?, kho^ng co`n bo^. la.c . Cu~ng nhu+ mi`nh, nhu+~ng con ngu+o+`i ma^'t nu+o+'c . DDie^`u kha'c nhau la` tu.i no' la` nhu+~ng ke? ma^'t nu+o+'c ddang so^'ng tre^n dda^'t nu+o+'c cu?a no', co`n mi`nh la` nhu+~ng ke? ma^'t nu+o+'c ddang so^'ng lang thang tre^n xu+' la. que^ ngu+o+`i . Ai kho^? ho+n ai ?

     Ve^` dde^'n nha` tro+`i cu~ng cha.ng va.ng to^'i . Vo+. to^i, ma^'y ddu+'a nho?, va` Huy`nh va`o nha` tru+o+'c . To^i ghe' qua thu`ng thu+ la^'y thu+ va` thu do.n la.i ddo^` co`n so't trong xe . Nga.c nhie^n mo^.t ddie^`u, to^i lo+'n tie^'ng go.i:

     - Ma'-my, la`m sao em vo^ nha` ddu+o+.c ? Chi`a kho'a cu?a anh o+? dda^y, bo'p cu?a em cu~ng co`n o+? trong xe .

     Vo+. to^i no'i vo.ng ra:

     - Tho^i ro^`i, ho^`i ddi anh que^n kho'a cu+?a .

     - Em que^n chu+' anh que^n sao ddu+o+.c . Em la` ngu+o+`i ra sau cho't ma`, anh lo xe co^. .

     Cu~ng may ddo^` dda.c trong nha` cu~ng co`n y nguye^n, da^n o+? dda^y cu~ng hie^`n, kho^ng dde^'n no^~i . To^i vu+`a co+?i gia`y vu+`a coi ma^'y bi` thu+, ha^`u he^'t la` bill . Nhu+ng co' mo^.t ca'i thu+ tro^ng la. la. . To^i mo+? ra xem . Ceta, Comprehensive Educational Training Agency . Ceta chu+'ng nha^.n ra(`ng to^i dda~ hoa`n ta^'t ba tra(m hai chu.c gio+` cho lo+'p hua^'n luye^.n tho+. ha`n . To^i ddo.c la.i la^`n nu+~a cho cha('c . Sao la.i co' chuye^.n na`y . To^i co' ddi ho.c chu+o+ng tri`nh na`y bao gio+` dda^u! Tu.i na`y la'o tha^.t . Cha(?ng le~ mi`nh ky' gia^'y to+` gi` ba^.y ba., ky' ma` kho^ng bie^'t kho^ng hay . Cu~ng co' the^? la('m . Tha(`ng Load King cu~ng la'o, a(n co^ng ky' vo+'i dda'm na`y . Chi? ta^.p co' hai mu+o+i gio+`, ba^y gio+` gia^'y ghi ba tra(m hai chu.c gio+` . Tho^i cu~ng ddu+o+.c, be^` gi` ddu+o+ng su+. cu~ng dda~ ddu+o+.c ca^'p gia^'y na`y dde^? tie^.n du.ng . To^i nghi~ to^i dda~ ho.c nhie^`u nghe^` la('m ro^`i ma(.c du` mo+'i dda(.t cha^n le^n dda^'t My~ mo+'i ho+n sa'u tha'ng . Tuy nhie^n dda^y la` nghe^` dda^`u tie^n to^i co' gia^'y to+` chu+'ng minh . Mi`nh ddang o+? bottom ro^`i thi` chi? co`n go up chu+' kho^ng co`n go down ddu+o+.c nu+~a . DDa^y la` bu+o+'c dda^`u tie^n . Ha~y co^' ga('ng, ha~y chi.u ddu+.ng, ho+n nu+~a, ho+n nu+~a, ro^`i ddo+`i mi`nh se~ ddi le^n . To^i khuye^n to^i nhu+ va^.y .

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08. CHIE^'C DDU~A THA^`N

            NGUYE^~N TA^'N HU+NG

     To^i ddang la`m mo^.t unofficial leaderman o+? khu ra'p small parts, thi` bi. dda^?y qua khu 4, khu sand blast va` ha`n da(.m . Ho'a ra la`m vie^.c cho mo^.t ha~ng tu+ cu?a My~ cu~ng gio^'ng nhu+ mi`nh ddi li'nh o+? Vie^.t Nam, kho^ng ddu+o+.c o+? ye^n mo^.t cho^~ . Co' ca'i lo+.i la` nha^n vie^n trong ha~ng ddu+o+.c hua^'n luye^.n ddu? thu+' nghe^` ma` kho?i pha?i ddu+a ai va`o tru+o+`ng . Nghe^` da.y nghe^`, ma(.c du` kho^ng ra`nh ba(`ng dda'm tho+. chuye^n mo^n, nhu+ng ma^'y lu'c ke.t ... kho^ng cho' ba('t me`o a(n cu+'t, cu~ng ddu+o+.c . Coi bo^. My~ kho^ng ha.p vo+'i ca^u nha^'t nghe^. tinh nha^'t tha^n vinh, he^~ tha^'y mi`nh vu+`a xong co^ng vie^.c na`y thi` la^.p tu+'c sai ddi la`m vie^.c kha'c . Lao ddo^.ng la`m a(n gio+`, ddu'ng la` su+'c na`o tie^`n na^'y .

     Trailer vu+`a chuye^?n qua khu 4 thi` ddu+o+.c ddu+a ngay vo^ pho`ng sand blast, pho`ng xi.t ca't, tho^?i ca't . Chie^'c xe mo+'i ddu+a vo^ sa^`n su`i nhu+ con heo so^'ng, ma` tro+? ra tra('ng no~n nhu+ con heo dda~ ddu+o+.c la`m lo^ng . Sa(~n sa`ng dde^? so+n . Phil, tha(`ng foreman khu 4, ddi.nh dda^?y to^i va`o su+? du.ng ca'i ma'y xi.t ca't ddo' mo+'i kho^? . Ky` thi. chu?ng to^.c ? Cha('c no' mang bi.nh na`y na(.ng la('m ne^n mo+'i da'm la`m nhu+ va^.y . To^i cu+. tha(?ng va`o ma(.t no':

     - Ma`y pha?i bie^'t tao la` tho+. ha`n, va` tho+. ha`n kho^ng la`m vie^.c ddo' .

     To^i tu+o+?ng no' se~ hu`ng ho^? vo+'i mi`nh, ai de` no' chi? cu+o+`i tru+` ro^`i lo+n to+n ddi ti`m ngu+o+`i kha'c . La`m to^i cu.t hu+'ng, nhu+ng to^i cu~ng co' ly' do cu?a to^i, ly' do tha^.t chi'nh dda'ng . Va`i nga`y sau to^i mo+'i bie^'t dda^y la` co^ng vie^.c xa^y tua, to+'i phie^n mi`nh thi` mi`nh pha?i la`m . Sau tha(`ng Jim la` dde^'n phie^n to^i, ba('t dda^`u la.i nhu+ ba('t dda^`u mo^.t con gia'p . Ca'i phu't gia^y cho+` ddo+.i coi to^i co' la`m no^?i hay kho^ng nhu+ ddu+o+.c xi` ra, tu.i My~ la`m chung khoa'i chi' la('m, cu+o+`i nga(.t nghe~o . Mo^.t tha(`ng no'i:

     - Tao tha^'y ma`y o^m ca'i ho.ng su'ng ddo' cu~ng gio^'ng nhu+ mo^.t ddu+'a nho? o^m ca'i vo`i voi . Ma`y pha?i ra'n ma` ddu+'ng cho vu+~ng kho^ng tho^i ca'i vo`i voi nha^n ta.o na`y da'm do+? bo^?ng ma`y le^n tro+`i la('m ddo' .

     - Coi dda^y na`y . Ki-ma ... so^-gi, hi.ch hi.ch .

     Tu.i My~ la.i cu+o+`i to ho+n khi tha^'y to^i bie^?u die^~n mo^.t ma`n tha'i cu+.c dda.o . Jim ke'o to^i va`o pho`ng sand blast, chi? cho to^i ca'i o^'ng bo^' gio^'ng nhu+ vo`i nu+o+'c chu+~a lu+?a thu+' bu+.:

     - DDa^'y, lie^.u ma` karate' ca'i thu+' na`y .

     Jim co' nhie^.m vu. chi? cho to^i vie^.c sand blast . Tru+o+'c he^'t la` tro`ng vo^ bo^. ddo^` gia'p thu+' thie^.t, bo^. ddo^` co' nhu+~ng la' the'p mo?ng che kha('p ngu+.c bu.ng tay cha^n . Ke^', tru`m le^n dda^`u mo^.t no'n sa('t thie^.t lo+'n cu~ng co' nhu+~ng la' the'p lo`ng tho`ng phu? xuo^'ng vai . Ba^y gio+` hai ddu+'a tro+? tha`nh hai phi ha`nh gia kho^ng gian, hai R2D2, chi? tha^'y nhau qua khung ki'nh tru+o+'c ma(.t . Pha?i la lo+'n mo+'i nghe . To^i bo+. ca'i vo`i chu+~a lu+?a le^n va` la('p mo^'i no^'i va`o bo^. ddo^` gia'p . Mo^.t la`n gio' tho^?i va`o ma(.t ma't ru+o+.i, thi` ra trong he^. tho^'ng vo`i voi na`y co' mo^.t o^'ng tie^'p ho+i .

     Jim xo`e tay chu.m ngo'n tro? va`o ngo'n ca'i ra hie^.u sa(~n sa`ng, to^i dang hai cha^n ddu+'ng theo kie^?u ddu+'ng tre^n ta`u va` tu+` tu+` dda^?y ca^`n co^ng ta('c ga('n o+? dda^`u vo`i ve^` phi'a tru+o+'c . Tie^'ng ddo^.ng co+ ru' le^n va` mo^.t luo^`ng a'm khi' pho'ng ra . Ca'i vo`i tu+. ddo^.ng chi~a le^n tro+`i ma(.c du` to^i co^' ghi`m no' xuo^'ng . DDa~ va^.y no' co`n dda^?y to^i thu.t lu`i la^`n la^`n ve^` phi'a sau, dde^'n khi ddu.ng va'ch pho`ng to^i mo+'i ddu? su+'c kie^`m che^' ddu+o+.c ca'i con ra('n qua'i dda?n na`y . Tha(`ng Jim nha?y la.i tie^'p tay to^i a^'n no' xuo^'ng, qua.t qua qua.t la.i tre^n tha`nh xe . Qua.t to+'i dda^u sa'ng to+'i ddo' nhu+ mi`nh dda'nh va?y ca', kho^ng da'm dde^? la^u mo^.t cho^~ so+. lu?ng luo^n vo^ thi.t .

     No'i la` sand blast, nhu+ng dda^u pha?i sand ma` la` steel, steel blast mo+'i ddu'ng . Nhu+~ng ha.t the'p nho? li ti ba('n ra vo+'i mo^.t va^.n to^'c kha' ma.nh . Kho^ng ma^'y cho^'c ca? pho`ng tro+? ne^n mu` mi.t vi` nhu+~ng bu.i pho'ng xa. cu?a dda'm the'p ha.t na`y . Ma^'y ca'i vo? xe may la` ddu+o+.c phu? bo+?i ma^'y thu`ng sa('t kho^ng tho^i thi` da'm dda~ no^? ma^'t tie^u ro^`i . Chi? co' ca'ch na`y mo+'i tri. no^?i ma^'y chie^'c trailer ha.ng na(.ng, trailer nha` binh . Hay thie^.t . Nhu+ng, ca'i cu+.c cu?a sand blast dda^u pha?i la` o^m ca'i vo`i xi.t to+'i, xi.t lui ma` cu+.c la` o+? cho^~ clean-up, la` ca`o ca'i mo+' the'p ha.t ddo' ddo^? do^`n xuo^'ng ha^`m cho ca'i ma'y lo.c . Lo.c la.i, xa`i la.i . The'p ha.t na(.ng ho+n ca't nhie^`u, xu'c mo^.t gia' dda^`y, ddi kho^ng muo^'n vu+~ng .

     Xi.t ca't xong, trailer ddu+o+.c di chuye^?n ra ngoa`i ha`nh lang ba(`ng xe fork-lift . Fork-lift o+? dda^y cu~ng co' hai loa.i: loa.i thu+o+`ng cha.y ba(`ng ma'y da^`u ca(.n, va` loa.i dda(.c bie^.t cha.y ba(`ng ddie^.n, bi`nh ac-cu . Trailer ddu+o+.c dda(.t na(`m tha(ng ba(`ng nho+` ma^'y ba'nh xe la('p sa(~n phi'a sau, va` hai ca'i stand nhu+ hai ca'i cha^n chi.u, dda(.t o+? phi'a tru+o+'c du+o+'i hai dda` chi'nh . Tha(`ng leaderman co' nhie^.m vu. ro.i dde`n pin ti`m nhu+~ng cho^~ ha`n cha'y vi` du+ lu+?a, ha`n bo^.ng vi` thie^'u lu+?a, ha`n nhu+ con ra('n liu ddiu vi` ngu? gu.c ... v .v ., no'i chung la` ma^'y cho^~ ha`n xa^'u, va` ma^'y cho^~ que^n ha`n dde^? khoanh mo^.t vo`ng tro`n ba(`ng pha^'n . Ro^`i dda'm tho+. su+? du.ng chisel, ma'y da^~y, grinder, ma'y ma`i, pha^n ta'n mo?ng nha`o vo^ ma^'y cho^~ la`m da^'u, la`m thi.t . Tie^'ng co. sa't giu+~a the'p vo+'i the'p nghe ddie^'c con ra'y . Ke^', dde^'n phie^n dda'm tho+. ha`n tro^? ta`i re-weld, ha`n la'ng tro+? la.i . Sau cu`ng la` to^'p tho+. mo^.c, cu+a dda` go^~ loa.i da`y phu? le^n tre^n, ba('t bu`-loong va`o dda` ngang dde^? ddo'ng sa`n trailer . DDo', co^ng vie^.c cu?a khu 4 cu~ng chi? va^.y tho^i, vie^.c gi` ma` mi`nh la`m kho^ng tro^i .

     Nhu+ng, tro^i hay kho^ng tro^i ddo^i khi cu~ng co`n pha?i tu`y tho+`i, tu`y va^.n . Ho^m ddo' dde^'n phie^n to^i sand blast . Vu+`a xong chie^'c thu+' hai, to^i la^'y fork-lift loa.i cha.y ba(`ng ddie^.n, ddo^.i ca'i goose neck, ca'i tho+'t dda(`ng tru+o+'c, di chuye^?n no' ra ngoa`i . Nhi'ch to+'i, nhi'ch lui ma^'y ba^.n to^i cu~ng cho chie^'c trailer dda^.u parallel va`o ddu'ng vi. tri' . Va'c hai ca'i stand ve^` dda(.t du+o+'i dda` chi'nh sa(~n sa`ng hai be^n . Ba^'m nu't "down" tu+` tu+` ha. xuo^'ng . Kho^ng ddu+o+.c, stand tha^'p qua' . Stop . DDo^.i le^n . Va'c the^m 4 mie^'ng dda` go^~ dde^? mo^~i be^n hai mie^'ng, cho^`ng le^n ca'i stand cho cao the^m . DDa^u va`o dda^'y thi` bo^~ng nhie^n tu+` phi'a sau lu+ng to^i vo.ng to+'i:

     - E^ ma.nh gio?i, Hu`ng, la^u qua' kho^ng ga(.p ma`y . Tao tu+o+?ng ma`y nghi? so+? ro^`i cho+', ai de` ma`y ddo^?i qua khu na`y . Bao la^u ro^`i ma^.y ?

     - Ga^`n hai tha'ng .

     - Hi, Hu`ng .

     - Hi, hi ...

     - Hi, ma`y ddang la`m o+? dda^y ha? ?

     - He^, tu.i ma`y ca? ba(ng ddi dda^u dda^y ?

     - Xe^'p John sai tu.i tao qua dda^y khie^ng ca'i ma'y bo+m hydraulic na`y ve^` thu+? .

     - Bo^. tu.i ba^y bo? nghe^` la`m tho+. ha`n ha? ? La`m tho+. ma'y ha? ?

     Lie^.ng dda.i ca'i ma'y xuo^'ng dda^'t ca'i bi.ch ro^`i ca? bo.n, ma^'y tha(`ng My~ con la`m chung vo+'i to^i lu'c tru+o+'c, mo'c thuo^'c ra hu't va` ba('t dda^`u ta'n do'c . Cha(?ng co' chuye^.n gi` kha'c ho+n la` chuye^.n tha(`ng xe^'p mo+'i cu?a tu.i no', tha(`ng John dda^`u so'i . Mo^.t ddie^`u, hai ddie^`u cu+' ba?o tha(`ng John la` tha(`ng ngu . Ngu ? Ngu ma` sai tu.i no' cha.y co' co+` . Oh men, men, nghe tu`m lum, ro^`i oh men, oh shit, va` four letter word va(ng ra tu+' phi'a . Ba('t sang qua chuye^.n ga'i ..., tu.i no' ke^? ra^'t la` tu+. nhie^n la`m to^i ca?m tha^'y mi`nh la.c ha^.u, la.c loa`i . La.c ha^.u thi` cu~ng cha(?ng ma`ng, xu+a nay nu+o+'c mi`nh co' bao gio+` thoa't kho?i vo`ng cha^.m tie^'n dda^u . Nhu+ng, ca'i y' nghi~ la.c loa`i mo+'i tha^'y tha^'m thi'a la`m sao . Ca'i loa`i cu?a mi`nh tu+. co^? chi' kim dda^u bao gio+` la`m to^? o+? vu`ng na`y, phu+o+ng tro+`i na`y .

     - E^, tu.i tao pha?i ddi nghen . Se~ ga(.p la.i ma`y .

     - Bye .

     - Bye ..., bye .

     To^i va^~y va^~y tay tie^~n dda'm nho'c cu+' tu+o+?ng mi`nh co`n tre? nhu+ tu.i no', ro^`i tro+? la.i vo+'i co^ng vie^.c . Ngo'n tay tro? dde` le^n nu't "down" ma` ca(.p ma('t va^~n tro^ng chu+`ng theo lu~ ba.n, ho^`n tha? ta^.n dda^u dda^u ... cho dde^'n khi nghe "ca.ch," mo^.t tie^'ng ke^u nho? . To^i quay la.i, ho^'t hoa?ng tha^'y ngo'n tay cu?a mi`nh bi. ke.t giu+~a chie^'c trailer va` ca'i ca^`n ddie^`u khie^?n cu?a chie^'c fork-lift . Ca'i nu't "up" sa't be^n nu't "down" cu~ng bi. vo^ hie^.u ho'a luo^n, co`n cho^~ dda^u ma` ba^'m . Trailer cu+' tie^'p tu.c ha. xuo^'ng, va` ca'i ca^`n ddie^`u khie^?n tu+` tu+` su.m . Nhu+ cho+.t nho+' mo^.t ddie^`u, to^i nhi`n la.i hai ca'i stand, o^i tho^i ro^`i, bo^'n mie^'ng dda` go^~ che^m the^m be^n tre^n dda~ bi. tha(`ng na`o la^'y ddi dda^u ma^'t . Su+. kinh hoa`ng dde^'n vo+'i to^i nhu+ mo^.t luo^`ng ddie^.n, to^i ha~i hu`ng la:

     - Ca'i tay cu?a tao, Phil . Ca'i tay cu?a tao, le. le^n, Phil, cu+'u tao vo+'i ...

     Tha(`ng Phil sa'ng ma('t tha^.t, tha^'y to^i gia(`ng co vo+'i con ru`a loa.i snap turtle, ca('n mo^.t ca'i tro+`i ga^`m kho^ng nha?, la` no' hie^?u ngay vo^.i va`ng nha?y le^n chie^'c fork-lift, la^.p tu+'c ro^` ma'y lu+o+.n mo^.t vo`ng, lu.i hai ca^y chi~a va`o ca'i goose neck, na^ng le^n . To^i mu+`ng ro+~ go+~ ddu+o+.c ca'nh tay ra . Phil cha.y la.i:

     - Tha'o bao tay ra coi .

     To^i ru't tu+` tu+`, nhe` nhe. . Ngo'n tay tro? de.p le'p nhu+ to+` gia^'y, xu+o+ng ga^n lo`i ra tra('ng xa'c . He^n la` to^i du`ng co' mo^.t ngo'n, to^i vo.t mie^.ng:

     - Oh shit . It's flat, men .

     Phil tro+.n ma('t, nha(n ma(.t . Ro^`i nhu+ so+. ma^'y ddu+'a la`m xung quanh nhi`n tha^'y, so+. tinh tha^`n nha^n co^ng dao ddo^.ng vi` ca'i ngo'n tay ba^`m da^.p na`y, Phil tie^'p:

     - Tro`ng bao tay vo^ . DDi theo tao, ddi .

     To^i ddie^'ng ho^`n chi? la`m theo nhu+~ng gi` Phil no'i . Ro^`i tu+o+?ng mi`nh ma.nh su+'c, nha(`m nho` gi` vo+'i ve^'t thu+o+ng nhe. na`y so vo+'i nhu+~ng ngu+o+`i bi. thu+o+ng ngoa`i chie^'n tra^.n o+? Vie^.t Nam, ai de` chu+a ddu+o+.c nu+?a ddu+o+`ng le^n pho`ng y ta', to^i hoa ma('t kho^ng tha^'y ddu+o+`ng ddi . To^i tha'o bao tay ra coi la.i ngo'n tay la^`n nu+~a . Ma'u ba('t dda^`u ri.n ra, ba^y gio+` mo+'i bie^'t ddau, nhu+'c nho^'i buo^'t xu+o+ng . To^i bu?n ru?n quy. xuo^'ng ta.i cho^~, ma('t nha('m la.i cho bo+'t xa^y xa^?m . Va`i phu't sau, bie^'t co' ai ddo+~ mi`nh le^n ba(ng ca, bie^'t tre^n tay mi`nh co' ca^y kim vo^ nu+o+'c bie^?n ... Ro^`i nghe tie^'ng xe Ho^`ng tha^.p tu+. hu. co`i, tha^'y mi`nh ddu+o+.c ddu+a le^n xe, tha^'y xe cha.y xo^'c to+'i xo^'c lui . Va(ng va(?ng be^n tai co`n nghe tie^'ng cu?a ma^'y co^ y ta':

     - Tu+` dda^y xuo^'ng Sioux City bao la^u ?

     - Khoa?ng hai mu+o+i phu't .

     - Nhanh le^n, ma(.t ma`y no' xanh nga('t ro^`i .

     Va` gio.ng ngu+o+`i ta`i xe^':

     - Ba?o no' ra'n le^n ..., hang on ...

     Cu+' nghi~ la` mi`nh sa('p ddi theo o^ng ba`, to^i chi? buo^`n ta.i sao mi`nh pha?i ro+i va`o ca'i ca?nh cho^n tha^y no+i xu+' la. que^ ngu+o+`i . DDa'nh gia(.c vo+'i Vie^.t Co^.ng ca? chu.c na(m kho^ng che^'t, mo+'i to+'i My~ chu+a hai na(m ma` pha?i bo? ma.ng sa tru+o+`ng . DDe^? la.i vo+. con bo+ vo+ kho^ng ai ddu`m bo.c, kho^ng ai nu+o+ng tu+.a . Tu+'c thie^.t . Chi? co' vie^.c di chuye^?n ma^'y ca'i trailer ma` la`m cu~ng kho^ng tro^i . Ma` tha(`ng lo?i na`o cu~ng a'c, da'm la^'y ma^'y mie^'ng go^~ cu?a mi`nh ma` kho^ng the`m ho?i mo^.t tie^'ng . To^i ddang nghi~ mie^n mang thi` xe Ho^`ng tha^.p tu+. cu~ng cha.y a`o to+'i bi.nh vie^.n .

     - Ma`y pha?i ky' vo^ dda^y dda(.ng ba'c si~ gia?i pha^~u ngo'n tay cho ma`y .

     Mo^.t gio.ng no'i sa't be^n lo^~ tai, va` co' ngu+o+`i ca^`m tay to^i dda(.t le^n to+` gia^'y . Thu he^'t ta`n ho+i, ky', mo^.t chu+~ ky' ddo.c kho^ng ddu+o+.c ma` tha^'y cu~ng kho^ng ddu+o+.c . Ro^`i to^i la`m theo lo+`i da(.n cu?a co^ y ta' chu.p thuo^'c me^ . DDe^'m . Mo^.t, hai, ba ... va` ta^'t ca? chi`m va`o bo'ng dde^m .

     Lu'c ti?nh da^.y, dda^`u to^i na(.ng nhu+ dda' . Bo^~ng nghe ddu+o+.c tie^'ng bo^'n ddu+'a con to^i cha.y gio+~n la(ng qua(ng be^n giu+o+`ng, va` tie^'ng vo+. to^i mu+`ng ro+~:

     - Ba ti?nh ro^`i ki`a ... Anh tha^'y trong ngu+o+`i anh ra sao ?

     Mi`nh ddang na(`m nha` thu+o+ng ? To^i co^' moi tri' nho+' xem chuye^.n gi` dda~ xa?y ra . Tho^i, che^'t ro^`i, to^i quo+` qua.ng ddu+a ca'nh tay pha?i ma^n me^ ca'nh tay tra'i . Ba(ng bo^.t ? Hai lo'ng tay da^.p na't, de.p le'p kho^ng bie^'t co' co`n kho^ng ? To^i gio+ ca'nh tay tra'i tu+` tu+` le^n ngu+.c, muo^'n cu+? ddo^.ng ngo'n tro? nhu+ng kho^ng co`n ca?m gia'c gi` he^'t . Cha('c bi. cu+a me. no' ro^`i .

     - Ma^'y gio+` ro^`i em ?

     To^i gu+o+.ng ngo^`i da^.y, vo+. to^i ddo+~ lu+ng to^i .

     - Ba bo^'n gio+` chie^`u . Anh cu+' na(`m nghi? cho kho?e, ngo^`i le^n la`m chi ...

     To^i tha^'y choa'ng va'ng ro^`i buo^ng ngu+o+`i nga~ xuo^'ng ne^.m . Lo^~ tai lu`ng bu`ng, tha'i du+o+ng nhu+'c bu+ng bu+ng . Va^.y la` ho+n mo^.t nga`y, to^i tho+? mo^.t ho+i da`i la^'y su+'c .

     - Ba ..., ha ha ... ba chu+a che^'t ma' a` .

     - No'i ta^`m ba^.y . DDi cho+i vo+'i ma^'y em ddi, dde^? ba nghi? .

     Vo+. to^i ca^`m tay to^i ma^n me^, bo'p bo'p . Va` co+n buo^`n ngu? bo^~ng nhu+ tro+? ve^`, ke'o mi ma('t to^i xe^. xuo^'ng ...

    

     To^i ddu+o+.c nha^.n va`o ho.c na(m thu+' nha^'t ta.i Western Iowa Tech Community College, Sioux City, Iowa, sau khi ba?n sao ba(`ng ca^'p tu' ta`i hai va` ba(`ng si~ quan ha?i qua^n cu?a to^i ddu+o+.c tru+o+`ng gu+?i ddi Washington D . C . kha'n nghie^.m . Sa'u gio+` ho.c, ba?y gio+` sa'ng hai gio+` tru+a ke^? luo^n gio+` a(n tru+a, sa'u gio+` la`m tho+. ha`n part time ca dde^m o+? Load King, bo^'n gio+` chie^`u dde^'n mu+o+`i gio+` to^'i, la'i xe ddi ddi ve^` ve^` hai gio+` nu+~a, vi. chi mu+o+`i bo^'n tie^'ng mo^.t nga`y . Mu+o+`i gio+` co`n la.i da`nh cho ta('m ru+?a, a(n ngu?, ba`i vo+? ... Nha` cu+?a, con ca'i, cho+. bu'a, na^'u nu+o+'ng giao he^'t cho vo+. . Ban dda^`u chi? so+. mi`nh kho^ng ddu? su+'c, nhu+ng ro^`i quen ddi, mi`nh nhu+ ddu+o+.c programmed tha`nh robot, to+'i gio+` cha.y thi` cha.y to+'i gio+` ngu+ng thi` ngu+ng .

     Va`o lo+'p ma^'y tha'ng dda^`u tha^.t ti`nh ma` no'i, tha^`y gia?ng tha^`y hie^?u to^i no'i to^i nghe . Ve^` nha`, to^i pha?i ra'n la^'y sa'ch ra ddo.c va` chi.u kho' tra tu+. ddie^?n . Nhu+ng, tu+. nhie^n ro^`i nghe ddu+o+.c hie^?u ddu+o+.c, cha(?ng bie^'t sao . Ca'i kho' sau ddo' kho^ng pha?i la` nghe ma` la` no'i . Ro^`i la^`n la^`n ca'i kho' kho^ng pha?i nghe va` no'i ma` la` ddo.c va` vie^'t . Nghe, no'i, ddo.c, vie^'t va` gi` gi` ddi nu+~a, tie^'ng My~ ddo^'i vo+'i to^i suo^'t ddo+`i nhu+ va^~n la` sinh ngu+~ hai, thu+' sinh ngu+~ phu. ma` to^i dda~ cho.n ho^`i na`o to^i ho.c le^n ban trung ho.c . Cha'n thie^.t . Chung mo^.t lo+'p vo+'i to^i co`n co' hai anh ba.n ddo^.c tha^n, cu~ng chi.u kho' ddi la`m ddi ho.c nhu+ to^i nhu+ng chi? ddu+o+.c mo^.t tha'ng thi` bo? cuo^.c . Kho^ng hie^?u bi. tro+? nga.i vi` sinh ngu+~ hay vi` ha~ng thi.t bo` IBP, Iowa Beef Processing, tra? lu+o+ng cao .

     Ho.c xong quarter dda^`u thi` tro+`i dda~ sang ddo^ng, tuye^'t phu? tra('ng ddo^`ng . The^m mo^.t tro+? nga.i nu+~a la` xe co^. ddu+o+`ng xa' . Xe, mo+'i qua thi` la`m gi` co' xe mo+'i, to^i ddu+o+.c chie^'c Toyota ddo+`i 69 la`m cha^n . Sa'ng na`o nhie^.t ddo^. du+o+'i kho^ng ddo^., tru+` tru+`, thi` dde^` ma'y chu+a cha('c dda~ no^? . DDe^` ma'y kho^ng no^? thi` co`n me^.t da`i da`i, pha?i ca^u bi`nh, pha?i dda^?y, pha?i u?i ..., pha?i la`m sao cho no' cha.y mo+'i tho^i . Kho^ng the^? ma^'t mo^.t buo^?i ho.c ma` cu~ng kho^ng the^? ma^'t mo^.t nga`y la`m, ca'i na`o cu~ng la` xu+o+ng ma'u, kho^ng the^? hy sinh . DDu+o+`ng xa' thi` kinh nghie^.m dda~ co' da^~y dda^`y cu?a mu`a ddo^ng na(m ro^`i, mu`a ddo^ng dda^`u ddo+`i . Lo.t xuo^'ng ruo^.ng, cu'i dda^`u la`m da^'u tha'nh gia' ro^`i bo` le^n cha.y tie^'p . Quay vo`ng vo`ng, nha('m ma('t nie^.m nam mo^ a di dda` ro^`i quay dda^`u cha.y to+'i . Chi? ca^`n va`i la^`n thi` to^i bie^'t lu+o+'t tre^n tuye^'t, bie^'t la.ng tre^n nu+o+'c dda' .

     Nhu+ng la^`n na`y xui ho+n, ba.c dda.n ba'nh xe tru+o+'c bi. be^? tre^n ddu+o+`ng to^i ddi ho.c ve^` . To^i cha.y a^?u, ra'n ddu+o+.c mo^.t khu'c ddu+o+`ng ro^`i cu~ng pha?i ngu+ng, vi` ba'nh xe ba('t dda^`u xe^.u xa.o . Chi? co`n ca'ch ddo'n xe do.c ddu+o+`ng . O+? vu`ng Mid-west na`y ddu+o+.c mo^.t ddie^?m la` thie^n ha. hay co' lo`ng tu+` bi, sa(~n sa`ng cho ngu+o+`i lo+~ ddu+o+`ng qua' giang . Nhu+'t la` mu`a ddo^ng, kho^ng cho qua' giang nhu+ mang to^.i gie^'t ngu+o+`i . La.nh qua' cu~ng ddu? che^'t . Bo+?i va^.y to^i vu+`a chui ra kho?i xe, thumb-up mo^.t ca'i la` ba'c ta`i My~ vo+'t to^i ngay . DDa(.c bie^.t ho+n, ba'c ta`i na`y la` ta`i xe^' xe semi-truck ha.ng na(.ng, mi`nh tu+` cho^'i kho^ng ddi coi cu~ng kho^ng ddu+o+.c . Tie^'ng ma'y da^`u ca(.n loa.i lo+'n, lo^.c co^.c, lo^.c co^.c ..., nhu+ mo^.t ddie^.u nha.c buo^`n, ru ngu? . To^i tre`o le^n ba na^'c thang o+? ba vi. tri' kha'c nhau mo+'i vo'i tay mo+? ddu+o+.c cu+?a:

     - Cho tao ve^` Vermillion .

     Ba'c ta`i cha(?ng no'i cha(?ng ra(`ng, vo^ so^' ro^` ga cha.y tie^'p, hi`nh nhu+ ha('n cha(?ng ca^`n bie^'t Vermillion la` dda^u . Ba^y gio+` to^i mo+'i tha^'y ngo^`i tre^n xe truck loa.i xe be na`y nhu+ ngo^`i cao tre^n ma'y bay, tha^'y mi`nh nhu+ ddang tre^n run way cha.y da`i xa ti't, tuye^'t hai be^n phu? tra('ng ngu't nga`n . Nhu+ng, xe truck kho^ng la`m sao e^m nhu+ ma'y bay ddu+o+.c, ma` gio^'ng nhu+ xe ddo` Vie^.t Nam cha.y tre^n lo^. bi. Vie^.t Co^.ng dda`o ho^', dda^'p mo^ . To^i bi. nho^`i le^n, hu.p xuo^'ng nhu+ ta`u ddi tre^n bie^?n, va^.y ma` ha('n ta ti~nh bo+ . Nhi`n ky~ mo+'i bie^'t ha('n ngo^`i tre^n chie^'c ghe^' rie^ng, kho^ng di'nh lie^`n vo+'i ca'i ba(ng to^i ddang ngo^`i . Chie^'c ghe^' co' he^. tho^'ng lo` xo ra^'t dda(.c bie^.t, nhu'n le^n nhu'n xuo^'ng nhi.p nha`ng ho'a gia?i nhu+~ng co+n xo^'c na^?y ngu+o+`i mo^.t ca'ch e^m dde.p, dde^'n no^~i la`m to^i tu+o+?ng chu+`ng ha('n nhu+ ddang tham thie^`n nha^.p ddi.nh, ngo^`i ye^n mo^.t cho^~, kho^ng di ddo^.ng . Ha('n mo+? lo+`i dde^? pha' bo? ba^`u kho^ng khi' im la(.ng:

     - Xe cu?a ma`y loa.i gi` ?

     - Toyota .

     - Ma`y ddu+o+.c ca'i ma`y muo^'n ro^`i .

     Ha('n vu+`a no'i vu+`a mi?m cu+o+`i . Ro~ tu+ ba?n My~ che^ tu+ ba?n Nha^.t . Nhu+ng, tu+ ba?n na`o cu~ng hay ho+n, cu~ng ddo+~ ho+n co^.ng sa?n, nhu+'t la` co^.ng sa?n Vie^.t Nam . To^i dda'p lo+`i:

     - Kho^ng . Tao cha(?ng ddu+o+.c ca'i tao muo^'n, tao chi? ddu+o+.c ca'i tao ca^`n, tao ddu? su+'c tra? tie^`n ...

     Ro^`i to^i xuo^'ng o+? nga~ tu+ xa lo^. 50, thumb-up the^m mo^.t la^`n nu+~a mo+'i ve^` to+'i home-town . Go.i ddie^.n thoa.i cho vo+. to^i ra ddo'n, ro^`i hai ddu+'a ddi luo^n xuo^'ng tie^.m ba'n ddo^` phu. tu`ng dde^? mua ca'i ba.c dda.n . Co+~ na`o cu~ng pha?i su+?a xe trong nga`y dde^? nga`y mai co`n tie^'p tu.c ddi ho.c, ddi ca`y . Tro+? ve^` nha`, co+m nu+o+'c a(n qua loa ro^`i vo+. cho^`ng con ca'i mo+'i bo^`ng be^' nhau ddi . Vo+. to^i kho^ng muo^'n to^i ddi mo^.t mi`nh ma` bo? tu.i nho'c o+? nha` cu~ng kho^ng ai baby sit .

     Vu+`a ra kho?i nha` thi` kho^? mo^.t no^~i tuye^'t o+? dda^u bo^~ng du+ng ro+i ta^`m ta~ . Tuye^'t ro+i cha(?ng bie^'t lu+.a gio+`, ru?a tha^`m mo^.t ca^u . Khoa?ng ho+n mo^.t tie^'ng ddu+o+`ng xa lo^., giu+~a ruo^.ng ddo^`ng me^nh mo^ng, to^i ga(.p la.i chie^'c Toyota cu?a to^i ddang na(`m co ro, co^ ddo+n, la.nh le~o trong lo+'p tuye^'t su+o+ng phu? ki'n . Quay dda^`u tro+? la.i va` ta^'p vo^ le^`, chie^'c Mazda Wagon cu?a vo+. to^i va^~n dde^? ma'y cha.y dde^`u dde^`u dde^? giu+~ ho+i a^'m cho tu.i nho? . To^i ddem ddo^` nghe^` ra dde^? gia?i pha^~u con ba.n va`ng be^.nh hoa.n cu?a to^i . Phu?i tuye^'t ro^`i hi` hu.c tha'o ddu+o+.c ca'i ba'nh xe, tha'o ddu+o+.c ca'i tha('ng xe ... o^i ho+~i o^i cho ca'i ba.c dda.n, no' bi. mo`n la(?n mo^.t phi'a va` di'nh kha('n vo^ ddu`m xe, to^i kho^ng ta`i na`o nhu'c nhi'ch no' ddu+o+.c . Pha?i co' ca'i ca?o, ca?o no' ra thi` ma(.c may . Nhu+ng, giu+~a tro+`i la`m gi` co' ca?o . Mu+o+.n, cha.y vo^ xo'm nha` la' dda(`ng kia dde^? mu+o+.n . DDi kho^ng ma` la.i tro+? ve^` kho^ng, dda^u co' ddu+o+.c, ddi mo^.t pha?i tro+? ve^` hai . Pha?i su+?a cho ba(`ng ddu+o+.c .

     Re~ vo^ exit mo+'i bie^'t no+i dda^y vo?n ve.n chi? co' mo^.t ca^y xa(ng va` mo^.t ca'i bar . Ghe' vo^ ca^y xa(ng la` cho^~ de^~ mu+o+.n ddo^` nghe^` thi` nghie^.t thay cha(?ng ai bie^'t ca'i ca?o la` ca'i gi`, thu+' ddo^` nghe^` dda(.c bie^.t co' kha'c . Ta^'p vo^ bar thi` ga(.p ngay mo^.t dda'm cao bo^`i . No'n ddo^.i dda^`u, bia ca^`m tay, thi?nh thoa?ng ddu+a le^n mie^.ng tu nga^'t ngu+o+?ng . Tha^'y nga.i thie^.t, nhu+ng to^i cu~ng la`m lie^`u ho?i dda.i mo^.t te^n:

     - E^, tao ca^`n mo^.t ca'i bearing puller dde^? tha'o ca'i ba.c dda.n be^? . Ma`y bie^'t co' ai co' kho^ng ?

     - Puller ha? ? DDu+o+.c ro^`i, dde^? tao lo cho . La`m mo^.t chai ddi .

     Cha(?ng ddo+.i to^i tra? lo+`i tra? vo^'n, ha('n dda~ ke^u te^n chu? bar khui cho to^i chai bia la`m to^i cho+'i vo+'i . To^i ddi.nh no'i to^i kho^ng bie^'t uo^'ng, nhu+ng lo+~ khui ro^`i tu+` cho^'i cu~ng ba^'t lo+.i:

     - Ca'm o+n . Nhu+ng tao kho^ng co' thi` gio+`, tao o+? tuo^'t tre^n Vermillion la^.n, tao ca^`n su+?a xe dde^? ddi ve^` .

     - Uo^'ng he^'t ddi ro^`i ddi .

     Vo+. to^i o+? ngoa`i xe cha('c cu~ng so^'t ruo^.t du+~ la('m, sao la^u qua' ma` kho^ng tha^'y to^i tro+? ra, cho+' vo+. to^i co' bie^'t dda^u to^i cu~ng ddang cho+` ddo+.i, ddie^u ddu+'ng vo+'i tu.i na`y . Nha^m nhi ta'n ga^~u mo^.t lu'c ro^`i cu~ng ca.n chai, va` to^i la^'y la`m la. tha^'y tha(`ng My~ to^i mo+'i la`m quen da'm bo? ngang dda'm ba.n be` cu?a no' dde^? lo ddi su+?a xe vo+'i to^i . Cu~ng kho^ng ngo+` no' la.i la` ta`i xe^' ca'i dda^`u ma'y xe truck ha.ng na(.ng, kho^ng ke'o thu`ng, ddang dda^.u ngoa`i sa^n . Nhu+ng no' la.i nga.c nhie^n chuye^.n kha'c, tra'ch to^i:

     - Tro+`i, ta.i sao ma`y kho^ng no'i vo+'i tao la` co' vo+. con cu?a ma`y ddang cho+` o+? ngoa`i na`y . Ne`, ba^y gio+` cha.y theo tao .

     Vo+. con da^~n theo pha?i no'i cho no' bie^'t ? Cha.y theo no' ddi dda^u ? Ca'i tha(`ng My~ lo?i na`y co' tin no' ddu+o+.c hay kho^ng ? Chi? mu+o+.n co' ca'i ca?o ma` sao pha?i lo`ng vo`ng nhu+ va^`y ? Trong dda^`u to^i lung tung nhie^`u ca^u ho?i . Tro+`i dda~ to^'i ro^`i va` tuye^'t ro+i ca`ng lu'c ca`ng na(.ng ca'nh . Mo^.t lie^`u na(m ba?y cu~ng lie^`u, to^i cha.y theo no' sa^u va`o ca'nh ddo^`ng phi'a trong . Ngu+`ng la.i ta.i mo^.t ngo^i nha` cu~ ky~, ddo+n ddo^.c giu+~a ba^`u tro+`i hoang va('ng tha ma . To^i ba('t dda^`u bie^'t so+., chu+a da'm bu+o+'c ra xe, quay cu+?a kie^'ng xuo^'ng cho+` ddo+.i ddo^.ng ti~nh . Co' gi` ba^'t tra('c thi` mi`nh vo.t luo^n cu~ng tie^.n . Tie^'ng ma'y da^`u ca(.n, lo^.c co^.c, lo^.c co^.c ..., tu+` dda(`ng kia cu~ng la` ddie^.u nha.c buo^`n, ru ngu? . Ha('n dde^'n be^n to^i:

     - E^, vo^ nha` cho+i ma^.y . Xe cu?a ma`y co' tha(`ng kha'c lo ro^`i .

     Tho^i ro^`i, no' dda~ du. khi. mi`nh to+'i dda^y, sao mi`nh kho^ng nghi~ to+'i . Ba^y gio+` ne^'u no' ra tay thi` la`m sao ddo+~ cho no^?i . Vo+. to^i thi` ye^'u o+'t, co`n to^i thi` cu~ng cha(?ng ma.nh me~ gi` . The^m lu~ nho? me^.t mo?i na(`m ngu? la(n lo'c phi'a sau . To^i ba?o vo+. to^i cu+' ngo^`i ye^n trong xe dde^? mi`nh to^i nha?y ra ddo^'i pho' . Bu+o+'c vo^ pho`ng kha'ch, to^i nghe ddu+o+.c tie^'ng ngu+o+`i dda`n ba` la tha(`ng nho? phi'a sau ne^n cu~ng bo+'t pha^.p pho^`ng . To^i muo^'n ke'o no' tro+? ve^` vo+'i va^'n dde^` cu?a to^i . Nhu+ng, mi`nh nho+` ngu+o+`i ta cho+' co' sai ba?o ai dda^u ne^n cu~ng pha?i khe'o a(n khe'o no'i . DDang suy nghi~ lu+.a lo+`i, thi` no' la.i pha't bie^?u y' kie^'n tru+o+'c:

     - Vo+. con ma^`y dda^u, sao kho^ng vo^ .

     - Tu.i tao kho^ng da'm la`m phie^`n ma`y nhie^`u . Tao chi? muo^'n mu+o+.n ma`y ca'i puller ma` tho^i .

     No' cha.y tro+? ra ngoa`i na`i ni? vo+. to^i:

     - Vo^ nha` ddi . Kho^ng co' ai ca('n ma`y dda^u . Bo^. ma`y muo^'n che^'t ngoa`i na`y vo+'i co+n mu+a tuye^'t ha? ... He^, ma^'y tha(`ng nho'c na`y, da^.y, da^.y ..., vo^ nha` ddi cho a^'m .

     DDa'm con to^i gia^.t mi`nh ngo+ nga'c . Na~y gio+` na(`m phi'a sau bi. ngo^.p tho+? vi` cha^.t he.p, tu` tu'ng, nghe no'i vo^ nha` tu.i no' cu~ng mu+`ng, mo+? cu+?a tu'a ra cha.y va`o trong . To^i nghi~ ne^'u co' lu~ nho? cha.y theo ho^~ tro+. thi` tha(`ng My~ na`y cha('c kho^ng da'm do+? tro` gi` dda^u . DDa`nh phu' cho hoa`n ca?nh dda^?y ddu+a, to+'i dda^u hay to+'i ddo' . Ro^`i ta^'t ca? do^`n ra nha` be^'p phi'a sau, ba('t dda^`u ma`n gio+'i thie^.u:

     - Tao la` Mike Wagner . Vo+. tao, Mary . Con trai cu?a tu.i tao, John .

     To^i ba('t chu+o+'c Mike gio+'i thie^.u vo+. con tu+`ng ngu+o+`i mo^.t, nhu+ng mo^~i te^n la.i pha?i dda'nh va^`n . To^i pha't a^m chu+~ Nguye^~n kho^ng hie^?u lo^~ tai cu?a no' nghe la`m sao ma` no' phie^n a^m tha`nh chu+~ Win, win all times, no' thi'ch ca'i ho. nhu+ va^.y .

     - Tu.i ba^y a(n gi` chu+a, cha('c tu.i bay ddo'i bu.ng . Mary, la^'y ddo^` a(n cho tu.i no' a(n ddi .

     Va^.y la` na~y gio+` mi`nh nghi ngo+`, hie^?u la^`m tha(`ng Mike, to^.i cho no' . Da^n la`m ruo^.ng, so^'ng no+i tho^n da~ thi` du` o+? xu+' na`o cha('c cu~ng va^.y: hie^`n la`nh, cha^'t pha'c . To^i ke^'t lua^.n suo^ng nhu+ the^' va` cho+` ddo+.i ke^'t qua? coi co' tru'ng hay kho^ng . Mike chi? bie^'t lo~m bo~m ve^` Vie^.t Nam, chie^'n tranh Vie^.t Nam, va` bu+~a nay no' ha^n ha.nh ddu+o+.c ga(.p ngu+o+`i Vie^.t Nam . Cuo^.c chie^'n dda~ ta`n, Vie^.t Nam dde^'n vo+'i no' ba(`ng linh ho^`n, ba^y gio+` ca'i gi` lie^n he^. vo+'i Vie^.t Nam la` hi`nh nhu+ no' dde^`u u+a thi'ch, no' no'i nhu+ va^.y . Go+'m tha^.t, tha(`ng coi va^.y ma` cu~ng co' ... ta^m ho^`n . No' dda~i a(n thi` mi`nh cu+' a(n, to^.i gi` pha?i la`m kha'ch . Tha^.t ra, to^i chi? so+. no' buo^`n cho+' ham, chese, potato chip, snack thi` cu~ng cha(?ng ha.p gu gi` cho la('m .

     DDang a(n ddu+o+.c nu+?a chu+`ng thi` tu.i My~ cho`m xo'm, la'ng gie^`ng cu?a tha(`ng Mike o+? dda^u ke'o to+'i ddo^ng nhu+ ddi cha.y gia(.c . Tho^i ro^`i, no' ddi.nh ddem dda'm mi`nh ra dde^? la`m mo^.t cuo^.c trie^?n la~m . Nhu+ng xem ki`a, ngu+o+`i na`o cu~ng ca^`m mo^.t mo'n nha.c khi' tre^n tay violon, banjo, guitar, trompett, saxo, accordion, va` luo^n ca? ma^'y ca'i tro^'ng tom-tom . Cha(?ng le~ dda^y la` mo^.t dda.i ban ddo^`ng que^ cu?a My~ ? To^i dde^? tha(`ng Mike gio+'i thie^.u, dda'nh va^`n hoa`i mo?i mie^.ng . Ro^`i so+. a(n bu+~a gio^~ lo^~ bu+~a ca`y, to^i dde^'n nha('c chu+`ng tha(`ng Mike ve^` vu. chie^'c xe:

     - Nhu+ va^.y ro^`i chu+`ng na`o mo+'i ddi su+?a xe ?

     - Tao ba?o ma`y la` co' tha(`ng kha'c no' lo ro^`i, ma`y kho^ng tin tao sao . Tu.i no' mo+'i go.i ma'y CB ve^` cho tao bie^'t ca'i ba.c dda.n kho^ng tha'o ra ddu+o+.c ba(`ng puller . Xe ma`y nho?, puller xe truck loa.i lo+'n kho^ng xa`i ddu+o+.c . Tui. no' ddang ddem ca'i mo? ha`n gio' dda' ra ddo' dda(.ng ca('t . Tuye^'t ro+i nhu+ ba~o o+? ngoa`i ddu+o+`ng, su+?a xong chu+a cha('c ma`y se~ ddi ve^` ddu+o+.c . Cu+' vui cho+i o+? dda^y tru+o+'c dda~ .

     La.i nghi ngo+`, hie^?u la^`m tha(`ng Mike mo^.t la^`n nu+~a . DDa~ ba?o tu.i na`y cha^'t pha'c hie^`n la`nh . Nhu+ng, vui cho+i la`m sao ddu+o+.c khi dda^`u o'c mi`nh ro^'i nhu+ to+ vo` . DDie^.u na`y nga`y mai vo^ lo+'p pha?i ngu? gu.c . Ke^., dde^? xem dde^m va(n nghe^. bo? tu'i cu?a dda'm My~ na`y ddi to+'i dda^u . Ban nha.c ho`a ta^'u ra^'t hay, nhi.p ddie^.u vu+~ng va`ng, nhu+ng toa`n nhu+~ng ba?n country xa la. ma` to^i chu+a tu+`ng nghe . Tu.i no' gio+'i thie^.u ddo' la` nhu+~ng ba?n nha.c mo+'i, nhu+~ng ba?n nha.c tho+`i trang ddang thi.nh ha`nh . To^i no'i to^i thi'ch nhu+~ng ba?n xu+a . Tu.i no' cho+i lie^`n nhu+~ng ba?n quen thuo^.c cu?a ban The Venture ma` to^i thi'ch . La`m mi`nh no^?i hu+'ng cu~ng muo^'n tro^? ta`i:

     - Cho tao mu+o+.n ca^y dda`n coi .

     - Hay qua' . Ma`y bie^'t cho+i guitar nu+~a ha? ?

     - Cho+i xoa`ng tho^i, la^u la('m ro^`i cha(?ng ro+` to+'i ca^y dda`n . Ma` kho^ng bie^'t co' cho+i ddu+o+.c vo+'i ngo'n tay ga~y na`y hay kho^ng .

     - Ga~y ho^`i na`o va^.y ? DDa^u, ddu+a tao coi .

     To^i gio+ ngo'n tay ga~y cho tu.i My~ xem, ngo'n tay co' gia^'y chu+'ng nha^.n 35 pha^`n tra(m ta^.t nguye^.n, va` 1500 ddo^`ng tie^`n bo^`i thu+o+`ng ba?o hie^?m . Mo^.t ngo'n tay, mo^.t ca?nh ddo+`i kha'c bie^.t, nho+` no' ma` cuo^.c ddo+`i to^i mo+'i co' co+ may thay ddo^?i . Ba(`ng kho^ng, suo^'t cuo^.c ddo+`i co`n la.i cha('c to^i cu~ng chi? la`m mo^.t te^n tho+. ha`n lem luo^'c ma` tho^i . Ma` cu~ng do so^' tro+`i, o+? be^.nh vie^.n St . Vincent nga`y ddo' trong lu'c ddi to+'i ddi lui cho da~n ga^n co^'t, tu+. nhie^n to^i tha? la^`n ra pho`ng cho+` ddo+.i, va` bao nhie^u ta.p chi' Time, News Week, Business Week, Sport Illustrated ..., to^i la.i kho^ng ddo.c ma` ca^`m nha^`m quye^?n catalog cu?a tru+o+`ng dda.i ho.c duy nha^'t ta.i Sioux City . DDi ho.c ddi cho+', la`m cu li suo^'t ddo+`i sao . Sponsor cu?a to^i, ke? thi` ddo^'c xu'i ngu+o+`i la.i ca?n nga(n . Nhu+ng, quye^'t ddi.nh la` cu?a mi`nh, cho cuo^.c ddo+`i cu?a mi`nh . Va` to^i dda~ quye^'t ddi.nh, mo^.t quye^'t ddi.nh ddo^?i ddo+`i .

     - DDe^? tao da.o mo^.t ba?n coi sao, tao chi? so+. no' ga~y the^m mo^.t la^`n nu+~a .

     Du+'t ba?n ddo^.c ta^'u, ba?n Domino, tie^'ng vo^~ tay vang do^.i . Kho^ng ngo+` ngo'n tay co' ta^.t cu~ng co`n ba^'m ddu+o+.c dda`n . Trong no^~i mu+`ng vui, to^i ho^n ngo'n tay cu?a to^i chu`n chu.t, que^n ba(~ng chie^'c xe hu+ ddang na(`m giu+~a tro+`i, cho+` ddo+.i ...

     To^i ye^u ngo'n tay to^i
     Tu+` khi dde^'n nu+?a ddo+`i

     Nu+?a ddo+`i ? Pha?i, nu+?a ddo+`i ta(m to^'i dda~ qua va` nu+?a ddo+`i co`n la.i ddang le^n . Ngo'n tay ga~y nhu+ chie^'c ddu~a tha^`n dda~ tha^.t su+. ddu+a to^i va`o mie^`n a'nh sa'ng .

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09. NGA(N SO^NG CA'CH NU'I

            NGUYE^~N TA^'N HU+NG

     Mo+'i ho.c xong ba(`ng hai na(m ma` dda~ he^'t tru+o+`ng . Muo^'n ho.c le^n nu+~a thi` pha?i ddi xa . Ga^`n nhu+'t cu~ng ho+n 150 da(.m, ba gio+` la'i xe . Xuo^'ng Omaha, Nebraska . Ca'i tha`nh pho^' co' ca'i te^n mo+'i nghe nhu+ nghe tie^'ng Nha^.t, Yamaha, Toyota, Honda ... Pha?i ddi xa, hai vo+. cho^`ng to^i quye^'t ddi.nh nhu+ va^.y . Nhu+ng chi? mi`nh to^i tho^i, vo+. to^i va` ma^'y nho'c va^~n o+? la.i nha`, tie^?u bang nha`, South Dakota . Va` to^i se~ ve^` tha(m va`o cuo^'i tua^`n . To^i no'i vo+'i sponsor cu?a to^i ra(`ng, ru?i co' nga`y na`o to^i tro+? ve^` Vie^.t Nam, to^i se~ la`m ba ma' to^i buo^`n ne^'u to^i chi? la^'y ddu+o+.c ba(`ng ca'n su+., ba(`ng AAS, ma` tho^i . Pha?i ho.c le^n ky~ su+, la^'y ba(`ng ky~ su+, ba(`ng BS . Vi` va^.y to^i tu+` cho^'i, kho^ng nha^.n vie^.c cu?a ha~ng Honeywell, 3M, va` Perkin Elmer . To^i ddi interview dde^? co' kinh nghie^.m ma` la.i ddu+o+.c ke^u . Ra'n the^m hai na(m nu+~a, tho+`i gian ro^`i se~ qua mau . DDa~ lo+~ pho'ng lao thi` cu~ng ne^n theo lao .

     Cuo^'i he`, to^i, mo^.t ngu+o+`i mo^.t ... xe tha^n ha`nh xuo^'ng Omaha . Tha^'y mi`nh nhu+ ho.c tro` que^ le^n ti?nh . Tha`nh pho^' lo+'n qua', ddu+o+`ng na(m sa'u lane mo^.t chie^`u . Cu~ng may xa lo^. I-29 re~ va`o tha`nh pho^', ba(ng qua so^ng Missouri thi` da^~n ngay va`o ddu+o+`ng Dodge, con ddu+o+`ng to^i muo^'n ti`m . Ti`m ddu+o+.c ddu+o+`ng, ro^`i ti`m ddu+o+.c tru+o+`ng . Ti`m ddu+o+.c tru+o+`ng, ro^`i pha?i ti`m o^ng Chairman .

     Credit transfer, mo^.t quarter hour thi` ba(`ng hai pha^`n ba semester hour . Ne^'u ti'nh he^'t ca'i ho.c ba. hai na(m cu?a to^i thi` to^i ddu+o+.c chi'n chu.c gio+`, nhu+ng o^ng Chairman no'i chi? ddu+o+.c transfer to^'i dda sa'u mu+o+i la(m gio+`, tu+o+ng ddu+o+ng vo+'i hai na(m dda^`u cu?a dda.i ho.c bo^'n na(m . O^ng so ca'i ho.c ba. cu?a to^i va` ca'i ho.c ba. ma^~u cu?a tru+o+`ng mo+'i, ro^`i ga.ch bo? tu+`ng cua mo^.t . Mo^.t co^ng vie^.c nha`n nha~, la`m nhu+ thuo^.c lo`ng . Tru+o+`ng ho+.p cu?a to^i cu~ng kho^ng pha?i la` la^`n dda^`u tie^n . Xong, o^ng cha(?ng buo^`n ho?i to^i tie^'ng na`o, tu+. ddo^.ng ghi bo^'n cua va`o gia^'y ghi danh cho to^i, cho semester to+'i . Ke'o nga(n tu? la^'y trie^.n son a^'n "ki.t" ro^`i ddu+a cho to^i . Good luck, o^ng mi?m cu+o+`i no'i vo+'i to^i nhu+ va^.y . Thank you, ro^`i to^i ro+`i kho?i pho`ng . Vu+`a bu+o+'c ra thi` co' ngu+o+`i kha'c bu+o+'c vo^, sinh vie^n ddo^?i tru+o+`ng no^'i dduo^i nhau tha`nh ha`ng . To^i ngo^`i be.p xuo^'ng ha`nh lang lo^i gia^'y to+` ra xem la.i . La^'y la`m ha`i lo`ng vi` ddu+o+.c dda^m ngang va`o na(m thu+' ba . Nhu+ng, kho^ng ha`i lo`ng la('m vi` hai cua buo^?i sa'ng hai cua buo^?i chie^`u . La`m sao ma` ti`m vie^.c la`m cho phu` ho.p vo+'i gio+` gia^'c nhu+ va^`y . Tro+? la.i pha^n tra^`n vo+'i o^ng Chairman ngay ba^y gio+` cu~ng kho^ng tie^.n . Tho^i ke^., tu+` tu+` ro^`i ti'nh .

     To^i ta.t va`o va(n pho`ng ti`m vie^.c cho sinh vie^n . Ghi te^n va`o list cho+` ddo+.i ta.i ba`n con nho? thu+ ky' ro^`i ke'o ghe^' ngo^`i cho+` . Mo^.t ho^`i cu~ng ddu+o+.c ke^u vo^ pho?ng va^'n, cu~ng may la` co' nhie^`u pho?ng va^'n vie^n . To^i ta? so+ hoa`n ca?nh cu?a to^i va` ke^'t lua^.n ra(`ng to^i ca^`n ga^'p mo^.t co^ng vie^.c dde^? la`m, dde^? kie^'m tie^`n . Nhi`n ta^'m gia^'y ghi danh, ba` My~ la`m cho to^i tra? lo+`i ngay:

     - Ma`y chi? co`n la`m ban dde^m tho^i . Clean-up, kho^ng co`n co^ng vie^.c gi` kha'c ho+n nu+~a . Nhie^`u ha~ng clean-up ddang ca^`n ngu+o+`i .

     - Ghi vo^ ddi . Ha~ng na`o cu~ng ddu+o+.c . Nga`y tao xuo^'ng dda^y ho.c, nga`y nha^.p ho.c, la` nga`y tao ba('t dda^`u .

     To^i va('n ta('t nhu+ va^.y va` kho^ng que^n ca'm o+n ba` ta . Ro+`i va(n pho`ng ti`m vie^.c to^i lang thang le^n ca^u la.c bo^. sinh vie^n ddi.nh ti`m ca'i gi` dde^? ga(.m cho ddo+~ ddo'i . Vie^.c chuye^?n tru+o+`ng dda~ xong, co^ng a(n vie^.c la`m cu~ng dda~ co', ba^y gio+` co`n mo^.t va^'n dde^` quan tro.ng nu+~a la` cho^~ a(n cho^~ o+? . Vu+`a nhai mie^'ng sandwich, to^i vu+`a la^.t la^.t cuo^'n ddie^.n thoa.i . Go.i ai dda^y ? Co' quen ai dda^u ma` go.i . Go.i ho. Nguye^~n va^.y, cu`ng ho. vo+'i mi`nh, chu+`ng na`o kho^ng xong thi` go.i ho. kha'c . L, M, N, Nelson, Newman, Newsome, Nichol ... Qua' ro^`i, la^.t tro+? la.i, dda^y, Nguyen, mo^.t lo^ Nguyen . Cu+' ba('t tre^n go.i xuo^'ng va^.y .

     - Hello .

     Tie^'ng dda`n ba` la`m to^i giu+.t mi`nh, nu+?a muo^'n hang-up, nu+?a tie^'c mu+o+`i xu . Ke^., no'i chuye^.n vo+'i dda`n ba` thu+? mo^.t la^`n xem sao, dda~ lo+~ go.i ro^`i:

     - Hello . Da. cha`o chi. ... To^i la` Hu`ng dda^y, to^i te^n Hu`ng . To^i o+? xa mo+'i to+'i dda^y ddi ho.c . To^i kho^ng quen bie^'t ai o+? dda^y, ddi.nh go.i vo`ng vo`ng dde^? ti`m cho^~ o+? tro. . So+? di~ to^i go.i chi. la` vi` chi. cu`ng ho. Nguye^~n vo+'i to^i . Nha` chi. co' pho`ng tro^'ng kho^ng ? La`m o+n cho to^i o+? nho+` ddi .

     - Tu.i to^i cu~ng mo+'i to+'i dda^y co' ma^'y tha'ng tho^i . DDang o+? chung cu+, kho^ng co' pho`ng tro^'ng dda^u . To^i tha^'y anh ne^n go.i ma^'y anh ddo^.c tha^n .

     - Chi. bie^'t ai ddo^.c tha^n o+? dda^y kho^ng ? Cho to^i xin so^' ddie^.n thoa.i ddi .

     - Tu.i to^i mo+'i to+'i cu~ng kho^ng bie^'t ai co' gia ddi`nh, ai ddo^.c tha^n nu+~a anh o+i . Tho^i anh go.i ngu+o+`i kha'c ddi, bye nha ...

     Chu+a ki.p ho?i the^m tie^'ng na`o nu+~a thi` bi. ba` chi. vo^ ti`nh cu'p ngang xu+o+ng . Tha^'t ba.i . Nhu+ng tha^'t ba.i la` me. dde? cu?a tha`nh co^ng, tha^'t ba.i cho mi`nh mo^.t ba`i ho.c, mo^.t kinh nghie^.m: chi? go.i nhu+~ng ngu+o+`i co' te^n la` dda`n o^ng tho^i . Ga(.p dda`n ba` nguy hie^?m qua', ho. tu+o+?ng mi`nh ddie^n khu`ng, cho.c pha', ho. chu+?i cho mo^.t ma'ch thi` ca`ng mang ho.a . Mo+'i bi. ho.a dda^y thi` ba^y gio+` pha?i co' phu'c, phu'c ba^'t tru`ng lai, ho.a vo^ ddo+n chi' . Phu'c, go.i anh cha`ng Nguyen, Phuc V . na`y cho+i .

     - Hello ...

     Nghe ddu+o+.c gio.ng dda`n o^ng to^i mo+'i tha^'y nhe. mi`nh, ro^`i ba('t dda^`u ddo+`n la.i ba`i cu~:

     - Hello . Cha`o anh Phu'c . To^i la` Hu`ng dda^y . To^i o+? South Dakota mo+'i xuo^'ng, ddi.nh ti`m cho^~ o+? tro., ddi ho.c . Anh bie^'t co' ai ddo^.c tha^n o+? dda^y ca^`n ngu+o+`i o+? chung chia tie^`n nha` kho^ng anh ?

     Mo^.t va`i gia^y tro^i qua kho^ng tha^'y dda^`u kia tra? lo+`i, tha^'y la^u nhu+ mo^.t buo^?i ..., ro^`i ddo^.t nhie^n co' tie^'ng:

     - Co' tui ne` . La.i dda^y cho+i .

     To^i mu+`ng quy'nh:

     - Va^.y ha? . He^n qua' . Anh cho to^i ddi.a chi? ddi .

     - Mo^.t mo^.t bo^'n ba, ddu+o+`ng 40 .

     - To^i to+'i lie^`n ddo' . Anh ddu+`ng co' ddi dda^u he^'t nghen, chu+`ng nu+?a tie^'ng tro+? la.i ...

     To^i no'i dda.i nhu+ va^.y cho+' chu+a bie^'t ddu+o+`ng 40 na(`m o+? dda^u . Do+? ba?n ddo^` ra xem, cu~ng he^n thie^.t, tha^'y mi`nh ddoa'n tru'ng . Khoa?ng nu+?a tie^'ng ca` ri.ch ca` tang vu+`a cha.y vu+`a xem chu+`ng so^' nha` ro^`i cu~ng to+'i . Anh Phu'c cho+` to^i o+? ba~i dda^.u xe, ddeo kie^'ng dden nhu+ tha'm tu+?, ddu+'ng du+.a va`o chie^'c Vega . Xuye^n qua ca(.p kie^'ng dden, to^i tha^'y anh tuo^?i cu~ng so^`n so^`n . Tay ba('t nhu+ng ma(.t chu+a cha('c dda~ mu+`ng, cu~ng pha?i ca^`n tho+`i gian ti`m hie^?u .

     - Le^n nha` cho+i . O+? dda^y no'ng qua' .

     Na('ng xe^' tru+a chie^'u va`o ma(.t tu+o+`ng, ha('t tro+? ra hu+`ng hu+.c, bo^'c kho'i . Chung cu+, la.i cu~ng chung cu+ cho+' co' nha` cu+?a gi` . Mo^.t da~y hai ta^`ng, bo^'n ca(n, hai tre^n hai du+o+'i . Anh Phu'c o+? ta^`ng tre^n, ca(n dda^`u song hu+o+'ng ra lo^. . Anh mo+? tu? la.nh la^'y dda' la`m hai ly coke ro^`i tro+? ra salon ngo^`i no'i chuye^.n vo+'i to^i . To^i ke^? tha^n pha^.n to^i, mo^.t vo+. bo^'n con, the`m ddi ho.c ne^n pha?i xa nha` . Anh ke^? tha^n pha^.n anh, cu~ng mo^.t vo+. bo^'n con, nhu+ng so+. co^.ng sa?n ne^n cu~ng pha?i xa nha` . DDa(`ng na`o cu~ng nha`, nhu+ng nha` cu?a anh sao ma` xa qua' . Ma^'y tua^`n qua, anh Phu'c bi. ha~ng ba'nh lay-off, mo+'i xin ddu+o+.c ha~ng thi.t bo` . IBP, Iowa Beef Processing hi`nh nhu+ o+? dda^u cu~ng co', tua^`n to+'i ba('t dda^`u ddi la`m . May la` anh tha^'t nghie^.p na(`m nha`, co`n nghe ddie^.n thoa.i, kho^ng thi` to^i dda^u co' co+ ho^.i ddu+o+.c ga(.p anh .

     - Co' mo^.t pho`ng ngu? tho^i . Anh muo^'n o+? thi` o+? . Tui o+? mo^.t mi`nh kho^ng co' ai no'i chuye^.n cu~ng buo^`n .

     - A(n thi` nhie^`u cho+' o+? bao nhie^u . Tui ddo'ng ddo^ o+? bo^. salon na`y thi` ddu+o+.c ro^`i . Nhu+ng, anh ti'nh chi phi' tie^`n ba.c ra sao, cho tui bie^'t dda(.ng tui lo . Tha` ma^'t lo`ng tru+o+'c dda(.ng lo`ng sau .

     Suy nghi~ mo^.t ho^`i, anh Phu'c no'i:

     - Tha^'y hoa`n ca?nh cu?a anh cu~ng to^.i . Anh cu+' ddu+a to^i mo^~i tha'ng na(m chu.c co`n a(n uo^'ng, ddie^.n nu+o+'c, gi` gi` dde^? tui lo he^'t cho .

     Chie^`u ho^m ddo', la'i xe tro+? ve^` South Dakota, to^i tha^'y lo`ng ha^n hoan, pho+i pho+'i . Chi? ma^'t mo^.t nga`y ma` lo xong ta^'t ca? mo.i chuye^.n . Vo+. to^i o+? nha` cha('c cu~ng ddang ho^`i ho^.p tro^ng ngo'ng bo'ng to^i ve^` .

     Vie^.c ghi danh, nha^.p ho.c, thi` de^~ tho^i . Vie^.c ddi la`m, ddi clean-up, mo+'i la` vie^.c dda'ng lo . Ta`n buo^?i ho.c chie^`u dda^`u tie^n, to^i go.i ddie^.n thoa.i cho ha~ng . Carriage Cleaners . Xe^'p da(.n to^i dde^'n so+? so+'m ho+n mo^.t gio+` dde^? la`m gia^'y to+` . Ma^'t ca? tie^'ng ddo^`ng ho^` la'i xe . Ra tuo^'t ngoa`i ddu+o+`ng 130, ddu+o+`ng 140 . DDe^'n no+i to^i mo+'i bie^'t co^ng vie^.c cu?a to^i la` ddi hu't bu.i ma^'y chung cu+ . Sa'u te^n vo^ mo^.t nho'm, ti'nh luo^n tha(`ng tru+o+?ng nho'm . Kho^ng bie^'t bao nhie^u nho'm, ddo^ng la('m . To^i ddu+o+.c bie^.t pha'i cho nho'm 5, co' tha(`ng nho'c My~ dden mu+o+`i la(m, mu+o+`i sa'u tuo^?i la`m dda^`u ta`u . Mo+'i nga`y na`o vai mang ba-lo^ chie^'n dda^'u, tra^'n a?i ddi.a dda^`u gi`n giu+~ que^ hu+o+ng, ba^y gio+` vai mang ma'y hu't bu.i, ddi hu't bu.i . Tha^'y nhu.c nha~ la`m sao . Tha^'y ha^.n ddu? thu+': ha^.n ddo+`i, ha^.n co^.ng sa?n, ha^.n cho so^' pha^`n, va` ha^.n ca? o^ng gia` Chairman ... To^i lo't to't theo dda'm nho'c nhu+ mo^.t lu~ co^n ddo^` . Leo le^n xe Van, ro^`i nho+' ho^`i na`o mi`nh leo le^n GMC la^`n dda^`u tie^n . Muo^'n kho'c ma` kho^ng kho'c ddu+o+.c, muo^'n bo? job ma` bo? kho^ng ddu+o+.c, mi`nh ca^`n tie^`n dde^? so^'ng . Tu.i nho? dda^u pha^n bie^.t ddu+o+.c tuo^?i ta'c cu?a ngu+o+`i mi`nh, tu+o+?ng to^i cu~ng cu`ng lu+'a vo+'i bo.n no', ne^n co' tha(`ng da'm nha(`m to^i ma` nghi.ch:

     - Ma`y co' thi'ch co^ng vie^.c cu?a ma`y kho^ng ?

     - Co^ng vie^.c la` co^ng vie^.c .

     To^i tra? lo+`i nhu+ va^.y va` bo.n no' cu+o+`i he^` he^` nhu+ ngu. y' la` to^i se~ co' co+ ho^.i ne^'m mu`i cuo^.c ddo+`i hu't bu.i ma` to^i chu+a ddu+o+.c bie^'t . Xe cha.y mo^.t lu'c la^u ro^`i ngu+`ng la.i o+? mo^.t no+i ma` lu~ nho? go.i la` ca'i complex . Complex la` chung cu+ co+~ lo+'n, go^`m trung bi`nh tu+` hai chu.c dde^'n ba chu.c da~y, mo^.t hoa(.c hai ta^`ng . Mo^~i ta^`ng co' ddo^. hai chu.c ca(n, mo^~i be^n mu+o+`i ca(n vo+'i mo^.t ha`nh lang cha.y ngay giu+~a . Chi? la`m sa.ch ca'i ha`nh lang na`y ma` tho^i . Mo^.t ddu+'a lo mo^.t da~y . Tha(`ng nho'c dda^`u ta`u chi? to^i va`o da~y thu+' nha^'t, no' va`o da~y thu+' hai, va` tie^'p tu.c ma^'y ddu+'a kia va`o nhu+~ng da~y ke^' . No' da(.n to^i ra(`ng:

     - Ma`y pha?i hu't tha^.t sa.ch va` hu't tha^.t nhanh . Lu'c tao tro+? ra cu+?a ddo' thi` tao cu~ng muo^'n ma`y tro+? ra cu+?a na`y . Kho^ng ddu+o+.c cha^.m tre^~ .

     Vo`ng dda^`u tie^n to^i co^' y' la`m tha^.t sa.ch, ne^n cha^.m . Lo' dda^`u ra thi` ga(.p ngay tha(`ng nho'c ddang cha^.n tru+o+'c cu+?a:

     - Ma`y la`m la^u qua' . Tu.i no' la`m he^'t ma^'y da~y ro^`i .

     To^i cha(?ng the`m tra? lo+`i, ddi la.i da~y thu+' 7, chui vo^ la`m tie^'p vo`ng thu+' hai . Vu+`a hu't vu+`a cha.y . Lo' dda^`u ra cu~ng tha^'y tha(`ng nho'c, ddu+'ng be^n kia vo.ng qua:

     - Le. le^n nu+~a, le. le^n nu+~a . Ma`y nghe kho^ng ?

     - OK .

     To^i nghi~ cha('c tha(`ng nho'c na`y muo^'n cho+i xo? la' vo+'i mi`nh . No' la`m ca'ch gi` ma` le. va^.y . Pha?i cho no' mo^.t ba`i ho.c cho bo? ghe't . To^i mo+? ma'y cha.y ra^`m tro+`i ma` kho^ng the`m hu't gi` he^'t . Lu+o+.m ma^'y bao thuo^'c, ta`n thuo^'c bo? vo^ tu'i ro^`i vo.t tro+? ra . La.i cu~ng tha^'y no' o+? be^n phi'a be^n kia, to tie^'ng ha(m do.a:

     - Ma`y bi. dduo^?i, ma`y bi. dduo^?i ro^`i ... Ma`y bie^'t kho^ng ? Le. le^n, le. le^n .

     To^i no^?i su`ng, qua.t la.i:

     - Ca^m ca'i mie^.ng ma`y ddi, nho'c con . Tao chi? co' hai tay tho^i . Ma`y tha^'y kho^ng ?

     Cu~ng may lu'c ddo' la` lu'c tro+? ve^` do.n de.p club house va` chung quanh ho^` ta('m . Kho^ng bie^'t la^`n na`y ta.i vi` la`m chung mo^.t dda'm hay vi` bi. to^i cu+. mo^.t pha't ma` tha(`ng nho'c im bo+'t ca'i ho.ng .

     Ro^`i ta^'t ca? cha^'t le^n xe Van, cha.y vo`ng vo`ng ti`m ca'i complex kha'c . To^i co^' ti`nh tra'nh xa tha(`ng nho'c . Pha?i la`m ca'ch no' na(m ba da~y mo+'i ddu+o+.c an toa`n . Kho^ng co`n hu't ca'i gi` nu+~a he^'t . Buo^`n thi` lu+o+.m ra'c, ba(`ng kho^ng chui vo^ ro^`i lu+~ng thu+~ng chui ra . Tha(`ng nho'c dda^u co`n thi` gio+` dda^u ma` kie^?m soa't . No' cu~ng cha.y nhu+ cha.y gia(.c, cha.y co' co+` .

     Mu+o+`i mo^.t gio+` dde^m to^i mo+'i mo` ve^` dde^'n nha` . Anh Phu'c dda~ ngu? ma^'t dda^'t . La^'y su+'c dde^? sa(~n sa`ng cho nga`y mai . Mo+'i ca('t thi.t, chu+a quen, the^' na`o cu~ng ra~ ro+`i tay cha^n . To^i ro'n re'n va`o pho`ng ta('m do^.i nu+o+'c cho ma't ro^`i xuo^'ng be^'p lu.c ddo^` a(n . Hai khu'c thi.t bo`, thi.t tha(n, cu?a anh Phu'c la^.n ve^` la` ca'i cha('c, dda~ ddu+o+.c luo^.c sa(~n . Thi.t tu+o+i, chi? xa('t la't cha^'m nu+o+'c ma('m ma` a(n cu~ng tha^'y ngo.t, tha^'y ngon la`m sao . No bu.ng, to^i ra sofa na(`m tha(?ng ca(?ng . Chuye^.n ddo+`i cu~ng la('m tro+' tre^u, nhu+ng co`n thi` gio+` dda^u ma` nghi~ ngo+.i, suy tu+ . Ngu? .

     Ca'i nghe^` ddeo ma'y vaccum na`y, chi.u ddu+.ng mo+'i mo^.t tua^`n ma` anh hu`ng tha^'m me^.t . Ne^n qua thu+' hai tua^`n sau, lo+.i du.ng ma^'y gio+` tro^'ng sau lo+'p ho.c buo^?i sa'ng, to^i lang thang ddi ti`m vie^.c kha'c . Theo ddu+o+`ng Dodge ra ddu+o+`ng 72, ddu+o+`ng "ba?y mu+o+i sa'ch ca^`n" theo anh Phu'c, to^i tha^'y mo^.t lo^ tie^.m a(n . Cu+' ta^'p vo^ ddie^`n ddo+n, no^.p ddo+n, he^'t ca'i na`y to+'i ca'i kha'c . Burger King, Hardy, Mac Donald, Kentucky Fry Chicken ... ro^`i ddi la^`n xuo^'ng Long John Silver . Long John Silver la` tie^.m cho't ta.i vi` ba` manager go.i to^i va`o pho`ng trong pho?ng va^'n ta.i cho^~, va` nha^.n luo^n ta.i cho^~ . Buo^`n ngu? ma` ga(.p chie^'u manh . Kho?i ca^`n pha?i ddi dda^u xa . Nga`y mai dda~ co' gio+` ddi la`m, to+'i dda^y ho.c chie^n ca', chie^n to^m ... Chie^`u ho^m ddo', sau khi ddi hu't bu.i tro+? ve^` so+?, to^i ngang nhie^n tuye^n bo^' vo+'i tha(`ng nho'c:

     - Chuye^'n na`y dde^'n phie^n tao . Tao lay-off ma`y, ma`y bie^'t kho^ng ? Gu+?i check cu?a tao ve^` ddi.a chi? na`y dda^y .

     Tha(`ng nho'c ma(.t ma`y buo^`n xo, cha(?ng no'i vo+'i to^i tie^'ng na`o . Hi`nh nhu+ no' ca?m tha^'y no' co' to^.i, ca'i to^.i a'p bu+'c to^i trong buo^?i ban dda^`u . To^i nghi~ no' ddang ho^'i ha^.n .

     Nghe^` chie^n ca', chie^n to^m o+? Long John Silver la` mo^.t nghe^` he^'t su+'c ma'y mo'c . Bo^'n va.c da^`u so^i, bo^'n ca'i thu`ng vuo^ng vu+'c, khoa?ng chi'n ta^'c chi'n ta^'c be^` ca.nh va` ba ta^'c be^` sa^u, lu'c na`o cu~ng chu+'a dda^`y da^`u . Nhie^.t ddo^. cu?a da^`u ddu+o+.c ddie^`u chi?nh tu+. ddo^.ng ba(`ng ddie^.n tu+?, tha? mo'n gi` vo^ cu~ng tha^'y no' so^i bu`ng le^n . Mo^.t thu`ng da`nh rie^ng cho french fries va` hush puppies . Mo^.t thu`ng da`nh rie^ng cho ca' . Co`n hai thu`ng co`n la.i da`nh cho to^m, scallop, clam ... va` chicken stick .

     Mo'n na`o cu~ng la(n bo^.t, chie^n . Ha^`u he^'t dda~ ddu+o+.c la`m sa(~n, kho^ng bie^'t tu+` dda^u cho+? to+'i, vo^ bao gia^'y cha^'t dda^`y trong tu? dda' . Cu+' lo^i tu+`ng bi.ch, tu+`ng bi.ch ma` tha?y va`o ma^'y va.c da^`u . Chi? co' ca' la` pha?i pha bo^.t, nhu'ng bo^.t ta.i cho^~ ma` tho^i . Vie^.c tha'i ca', ca' cod, thi` giao cho ma^'y te^n manager . DDa^y la` mo^.t ca'i quye^`n ma` cu~ng la` tra'ch nhie^.m, bo^?n pha^.n, va` pha?i ho.c qua mo^.t kho'a .

     Be^n tre^n mo^~i va.c da^`u, phi'a tru+o+'c ca'i qua.t hu't kho'i, co`n co' mo^.t ha`ng nu't push button dde^? canh gio+` chie^n . To^m hai phu't, ca' ba phu't, clam bo^'n phu't, ga` na(m phu't ... dda~ ddu+o+.c programmed sa(~n . Chie^n ca' thi` ba^'m nu't ca', chie^n ga` thi` ba^'m nu't ga` . He^'t gio+` la` no' bi'p-bi'p va` cho+'p dde`n ba'o ddo^.ng . Vo+'t ra tha?y le^n nga(n, la` xong . Lu'c na`o cu~ng pha?i co' sa(~n to^'i thie^?u mu+o+`i mie^'ng mo^~i thu+' . Ma^'y lu'c ddo^ng kha'ch, tha?y na(m ba thu+' vo^ mo^.t thu`ng, dde^'n ho^`i no' tranh nhau bi'p-bi'p, bi'p-bi'p, kho^ng bie^'t ca'i na`o ma` ta('t, ma` vo+'t . Cu~ng vui . Vo+'t ra lo^.n thi` dde^? ddo' la't nu+~a chie^n la.i, ba(`ng kho^ng tha?y vo^ thu`ng ra'c, vu+`a tie^.n vu+`a lo+.i .

     Chi? co' chie^n ca' la` pha?i ho.c tho^i . Bo^.t nhu'ng kho^ng ddu+o+.c nhie^`u kho^ng ddu+o+.c i't . Mo^.t mie^'ng ngay giu+~a, bo^'n mie^'ng bo^'n go'c, bo^'n mie^'ng bo^'n ca.nh, ro^`i ta'm mie^'ng giu+~a chi'n mie^'ng kia . To^i go.i la` ba't qua'i tra^.n, cu+' theo thu+' tu+. ngu~ ha`nh, bo^'n phu+o+ng, ta'm hu+o+'ng ma` tha? va`o la` tru'ng . DDo^. nghie^ng cu?a mie^'ng ca' cu~ng pha?i vu+`a ta^`m, va` pha?i tha? xuo^'ng tha^.t go.n, tha^.t khe'o . Kho^ng go.n, kho^ng khe'o thi` da^`u no^? . Da^`u no^? thi` da^`u va(ng . Va(ng vo^ ma(.t pho?ng ma(.t, va(ng vo^ tay pho?ng tay . So+. pho?ng ma(.t pho?ng tay, tha? xuo^'ng kho^ng go.n, kho^ng khe'o thi` ca' la.i di'nh chu`m . Ca' di'nh chu`m thi` ca' la.i vo^ thu`ng ra'c . Ca' vo^ thu`ng ra'c nhie^`u qua' thi` pha?i ... coi chu+`ng .

     To^i coi chu+`ng ky~ lu+o+~ng la('m ma` ro^'t cuo^.c cu~ng kho^ng xong . So^' la` to^i ddem ca' ddem to^m ve^` a(n da(.m vo+'i thi.t bo` cu?a anh Phu'c cu~ng vu+`a ddu+o+.c hai tua^`n, sa('p su+?a dde^'n lu'c to^i ddu+'ng chie^n mo^.t mi`nh thi` co' chuye^.n lo+'n . Tru+a ho^m ddo', mo^.t dda'm a'o ve^'t na^u, ca` va.t na^u, phu` hie^.u Long John Silver ga('n tre^n mie^.ng tu'i, ba^'t tha^`n xo^ng va`o kie^?m soa't . La`m a(n kie^?u na`y dda^u co' ddu+o+.c . Tu+ le^.nh tru+o+'c khi ddi thanh tra thi` pha?i co' co^ng ddie^.n cho chi? huy tru+o+?ng, dde^? chi? huy tru+o+?ng chua^?n bi. cho+' . DDa(`ng na`y kho^ng, thanh tra ma` kho^ng ba'o ddo^.ng gi` ra'o tro.i . Mo^.t te^n ca('c co+' nha?y vo^ ddu+'ng chie^n ca' tay ddo^i vo+'i to^i . Ga(.p gio+` a(n tru+a ddo^ng kha'ch, la`m vie^.c gi` cu~ng pha?i ha^'p ta^'p, vo^.i va~, va^.y ma` tru'ng ca'i va.c da^`u ma('c di.ch bu+~a ddo' chie^n ca'i gi` cu~ng ma('c le.o . Kho^ng hie^?u ma^'y te^n "co^'m" ddo' ghi nha^.n ta`i na(ng cu?a to^i nhu+ the^' na`o, ma` qua nga`y sau, to^i kho^ng ngo+` to^i bi. dduo^?i . He^'t gio+` la`m, ba` manager ke^u to^i vo^ pho`ng rie^ng no'i chuye^.n:

     - Bu+~a nay la` nga`y cho't cu?a ma`y .

     Ca^u no'i tha(?ng thu+`ng nhu+ ruo^.t ngu+.a, kho^ng ti`nh ca?m, kho^ng a^n oa'n giang ho^` gi` ca? . Va('n ta('t nhu+ the^' tho^i, kho?i ca^`n ne^u ly' do . La^`n dda^`u tie^n ru~ a'o tu+` quan, tra? la.i ddo^`ng phu.c, ba?ng te^n . Bie^'t mi`nh ra^'t ca^`n vie^.c la`m, nhu+ng to^i cu~ng du+?ng du+ng, cu~ng chu+a tha^'y ca? ba^`u tro+`i su.p ddo^? . Kho^ng la`m cho^~ na`y thi` ddi la`m cho^~ kha'c . Ma^'y ca'i ddo+n no^.p o+? ma^'y tie^.m kia cu~ng ddu+o+.c hai tua^`n ro^`i, cu~ng sa('p to+'i nga`y no' ke^u . Nhu+ng ti'nh cha('c ho+n, to^i tro+? la.i va(n pho`ng ti`m vie^.c o+? tru+o+`ng . Ba` job-commisioner cu?a to^i cu+' tu+o+?ng to^i va^~n co`n la`m vie^.c o+? ha~ng Carriage Cleaners . To^i ta? so+ ve^` co^ng vie^.c to^i pha?i la`m, ve^` nhu+~ng ddo`i ho?i, nhu+~ng chi? tie^u pha?i dda.t ddu+o+.c, ba` ta nghi ngo+`, ra ve? nga.c nhie^n, tha('c ma('c . La^.t to+'i la^.t lui cho^`ng ho^` so+ dde^? tre^n ba`n, ro^`i ba^'t cho+.t ba` quay qua ho?i to^i:

     - Ma`y chi.u ddi bo? ba'o kho^ng ? Kho^ng ddi la`m ddu+o+.c buo^?i sa'ng, kho^ng ddi la`m ddu+o+.c buo^?i chie^`u thi` ddi la`m buo^?i to^'i ...

     To^i ca^`m gia^'y gio+'i thie^.u cu?a tru+o+`ng ddi xuo^'ng trung ta^m pha't ha`nh ba'o, news-paper circulation, cu?a to+` Omaha World Herald . Ngu+o+`i na`y chuye^`n tay ngu+o+`i kia, ddu+a to^i qua ma^'y ne?o ha`nh lang, to+'i ma^'y va(n pho`ng, va` sau ma^'y la^`n ngo^`i cho+` ddo+.i to^i mo+'i ga(.p ddu+o+.c "ngu+o+`i ca^`n ngu+o+`i ." DDu'ng la` tay ba('t ma(.t mu+`ng:

     - Vo^ dda^y, vo^ dda^y . Chu+`ng na`o ma`y ddi la`m ddu+o+.c ?

     - Ba^'t cu+' lu'c na`o .

     - To^'t la('m, ngo^`i xuo^'ng dda^y, dde^? tao no'i so+ ve^` ca'i round cu?a ma`y ... DDa^y, ba?n ddo^` dda^y . Ca'i round cu?a ma`y de^~ la('m, chi? pha^n pho^'i vo`ng vo`ng khu dda.i ho.c ma` tho^i . Khu na`y, ma`y ra`nh qua' ro^`i . 160 to+`, mu+o+`i xu mo^.t to+`, 16 ddo^`ng mo^.t nga`y, ma`y la`m chu? la^'y ma`y . Kho^ng co' gi` kho' he^'t . Nga`y mai ma`y ddi theo tao, tao se~ chi? cho . Ma`y bie^'t tie^.m Seven Eleven o+? go'c ddu+o+`ng 52 va` ddu+o+`ng Leavenworth kho^ng ? Tao ga(.p ma`y o+? cho^~ ddo' . Lu'c hai gio+`, AM .

     - Hai gio+` sa'ng ?

     - U+`, tu+` hai gio+` sa'ng dde^'n sa'u gio+` sa'ng . Bo^'n tie^'ng la` vu+`a .

     To^i ba^.t ngu+?a . Nhu+ng, ca^`n tie^`n thi` cu+' pha?i la`m . Kho^ng la`m kho^ng tie^`n, kho^ng tie^`n kho^ng so^'ng, kho^ng so^'ng kho^ng ho.c, kho^ng ho.c thi` u+o+'c vo.ng cu?a mi`nh se~ tie^u tan . Pha?i co^' ga('ng ho+n nu+~a, ho+n nu+~a, va` to^i cu'i dda^`u cha^'p nha^.n co^ng vie^.c mo+'i, co^ng vie^.c thu+' ba trong vo`ng mo^.t tha'ng .

     Canh mo^.t anh ti?nh gia^'c mo^.ng va`ng, ti`m o^ng nha` ba'o tho+? than ddo^i lo+`i, canh hai va^.t ddo^?i sao do+`i, ti'nh sao o^ng ti'nh cu~ng mo^.t ddo+`i kie^'m co+m ... DDu'ng la` ca'i nghe^` thu+'c gia^'c canh khuya . Mo^.t gio+` ru+o+~i to^i dda~ da^.y, vu+`a dda'nh ra(ng, vu+`a ma(.c ddo^`, vu+`a cha.y . Anh Phu'c the^' na`o cu~ng gia^.t mi`nh, nhu+ng cha('c anh nghi~ la` to^i ho.c ba`i khuya, cho+' la`m gi` bie^'t to^i ddi bo? ba'o . Ma('t nha('m ma('t mo+? ma` to^i cu~ng la'i xe dde^'n ddu'ng gio+`, ddu'ng cho^~ he.n . Bill, o^ng thu+o+.ng si~ gia` kho^ng qua^n dda~ tu+`ng qua Vie^.t Nam tho+`i 67-68, dda~ to+'i tru+o+'c to^i mo^.t chu't . O^?ng ba?o to^i ra ngo^`i ba(ng sau xem o^?ng la`m vie^.c, ba(ng tru+o+'c da`nh cho hai cho^`ng ba'o cao dde^'n co^? . Tay pha?i co' nhie^.m vu. xe^'p ba'o, cuo^.n tro`n to+` ba'o . Tay tra'i tro`ng so+.i da^y thung va` qua(ng ba'o, hai be^n, tra'i pha?i . Mo^.t be^n ba('n tru+.c xa., mo^.t be^n ba('n vo`ng ca^`u . Vie^.c la'i xe thi` hai tay san se? cho nhau, buo^ng tay na`y ba('t tay kia . To^i ba('t dda^`u ta^.p cuo^.n ba'o, ra`ng da^y thung .

     - Nho+' ca(n nha` ga.ch co' hai ca^y to tru+o+'c cu+?a na`y, pha?i lie^.ng vo^ ta^.n trong ha`nh lang . O^ng gia` hu+u tri' na`y kho^ng thi'ch ddi ra xa . O^?ng hay pha`n na`n ve^` vie^.c na`y du+~ la('m .

     To^i dde^? ma('t tha^u hi`nh ca(n nha` trong bo'ng dde^m .

     - Bu+~a nay kho^ng co' insert . Ma`y bie^'t insert la` gi` kho^ng ? La` qua?ng ca'o cu?a Sears, cu?a JC Penny, cu?a K .mart, cu?a ma^'y tie^.m ba'n thu+.c pha^?m . Mo^~i insert ma`y ddu+o+.c the^m mo^.t xu ... DDe^'n nga~ tu+ dde`n xanh dde`n ddo? na`y thi` que.o tra'i, tha?y vo^ ca(n nha` thu+' ba be^n tra'i ...

     - Xong que.o ma(.t ra ddu+o+`ng Center . Tha^'y ca'i nghi~a ddi.a kho^ng ? Tha?y tru+o+'c co^?ng sa('t na`y hai to+`, cu+' cuo^.n tha`nh mo^.t cuo^.n .

     - Ro^`i to+'i tie^.m Thrifty Neckel, na(m to+` . Ca`ng nhie^`u to+` ca`ng co' lo+.i cho ma`y . DDo+~ ma^'t thi` gio+` .

     - Xong ro^`i ta.t qua tra'i . Con ddu+o+`ng na`y co' na(m cho^~ . Thu+' nha^'t la` ca(n nha` co' double garage .

     - Ca'i thu+' hai co' ca'i dde`n dde^m tru+o+'c sa^n ...

     - Ca'i thu+' ba ...

     To^i ba('t dda^`u que^n la^`n, que^n la^`n ma^'y ddoa.n tru+o+'c . Ghe't, kho^ng the`m dde^? y' o^ng Bill no'i ca'i gi` nu+~a, la`m sao ma` nho+' he^'t 160 cho^~ cho ddu+o+.c . DDa~ va^.y, ban dde^m, nhi`n nha` na`o cu~ng gio^'ng nha` na`o, be^n mi`nh nha` la' gio^'ng nha` ngo'i thi` be^n na`y nha` ga.ch cu~ng gio^'ng nha` ca^y .

     - To+'i dda^y ma`y pha?i xuo^'ng xe, ddi vo^ ca'i chung cu+ na`y, co' ba?y ca(n . DDi, ddi theo tao .

     To^i bu+o+'c xuo^'ng xe, vo.t mie^.ng no'i:

     - E^, Bill, tao tha^'y tao chi? co' short memory tho^i .

     - Ma`y ddu+`ng co' lo, ro^`i ma`y se~ nho+' . Tao gia` dda^y ma` tao co`n nho+', huo^'ng ho^` co`n tre? nhu+ ma^`y . Tao ba?o dda?m ma`y ta^.p khoa?ng hai tua^`n la` ddu+o+.c .

     O^ng Bill cu+' tie^'p tu.c ta? ca?nh, ta? ti`nh nhu+~ng ddie^?m la`m da^'u ma` o^ng dda~ thuo^.c lo`ng . To^i nhu+o+'ng ma('t he^'t le^n, duo^~i cha^n, tu.t xuo^'ng, ga'c dda^`u va`o tha`nh ghe^' ddi.nh la`m mo^.t gia^'c . Ma` cu~ng kho^ng ye^n, ddu+o+`ng khuya va('ng ngu+o+`i, va('ng xe, o^ng Bill cha.y ca? hai lane, que.o be^n na`y, ta.t be^n kia . Ngu+o+`i to^i theo ddo' ma` qua^.t qua, qua^.t la.i .

     - Ma`y tha^'y ca'i ha`ng ra`o cao phi'a tru+o+'c kho^ng ? Bie^'t ddo' la` cho^~ na`o kho^ng ?

     - ...

     - Vo`ng ddai cu?a tru+o+`ng ddua Ak-Sar-Ben . Ma`y bie^'t Ak-Sar-Ben la` gi` kho^ng ?

     - ...

     - La` chu+~ vie^'t ngu+o+.c cu?a chu+~ Nebraska ... To+'i nha` ba` gia` na`y thi` ma`y pha?i bo? ba'o vo^ thu`ng tho+ . Ba` ta muo^'n nhu+ va^.y, va` mi`nh pha?i chie^`u kha'ch ha`ng, pha?i la`m ddu'ng theo lo+`i ye^u ca^`u cu?a ho. . Kha'ch ha`ng la` number one ma`y bie^'t kho^ng ?

     - Kho^ng ... O^, ma`y no'i gi` ?

     - Nho+' pha?i bo? vo^ thu`ng tho+ .

     - ...

     Trong nu+?a ti?nh, nu+?a mo+ to^i kho^ng co`n nghe o^ng Bill no'i gi` nu+~a, cha('c no'i mo^.t mi`nh rie^'t ro^`i cu~ng dda~ ca'i mie^.ng . Xe cha.y cu~ng co`n e.o qua e.o la.i, lu'c ngu+`ng, lu'c tie^'n ... Ro^`i bo^~ng nhie^n co' tie^'ng o^`n a`o xung quanh, hi`nh nhu+ co' xe cha.y, co' ngu+o+`i ddi ... Tha`nh pho^' nhu+ ddang so^'ng la.i, to^i ngo^`i tha(?ng lu+ng, va` o^ng Bill cu~ng ba('t dda^`u la'i xe ca^?n tha^.n . Ma(.t tro+`i mo.c . Nhu+~ng tia na('ng dda^`u nga`y chie^'u va`o ma(.t la`m ma('t to^i cay cay . Lu'c o^ng Bill qua`nh xe tro+? ve^` tie^.m Seven Eleven, nhi`n ddo^`ng ho^`, to^i chi? co`n 10 phu't, ddu? thi` gio+` dde^? cha.y nhanh dde^'n tru+o+`ng cho ki.p lo+'p sa'ng . O^ng Bill kho^ng que^n da(.n do` to^i:

     - Nho+' chie^`u ve^` ddi ngu? so+'m . Sa'ng mai ga(.p la.i ma`y .

     To^i thu+.c ta^.p ba dde^m lie^n tie^'p thi` dde^'n cuo^'i tua^`n . To+'i nga`y pha?i ve^` South Dakota tha(m nha` . Ro^`i tho+`i gian vu't bay ddi, dda^`u tua^`n la.i dde^'n, la.i xuo^'ng Omaha . Nhu+ng la^`n na`y dda(.c bie^.t ho+n, to^i co' ddem theo ca'i cassette cu?a ma^'y ddu+'a con to^i dde^? tha^u lo^. tri`nh . DDu'ng la` die^.u ke^', o^ng Bill cu+o+`i, chi.u tho^i, kho^ng hie^?u to^i no'i gi` trong ddo' . The^m mo^.t la^`n thu+.c ta^.p nu+~a thi` to^i ba('t dda^`u la'i xe, va` cho o^ng Bill ngo^`i phi'a sau . Nghe la.i tie^'ng mi`nh trong ba(ng nhu+ tie^'ng ngu+o+`i bi.nh hoa.n, nghe.t mu~i, ca?m cu'm vi` thu+'c dde^m . Thi?nh thoa?ng co' tie^'ng chu+?i the^`, va`i lo+`i pha't ngo^n bu+`a ba~i kho^ng bie^'t vi` ai cho ai, nhu+ng ra^'t co' hie^.u qua? dde^? la`m da^'u mo^.t ngo^i nha` kho' ti`m, kho' nho+' .

     DDe^m xua^'t ha`nh mo^.t mi`nh la^`n dda^`u tie^n to^i bo? so't ba cho^~ . To^i bie^'t cha('c nhu+ va^.y . Vi` mo^~i nga`y to^i co' bo^'n to+` ba'o du+, tru+` hai to+` to^i qua(ng le^n no'c nha` thi` pha?i co`n la.i hai, nhu+ng to^i co`n dde^'n na(m . The^' na`o o^ng Bill cu~ng go.i . DDi bo? ba'o bu` la` nhie^.m vu. cu?a o^?ng, le~ di~ nhie^n o^?ng kho^ng thi'ch la('m . Qua? tha^.t, tru+a to^i ddi ho.c ve^` la` co' ddie^.n thoa.i . Nghe tie^'ng o^?ng la` to^i va`o dde^` ngay:

     - Tao miss ba nha` pha?i kho^ng ?

     - Co' mo^.t tho^i, kho^ng te^. la('m . Co' mo^.t ngu+o+`i go.i, ho. go.i thi` tao mo+'i ddem ba'o, kho^ng go.i thi` xin mie^~n ... A`, chie^`u nay nho+' ghe' va(n pho`ng dda(.ng tao ddu+a ho^` so+, gia^'y to+` cho ma`y nghen .

     - ... co`n ca'i cu+?a so^? thi` sao ?

     - Be^? kie^'ng ha? ? Nha` na`o ?

     - Kho^ng nho+' ro~ la('m, hi`nh nhu+ tre^n ddu+o+`ng ba?y mu+o+i . Ai tra? dda^y ?

     - Ma`y kho?i lo . Mi`nh co' ba?o hie^?m .

     To^i tho+? pha`o nhe. nho~m ...

     Nghe^` bo? ba'o la` nghe^` mua ba'o ba'n ba'o, mua ddi ba'n la.i . Ba'o trong thu`ng hai mu+o+i la(m xu, ba'o bo? da`i ha.n ta^.n nha` la.i re? ho+n, hai chu.c xu . Mi`nh ba'n ra hai chu.c xu nhu+ng mua vo^ chi? mu+o+`i xu . Mo^.t lo+`i mo^.t . Ne^'u kho^ng ti'nh tie^`n xa(ng, tie^`n da^y thung cho nhu+~ng nga`y na('ng, tie^`n bo.c nylon cho nhu+~ng nga`y mu+a . Va` tie^`n co^ng pha?i bo? ra ddi ddo`i no+. . Ngu+o+`i mua ba'o thu+o+`ng thu+o+`ng tra? tie^`n tra^.t vuo^.t la('m . Ho. dda^u nho+' nga`y na`o ho. mua, nga`y na`o tie^`n he^'t ha.n . Ba tha'ng mo^.t la^`n, gu+?i gia^'y no+. ke`m theo ba'o, go.i ddie^.n thoa.i nha('c chu+`ng . Ro^`i ddo^i khi pha?i ddi'ch tha^n to+'i nha` go~ cu+?a:

     - Tao la` paper-boy cu?a ma`y . Tao to+'i la^'y tie^`n ba'o ...

     To^i theo dduo^?i ca'i nghe^` va.c a(n dde^m na`y tha^'m thoa't dda~ ho+n ba tha'ng, ga^`n he^'t fall semester . Tro+`i ve^` ddo^ng ca`ng nga`y ca`ng la.nh . Gio' ve^` khuya ca`ng nga`y ca`ng buo^'t . To^i bo^~ng nho+' dde^'n ba`i Nha(.t La' Ba`ng cu?a Nha^'t Linh trong DDo^i Ba.n . Gio' nu+~a le^n, la.y tro+`i gio' nu+~a le^n . Mo^~i la^`n to^i qua(ng mo^.t to+` ba'o la` mo^~i la^`n to^i tha^'y tha(`ng no+~m nha(.t mo^.t la' ba`ng! Tha(`ng no+~m ? Tha(`ng no+~m co`n do+?, tha(`ng no+~m dda^u co' bie^'t mu`a ddo^ng Omaha tuye^'t ro+i tro+n tro+.t nhu+ the^' na`o .

     Da.o na`y to^i vo+'i anh Phu'c nhu+ ma(.t tro+`i, ma(.t tra(ng, i't khi ga(.p nhau la^u, i't khi nha^.u vo+'i nhau mo^.t hai lon bia nhu+ lu'c tru+o+'c . Ta.i vi` lu'c to^i nha^.n ddi bo? ba'o, thi` a?nh kho^ng co`n ca('t thi.t bo` nu+~a, ma` la.i ddi ru+?a ha~ng thi.t bo`, ca dde^m . Ha~ng thi.t bo` ddang ho^`i xuo^'ng do^'c, lay-off nha^n vie^n da`i da`i, may la` anh co`n ddu+o+.c co^ng vie^.c na`y thay the^' ngay, ba(`ng kho^ng cu~ng dda~ ddi xin tro+. ca^'p tha^'t nghie^.p ro^`i . Ru+?a ha~ng thi.t bo` pha?i mang gia`y u?ng cao dde^'n ha'ng, loa.i gia`y cu?a ma^'y ngu+o+`i ddi ca^u suo^'i, ca^u ca' trout . Nu+o+'c no'ng pha la^~n ma'u bo` nhie^`u cho^~ nga^.p to+'i dda^`u go^'i . Tha^'y ba('t o+'n, ve^` nha` he^'t muo^'n a(n co+m, anh than nhu+ va^.y . Gio+` to^i ngu? la` gio+` a?nh ddi la`m, gio+` to^i ddi bo? ba'o la` lu'c anh sa('p su+?a mo` ve^` . Cuo^'i tua^`n to^i la.i ve^` tha(m nha` .

     Tuy i't ta^m su+., ha`n huye^n nhu+ng giu+~a anh Phu'c va` to^i cu~ng co' ca'i ti`nh, ti`nh ddo^`ng hu+o+ng, ti`nh tu+o+ng tha^n tu+o+ng tro+. . Ca'i ti`nh ddo+n so+ na`y tu+o+?ng ddu+o+.c be^`n la^u, ai ngo+` no' cu~ng che^'t ye^?u . Vi` em cu?a anh Phu'c, tha(`ng Linh, ma^'y na(m theo ba.n be` bu.i ddo+`i o+? mie^`n Oregon bo^~ng nhie^n tro^`i tro+? ve^` Omaha . To^i dda~ ddo'ng ddo^ o+? pho`ng kha'ch, ne^n Linh chi? co`n ca'ch tha?y ta^'m ne^.m xuo^'ng sa`n nha` be^'p ma` la`m cho^~ ngu? .

     Lu'c dda^`u to^i tha^'y Linh i't no'i, hi`nh nhu+ no' ddang co' ta^m su+. buo^`n, ta^m su+. cha'n na?n cu?a mo^.t ke? "nam nhi tha^'t chi'" thi` ddu'ng ho+n . Nhu+ng va`i tua^`n sau, sau khi lang thang ti`m vie^.c kha('p no+i kho^ng ddu+o+.c mo^.t vie^.c gi`, thi` no' ba('t dda^`u cay cu', cu+' hay no'i ddo^?ng nhie^`u ca^u da.y ddo+`i, nhu+ng kho^ng ha(?n tu+. da.y ddo+`i . No'i mo^.t mi`nh ma` cha.m va`o dda^`u anh Phu'c . Da^`n da^`n Anh Phu'c kho^ng chi.u no^?i ca'i trie^'t ly' ta^`m pha`o cu?a o^ng em, ca'i trie^'t ly' ma` anh Phu'c ba?o la` ngu+o+.c ddo+`i, la` ngu xua^?n thi` hai anh em ba('t dda^`u ga^y go^~ lie^n mie^n:

     - Tao tha^'y tie^'c re? cho tuo^?i tre? cu?a ma`y, cuo^.c ddo+`i cu?a ma`y . Ho.c kho^ng ra ho.c, la`m cha(?ng ra la`m . Qua dda^y ma^'y na(m ro^`i ma` kho^ng ba(`ng ngu+o+`i ta mo+'i to+'i .

     - Thi` anh dda~ ddi la`m ro^`i ddo' . Coi anh co' ho+n ngu+o+`i na`o mo+'i to+'i kho^ng . Hay anh chi? bie^'t co' ddi ru+?a ha~ng bo` ma` tho^i . Anh chi? co' ca'i nhi`n thie^?n ca^.n .

     Ca~i qua ca~i la.i cu~ng co' bao nhie^u ddo': ddi ho.c ddi la`m, tuo^?i gia` tuo^?i tre?, qua la^u vo+'i mo+'i qua, nhi`n xa nhi`n ga^`n . Mo^.t ngu+o+`i anh muo^'n bie^'n ca?i o^ng em, va` mo^.t o^ng em tha^'t nghie^.p, nghi~ qua^?n . Ro^`i mo^.t ho^m, sau ma`n ca~i nhau du+~ do^.i, anh Phu'c quye^'t ddi.nh:

     - DDu+o+.c ro^`i . DDa^`u tha'ng na`y tao do.n ddi cho^~ kha'c . Tao dde^? ca'i apartment na`y cho ma`y o+? . Coi thu+? ma`y ta`i kho^n to+'i dda^u . Coi thu+? ma`y co' lo no^?i ca'i ba?n tha^n he`n mo.n cu?a ma`y hay kho^ng ca'i dda~ .

     Anh Phu'c dda^u co' nghi~ ra(`ng anh no'i nhu+ va^.y, la`m nhu+ va^.y la` ddu.ng cha.m to+'i to^i . To^i cu~ng pha?i lo cho tha^n to^i nu+~a ro^`i . To^i dda~ gia?ng ho`a cho hai anh em nhie^`u la^`n ne^n to^i co' kinh nghie^.m . Vi` co' kinh nghie^.m ne^n to^i bie^'t chuye^'n na`y anh Phu'c no'i thie^.t, la`m thie^.t .

     To^i thie^n ddo^ ve^` Bellevue, mo^.t tha`nh pho^' nho? tie^'p gia'p phi'a nam Omaha, ca'ch Omaha chu+`ng mu+o+`i la(m da(.m . O+? vo+'i o^ng Bill, o^ng chu? ba'o cu?a to^i . Ta'm chu.c ddo^`ng mo^.t tha'ng, a(n va` o+?, room and board . Hai vo+. cho^`ng gia` va` ba co^ con ga'i o+? tuo^?i ca(.p ke^ . To^'i nga`y ra^.m ra^.t, boy friend ra^`n tro+`i, ca~i lo^.n nhu+ gia(.c cho`m . Cu~ng may to^i ddu+o+.c o+? ta^`ng tre^n vo+'i hai o^ng ba`, co`n ba na`ng thi` do^`n tuo^'t xuo^'ng basement cho ddo+~ o^`n, ddo+~ do^.i . Co' la^`n to^i la`m mo^.t bu+~a co+m chie^n Du+o+ng Cha^u cho ca? nha` a(n . Ho^.t ga` chie^n, ham chie^n, hotdog chie^n tro^.n lo^.n vo+'i co+m va` xi` da^`u ma` ai cu~ng khen ngon, la`m to^i tu+o+?ng mi`nh la` cu+.u dda^`u be^'p nha` ha`ng DDo^`ng Kha'nh, cu+.u dda^`u be^'p toa`n quye^`n DDo^ng Du+o+ng, cho+' dda^u pha?i cu+.u dda^`u be^'p Long John Silver . Ga^`n he^'t tha'ng dda^`u thi` o^ng Bill cho bie^'t:

     - Tao ra^'t tie^'c pha?i no'i vo+'i ma`y ddie^`u na`y, nhu+ng tao pha?i no'i, tao pha?i la^'y ma`y mo^.t tra(m hai chu.c mo^.t tha'ng, ba('t dda^`u tha'ng to+'i .

     Kho^ng le~ o^ng na`y muo^'n dduo^?i mi`nh ddi ? Ta'm chu.c mo^.t tha'ng cu~ng la` go^`ng mi`nh ro^`i, mo^.t tra(m hai chu.c thi` co`n dda^u tie^`n ddo^? xa(ng . To^i nghi~ cha('c la` to^i pha?i ddi, va` to^i cu~ng nghi~ dda^y la` di.p to^'t cho to^i ddo^?i nghe^` . DDang giu+~a semester thu+' hai, to^i chi? ddi ho.c buo^?i sa'ng, to^.i gi` la`m ca'i nghe^` bo? ba'o na`y hoa`i . To^i tra? lo+`i:

     - OK . DDe^? tao suy nghi~ ro^`i tao se~ cho ma`y bie^'t ngay ...

     Bo^?n cu~ soa.n la.i, to^i la^.t cuo^'n ddie^.n thoa.i la^`n thu+' hai . Nhu+ng, to^i ba('t dda^`u pha^n va^n vo+'i nhu+~ng nha^n va^.t ho. Nguye^~n cu?a to^i . Kho^ng the`m ke^u ho. Nguye^~n nu+~a, ke^u ho. Phan, ho. cu?a vo+. to^i ... O^ hay, Phan ..., co' Phan, Ban V . Rev nu+~a . Phan mu.c su+ thi` de^~ no'i chuye^.n ro^`i . Con chie^n to^i bo^~ng nhie^n nhu+ ti`m ddu+o+.c dda.o . Chie^`u nga`y ddo' to^i co' he.n, mo` to+'i tha(m o^ng Phan . Nha` o+? kho?i tra? tie^`n mu+o+'n ma` lo+'n nhu+ dinh o^ng tu+o+'ng . To^i thoa'ng tha^'y trong nha` tha^'p thoa'ng bo'ng da'ng con ga'i lo+'n, thi` bie^'t la` vie^.c a(n nho+` o+? dda^.u ta.i dda^y kho^ng xong ro^`i . Nha` My~, con ga'i My~ thi` kho^ng sao, cho+' nha` Vie^.t Nam, con ga'i Vie^.t Nam thi` de^~ bi. tie^'ng ddo+`i di. nghi. . Ro^`i o^ng hu+'a se~ gio+'i thie^.u cho to^i tha(`ng Jeff, nha^n vie^n xa~ ho^.i thuo^.c co+ quan CWS, Church World Services, dda~ giu'p ddo+~ da^n ty. na.n o+? vu`ng na`y ra^'t nhie^`u . U+`a, sao mi`nh do^'t ti'nh, kho^ng nghi~ dde^'n chuye^.n nho+` va? nhu+~ng co+ quan tu+` thie^.n na`y ngay tu+` lu'c mo+'i xuo^'ng dda^y ? Le. thie^.t, qua nga`y ho^m sau tha(`ng Jeff, tuo^?i ddo^. 30, dde^'n ti`m to^i, pho?ng va^'n to^i ddu? ddie^`u .

     To^i do+`i ddo^ mo^.t la^`n nu+~a, xuo^'ng ca'i basement a^?m mo^'c o+? nha` tha(`ng Jeff . Basement chi? cho phe'p ddi xuo^'ng ddi le^n chu+' kho^ng ddu+o+.c ddi vo^ ddi ra . La^`n na`y, basement and board ba chu.c ddo^`ng mo^.t tha'ng . Tha(`ng na`y no' muo^'n cu+'u ddo^. mi`nh dda^y, hay la` no' muo^'n claim mi`nh la` dependent dde^? la^'y thue^' ve^` nhie^`u ho+n mo^.t chu't cu~ng kho^ng bie^'t chu+`ng . Ca'i basement thie^'u ho+i ngu+o+`i la^u nga`y tro+? tha`nh ho^i ha'm nhu+ o^? chuo^.t . Ma^'t ca? buo^?i tro+`i mo+'i xe^'p ddu+o+.c ddo^` dda.c cha(?ng ai xa`i sang mo^.t be^n, nhu+o+`ng cho^~ cho mo^.t khoa?ng tro^'ng ke^ ddu+o+.c mo^.t ca'i giu+o+`ng, mo^.t ca'i ba`n . Ho^'t ra'c, hu't bu.i, xi.t lysol kha('p no+i, ma` cu~ng kho^ng he^'t mu`i ho^i . De^~ tho+? ve^` ma(.t tie^`n ba.c, ma` ngo^.p tho+? ve^` ma(.t kho^ng khi' . Cho+` lu'c hai vo+. cho^`ng tha(`ng Jeff va('ng nha`, to^i ca.y ta^'m va'n e'p, pha' lo+'p ca'ch nhie^.t, toa`n la` than cu.c be^n trong, mo+'i mo+? ddu+o+.c ca'i cu+?a so^? . Mo^.t ca'i lo^~ to` vo` . Cho~i ddu+o+.c ta^'m bu+?ng sa('t le^n mo+'i tha^'y co?, tha^'y ca^y ..., tha^'y gio' ma't tho^?i ngang ta^`m ma('t . Thoa?i ma'i qua' chu+`ng . Nhu+ng, con Linda, vo+. tha(`ng Jeff, ve^`, no' tha^'y, no' so+. qua' be`n la oa?i oa?i:

     - Ra('n . Kho^ng ddu+o+.c dda^u, mo+? tro^'ng nhu+ va^`y la` ra('n bo` vo^ nha` ...

     To^i pha?i tra^'n an no':

     - He^, tao na(`m o+? dda^y, ro^`ng co`n kho^ng da'm vo^ no'i gi` dde^'n ra('n .

     Ro^`i so+. no' gia^.n, no' dduo^?i co^? mi`nh ddi thi` ca`ng mang ho.a, to^i tie^'p ngay:

     - Tao no'i gio+~n cho+i . DDe^? ro^`i tao se~ ga('n the^m mo^.t lo+'p cu+?a lu+o+'i . Ma`y ddu+`ng co' ba^.n ta^m dde^'n va^'n dde^` na`y .

     To^i so^'ng vo+'i ca'i lo^~ tho^ng ho+i na`y nhu+ con ca' ma('c ca.n, la^u la^u pha?i tro^`i le^n ma(.t nu+o+'c ho+'p ho+'p khi' tro+`i . Tuy nhie^n ti`nh ca?nh na`o cu~ng co' ca'i hay, ca'i dde.p cu?a no' . Con ca' ma('c ca.n, vo+'i to^i, dde.p nha^'t co' le~ la` ma^'y dde^m ho.c khuya . Nhi`n ra ngoa`i, tha^'y ca?nh ddo+`i hie^.n die^.n du+o+'i dde`n dde^m, trong su+o+ng mu` mo+` a?o . Ro^`i tha^'y cuo^.c ddo+`i mi`nh cu~ng mo+` a?o theo . Tha^'y the`m mo^.t mo^'i ti`nh lie^u trai . Tie^'c la` xu+' My~ na`y coi ro^.ng me^nh mo^ng nhu+ va^.y, nhu+ng ma` kho^ng co`n dda^'t cho mi`nh du.ng vo~ . Ro^`i nhu+~ng dde^m mu+a . To^'c to^'c ..., mu+a ro+i, tre^n ta^'m bu+?ng sa('t, tu+`ng gio.t, to^'c to^'c ..., nho? va`o ho^`n, co^ ddo+n, va('ng la(.ng .

     Tu+` lu'c ro+i xuo^'ng basement cu?a tha(`ng Jeff, la` to^i bie^'t, ddo+`i so^'ng cu?a to^i dda~ ddu+o+.c buo^.c da^y an toa`n . Mi`nh xuo^'ng sa^u mu't chi? ro^`i thi` dda^u co`n lu'n ddi dda^u ddu+o+.c nu+~a . So^' pha^.n cu?a to^i ha^?m hiu nhu+ va^.y ma` ro^`i cu~ng co' ba.n ddo^`ng ha`nh . Va`i tha'ng sau, tha(`ng Jeff lo^i tha(`ng Xu, kho^ng bie^'t tu+` dda^`u ddu+o+`ng xo' cho+. na`o, ve^` nha^.p bo.n vo+'i to^i . La^`n na`y pha?i vu+'t bo? mo^.t mo+' ddo^` dda.c mo+'i ti`m ddu+o+.c cho^~ tro^'ng . Ro^`i que't do.n, hu't bu.i, xi.t lysol . The^m mo^.t ca'i giu+o+`ng, mo^.t ca'i ba`n . To^.i nghie^.p o^ng ba.n ddo+`i tre? tuo^?i cu?a to^i, 18, ba^'y gio+` mo^.t mi`nh mo^.t tha^n, kho^ng cha me., kho^ng anh em, kho^ng ba` con tha^n thuo^.c . Nhu+ng, kho^ng bie^'t chu+~, kho^ng bie^'t ma(.t va^`n ABC mo+'i la` ddie^`u dda'ng buo^`n, dda'ng thu+o+ng . "Danh ca," "danh ca" thu+' thie^.t, "danh ca" o+? Phu' Quo^'c tu+` thuo+? lo.t lo`ng . Mo+'i qua, ti`m ddu+o+.c ca'i cha^n que't do.n trong mo^.t ha~ng la`m ddo^` nhu+.a . Chu+a da'm bo? sponsor, nhu+ng tru+o+'c sau gi` no' cu~ng ve^` Texas, Louisiana tho^i, to^i nghi~ nhu+ va^.y . Mo^~i la^`n to^i vie^'t thu+ thay no', theo lo+`i no' ta^m su+. dde^? gu+?i ve^` Phu' Quo^'c tha(m ba` con ho. ha`ng, lo`ng to^i ca?m tha^'y he^'t su+'c bu`i ngu`i, cho no' ma` cu~ng cho to^i .

     Ca'i senior project cu?a to^i, ca'i ma'y ddo va^.n to^'c kho^ng khi' tha^.t cha^.m, cmgia^y, cu~ng ddu+o+.c design va` build trong ca'i ho^' na`y . Nga`y no' cha.y cu~ng la` nga`y to^i sa('p su+?a ra tru+o+`ng . Ro^`i ra tru+o+`ng ..., Magna Cum Laude . DDu+o+`ng ve^` Omaha, con ddu+o+`ng to^i dda~ cho.n, phu't dda^`u tu+o+?ng la` xuo^i buo^`m thua^.n gio', kho^ng ngo+` la.i la('m cho^ng gai . Nhu+ng, ddo^'i vo+'i to^i, to^i ho.c ddu+o+.c mo^.t ddie^`u: ddu+o+`ng ve^` Omaha kho^ng kho' vi` nga(n so^ng ca'ch nu'i ...

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10. NGHIE^.P DI~

            NGUYE^~N TA^'N HU+NG

     Tra^.n chie^'n cuo^'i cu`ng ro^`i cu~ng se~ dde^'n vo+'i ngu+o+`i ho.c tro`: interview ti`m vie^.c . To^i chua^?n bi. ra^'t so+'m, tu+` dda^`u semester sau cu`ng, o+? nhie^`u ma(.t tra^.n lo+'n: IBM, Digital, Honeywell, Hewlett Packard, Sperry Univac, NCR ..., nhu+~ng ha~ng te^n tuo^?i co' qua^n ddo^.i tie^`n phu+o+ng ta.i Silicon Valley . Chie^'n si~ ta luo^n luo^n cu+'ng ra('n, ra ddi the^` ddem chie^'n tha('ng tro+? ve^`, tuy nhie^n va^~n hay de^~ da`ng dda^`u ha`ng vi` chie^'n di.ch ri? tai:

     - Anh ddu+`ng co' xin ddi ve^` ma^'y tha`nh pho^' lo+'n, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles ... O+? tha`nh pho^' lo+'n thie^n ha. hay ddua chen, kho^ng thi'ch ho+.p vo+'i mi`nh dda^u .

     To^i cu~ng u+` u+`, a` a` vo+'i vo+. to^i cho co' le^., chu+' ddi dda^u cha(?ng ddu+o+.c, no+i na`o cha? la` que^ hu+o+ng mo^.t khi mi`nh ddang la` da^n ti. na.n . Ca^`n nha^'t la` co' ha~ng na`o no' "lu+o+.m" mi`nh hay kho^ng ca'i dda~ . Va` to^i ddu+o+.c ba ha~ng offer .

     Ha~ng thu+' nha^'t cha(?ng ca^`n ddi dda^u xa, Nuclear Power Plant cu?a Omaha Public Power District Co . ca'ch tru+o+`ng chu+`ng ba chu.c miles . Lu+o+ng cao, benefit ha^.u . Chi? to^.i ca'i vu. Three Miles Island mo+'i no^? ca'ch ddo' kho^ng la^u, radiation cu~ng co`n lo+ lu+?ng trong dda^`u . The^m ca'i vu. ddi "ca" nhu+ si~ quan tru+.c trung ta^m ha`nh qua^n thi` cu~ng cha(?ng co' gi` mo+'i la., ha^'p da^~n cho la('m . DDi ho.c the^m mo^.t na(m nu+~a, co' lu+o+ng, ma~n kho'a ddi la`m mo^.t tua^`n ba nga`y, co`n hai nga`y tie^'p tu.c ho.c le^n Master . Nghe bu`i tai qua', va^.y ma` vo+. to^i ba'c bo? ngay:

     - Tu+. nhie^n dda^m dda^`u vo^ cho^~ che^'t . Thie^'u gi` nghe^`, thie^'u gi` cho^~ dde^? la`m, ai la.i ddem ma.ng mi`nh thi' cho tra'i bom nguye^n tu+? .

     Cu~ng co' ly' . Ha~ng thu+' hai la` IBM, field engineer . Cu~ng cha(?ng pha?i ddi xa, chi? vo`ng vo`ng ma^'y tie^?u bang o+? vu`ng Mid-west na`y . Lu+o+ng be^'t, nhu+ng co' nhie^`u co+ ho^.i tie^'n nhanh, tie^'n xa ne^'u mi`nh co' khie^'u ve^` problem shooting . DDi du li.ch thu+o+`ng xuye^n, trung bi`nh khoa?ng hai pha^`n ba thi` gio+` la`m vie^.c . Vo+. to^i cu~ng ke^'t lua^.n go.n mo^.t ca^u:

     - Co^ng vie^.c na`y cu~ng chi? thi'ch ho+.p cho nhu+~ng ngu+o+`i ddo^.c tha^n, anh co' vo+. con dda^`y dda`n ma` co`n muo^'n so^'ng giang ho^`, ra`y dda^y mai ddo' coi sao ddu+o+.c .

     Cu~ng kho^ng xong . Ha~ng thu+' ba la` Hewlett Packard, computer support specialist . Danh xu+ng nghe xo^m tro` nhu+ va^.y nhu+ng thu+.c ra chi? la` tho+. su+?a computer . Ho.c bo^'n na(m ro^`i cu~ng ra la`m tho+. ? U+`a, cu~ng tho+., nhu+ng sang ho+n, tho+. na`y ddi la`m co' tha('t ca` va.t . Lu+o+ng xa^'p xi? 20K la` co' gia' cho tho+`i 80 . Nhu+ng pha?i ddi xa, ve^` tuo^'t mie^.t San Jose, ve^` tha`nh pho^' lo+'n . To^i pha?i tra^'n an vo+. to^i ra(`ng San Jose cu~ng chi? la` mo^.t tha`nh pho^' nho? tho^i, ne^'u kho^ng ti'nh ca'c tha`nh pho^' di'nh lie^`n la^n ca^.n, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto ... Va` to^i cu+o+ng quye^'t ba?o vo+. to^i ra(`ng:

     - Nhu+'t qua' tam, la^`n na`y ne^'u em che^ nu+~a thi` anh chi? co`n co' nu+o+'c tro+? ve^` Vie^.t Nam la`m tru+o+?ng ty ddie^.n lu+.c ma` tho^i .

     Nga`y ma(.c a'o thu.ng, mang hia, ddo^.i ma~o la`m le^~ ra tru+o+`ng cu?a to^i cu~ng tua^`n tu+. tro^i qua va` ta^'t ca? ddang chua^?n bi. di ta?n ve^` Cali, ve^` mie^`n dda^'t hu+'a cu?a da^n Vie^.t Nam . Huy`nh, co^ em vo+. qua mo^.t lu+o+.t vo+'i tu.i to^i ho^`i na(m 75, lu'c na`y dda~ co' gia ddi`nh, co' nha` cu+?a rie^ng ne^n o+? la.i Sioux City . Tuy nhie^n, dda.i gia ddi`nh dda~ ta(ng cu+o+`ng the^m hai ddu+'a em vo+., mo^.t ga'i mo^.t trai co`n ddo^.c tha^n trong ky` vu+o+.t bie^n ddo+.t mo^.t . Ky` vu+o+.t bie^n thu+' hai ca'ch ddo' va`i tha'ng thi` co' the^m ba` chi. vo+. vo+'i ddu+'a cha'u trai . Toa`n la` be^n vo+., be^n to^i cu~ng vu+o+.t bie^n, cu~ng hai la^`n nhu+ng bi. be^?, va` hai ddu+'a em bi. tu` mo+'i xui . To'm la.i to^?ng co^.ng nguye^n gia ddi`nh ba^y gio+` la` mu+o+`i ngu+o+`i .

     To^i ba'n chie^'c xe cu?a to^i cho ba` ha`ng xo'm dde^? la^'y tie^`n xa(ng va` ddo^?i chie^'c wagon cu?a vo+. to^i dde^? la^'y chie^'c Van loa.i maxiwagon lo+'n nha^'t cu?a ha~ng Plymouth cho co' cho^~ ngo^`i thoa?i ma'i . Ba o^ng mu.c su+ cu?a ba nha` tho+` lu'c mi`nh mo+'i to+'i cu~ng ddo^?i ddi xu+' kha'c he^'t ro^`i . O^ng Barrow, sau bo^'n chu.c na(m gia?ng dda.o dda~ hu+u tri' va` tro+? ve^` Anh Quo^'c so^'ng ga^`n vo+'i dda'm con o+? Lua^n DDo^n . O^ng Moreland, ve^` que^ vo+. tre^n xu+' ddo^`i nu'i Rocky Mountain, tha`nh pho^' Denver, Colorado . Va` o^ng Hanson, cu~ng dda~ ddi ve^` mie^`n DDo^ng, thu? ddo^ Hoa Thi.nh DDo^'n . Nho+' nga`y na`o mi`nh mo+'i to+'i, ba^y gio+` la.i ra ddi . Buo^?i tu+` gia~ sponsor nghe buo^`n nhu+ xa xu+' la^`n thu+' hai . DDu+'ng tru+o+'c ma'y vi a^m no'i ddu+o+.c ma^'y ca^u ro^`i bo^~ng nhie^n nghe.n lo+`i, nu+o+'c ma('t chu+.c tra`o ra . Cu~ng la` co^ng o+n cu?a nha` tho+` . To^i nghi~ ne^'u kho^ng co' sponsor ho^~ tro+. thi` to^i cu~ng cha(?ng la`m ne^n tro` tro^'ng gi` . Nhu+ng, ho. ra^'t ha~nh die^.n ve^` tha`nh qua? cu?a to^i, ho. coi dda^y nhu+ la` mo^.t pha^`n thu+o+?ng lo+'n lao cho toa`n the^? gia'o da^n .

     Ha~ng ddo^`ng y' tra? tie^`n chi phi' do+`i cho^~ ddi.nh cu+ cho he^'t gia ddi`nh mu+o+`i ngu+o+`i . DDo^` dda.c ddi tru+o+'c ngu+o+`i ddi sau . Chie^'c United Van Lines cu?a ha~ng ddu+a to+'i, ha`ng cha^'t le^n chie^'m chu+a he^'t mo^.t pha^`n tu+ cho^~ tro^'ng, mo+'i hay gia ta`i cu?a mi`nh thu+.c su+. cha(?ng co' bao nhie^u . Ngu+o+`i ddi thi` co' nhie^`u ca'ch tra?, nhu+ng to^i va^~n thi'ch ca'ch ti'nh theo dda^`u ngu+o+`i, vu+`a go.n vu+`a so`ng pha(?ng . Hai vo+. cho^`ng hai ddu+'a con la` na(m mu+o+i bo^'n ddo^`ng mo^.t nga`y, sa'u ngu+o+`i co`n la.i mo^~i ngu+o+`i mu+o+`i hai ddo^`ng mo^.t nga`y vi. chi la` ba?y mu+o+i hai ddo^`ng, mu+o+`i ngu+o+`i mo^.t tra(m hai mu+o+i sa'u ddo^`ng mo^.t nga`y, ddi ma^'y nga`y cu+' the^' ma` nho+n le^n, kho?i ca^`n ti'nh ba(`ng ma'y ti'nh, ti'nh nha^?m cu~ng xong . DDo' la` pha^`n a(n uo^'ng, ta('m ru+?a, ngu? nghe^ co`n pha^`n xa(ng nho+'t thi` ti'nh rie^ng .

     Theo lua^.t giang ho^` mi`nh pha?i ddi to^'i thie^?u ba tra(m miles mo^.t nga`y, nhu+ng to^i tha^'y su+'c mi`nh co' the^? ddi ga('p ddo^i mu+'c a^'n ddi.nh . Tu+` Vermillion ddi San Jose khoa?ng mo^.t nga`n ta'm tra(m miles, va^.y la` chi? ca^`n ba nga`y hai dde^m . Du+. tru` ngu? dde^m dda^`u ta.i Denver, Colorado luo^n tie^.n dde^'n tha(m gia ddi`nh o^ng Moreland, o^ng mu.c su+ nha` tho+` United Methodist . DDe^m thu+' hai se~ ngu? motel ta.i Salt Lake City, Utah, khoa?ng ddu+o+`ng na`y ddi cha^.m la.i vi` co' nhie^`u cho^~ tha(m vie^'ng, co' Rocky Mountain National Park va` co' Dinosaur National Monument . He^'t nga`y thu+' ba thi` se~ to+'i Executive Inn, tre^n ddu+o+`ng El Camino Real, Moutain View, la` cho^~ to^i dda~ o+? trong di.p ddi tha(m vie^'ng ha~ng tru+o+'c dda^y .

     DDe^'n lu'c le^n ddu+o+`ng mo+'i tha^'y sa'u tra(m miles la` da`i, cha.y sa'u mu+o+i la(m, ba?y chu.c miles mo^.t gio+` cu~ng pha?i ma^'t mu+o+`i tie^'ng . Nhu+ng pha?i ra'n thay phie^n nhau ma` cha.y dde^? dde^'n no+i cho ki.p gio+` . Do.c ddu+o+`ng cu~ng ghi nha^.n ddu+o+.c va`i ddie^?m nho? . Cha(?ng ha.n, o+? ngoa.i o^ Denver ddo^`ng kho^ng nha` tro^'ng, le que ma^'y bu.i co? cha'y na('ng cu?a mu`a he` . Rocky Mountain, kho^ng khi' kho^ loa~ng, nhie^.t ddo^. ga^`n ca? tra(m ddo^. F ma` va^~n tha^'y ma't . Con ddu+o+`ng xuye^n qua Ho^` Muo^'i, Salt Lake, tha(?ng ba(ng, xa ti't, nhu+ chun xuo^'ng dda'y ho^` . Qua vu`ng sa ma.c Nevada kho^ ca(`n so?i dda', pha?i do`m chu+`ng nhu+~ng ba?ng ba'o hie^.u nhu+~ng ddoa.n ddu+o+`ng hay co' ba~o ca't, dde^? dde^` pho`ng ba^'t tra('c xa?y ra . Cho dde^'n vu`ng Oakland, tu.i to^i mo+'i vo`ng le^n ca^`u Richmond-San Rafael, ro^`i tu+` San Rafael ddi xuo^'ng San Francisco ba(`ng ca^`u Golden Gate . Ca^`u Richmond-San Rafael la.i da`i ho+n ca^`u Golden Gate nhie^`u . Va` ca^`u Golden Gate hi`nh nhu+ lu'c na`o cu~ng khua^'t trong su+o+ng mu` ? Xong, theo xa lo^. 101 ddi la^`n xuo^'ng cho^~ o+? tro. .

     To^i ddu+o+.c hai tua^`n dde^? ti`m cho^~ o+? thu+.c thu. . Trong hai tua^`n le^~ na`y ha~ng bao a(n uo^'ng ta.i qua'n a(n co' dde`n mo+` mo+` na(`m luo^n trong kha'ch sa.n . Tie^`n a(n va` luo^n ca? tie^`n ti'p cu+' tie^'p tu.c ti'nh vo^ tru+o+ng mu.c co' so^' kha('c sa(~n tre^n chi`a kho'a pho`ng . To^m hu`m, ca`ng cua, bo` bi't te^'t a(n hoa`i mo^~i nga`y cu~ng nga'n, pha?i ddi kie^'m tie^.m Vie^.t Nam a(n pho+?, hu? tie^'u, co+m su+o+`n cho no' ho+.p kha^?u . La^'y receipt ddu+a cho ha~ng la` xong . A(n o+? qua'n a(n Vie^.t la.i re? ho+n qua'n a(n My~ nhie^`u, tie^'t kie^.m du`m cho ha~ng va^.y . Nhi`n chung, a(n o+? theo kie^?u ta.m tho+`i na`y hoa`i cu~ng su+o+'ng, cu~ng tha^`n tie^n .

     Kho?i pha?i la`m gi` he^'t, chi? vie^.c ddi ti`m nha` dde^? mu+o+'n ma` cu~ng la~nh lu+o+ng . Nha` ba pho`ng ngu? trung bi`nh khoa?ng sa'u dde^'n ta'm ddo^`ng mo^.t tha'ng . Nhu+ng, muo^'n bu+o+'c cha^n vo^ nha` thi` pha?i co' tha'ng dda^`u, tha'ng cuo^'i, va` mo^.t tha'ng tie^`n co.c cho kho^? chu? . Tro`m tre`m hai nga`n ddo^`ng ddi tuo^'t luo^'t . Ca'i na`y mo+'i ddu+a mi`nh va`o the^' ke.t, khi kho^ng ddu+a tie^`n cho thie^n ha. giu+~ ngang sao ddu+o+.c . Kho^ng the`m mu+o+'n, ddi kie^'m nha` mua luo^n . Ke^u ERA, Century 21 ..., to+'i motel da^~n ddi coi nha` . Va(n pho`ng cu?a ma^'y o^ng, ma^'y ba` realtors thu+o+`ng o+? tre^n nhu+~ng building ba(`ng kie^'ng cao cho't vo't ma^'y tu+`ng ma^y . Nhi`n xuo^'ng tha`nh pho^' xung quanh tha^'p le` te` ma` tha^'y ngo^.p .

     - Tie^`n lu+o+ng cu?a ma`y nhu+ va^.y, gia ddi`nh ma`y ddo^ng co+~ ddo', ai cho ma`y vay tie^`n mua nha` . Chi? co`n ca'ch la` assume loan ma` tho^i .

     - Cho+' mu+o+.n loan FHA kho^ng ddu+o+.c sao ? O+? Vermillion, South Dakota, tao ca^'t ca'i nha` mo+'i tinh kho^ng to^'n mo^.t ddo^`ng xu . FHA cho tao mu+o+.n loan mo^.t tra(m pha^`n tra(m ke^? ca? tie^`n le^. phi' cho tha(`ng cha lua^.t su+ lo gia^'y to+` . Hai na(m tu.i no' kie^?m lu+o+ng mo^.t la^`n, lu+o+ng tao tha^'p, chi'nh phu? tra? cho tao ho+n pha^n nu+?a kia ma` . O+? dda^y kho^ng co' chu+o+ng tri`nh ddo' sao ?

     - Mo^~i tie^?u bang mo^.t kha'c . FHA o+? dda^y cu~ng co', nhu+ng ma`y down i't la('m la` mu+o+`i pha^`n tra(m, ca(n nha` mo^.t tra(m nga`n thi` pha?i co' to^'i thie^?u mu+o+`i nga`n tie^`n ma(.t . DDo' la` chu+a ke^? tie^`n closing-cost, lua^.t su ... Va` ma`y pha?i la`m ddo+n, cho+` cu+'u xe't, cha^'p thua^.n ...

     Hai nga`n ddi mu+o+'n nha` co`n tha^'y cho+'i vo+'i, no'i chi dde^'n mu+o+`i nga`n tie^`n down . Mu+o+'n nha` dda~ kho', mua nha` la.i ca`ng kho^ng pha?i de^~, va^.y ma` ro^'t cuo^.c tu.i to^i vu+`a mu+o+'n vu+`a mua ddu+o+.c mo^.t ca(n nha` trong vu`ng Evergreen mo+'i la., rent with option to buy . Bill, tha(`ng realtor go^'c xu+' la.nh Minesota, hoa.t ddo^.ng le. thie^.t, hay thie^.t . Contingent, ba?y mu+o+i la(m nga`n, mua vo+'i ddie^`u kie^.n to^i ba'n ddu+o+.c nha` to^i o+? Vermillion . Hie^.n ta.i bo^'n tra(m ru+o+~i mo^.t tha'ng, vo^ o+? nhu+ nha` cu?a mi`nh, kho?i pha?i tha'ng dda^`u, tha'ng cuo^'i, deposit gi` he^'t ... Cho^~ a(n cho^~ o+? cu~ng ta.m ye^n, to^i mu+`ng ma` ha~ng cha('c cu~ng mu+`ng . Tu+` nha` cha.y dde^'n ha~ng ma^'t khoa?ng nu+?a gio+` la'i xe, ddu+o+`ng xa lo^. cu~ng kho^ng dde^'n no^~i kho' kha(n gi` cho la('m .

     Kho^ng hie^?u lu'c pho?ng va^'n, pho?ng va^'n vie^n ghi nha^.n kha? na(ng cu?a to^i nhu+ the^' na`o ma` ba^y gio+` xe^'p giao cho to^i nhie^.m vu. su+?a power supply . Nhi`n chung quanh ma^'y ddu+'a kho^ng co' ba(`ng, hoa(.c chi? co' ba(`ng hai na(m tho^i ma` tu.i no' su+?a memory board, disk drive ... ra^`n tro+`i, cha(?ng coi ca'i station cu?a mi`nh ra the^? tho^'ng gi` he^'t . Tha^'y le'p ve^' qua' xa' . DDa~ va^.y, no'i la` chuye^n vie^n su+?a power supply cho ngon, tha^.t ra mi`nh chi? la`m theo ma^'y ca'i test procedures dda~ vie^'t sa(~n trong cuo^'n manual thi` bie^'t ngay bo^. pha^.n na`o hu+, la^'y ca'i mo+'i thay va`o . Co^ng vie^.c la`m nhu+ ca'i ma'y dda^u ca^`n pha?i bo^'n na(m ra tru+o+`ng . Kho^ng co' gi` challenge he^'t . Cha'n .

     Nga`y hai buo^?i ddi la`m tro+? ve^` nha`, kho^ng khi' gia ddi`nh co`n la`m mi`nh cha'n ho+n . Mu+o+`i ngu+o+`i chi? co' mo^.t ngu+o+`i co' job . DDi xin job cu~ng pha?i cho+` tho+`i gian, ddi xin tro+. ca^'p xa~ ho^.i cu~ng pha?i cho+` tho+`i gian . Cho+` dde^'n bao gio+` thi` ca.n tu'i, ddo'i ? Mu+o+`i ngu+o+`i so^'ng mo^.t ddo^`ng lu+o+ng! To^i pha?i la`m cho to^i ba^.n ro^.n dde^? ddo+~ nghi~ qua^?n, be`n pha' ca'i "den" dde^? la`m the^m mo^.t pho`ng ngu? nu+~a . Ca^y va'n ddo', tha'o ra ddo'ng la.i, cu?a ddo' la`m ddo' kho^ng mua cha'c gi` he^'t . Ro^`i do.n de.p, su+?a sang vu+o+`n tu+o+.c . Nha` cu?a ngu+o+`i ta cu+' tu+o+?ng la` cu?a mi`nh, cu~ng tha^'y khang trang, cu~ng tha^'y vu+`a y' .

     Go.i ddie^.n thoa.i cho nhu+~ng ngu+o+`i quen qua dda^y tru+o+'c, mo+'i bie^'t mi`nh o+? xa khu Vie^.t Nam . Ga(.p la.i anh Lo^.c o+? Alcester, nga`y xu+a cu~ng la`m tho+. ha`n nhu+ to^i, dda^u ca^`n pha?i ho.c ha`nh gi` ba^y gio+` ddi ha`n xe thie^'t gia'p cho ha~ng FMC mu+o+`i bo^'n, mu+o+`i la(m ddo^`ng mo^.t gio+`, tie^`n la~nh ra nhie^`u ho+n lu+o+ng ky~ su+ . Ga(.p la.i vo+. cho^`ng anh Kie^.t o+? Beresford nga`y na`o mo+'i qua kho^ng co' co^ng a(n vie^.c la`m pha?i bo? sponsor tro^i da.t ve^` dda^y, ba^y gio+` vu+`a a(n welfare vu+`a mo+? tie^.m ho+'t to'c ta.i gia so^'ng cu~ng du+ da^.t . Ho'a ra mi`nh cha^.m tie^'n dde^'n ddo^. nhu+ ddi thu.t lu`i chi? vi` bo^'n na(m ma~i lo du`i ma`i kinh su+? . Cha'n chu+a . Nga`y xu+a to^i khuye^n anh Kie^.t ra sao thi` ba^y gio+` a?nh cu~ng khuye^n la.i to^i y he^.t nhu+ va^.y:

     - Chu' na(m a`, ai mo+'i qua dda^y cu~ng pha?i va^.y tho^i . Tu+` tu+` ro^`i mi`nh mo+'i ta.o du+.ng co+ nghie^.p ddu+o+.c .

     Ma` to^i na`o co' mo+'i qua, to^i qua dda~ na(m na(m ro^`i kia ma` .

     Vo+. to^i ba('t dda^`u pha`n na`n ve^` San Jose vi` San Jose kho^ng pha?i la` mo^.t tha`nh pho^' nho? nhu+ vo+. to^i mong muo^'n . Nhu+~ng bu+'c tu+o+`ng bi. ai ve~ ba^.y, vie^'t ba^.y nhu+ nha('c nho+? vo+. to^i ra(`ng dda^y la` mo^.t tha`nh pho^' xo^ bo^` kho^ng thua gi` New York, Chicago ... Ro^`i phie^`n nhu+'t la` ddi dda^u cu~ng bi. xe^'p ha`ng . Chi? co' vie^.c tra? tie^`n ma` cu~ng pha?i cho+` ddo+.i da`i ngu+o+`i, tie^.m thu+.c pha^?m cu~ng va^.y ma` tie^.m ha`ng ho'a trong ma^'y shopping center cu~ng va^.y . Te^. ha.i ho+n, tie^`n cu?a mi`nh mi`nh la^'y ma` cu~ng pha?i cho+` ddo+.i, vi` o+? nha` bank cu~ng the^' tho^i . DDa^u co' ca?nh cho+` ddo+.i kie^?u na`y o+? Vermillion, South Dakota dda^'t ro^.ng ngu+o+`i thu+a . La.i the^m con ngu+o+`i o+? dda^y ro^`i nhu+ kho^ng co`n ti`nh ca?m, ngu+o+`i na`o nhu+ cu~ng ga^'p ru't, vo^.i va~, cha.y ddua vo+'i cuo^.c ddo+`i . Thi` gio+` dda^u ma` nghi~ to+'i ngu+o+`i xung quanh .

     - Em dda~ no'i vo+'i anh la` o+? tha`nh pho^' lo+'n thie^n ha. hay ddua ddo`i, bon chen . Mi`nh kho^ng pha?i ti'p ngu+o+`i na`y, cha.y qua dda^y la`m chi cho mang ho.a .

     Ma` mang ho.a tha^.t khi nghi~ dde^'n dda'm con cu?a tu.i to^i . Ba^y gio+` ddang nghi? he`, va`i nga`y nu+~a dde^'n lu'c tu.i no' ddi ho.c thi` ho.c tru+o+`ng na`o, khu na`o, ai ddu+a ddo'n hay va^~n ddi xe buy't . Nghe no'i tu.i ho.c tro` Vie^.t Nam o+? dda^y ddi ho.c nga`y na`o cu~ng dda'nh lo^.n vo+'i tu.i Me^~, tu.i My~ . Ga^`n mu+.c thi` dden, ga^`n dde`n thi` sa'ng ro^`i lu~ con cu?a mi`nh cu~ng tro+? tha`nh nhu+~ng tay dda'nh dda^'m thie^.n nghe^. cho ma` coi . DDo' la` chu+a da'm no'i to+'i va^'n dde^` xi` ke, ma tu'y ...

     Bao nhie^u chuye^.n do^`n da^.p kho^ng co' ca'ch na`o gia?i quye^'t o^?n tho?a ngoa.i tru+` con ddu+o+`ng tro+? ve^` South Dakota . No+i ddo' to^i co' nha` cu+?a, co' sponsor, co' co^ng a(n vie^.c la`m, con ca'i cu?a to^i cu~ng quen tru+o+`ng ho.c, quen tha^`y co^ . Kho^ng pha?i ba^.n ta^m nhie^`u . Pha?i quye^'t ddi.nh tru+o+'c khi qua' tre^~, tro+? ve^` hay kho^ng ? To^i bie^'t ca`ng o+? dda^y la^u nhu+ ca`ng lu'n sa^u, va` to^i dda~ co' quye^'t ddi.nh ngay nga`y ho^m sau, to^i xin nghi? vie^.c . Tha(`ng manager chu+ng hu+?ng:

     - Ma`y no'i gio+~n cho+i ? Mo+'i la`m mo^.t tho+`i gian nga('n ma` xin nghi? vie^.c sao ddu+o+.c . Ma`y co' tro+? nga.i gi` ve^` va^'n dde^` tie^`n nong dde^? lo cho gia ddi`nh thi` no'i tu.i no', tu.i no' mo+? tru+o+ng mu.c cho ma`y vay nhe. lo+`i . Ma`y la`m vie^.c gio?i, ba tha'ng nha^'t ddi.nh ma`y se~ ddu+o+.c ta(ng lu+o+ng . Hewlett Packard la` ha~ng to^'t ma`, dda^u co' ai ma` ddo`i nghi? ngang xu+o+ng nhu+ ma`y dda^u . Ma`y suy nghi~ ky~ la.i ddi .

     To^i dda~ suy nghi~ ky~ ro^`i, va` to^i vie^'t va`o to+` resignation ly' do to^i xin nghi? vie^.c: "California chu+a pha?i la` mie^`n dda^'t hu+'a ."

     To^i ru't qua^n ve^` co^' qua^.n kho^ng ke`n kho^ng tro^'ng, nhu+ng trong lo`ng to^i ca?m tha^'y thu+ tha?, ha^n hoan . DDo^` dda.c cho mo^.t mo+', ba'n mo^.t mo+', gia ta`i ba^y gio+` thu go.n la.i chi? co`n mo^.t chie^'c U-Haul nho? ke'o theo xe Van . Tu.i to^i ddi vo`ng ca^`u San Mateo qua ddu+o+`ng 17 bo.c le^n Oakland . Do.c hai be^n ddu+o+`ng, nhu+~ng dda'm co? va`ng nhu+ tra?i tha?m xen la^~n vo+'i nhu+~ng lu`m ca^y xanh tu+o+i no^'i dduo^i nhau cha.y lu`i ve^` phi'a sau . Trong khoa?nh kha('c dda~ tro+? tha`nh di~ va~ng, ddo+`i ddo+`i buo^`n tha?m .

     Chuye^'n ddi nha^.n vie^.c dda~ tro+? tha`nh mo^.t chuye^'n nghi? he` da`i ha.n dda^`y ky? nie^.m vo+'i nhu+~ng danh lam tha('ng ca?nh cu?a nu+o+'c My~ ma` tu.i to^i dda~ ddi qua . Tre^n ddu+o+`ng ve^`, tu.i to^i dda~ vo`ng le^n hu+o+'ng Idaho Falls, Idaho dde^? ghe' va`o Grand Teton Lake, ro^`i dde^'n Yellow Stone National Park thuo^.c tie^?u bang Wyoming . Kho^ng hie^?u vi` su+. tha^'t ba.i co`n vu+o+ng va^'n hay vi` a?nh hu+o+?ng cu?a thie^n nhie^n hu`ng vi~, bao la, huye^`n bi' ma` lo`ng to^i nhu+ chu`ng xuo^'ng . Qua? tha^.t, nhu+~ng co^.t nu+o+'c geyser xi.t cao tu+` lo`ng dda^'t, nhu+~ng bong bo'ng cu?a bu`n non so^i su.c be^n ddu+o+`ng, va` va'ch dda' cheo leo nhi`n xuo^'ng do`ng tha'c nu+o+'c sa^u tha(?m ha`ng nga`n thu+o+'c dda~ ddu+a to^i va`o lo^'i mo^.ng:

     Thie^n thai ti`m cha(?ng dda^u xa
     DDa' Va`ng ngoa.n ca?nh cu~ng la` co~i tie^n
     Kho^ng tu bo^~ng tu+.a tha'nh hie^`n
     Nu'i so^ng ga^'m vo'c mo^.t mie^`n ngao du

     Tie^'p theo la` Dinosaur Pass, ngo.n dde`o cao cho't vo't, quanh co, khu'c khuy?u o+? vu`ng Sheridan, Wyoming la`m to^i su+.c nho+' ba^.n na`o mi`nh qua dde`o An Khe^ tu+` Qui Nho+n le^n Pleiku, qua dde`o Ha?i Va^n tu+` DDa` Na(~ng ra Hue^' . Chi? kha'c mo^.t ddie^?m, ba^y gio+` to^i la` ta`i xe^' va` ddang la'i xe cha.y cha^.m nhu+ ru`a bo`, kho^ng nhu+ nhu+~ng anh ta`i xe^' thuo^.c lo`ng ddu+o+`ng mie^`n Trung o^m vo^ la(ng cha.y nhu+ gio' . DDa^'t nu+o+'c mi`nh cu~ng muo^n nga`n ca?nh dde.p, hu`ng tra'ng, nguy nga ma` mi`nh dda^u dda~ co' di.p tha(m vie^'ng he^'t mo^.t la^`n . Tie^'c thay!

     Tro+? ve^` nha`, sponsor tay ba('t ma(.t mu+`ng, thua keo na`y ba`y keo kha'c . Tuy nhie^n cu~ng co' mo^.t va`i ngu+o+`i kho^ng ddo^`ng y' chuye^.n bo? job ve^` ngang, tra'ch . DDa'm con to^i ddu+o+.c ga(.p la.i ba.n be` tu+o+?ng chu+`ng nhu+ dda~ xa nhau ha(`ng ma^'y na(m, vui mu+`ng, ho+'n ho+? . Pha^`n to^i, to^i tu+'c to^'c gu+?i resume ddi khoa?ng 20 ha~ng kha'c, chi nha'nh kha'c ro^`i na(`m nha` cho+` ddo+.i . Mu`a na`y la` mu`a ca` va` du+a ha^'u . Ta^'t ca? ddi vo^ ruo^.ng ha'i ca`, 5 xu mo^.t ca^n, ha'i du+a ha^'u, 5 ddo^`ng mo^.t pick-up, kie^'m tie^`n cu~ng ddu? so^'ng . Ha'i ca` pha?i ru+?a tay ba(`ng ca`, ha'i du+a pha?i ru+?a tay ba(`ng du+a mo+'i sa.ch, ddo', kinh nghie^.m cu?a ma^'y ngu+o+`i no^ng da^n My~ xa`i sang . Be^n mi`nh ca`, du+a kho^ng co' ma` a(n cu?a dda^u ddem ra ru+?a tay, cho.i lo^.n .

     Bo^'n na(m tua^`n sau, to^i co' ba cho^~ mo+`i to+'i pho?ng va^'n va` tha(m vie^'ng ha~ng: Boeing, o+? Seattle, NCR o+? Witchita, va` Western Electric o+? Winston Salem . Ro^`i trong hai ha~ng offer, Boeing va` Western Electric, sponsor khuye^n to^i ne^n cho.n Western Electric ma(.c du` ha~ng na`y tra? lu+o+ng tha^'p ho+n mo^.t chu't . Western Electric na(`m trong Bell System, va` Bell System kho^ng bao gio+` che^'t, ky' nha^.n co^ng vie^.c nhu+ ky' giao ke`o, ho+.p ddo^`ng suo^'t ddo+`i . Boeing nhie^`u la^`n kho^ng bid ddu+o+.c contract cu?a chi'nh phu?, lay-off luo^n ca? ky~ su+ .

     Va^.y la` chua^?n bi. ddi Winston Salem . Nhu+ng la^`n na`y kinh nghie^.m ho+n, chi? hai vo+. cho^`ng va` dda'm con to^i ddi tru+o+'c, pha^n nu+?a gia ddi`nh co`n la.i cho+` ba'n nha` ro^`i no^'i go't theo sau . The^m mo^.t la^`n chia tay, the^m mo^.t la^`n ddi nghi? ma't . Chi? kha'c la` la^`n na`y tru+.c chi? mie^`n DDo^ng . To^i vo`ng qua St . Louis, Missouri dde^? tha^'y ta^.n ma('t ca'i mo'ng ca^`u vo`ng ba(`ng dda', va` chie^'c steam boat vo+'i ca'i xa qua.t lo+'n phi'a sau dduo^i la`m cha^n vi.t . Xuye^n tie^?u bang Kentucky dde^'n tha(m Mammoth Cave vo+'i con so^ng nga^`m du+o+'i dda^'t, hiden river . Ro^`i lo.t va`o Smoky Mountain National Park, na(`m giu+~a ranh gio+'i Tennesee va` North Carolina . Ba^'y gio+` la` mu`a thu, la' ru+`ng mu`a thu muo^n ma`u va.n sa('c pha^'t pho+ trong gio', tre^n nu'i cao nhi`n xuo^'ng cu~ng tu+o+?ng mi`nh ddi la.c va`o cho^'n bo^`ng lai . Chi'nh vi` va^.y ne^n da^n o+? dda^y kho^ng go.i tie^?u bang North Carolina cu?a ho. la` mie^`n dda^'t hu+'a, ma` go.i la` "God Country," la` xu+' cu?a tro+`i, la` thie^n ddu+o+`ng . The^m mo^.t ddoa.n la'i xe tre^n Blue Ridge Parkway, mo+'i hay My~ cu~ng bie^'t thu+o+?ng ngoa.n phong ca?nh, da'm la`m ddu+o+`ng tre^n ddi?nh nu'i dde^? de^~ nga('m de^~ nhi`n .

     Kha'c vo+'i South Dakota dda^'t tro^'ng, kha'c vo+'i California ddo^`i tro.c, o+? dda^y ca^y co^'i um tu`m nhu+ ru+`ng, tru`ng tru`ng ddie^.p ddie^.p, dde^'n no^~i to^i dde^'n Wiston Salem ma` to^i kho^ng hay . Vu`ng ngoa.i o^ tha`nh pho^', nha` cu+?a da^n cu+ nhu+ ma^'t hu't du+o+'i ta`n ca^y, ro^`i nhu+ ba(ng qua mo^.t block ddu+o+`ng, ddu`ng mo^.t ca'i down town vo+'i dda'm nha` cho.c tro+`i no^?i le^n su+`ng su+~ng . To^i thi'ch God Country la` nho+` ca^y co?, nhu+ng to^i kho^ng u+a ca'i gio.ng dda~i dda~i, ke'o da`i chu+~ cuo^'i cu?a da^n mie^`n Nam . No' cha^.m ho+n gio.ng no'i Yankee mo^.t tro+`i mo^.t vu+.c . Va` to^i tha^'y mi`nh he^n, ddu+o+.c ta'i sinh tre^n mie^`n Mid-west, mie^`n dda`o ta.o nhu+~ng anchor-man cho ca'c dda`i truye^`n hi`nh .

     Ho^`i co`n o+? Vie^.t Nam, ra^'t tie^'c to^i chu+a tha^'y ddo^i ma('t ngu+o+`i So+n Ta^y, chu+a nhi`n ca(.p ma('t dda ti`nh Phu' Ye^n, cu~ng nhu+ kho^ng giu+~ no^?i co^ ga'i Bi`nh DDi.nh mu'a roi ddi quye^`n hay ngu+o+`i dde.p Ha` DDo^ng, thi` ba^y gio+` qua dda^y kie^'m ca'i gi` la`m cu?a rie^ng cu~ng kho^ng muo^.n . God Country cha(?ng ha.n! Hay nho+' em the`m thuo^'c Winston! Winston, Salem, Raleigh ..., co' ngo+` dda^u la` nhu+~ng ddi.a danh, la` nhu+~ng te^n cu?a ma^'y tha`nh pho^' chi'nh o+? North Carolina, ca'i tie^?u bang dda~ ddu+o+.c o^ng vua thuo^'c la' R . J . Reynold dda(.t tru. so+? quo^'c te^', World Headquarters . DDo' la` chu+a no'i tie^?u bang na`y cu~ng la` "thu? ddo^ ddo^` mo^.c" cu?a nu+o+'c My~ . Ba^y gio+` ta^'t ca? cu+' coi la` cu?a rie^ng cu~ng cha(?ng ai phie^`n .

     La^`n na`y gia ddi`nh to^i ddu+o+.c ta.m tru' o+? Sheraton Holtel, co+m nu+o+'c thi` cu~ng cu+' charge va`o ca'i chi`a kho'a pho`ng . No'i ra cha(?ng ai tin, o+? dda^y va^.t gia' re? ba(`ng nu+?a San Jose, California, va` re? ho+n nhie^`u so vo+'i Vermillion, South Dakota . Nha` ga.ch, ba pho`ng ngu?, hai nga`n square feet tro+? le^n chi? mu+o+'n vo+'i gia' hai tra(m ru+o+~i, ba tra(m ddo^`ng mo^.t tha'ng . DDu'ng la` o+? xu+' la`m ga.ch kho^ng ba(`ng . DDa^'t se't . Xu+' North Carolina na`y dda^u dda^u cu~ng dda^'t se't he^'t . Mo^.t ma`u, ddo? nhu+ ga.ch to^m, va^.y ma` kho^ng hie^?u sao la.i ho+.p vo+'i ca^y ru+`ng . Nho+` mu+a nhie^`u cha(ng ? Tu+` ba chu.c dde^'n bo^'n chu.c inches mo^.t na(m thi` dda^u thua gi` mie^`n nam Vie^.t Nam .

     Vie^.c ti`m nha` dde^? mu+o+'n kho^ng gi` kho', vi` o+? dda^y kho^ng ai ddo`i ho?i tha'ng dda^`u, tha'ng cuo^'i, deposit . Nhu+ng o+? dda^y kho^? mo^.t ddie^?m la` ma^'y ddu+'a con cu?a to^i cu+' ddo`i tro+? ve^` South Dakota hoa`i . Ta.i sao ? Ta.i vi` ky` thi. chu?ng to^.c, kho^ng u+a My~ dden ma` cu~ng kho^ng hie^?u My~ dden . Tu.i no' no'i chi? bo.n no' nghe ma` tho^i, gio.ng Nam ra(.c ma` co`n che^m the^m nhie^`u tie^'ng lo'ng . To^i pha?i tra^'n an lu~ nho?:

     - DDi dda^u cu~ng va^.y tho^i . O+? dda^y My~ dden, o+? Cali Me^~ dden Me^~ tra('ng, cu~ng nhu+ o+? be^n mi`nh co' Indian ddo? va^.y . Tru+o+'c la. sau quen, la^`n la^`n ro^`i ca'c con se~ hie^?u ro~ ho+n .

     DDu'ng va^.y, la^`n la^`n chi'nh to^i mo+'i hie^?u ro~ ho+n cho^~ to^i la`m la` mo^.t trong nhu+~ng trung ta^m vie^'t sa'ch lo+'n nha^'t cu?a nu+o+'c My~ vo+'i khoa?ng ta'm tra(m writer, tho+. vie^'t, hai tra(m editor, tho+. su+?a, va` hai tra(m supporter, chuye^n vie^n phu. tra'ch ve^` ma'y mo'c . Ta^'t ca? trie^.u trie^.u sa'ch cu?a Bell System dde^`u xua^'t pha't tu+` dda^y . Nhu+ng co' cha('c My~ mu+o+'n Vie^.t Nam ddi vie^'t sa'ch cho My~ ddo.c kho^ng ? Chuye^.n gi` la. va^.y ? Chi'nh to^i cu~ng hay tu+. ho?i mi`nh nhu+ va^.y . Cha('c tu.i na`y thie^'u ca^'p so^' minority cho ne^n mo+'i kie^'m mi`nh dda(.ng nhe't va`o cho^~ tro^'ng . Ban dda^`u to^i cu~ng lo lo, va(n chu+o+ng chu+~ nghi~a cu?a mi`nh chu+a dda^`y la' mi't ngay tu+` ho^`i o+? Vie^.t Nam, la`m sao ma` la`m writer cho ddu+o+.c . Ai ngo+` vie^'t sa'ch My~ de^~ nhu+ a(n che` . Ma^'y cuo^'n manual, step-by-step procedures cho tho+. ddi su+?a ma'y ddie^.n thoa.i, su+?a to^?ng dda`i ..., dda^u co' ta? ca?nh, ta? ti`nh gi` dda^u ma` so+. . Mi`nh chi? lo pha^`n technical co`n pha^`n va(n pha.m, chi'nh ta? thi` giao cho ma^'y ba` editor . Mo^.t na(m vie^'t na(m ba?y cuo^'n de^~ nhu+ cho+i . La^u la^u to^i co`n mu+o+.n lo+`i mo^.t nha` tho+ Vie^.t Nam, nha` tho+ Ta?n DDa`, xi` ne.t tha(`ng My~ xe^'p bu't cu?a to^i cu~ng cu+u mang ca'i be^.nh hay ho^'i:

     - E^, va(n chu+o+ng chu+' dda^u pha?i cu?i bu+?a ma` muo^'n co' thi` co' ma^.y . Pha?i dde^? cho tao suy nghi~ cho+' .

     To^i ba('t dda^`u vie^'t amateur tu+` na(m 67, dde^'n na(m 70 thi` tha^.t su+. ga'c bu't ve^` hu+u . Mu+o+`i na(m dda(`ng dda(?ng tro^i qua, ba^y gio+` bo^~ng nhie^n bi. ba('t vie^'t tro+? la.i, vie^'t chuye^n nghie^.p . Ro^`i ti'nh vie^'t cho My~ tho^i, ai de` tro+`i xui dda^'t khie^'n la.i quay ra vie^'t cho mi`nh, cu~ng va^~n amateur . A^u cu~ng la` nghie^.p di~ . Nhu+ng nho+` vie^'t sa'ch kho^ng cu+.c kho^? gi` cho la('m ma` to^i co`n co' su+'c, co`n co' thi` gio+` dde^? tie^'p tu.c ho.c le^n . Ha~ng tra? ho.c phi' cho mi`nh, mi`nh kho^ng ddi ho.c cu~ng uo^?ng . To^i ghi te^n va`o chu+o+ng tri`nh MSEE ta.i North Carolina A&T State University . La`m professional student ? La`m ho.c tro` chuye^n nghie^.p ? La.i cu~ng la` nghie^.p di~ .

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11. MO^.T DDO+`I DDE^? HO.C

            NGUYE^~N TA^'N HU+NG

     Thu+o+`ng thu+o+`ng mo^~i khi to^i to^'t nghie^.p mo^.t tru+o+`ng, ho.c the^m ddu+o+.c mo^.t nghe^` mo+'i thi` cuo^.c ddo+`i to^i cu~ng tu+` ddo' ma` nhanh cho'ng thay ddo^?i theo . Nhu+ng la^`n na`y, la^'y ddu+o+.c ba(`ng master, electrical engineering, cuo^.c ddo+`i to^i la.i kho^ng thay ddo^?i ma^'y, chi? tu+` vie^'t sa'ch chuye^?n sang vie^'t program . Bie^'t mi`nh cu~ng cha(?ng ta`i ca'n gi`, nhu+ng cu+' ddo^? thu+`a ta.i vi` tho+`i the^' dda^?y ddu+a, cho ddo+~ ngu+o+.ng ngay ca? vo+'i chi'nh mi`nh . DDo^? thu+`a ta.i Bell System bi. break-up . DDo^? thu+`a cho AT&T, American Telephone and Telegraph Company ddang tre^n dda` xuo^'ng do^'c . To^'i nga`y chi? nghe tin ddo'ng cu+?a he^'t plant na`y to+'i plant kha'c, consolidation, lay-off, ba?y ta'm chu.c nga`n nha^n vie^n ma^'t vie^.c, va^.y thi` le^n sao ddu+o+.c . Nho+' nga`y na`o nha^.n vie^.c, tu+o+?ng la` ky' ho+.p ddo^`ng ddo+`i ddo+`i, kie^'p kie^'p na`o ngo+` chu+a ddu+o+.c mu+o+`i na(m dda~ tha^'y ra.n nu+'c, lung lay . DDu+o+.c mo^.t ddie^?m la` ma^'y xe^'p lo+'n ddo^'i xu+? vo+'i to^i cu~ng ra^'t co^ng ba(`ng, ho. gia?i thi'ch:

     - Ma`y muo^'n ddu+o+.c tha(ng chu+'c le^n lu+o+ng thi` ma`y pha?i ddo^?i ddi no+i kha'c . Co`n ma`y muo^'n o+? dda^y thi` ma`y chi? la`m nhu+~ng gi` xu+a nay ma`y va^~n la`m tho^i . Kho^ng ti`m dda^u cho^~ tro^'ng ma` ddo^n ma`y le^n . Tu`y ma`y, ne^'u ma`y muo^'n ddi thi` tao se~ ti`m job cho ma`y ddi, ma`y muo^'n o+? la.i thi` ddu+o+ng nhie^n ma`y co' job o+? dda^y ro^`i .

     To^i suy nghi~ ma^'y nga`y dde^m ro^`i quye^'t ddi.nh: kho^ng da'm lie^`u mo^.t la^`n nu+~a . Kho^ng da'm ro+`i bo? tie^?u bang North Carolina, tie^?u bang co' hoa dogwood, state flower, va` chim cardinal, state bird, dda~ ba('t dda^`u tro+? ne^n tha^n thuo^.c, ra`ng buo^.c vo+'i mi`nh . Hoa dogwood la` mo^.t loa`i hoa no+? va`o mu`a xua^n gio^'ng nhu+ hoa mai be^n nha` . Nhu+ng kho?i ca^`n tuo^'t la' vi` be^n na`y co' sa(~n mu`a ddo^ng . Hoa dogwood thu+o+`ng co' bo^'n hoa(.c na(m ca'nh va` co' hai loa.i: ma`u tra('ng va` ma`u ho^`ng . Ca^y lo+'n, ta`n ro^.ng cu`ng co+~ nhu+ ca^y mai . Hoa dogwoog no+? ra^'t la^u ta`n, co' khi ca? tha'ng . Le~ di~ nhie^n o+? North Carolina nha` na`o cu~ng co' tro^`ng ma(.c du` gia' ba'n ra^'t dda('c, bo^'n na(m chu.c ddo^`ng mo^.t ca^y con cao khoa?ng mo^.t hai thu+o+'c . Va`o mu`a xua^n, ca'i dde.p cu?a dogwood kho^ng nhu+~ng chi? o+? tru+o+'c sa^n ma` co`n pha?i no'i la` o+? ngoa`i ru+`ng . Dogwood ru+`ng kho^ng ai tro^`ng ma` mo.c le^`nh khe^nh, la`m su+.c nho+' nhu+~ng ca^y mai ru+`ng no+? dda^`y hoa o+? ngoa`i vu+o+`n hoang va`o nhu+~ng di.p Te^'t . Ru+`ng thu+a tra('ng ddie^?m mo^.t va`i ca`nh hoa thi` ddu'ng ho+n ne^'u cu. Nguye^~n Du co' so^'ng o+? xu+' na`y, xu+' cu?a dogwood . Va`o mu`a thu, ca'i dde.p cu?a dogwood la` su+. ddo^?i ma`u cu?a la' . Tu+` xanh ddo^?i sang na^u, tu+` na^u ddo^?i sang ti'm, ro^`i tu+` ti'm ddo^?i sang ddo? mo+'i chi.u ru.ng . La' ru.ng he^'t ro^`i dogwood va^~n co`n dde.p vi` co' tra'i dogwood . Tra'i ddo? nhu+ ho^.t cu+o+`m nhu+ng lo+'n ho+n, to ba(`ng mu't ddu~a, chi chi't khoe ma`u tre^n ca`nh . Mo^~i ca'nh hoa cu?a mu`a xua^n vu+`a qua ba^y gio+` ddu+o+.c thay the^' ba(`ng mo^.t ca'i tra'i . Na(m ca'nh hoa co^ ddo.ng la.i tha`nh mo^.t chu`m na(m tra'i tro^ng nhu+ mo^.t loa`i hoa nho? mo+'i la. . Cha(?ng bie^'t hoa dogwood tie^'ng Vie^.t go.i la` gi` ... Co`n chim cardinal la` mo^.t gio^'ng chim co' lo^ng ddo? tu+o+i nhu+ ma'u . Tre^n dda^`u co' mo^.t cho`m lo^ng cao nhu+ ca'i ma`o ga` . Chim cardinal va` blue jay la` hai loa.i chim lo+'n, co+~ con bo^` ca^u ra ra`ng, co' ma`u sa('c sa(.c so+? nha^'t thu+o+`ng tha^'y o+? vu`ng na`y .

     Ne^'u co`n tre?, co`n ddo^.c tha^n thi` cha('c cha('n to^i dda~ vo.t ddi ha~ng kha'c ma^'t ro^`i, co' ai cam ta^m nhi`n mi`nh ro+i va`o ca?nh thie^'u dda^'t du.ng vo~ . DDa(`ng na`y, kinh nghie^.m mo^.t la^`n di chuye^?n la` mo^.t la^`n tha^'t ba.i cu~ng dda~ co' nhie^`u ro^`i, tu+` ho^`i co`n o+? Vie^.t Nam kia . Ba la^`n do.n nha` cu~ng ba(`ng mo^.t la^`n cha'y nha`, va` dda^u ai muo^'n bi. cha'y nha` . DDi thi` lu+o+ng co' le^n nhu+ng chu+a cha('c ddo+`i so^'ng se~ thoa?i ma'i ho+n ve^` ma(.t kinh te^', co`n kho^? ho+n la` kha'c ne^'u bi. ddo^?i ve^` nhu+~ng vu`ng co' gia' sinh hoa.t cao . New York, New Jersey cha(?ng ha.n . Va? la.i, kho^ng an cu+ thi` kho^ng la.c nghie^.p, ma` ba?n tha^n mi`nh cu~ng dda~ mo?i go^'i cho^`n cha^n . Tie^'n thoa'i lu+o+~ng nan, ta.m tho+`i to^i dda`nh cha^'p nha^.n ca'i chu+'c vu. ddu.ng ceiling cu?a to^i . Kho^ng bao la^u nu+~a thi` nga`y ddu+o+.c quye^`n hu+o+?ng pension cu~ng se~ dde^'n . Du.c to^'c ba^'t dda.t, cho+`, chu+`ng na`o to+'i ddo' ha(?n hay .

     Bo+?i kho^ng ma^'y gi` thay ddo^?i ne^n to^i tu+. ho?i: ta.i sao mi`nh kho^ng tie^'p tu.c ho.c the^m ? Xu+a nay mi`nh va^~n tru+o+`ng ky` chie^'n dda^'u tre^n ma(.t tra^.n so^'ng co`n na`y cu?a da^n ti. na.n thi` ba^y gio+` ta.i sao kho^ng . Ne^n nho+' ra(`ng su+. ho.c la` bo+i lo^.i trong do`ng nu+o+'c ngu+o+.c, ne^'u du+`ng la.i la` thu.t lu`i . Va` kho^ng ai la.i muo^'n mi`nh bi. thu.t lu`i . Nhu+ng, tu+`ng tuo^?i na`y ma` va^~n co`n pha?i ddi ho.c ? Ho.c xong ro^`i dde^? la`m gi` ? Pha?i bie^'t, ca`ng cao danh vo.ng ca`ng nhie^`u gian nan, chi ba(`ng nga`y hai buo^?i ddi la`m, chie^`u chie^`u xa'ch vo+.t ra sa^n dda'nh tennis, vu+`a sa?ng khoa'i ta^m ho^`n vu+`a kho?e khoa('n ta^'m tha^n . Ho+n nu+~a, pha?i dde^? da`nh cho con cha'u nu+~a cho+', kho^ng so+. mi`nh hu+o+?ng he^'t lo^.c tro+`i cu?a tu.i no' sao ?

     - O+? nha` nghe em dda^.u ba(`ng Tie^'n Si~ ba ma' mu+`ng la('m, em co' ddi.nh ho.c le^n Tha.c Si~ hay kho^ng, o+? be^n na`y ba^y gio+` ngu+o+`i ta go.i la` Pho' Tie^'n Si~ ro^`i Tie^'n Si~ . Cha me. na`o cha(?ng mong cho con ca'i ddu+o+.c ddi ho.c tha`nh ta`i, dde^'n no+i dde^'n cho^'n . Nha^'t la` ba ma' mi`nh u+o+'c vo.ng la.i ca`ng cao . Nga`y xu+a ba ma' mi`nh chi? vi` kho^ng ra`nh chu+~ nghi~a ma` nhie^`u la^`n bi. ngu+o+`i ta lu+o+`ng ga.t, la`m kho' de^~ . Chi'nh vi` va^.y ma` ba ma' dda`nh hy sinh ta^'t ca? dde^? ddo^?i la^'y mo^.t ddie^`u: do^'c lo`ng cho chi. em mi`nh a(n ddi ho.c . Ra'n ho.c ddi em!

     Ma^'y anh chi. em lo+'n, chi. Kim, chi. Cu'c, anh Ta^'n va` to^i co' so^'ng vo+'i nhau mo^.t tho+`i gian da`i xa nha` tro. ho.c, ne^n to^i hie^?u ba` chi. thu+' ba cu?a to^i muo^'n no'i gi` vo+'i to^i . Ho^`i xu+a, chi. tha^'y to^i ho.c kha', nhie^`u la^`n nha('c nho+? va` ngu. y' ra(`ng chi? co' to^i la` ngu+o+`i nhu+ co' kha? na(ng la`m ra.ng ro+~ gia to^.c, to^ng mo^n . Nhu+ng, cu~ng ta.i tho+`i the^' lu'c ba^'y gio+` ddu+a dda^?y, to^i bo? ho.c ddi li'nh, chi. to^i buo^`n la('m nhu+ng chi. bie^'t la`m sao ho+n . Ba^y gio+` cu~ng va^.y, thu+ na`o cu?a chi. tu+` Vie^.t Nam gu+?i sang dde^`u ke`m theo va`i ca^u nha('n nhu?, khuye^n lo+n ve^` va^'n dde^` ho.c ha`nh . Chi. co`n no'i the^m:

     - Ba^y gio+` mo+'i tha^'y lo+`i no'i cu?a tha^`y na(m A^?n la` ddu'ng, o^ng tha^`y ddi.a ly' bie^'t ddo.c sa'ch Ta? Ao, dda~ nghie^n cu+'u cuo^.c dda^'t dde^? xa^y kim ti~nh cho o^ng no^.i mi`nh ddo', em co`n nho+' kho^ng ? O^?ng no'i ra(`ng vo+'i the^' dda^'t o^ng no^.i na(`m, thi` be^n con trai ne^'u vo~ nghie^.p kho^ng la`m quan lo+'n thi` va(n nghie^.p se~ ddo^~ dda.t cao, co`n be^n con ga'i thi` co' tie^`n, gia`u co' . Anh hai Cu+, anh cu?a chi. Kim Sa, Kim Phu.ng dda~ le^n trung tu+o+'ng, va` co^ Na(m mi`nh cu~ng dda~ cha(?ng gia`u nha^'t qua^.n ? Chi? co' mo^.t ddie^?m xa^'u ma` tha^`y na(m A^?n cu~ng cho bie^'t luo^n la` ne^'u tinh hoa cu?a the^' dda^'t pha't tie^'t qua' nhanh thi` con cha'u ddo+`i sau se~ kho^ng giu+~ ddu+o+.c lua^n thu+o+`ng dda.o ly', con cha'u trong do`ng ho. da'm la^'y nhau ba^.y ba. cu~ng chu+a bie^'t chu+`ng . Em nghi~ coi, ai la.i ddem lua^n thu+o+`ng dda.o ly' ma` dda'nh ddo^?i vo+'i danh vo.ng gia`u sang . Va^.y ma` ho^`i ddo' tu+` ba'c Hai cho dde^'n co^ Ta'm ai ai cu~ng ddo^`ng y' . Cu~ng may thanh the^' cu?a gia ddi`nh, do`ng ho. ba^y gio+` dda~ suy su.p ro^`i, kho^ng ddo+.i to+'i ba ddo+`i dda^u, cho ne^n chuye^.n tra'i lua^n thu+o+`ng dda.o ly' kho^ng tha^'y xa?y ra .

     Kho^ng hie^?u ca'i a?nh hu+o+?ng cu?a thie^n va(n, ddi.a ly' co' xa ho+n nu+?a vo`ng tra'i dda^'t hay kho^ng ma` ba^y gio+` nghe nha('c la.i to^i cu~ng ca?m tha^'y chu't i't bo^`n cho^`n trong bu.ng . DDa~ ba chu.c na(m ho+n ro^`i cho+' dda^u co' pha?i mo+'i nga`y ho^m qua . To^i co`n nho+' mang ma'ng o^ng tha^`y na(m A^?n dda~ kha(n go'i dde^'n a(n o+? nha` ba ma' to^i ca? tha'ng, to^'i nga`y lang thang kha('p la`ng kha('p qua^.n dde^? kie^'m ha`m ro^`ng . Ha`m ro^`ng dda^u kho^ng tha^'y, nhu+ng co' tin ddo^`n: ro^`ng no^?i o+? mie^.t Ho`a Bi`nh . DDa'm nho'c tu.i to^i dda^u co' chi.u bo? lo+~ co+ ho^.i nga`n na(m mo^.t thuo+? na`y, be`n ddeo xe ddo` ddi coi . Xuo^'ng xe co`n pha?i lo^.i bo^. ddu+o+`ng vu+o+`n hai ba ca^y so^' ve^` hu+o+'ng An Thanh Thu?y mo+'i dde^'n no+i . Tu+o+?ng la` con ni't tho^i, ai de` ngu+o+`i lo+'n ddi coi cu~ng ddo^ng nghe.t .

     Kho^ng pha?i mo^.t ma` dde^'n hai con ro^`ng, mo^.t con trong nha` tu+` cu+?a ca'i cha.y xuo^'ng nha` be^'p, va` mo^.t con ngoa`i go` ma? dda' ong phi'a sau vu+o+`n . Hai ca'i dda^`u ro^`ng cha('c no^?i cao la('m, nhu+ng dda~ bi. ai san ba(`ng chi? co`n ma^'y so+.i ra^u, ma^'y ddu+o+`ng ga^n dda^'t, ngoa(`n ngoe`o . Tha^n ro^`ng tha^'y ro~ ho+n vo+'i nhu+~ng va?y ro^`ng, nhu+~ng mo^ dda^'t ba(`ng ba('p cha^n, o^m nhau khi't khao, dde^`u dda(.n . Co' ngu+o+`i kho^ng tin la` ro^`ng vi` ta.i sao tha^n ro^`ng chi? no^?i le^n tre^n lo^'i ddi tu+` nha` tre^n xuo^'ng nha` du+o+'i, ne^`n dda^'t ddi nhie^`u nga`y no' cu~ng vo^`ng le^n, ho. no'i nhu+ va^.y . Nhu+ng co`n con ro^`ng o+? ngoa`i vu+o+`n, cu~ng vo^`ng le^n nhu+ va^.y ma` dda^u co' ai ddi, thi` gia?i thi'ch la`m sao ?

     DDie^`u to^i he^'t su+'c nga.c nhie^n kho^ng pha?i la` con ro^`ng no^?i ma` la` anh chu? ro^`ng, anh ba Xua^n, la.i la` con nuo^i cu?a ba ma' to^i ke^u ba ma' to^i ba(`ng ca^.u mo+. . Chi? ta.i anh to` mo` ho?i to+'i ho?i lui mo+'i lo`i ra vie^.c na`y, cho+' lu'c ddo' to^i co`n nho? dda^u dde^? y' gi` dde^'n chuye^.n ba` con, tha^n thi'ch . Vo+'i la.i ddi coi ro^`ng no^?i la` ddi le'n, o+? nha` kho^ng ai bie^'t, va` so+. bi. ddo`n ne^n to^i cu~ng muo^'n da^'u . Da^'u dda^`u lo`i dduo^i, nhu+ng, to^i ddu+o+.c anh chu? ro^`ng tie^'p dda~i he^'t su+'c no^`ng ha^.u, co' nu+o+'c tra` ba'nh ngo.t o+? pho`ng kha'ch, co' tra'i chi'n ca^y o+? ngoa`i vu+o+`n .

     Da^n chu'ng kha('p ca? qua^.n lu'c ddo' chia la`m hai phe ba`n ta'n, gia?i ddoa'n thie^n co+ giu`m anh ba Xua^n: mo^.t phe cho ra(`ng ro^`ng no^?i la` chu? nha` pha't ta`i tha`nh trie^.u phu', co`n phe kia cho ra(`ng ro^`ng no^?i la` chu? nha` ta`n gia ba.i sa?n . Ma~i ga^`n nu+?a na(m sau mo+'i bie^'t phe na`o tru'ng phe na`o sai . Pha?i bie^'t ro^`ng no^?i la` dda.i na.n . Vi` ca'ch ddo' kho^ng la^u Vie^.t Co^.ng bo^~ng nhie^n la^'y vu`ng na`y la`m ca(n cu+' ddi.a . DDi.a danh la` Ho`a Bi`nh ma` cha(?ng ho`a bi`nh chu't na`o he^'t . Nhu+~ng cuo^.c ha`nh qua^n ca`n que't xa?y ra nhu+ co+m bu+~a dde^'n no^~i da^n la`ng pha?i bo? la`ng ra ddi kho^ng co`n mo^.t mo^'ng . Anh ba Xua^n lu'c dda^`u cha.y ra nha` ba ma' to^i ta' tu'c, ro^`i sau ddo' tha^'y vie^.c tro+? ve^` que^ cu~ la`m a(n kho' nhu+ ddi le^n tro+`i, ne^n la^.p nghie^.p luo^n o+? xo'm dda^`u ca^`u tre^n . Lu'c o+? dda^.u nha` ba ma' to^i, anh ba Xua^n kho^ng co' chuye^.n gi` la`m, to^'i nga`y ddi dda^`u tre^n xo'm du+o+'i ba`n chuye^.n thie^n ha., tho+`i cuo^.c ro^`i dda^m ra no^?i tie^'ng ta`i hoa, va(n chu+o+ng lu+u loa't, ly' lua^.n ho^`n nhie^n khie^'n ai cu~ng nghe, cu~ng thi'ch . To^i thi` to^i kho^ng nghe dda^u, va` to^i chi? thi'ch anh la`m die^`u cho to^i tha?, la`m ke.o ke'o cho to^i a(n, ke.o ke'o ke'o ba(`ng ca^y ddinh ddo'ng vo^ ca^y co^.t .

     Kim ti~nh cu?a o^ng no^.i to^i ddu+o+.c xa^y tre^n pha^`n dda^'t tru+o+'c cu+?a chu`a Ba`n Ba` tru+o+'c khi o^ng no^.i to^i che^'t khoa?ng ho+n mu+o+`i na(m . The^' dda^'t na`y hie^?n nhie^n kho^ng pha?i la` ha`m ro^`ng, dda^'t o+? vu`ng ddo^`ng ba(`ng dda^u dda^u cu~ng ba(`ng pha(?ng, dduo^i ro^`ng do+.n le^n co`n kho^ng no^?i no'i gi` nguye^n ca'i ha`m ro^`ng, dda^`u ro^`ng . Phu+o+'c ddu+'c o^ng ba` ma(.c may co`n thanh ti.nh vi` co`n ga^`n chu`a chie^`n, nhang kho'i . Kim ti~nh xa^y theo tu+o+'ng dda^'t dda~ dda`nh, nhu+ng u+o+'c vo.ng cu?a nhu+~ng ngu+o+`i lo cho ngu+o+`i na(`m xuo^'ng co' tha`nh hay kho^ng cu~ng co`n bi. a?nh hu+o+?ng bo+?i nhie^`u thu+' nhu+ tuo^?i ta'c, nga`y gio+` che^'t ... Co`n nhie^`u ddie^`u quan tro.ng ho+n nu+~a, cha(?ng ha.n lu'c ha. huye^.t ca'i ho`m cu?a o^ng no^.i to^i la.i xuo^'ng tri.ch sang be^n pha?i mo^.t chu't, va^.y ma` ba'c Hai to^i ba?o dde^? nguye^n, kho^ng xe^ di.ch ddi dda^u he^'t . Ta.i sao lu'c ha. huye^.t pha?i tha? e^m xuo^i mo^.t la^`n tho^i ? Co' ngu+o+`i ba`n ne^'u dde^? nhu+ va^.y con cha'u ga'i sau na`y se~ la^'n lu+o+'t con cha'u trai . Ba^y gio+` to^i tha^'y cu~ng ho+.p ly' la('m vi` co' la^`n con nho? em ke^' to^i, con be' Ga^'m, la^'n lu+o+'t to^i tha^'y ro~, no' no'i kha'c vo+'i ba` chi. thu+' ba cu?a to^i mo^.t tro+`i mo^.t vu+.c:

     - Anh na(m a`, nghe anh ho.c ha`nh ddo^~ dda.t, la`m o^ng na`y chu+'c kia ma` sao coi bo^. anh la`m tie^`n kho^ng ba(`ng ngu+o+`i ta, kho^ng ba(`ng ma^'y ngu+o+`i la`m nghe^` tay chu+n . Tie^`n ba.c, qua` ca'p cu?a anh gu+?i ve^` nha` cu~ng chi? nhu+ mo^.t gio.t mu+a trong co+n na('ng ha.n, kho^ng ba(`ng mo^.t go'c cu?a chi. Be' Tu+ con du+o+.ng ba Ti' ho^`i xu+a ba'n bar la^'y My~, la`m o+? nha` ai cu~ng buo^`n ...

     Tho^i, che^'t ro^`i, no' no'i cu~ng ddu'ng la('m chu+' cha(?ng sai . O+? ddie^?m na`y, chi'nh to^i to^i cu~ng buo^`n vo^ ha.n . Chi? co' to^i mo+'i hie^?u cho to^i: su+. thu+.c hay phu~ pha`ng . DDa^u pha?i co' ba(`ng ca^'p cao la` dda`o ddu+o+.c nhie^`u tie^`n o+? ca'i xu+' na`y dda^u . Mi`nh o+? be^n na`y bie^'t va^.y ma` va^~n nghe ddau ddo+'n, xo't xa la`m sao . Vie^.t Nam mi`nh tu+` Ba('c vo^ Nam nhu+ ca'i tu'i lu?ng dda'y, bie^'t bao nhie^u tie^`n cu?a ddo^? ve^` ma` kho^ng bie^'t cha.y ddi dda^u . Tho+`i buo^?i na`y kho^ng ma^'y ai nghi~ dde^'n chuye^.n cu+'u nho+n ddo^. the^' xa vo+`i nu+~a, chi? bie^'t cu+'u ddo^. gia ddi`nh mi`nh ma` tho^i . Va^.y ma` than o^i, rie^ng to^i, tha^n to^i nhu+ ca'nh nha.n le? loi dda~ kho^ng la`m no^?i mu`a xua^n cho gia ddi`nh .

     Pha?i lo la`m gia`u ddi cho+' . Mi`nh ho.c ddu? thu+', na`o transistor, chip, microwave, fiber optic, semiconductor theories ..., thi` mi`nh pha?i bie^'t engineering cho ddu+o+.c mo^.t ca'i "ma'y la`m gia`u" cho+' . Nho? cu~ng ddu+o+.c, kho^ng ca^`n lo+'n . Co' tha^'y kho^ng, vai mang tu'i ba.c ke` ke`, no'i ba^.y no'i ba. thie^n ha. nghe ra^`m ra^`m . Ba^y gio+` kho+?i su+. cu~ng chu+a muo^.n ma` . Nhu+ng la`m sao la`m gia`u ? Chi? ca^`n co' gan thi` la`m gia`u tho^i sao ? No'i nhu+ va^.y thi` de^~ qua', ba` con mi`nh qua dda^y dda~ la`m gia`u he^'t tro.i ro^`i .

     To^i ba('t dda^`u nghie^n cu+'u, ddi sa^u va`o va^'n dde^` . O+? My~ muo^'n la`m gia`u le. tru+o+'c tie^n pha?i ke^? dde^'n nghe^` buo^n ba'n nha` cu+?a, ba^'t ddo^.ng sa?n . Nu+o+'c la~ khua^'y ne^n ho^`, cu?a ngao giao cho co`, mi`nh la`m tha^n ngu+ o^ng ddu+'ng giu+~a ho^'t ba.c . Ca'i nha` la` nha` cu?a ta, My~ tra('ng My~ dden la`m ra, ba'n cha la^'y tie^`n bo? tu'i, muo^n na(m xa nu+o+'c non nha` . To^i be`n tham kha?o y' kie^'n vo+'i tha(`ng Jim, tha(`ng ba.n la`m chung so+?, hie^.n gio+` ddang co' ca? tra(m ca(n nha` cho mu+o+'n . No' cu~ng cha(?ng da^'u nghe^`:

     - Chuye^.n ma`y nghi~ to+'i thi` cu~ng co' ca? chu.c tha(`ng ta.i ha~ng na`y ddang la`m . Ca'i kho' la` ma`y co' chi.u la`m 14, 16 tie^'ng mo^.t nga`y hay kho^ng va` pha?i co' so^' vo^'n chu+`ng mu+o+`i nga`n tro+? la.i . Tru+o+'c he^'t ma`y pha?i mua nha` cu~, su+?a ra mo+'i, ro^`i ba'n la.i la^'y lo+`i . Vo^'n nho?, pha?i ca^`n cash flow . Bao gio+` co' vo^'n kha kha' mo+'i mua nha` cu~, su+?a ra mo+'i, ro^`i cho mu+o+'n nhu+ tao . Ma^'y tha(`ng mu+o+'n nha` tra? tie^`n nha`, tra? tie^`n mortgage cho ma`y, cho+` na(m ba?y na(m sau ba'n la^'y lo+`i, lo+`i to . Vo+'i ddie^`u kie^.n, mo^.t tha'ng 30 nga`y ma`y chi.u kho' ddi ha^`u to`a vo+'i tu.i no' he^'t 20 nga`y . No' kho^ng tra? tie^`n nha` ma`y pha?i la`m sao, lo^i no' ra to`a . DDuo^?i no' ddi no' kho^ng ddi ma`y pha?i la`m sao, lo^i no' ra to`a . Tu.i no' pha' nha` ma`y pha?i la`m sao, lo^i no' ra to`a . O+? dda^y ma`y kho^ng la`m gi` ddu+o+.c tu.i tenant ngoa`i vie^.c lo^i no' ra to`a . To`a xu+? xong ddo^i khi no' kho^ng thi ha`nh le^.nh to`a, la.i pha?i lo^i no' ra to`a la^`n nu+~a . Tru+` khi ma`y ddem shotgun hoa(.c karate' ra no'i chuye^.n vo+'i tu.i no' thi` cha('c co' kha'c chu't ddi?nh . Nhu+ng, chuye^.n ddo' co`n la^u ddo^'i vo+'i ma`y . Chuye^.n hie^.n ta.i la` mua nha` cu~, su+?a ra mo+'i, ro^`i ba'n la.i . Mua nha` cu~ la` ca? mo^.t nghe^. thua^.t, chie^'n thua^.t . Pha?i bie^'t thie^n tho+`i, ddi.a lo+.i, nha^n ho`a thi` sau khi su+?a chu+~a xong mo+'i co' hi vo.ng ba'n ga^'p ddu+o+.c . To+'i dda^y, co`n pha?i ke^? dde^'n so^' ma.ng nu+~a, ke.t chu+`ng nu+?a na(m kho^ng ba'n ddu+o+.c thi` tie^`n vo^'n dda~ vo+i ddi mo^.t pha^`n tu+ ro^`i ...

     - Tho^i, ddu? ro^`i . Tao hie^?u ro^`i .

     - Ma`y co`n muo^'n mua nha`, ba'n nha` nu+~a hay kho^ng ? Tao chu+a dde^'n 40 ma` to'c ba.c tra('ng nhu+ va^`y thi` ma`y bie^'t vui su+o+'ng co+~ na`o .

     La`m gia`u kie^?u na`y coi bo^. phie^u lu+u qua' . Mie^.ng lu+o+~i mi`nh la`m sao ho+n My~ ma` ddi no'i chuye^n ba'n buo^n vo+'i tu.i My~ . To^i co' gan dda^`y mi`nh ddi nu+~a cu~ng chu+a da'm nha?y vo^ chia pha^`n vo+'i lu~ na`y ... Hay la` mi`nh chi? la`m co^ng vie^.c su+?a chu+~a, remodeling, la^'y co^ng la`m lo+`i cha('c a(n ho+n . To^i la.i ddi tham kha?o vo+'i mo^.t ngu+o+`i ba.n Vie^.t Nam dda~ co' kinh nghie^.m trong nghe^` .

     - Nghe^` na`y thi` chi? la` nghe^` tay tra'i tho^i . DDe^? da`nh la`m ca hai thi` ddu+o+.c chu+' la`m full time thi` che^, kho^ng ddu? so^'ng dda^u . Chi'nh moa tu+` cho^~ pha' nha`, su+?a nha` ma` ba^y gio+` pha?i ddi da'n gia^'y va'ch tu+o+`ng tho^i . Mu+o+`i bo^'n, mu+o+`i la(m ddo^`ng mo^.t cuo^.n, de^~ a(n ho+n . Ra?nh thi` la`m kho^ng ra?nh thi` tho^i . Kho?i pha?i lo ga^`n lo xa chi cho me^.t, he^'t ca'i nha` na`y kho^ng co' ca'i nha` kha'c dde^? da'n cu~ng kho^ng dde^'n no^~i che^'t ddo'i . Nghe^` phu. ma` . Va^.y ma` cu~ng co`n bi. ca.nh tranh sa't va'n ddo' cho+' . DDa`n ba` My~ ra?nh cho^`ng, ra?nh con la`m ca'i nghe^` na`y thie^'u gi` . Tu.i no' kho^ng co' con ma('t tha^?m my~ ba(`ng mi`nh dda^u, nha^'t la` da'n gia^'y ca-ro^, coi va^.y chu+' kho^ng pha?i de^~, sai mo^.t chu't la` ngu+o+`i ta bie^'t ngay . Cho^`ng mi' co`n pha?i dde^? y' dde^'n a'nh dde`n nu+~a ki`a, xuo^i a'nh dde`n nguye^n ta^'m tu+o+`ng kho^ng tha^'y mo^.t mo^'i no^'i . Ba^y gio+` co' ngon thi` ddi tha^`u da'n gia^'y ma^'y ca'i development mo+'i, hoa(.c ma^'y ca'i appartment mo+'i . Co' chu+`ng ba bo^'n chu.c nha` hay na(m ba?y chu.c ca(n appartment thi` so^'ng vu+~ng ca? na(m, tu+o+`ng mo+'i ta^'p gia^'y vo^ da'n kho?i pha?i go+~ gia^'y cu~, no' su+o+'ng cha ddo+`i ...

     - Va^.y sao ho^`i ddo' gio+` anh kho^ng ddi tha^`u ?

     - Tha^`u ca'i me. gi` cha . I't ra cha pha?i co' mo^.t ca'i co^ng ty ddo+~ dda^`u, co' te^n tuo^?i, co' va(n pho`ng ha(?n ho`i thi` mo+'i no'i chuye^.n vo+'i ngu+o+`i ta ddu+o+.c cho+' . Ai ma` tin ca'i tha(`ng da^n ngu khu dden nhu+ mi`nh . Hay la` cha ddu+'ng ra la^.p ha~ng ddi ro^`i moa se~ la`m cho cha, hai ddu+'a mi`nh a(n chia cu~ng ddu+o+.c la('m ddo' .

     No'i kie^?u na`y thi` cu~ng tro+'t lo+'t luo^n . Chi? co' mu+o+`i nga`n tie^`n vo^'n ma` bo? ra la^.p ha~ng thi` kho^ng o^?n ro^`i, no^.i chuye^.n mu+o+'n cho^~ la`m va(n pho`ng mo^~i tha'ng mo^.t nga`n ddo^`ng tro+? le^n chu+a ke^? ddie^.n nu+o+'c, na(m tha'ng kho^ng tha^`u ddu+o+.c mo^.t mo^'i na`o, tie^`n vo^'n ddi ddong he^'t pha^n nu+?a . La`m co^ng dda~ kho', la`m chu? cha('c pha?i kho' ho+n . So^? sa'ch, ke^' toa'n, thue^' ma', chi thu co`n me^.t nu+~a ... Hay la` mo+? tie^.m ba'n thu+.c pha^?m A' DDo^ng, ba'n kho^ng cha.y ddem ve^` a(n da^`n cu~ng kho^ng dde^'n no^~i lo^~ . To^i be`n ddi tham kha?o y' kie^'n mo^.t ngu+o+`i ba.n Ta`u lai Vie^.t .

     - Tui sa('p su+?a ddo'ng cu+?a ma` o^ng ddo`i mo+? tie^.m thi` tru+o+'c sau gi` o^ng cu~ng se~ dda.p cu+'t tui tho^i . Mo+'i ba'n co' bo^'n tha'ng ma` tui lo^~ bo^'n nga`n ddo^`ng ro^`i ddo' o^ng o+i . Mu+o+`i hai nga`n tie^`n vo^'n, ba^y gio+` kie^?m ke^ ha`ng ho'a chi? co`n co' ta'm nga`n na(`m tre^n ke^. . Ma` o^ng kho?i ca^`n mo+? tie^.m chi cho ma^'t co^ng, tu.i La`o sa('p mo+? mo^.t tie^.m, ro^`i tu.i Kampuchia cu~ng sa('p mo+? mo^.t tie^.m rie^ng cu?a tu.i no' nu+~a . Tui bie^'t, tru+o+'c sau gi` tu.i no' cu~ng ddo'ng cu+?a he^'t tro.i cho ma` coi . O+? dda^y dda^u co' bao nhie^u ngu+o+`i a(n nu+o+'c ma('m, dda^u co' ddo^ng nhu+ be^n Cali ma` ham . La^'y co^ng la`m ... lo^~, lo^~ bu+., chu+' cha(?ng tha^'y lo+`i, tie^`n thue^ cho^~ nuo^'t o^ng nhu+ ra('n nuo^'t tru+'ng so^'ng .

     Chu+a ba`n ddu+o+.c ca^u na`o dda~ tha^'y do^.i ngu+o+.c . Nhu+~ng gi` mi`nh suy nghi~, thie^n ha. dde^`u dda~ suy nghi~ to+'i, va` co`n ho+n mi`nh mo^.t bu+.c thie^n ha. dda~ nha?y ra la`m thu+? ro^`i . Ma` sao cu+' nghe toa`n la` kho' kha(n, tha^'t ba.i . Cha(?ng le~ tro+`i kho^ng dda~i ngo^. dda'm da^n la`nh dda^`u dden ... Hay chi? co`n mo^.t ca'ch la` mo+? qua'n a(n Vie^.t Nam! Nhu+ng, ti`m dda^u ra tho+. na^'u, va` mu+o+'n ai cha.y ba`n ? Cha(?ng le~ cho vo+. nghi? so+? ddu+'ng na^'u cho con bo? ho.c cha.y ba`n ? Co`n ca'i gi` cu~ng thue^ he^'t thi` du` co' la`m ddu+o+.c ddi nu+~a, ro^'t cuo^.c ro^`i ai a(n ai hu+o+?ng ?

     To^i chi.u thua, kho^ng nghi~ ra ca'ch gi` kha'c ho+n nu+~a . To'm la.i, va^'n dde^` engineering mo^.t ca'i "ma'y la`m gia`u" la` chuye^.n kho^ng pha?i de^~ . Chi? vie^.c dda`o dda^u ra mu+o+`i nga`n ddo^`ng la`m vo^'n co`n nghi~ chu+a ra no'i gi` tha`nh trie^.u phu' . Ro~ e^'ch ngo^`i dda'y gie^'ng . Va^.y ma` ta.i sao ma^'y tha(`ng ba.n cu`ng kho'a cu?a mi`nh, ta`i na(ng tu.i no' cu~ng dda^u ho+n mi`nh, la.i tha`nh co^ng ru+.c ro+~ nhu+ va^.y . Tha(`ng Bi`nh la`m chu? mo^.t lu+o+.t ba bo^'n tie^.m Bolsa Fabric, Mini, La Parisienne ... o+? Los Angeles, tha(`ng Hoa`ng la`m chu? hai ba ta`u ca', vu+.a ca' o+? San Francisco ... Ngu+o+`i ta kho^ng nhu+~ng co' gan ma` co`n pha?i co' so^' nu+~a, so^' dde? bo.c ddie^`u . Ne^'u ddu'ng nhu+ lo+`i tha^`y na(m A^?n no'i, thi` dda'm con cha'u trai cu?a o^ng no^.i to^i ro^`i cu~ng cha(?ng ai la`m gia`u ddu+o+.c, cha(?ng ai ca?i ddu+o+.c so^' tro+`i .

     Vo~ nghie^.p kho^ng la`m quan lo+'n thi` va(n nghie^.p cu~ng ddo^~ dda.t cao, vo~ nghie^.p ba^y gio+` kho^ng co`n nu+~a, chi? co`n va(n nghie^.p tho^i . Va^.y thi` con ddu+o+`ng mi`nh xu+a nay va^~n ddi, cu+' ddi . Ro^`i to^i tin lo+`i tha^`y na(m A^?n mo^.t la^`n nu+~a, chi.u ma^'t 25 ddo^`ng non-refund processing-fee, no^.p ddo+n tie^'p tu.c ho.c le^n dde^? la^'y Ph . D . ta.i North Carolina State University, o+? tha`nh pho^' Raleigh, North Carolina . Cha(.ng ddu+o+`ng cho't cu?a ngu+o+`i ho.c tro` . Cha(?ng bie^'t mi`nh co' co`n kha? na(ng ho.c ho?i nu+~a hay kho^ng, va` trong tho+`i ha.n a^'n ddi.nh to^'i dda sa'u na(m mi`nh se~ tha`nh Ph . D . candidate no^?i hay kho^ng, nhu+ng cu+' la`m lie^`u ... Cho tro.n kie^'p mo^.t ddo+`i dde^? ho.c, tha`nh ta`i hay kho^ng mo^.t pha^`n cu~ng co`n pha?i nho+` va`o y' chi' va` lo`ng tin cu?a mi`nh . Cu~ng gio^'ng nhu+ mo^.t ddo+`i dde^? vie^'t, tha`nh danh hay kho^ng mo^.t pha^`n cu~ng nho+` va`o cuo^.c so^'ng va` so^' pha^`n cu?a mi`nh . Va` cu~ng gio^'ng nhu+ mo^.t ddo+`i dde^? tu, tha`nh cha'nh qua? hay kho^ng mo^.t pha^`n cu~ng nho+` va`o ca(n duye^n va` nha^n qua? cu?a mi`nh . Thu+? nghi~ coi:

     Xu+a nay Tie^n Pha^.t ha(`ng ha`
     Cu~ng la` ngu+o+`i the^' tu ra mo+'i tha`nh .

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12. DDA`I VOA ddie^?m sa'ch MO^.T DDO+`I DDE^? HO.C

            PHU+O+NG LAN & BU`I BA?O TRU'C thu+.c hie^.n

     Intro: Sau dda^y la` mu.c Va(n Ho.c Vie^.t Nam Ha?i Ngoa.i .

     P. Lan: Trong mu.c Va(n Ho.c Vie^.t Nam Ha?i Ngoa.i do Ba?o La^m phu. tra'ch, chu'ng to^i xin gu+?i quy' thi'nh gia? ba`i gio+'i thie^.u cuo^'n Mo^.t DDo+`i DDe^? Ho.c cu?a Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng do La`ng Va(n xua^'t ba?n .

     B. B. Tru'c: Mo^.t DDo+`i DDe^? Ho.c la` truye^.n da`i dda^`u tie^n cu?a Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng do La`ng Va(n xua^'t ba?n ta.i Gia Na~ DDa.i ho^`i cuo^'i na(m 1988 . Nhu+ng dda^y kho^ng pha?i la` la^`n dda^`u o^ng ngo^`i xuo^'ng ba`n vie^'t . Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng dda~ co' nhu+~ng truye^.n nga('n dda(ng tre^n ta.p chi' Va(n cu?a Mai Tha?o ho^`i Va(n co`n dda(.t ba'o qua'n o+? ddu+o+`ng Pha.m Ngu~ La~o, Sa`i Go`n tru+o+'c na(m 1975, ro^`i sau chuye^'n ddi ro+`i kho?i Vie^.t Nam, va` sau khi nha` va(n Mai Tha?o to+'i Hoa Ky` va` la`m so^'ng la.i ta.p chi' Va(n, Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng dda~ vie^'t la.i cho to+` ba'o va(n ho.c na`y ngay tu+` trong nhu+~ng so^' Va(n dda^`u tie^n o+? ha?i ngoa.i . Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng, theo Mai Tha?o, "dda~ co' mo^.t hi`nh tha'i cu?a mo^.t ga('n bo' son sa('t, thu?y chung, qua tho+`i gian kho^ng co' ne^'p nha(n, qua ddo^?i ro+`i va^~n mo^.t lo`ng be^`n vu+~ng ... kho^ng nu+?a ddu+o+`ng ddu+'t ga'nh, kho^ng lu'c co`n lu'c ma^'t, no'i ca'ch kha'c, mo^.t thu+o+`ng xuye^n o+?, mo^.t ma~i ma~i cu`ng, to? hie^.n trong va(n truye^.n cu?a Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng tha`nh mo^.t tho^'ng nha^'t va` lie^n tu.c vie^'t tru+o+'c sau kho^ng bao gio+` thay ddo^?i, ma(.c da^`u tha^n the^' cu?a ngu+o+`i thi` dda~ kho^ng bie^'t bao nhie^u tha(ng tra^`m va` ddo^?i thay ."

     P. Lan: Tha(ng tra^`m, nhu+~ng chu+~ na`y ta? tha^.t ddu'ng cuo^.c ddo+`i cu?a Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng, i't nha^'t la` cuo^.c ddo+`i tru+o+'c na(m 1975 cu?a o^ng, cuo^.c ddo+`i ga('n lie^`n vo+'i hai chu+~ tha(ng la` no^?i va` tra^`m la` chi`m hie^?u theo nhu+~ng nghi~a ddu'ng nha^'t cu?a hai chu+~ ddo' . Cuo^.c ddo+`i chi`m no^?i cu?a Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng ba('t dda^`u tu+` lu'c chie^'c du+o+ng va^.n ha.m Cam Ranh, HQ 500 u?i ba~i tru+o+'c vo`ng tha`nh cu?a Trung Ta^m Hua^'n Luye^.n Ha?i Qua^n Nha Trang sau hai nga`y le^nh dde^nh tre^n ma(.t bie^?n, cho+? nhu+~ng ta^n kho'a sinh si~ quan kho'a 17 dde^'n tru+o+`ng . DDa.i u'y Ha?i Qua^n Vie^.t Nam Co^.ng Ho`a Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng o+? vo+'i so^ng ra.ch, bie^?n ngo`i Vie^.t Nam tu+` nga`y ra tru+o+`ng cho ma~i to+'i na(m 1975 .

     Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng sinh na(m 1945 o+? My~ Tho, ho.c dda.i ho.c khoa ho.c o+? Sa`i Go`n do+? dang, va` cu~ng chi'nh ca'i do+? dang na`y dda~ ba('t o^ng tro+? la.i dda.i ho.c o+? nu+?a ddoa.n ddo+`i sau dde^? tha`nh suo^'t mo^.t ddo+`i ma`i mo`n ddu~ng qua^`n o+? ghe^' dda.i ho.c, mo^.t ne't dda^.m trong ddo+`i so^'ng cu?a o^ng va` sau ddo' dda~ tro+? tha`nh tu+.a dde^` cu?a cuo^'n truye^.n da`i dda^`u tay Mo^.t DDo+`i DDe^? Ho.c .

     B. B. Tru'c: Truye^.n da`i Mo^.t DDo+`i DDe^? Ho.c la` mo^.t thu+' tu+. truye^.n, mo^.t thu+' tu+. truye^.n tie^?u thuye^'t, mo^.t the^? va(n chu+o+ng tu+`ng la` dde^` ta`i tranh lua^.n cu?a mo^.t so^' ca'c nha` va(n Vie^.t Nam o+? mie^`n Ta^y Hoa Ky` ca'ch dda^y kho^ng la^u . Mo^.t so^' cho ra(`ng dda~ la` tu+. truye^.n thi` chi? co' nhu+~ng su+. kie^.n ddi'ch thu+.c mo+'i ne^n ddu+o+.c vie^'t xuo^'ng . Vi` the^' kho^ng the^? co' mo^.t the^? loa.i va(n chu+o+ng na`o ddu+o+.c coi la` tu+. truye^.n tie^?u thuye^'t . Mo^.t so^' kha'c thi` cho ra(`ng tie^?u thuye^'t la` sa'ng ta.o, la` mo^.t dda(.c ti'nh cu?a va(n chu+o+ng . Bo+?i the^', ne^'u tu+. truye^.n mang ti'nh cha^'t cu?a va(n chu+o+ng thi` no' pha?i co' pha^`n sa'ng ta.o, va` do ddo', no' pha?i la` tu+. truye^.n tie^?u thuye^'t . Ne^'u kho^ng no' se~ chi? la` mo^.t chuo^~i nhu+~ng con so^', nhu+~ng nga`y tha'ng va` nhu+~ng chi tie^'t cu?a mo^.t ddo+`i so^'ng . Mo^.t nha` va(n ngu+o+`i My~, John Doctorow, mo^.t la^`n co' no'i ra(`ng ga^`n nhu+ ta^'t ca? mo.i truye^.n nga('n, truye^.n da`i du` vie^'t nhu+ the^' na`o ddi cha(ng nu+~a, dde^`u co' mo^.t hi`nh thu+'c tu+. truye^.n o+? trong .

     Cuo^'n Mo^.t DDo+`i DDe^? Ho.c la` mo^.t thu+' tu+. truye^.n tie^?u thuye^'t trong y' nghi~a va(n chu+o+ng cu?a cuo^'n sa'ch . Nha^n va^.t Hu`ng trong truye^.n co' le~ chi? kha'c vo+'i nha^n va^.t Hu+ng ngoa`i ddo+`i co' mo^.t ca'i da^'u tre^n chu+~ U . No'i theo lo^'i ho.c vo+~ lo`ng cu?a ca'c em be' thi` Hu`ng co' da^'u HUYE^`N, co`n Hu+ng thi` co' ra^u . Nhu+~ng ngu+o+`i bie^'t Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng o+? ngoa`i ddo+`i cha('c cha('n se~ ddo^`ng y' vo+'i chi tie^'t vu+`a ke^? dde^? pha^n bie^.t nha^n va^.t Hu`ng trong truye^.n va` nha^n va^.t Hu+ng, ta'c gia? cuo^'n sa'ch o+? ngoa`i ddo+`i .

     P. Lan: Cu~ng nhu+ Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng o+? ngoa`i ddo+`i, Hu`ng ra ddo+`i ddu'ng na(m dde^. nhi. the^' chie^'n cha^'m du+'t o+? My~ Tho, mo^.t ti?nh no^?i tie^'ng o+? mie^`n Nam, ti?nh ma` co' mo^.t so^' ngu+o+`i, nha^'t la` nhu+~ng ngu+o+`i sinh tru+o+?ng o+? mie^`n Ba('c va`o sinh so^'ng o+? mie^`n Nam va` suo^'t ddo+`i kho^ng ra kho?i ca^`u Be^'n Lu+'c, thi` nhu+~ng hie^?u bie^'t ve^` mie^`n Nam chi? vo?n ve.n la` nhu+~ng ddi.a danh cu?a ti?nh My~ Tho, nhu+~ng ddi.a danh tro+? tha`nh qua' quen thuo^.c trong tho+`i chie^'n, nhu+~ng ddi.a danh mo+'i nghe thi` kho' chi.u vi` ca'i ne't thie^'u va(n ve? cu?a no' nhu+ng nghe la^u tha`nh quen, dde^'n khi la^u kho^ng ddu+o+.c nghe thi` nhu+ thie^'u va('ng, ma^'t ma't ddi mo^.t pha^`n cu?a ddo+`i so^'ng . Nhu+~ng Ca'i Be`, Cai La^.y, Cha^u Tha`nh, Be^'n Tranh, Cho+. Ga.o, Vu+o+`n La`i, Cho+. Cu~, Be^'n Ta('m Ngu+.a, Ca^`u Cha` Va`, Be^'n Xe Cu~, Be^'n Xe Mo+'i, Vo`ng Nho?, Vo`ng Lo+'n ... nhu+~ng ca'i te^n tha^.t gio^'ng nhu+ mo^.t thu+' tra'i ca^y mie^`n Nam, tra'i sa^`u rie^ng, chu+a bie^'t thi` kho^ng co' gi` dde^? tie^'c nho+', nhu+ng dda~ bie^'t, dda~ ga^`n gu~i, dda~ quen tha^n thi` ngu+o+`i ta kho^ng the^? no'i va` nghi~ ve^` chu'ng ba(`ng mo^.t ca'ch bi`nh tha?n, thie^'u nhie^.t ti`nh ddu+o+.c . Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng dda~ vie^'t nhu+~ng trang dda^`u tuye^.t vo+`i ve^` no+i cho^'n cu~ ddo', cu?a mo^.t giai ddoa.n dde.p trong ddo+`i so^'ng, cu?a nhu+~ng na(m mo+'i lo+'n "mu+o+`i la(m, mu+o+`i ba^?y, tuo^?i ho.c tro` ma('t sa'ng vo+'i mo^i tu+o+i," cu?a DDinh Hu`ng, mo^.t belle e'poque cu?a mo^~i ngu+o+`i trong chu'ng ta, mo^.t ddoa.n ddo+`i chu'ng ta va^~n quay ngo' la.i vo+'i ra^'t nhie^`u tie^'c nho+', ca'i ddoa.n ddo+`i cu?a lu+'a tuo^?i lo chu+a to+'i ddo' . Hu`ng, ca^.u ho.c tro` nho? cu?a My~ Tho ro+`i tha`nh pho^' nho? ddo' le^n Sa`i Go`n a(n ho.c, va` nhu+~ng dda^?y ddu+a cu?a cuo^.c so^'ng cuo^'i cu`ng dda~ ddu+a cha^n Hu`ng le^n ca^`u ta^`u cu?a chie^'c du+o+ng va^.n ha.m HQ 500 . Mo^.t cuo^.c ddo+`i kha'c ba('t dda^`u khi Hu`ng ta^.p ddi la.i nhu+~ng bu+o+'c dda^`u kho+?i ba(`ng cha^n tra'i . Va` o+? ddoa.n ngu+o+`i sinh vie^n si~ quan te^n Hu`ng to^'t nghie^.p tru+o+`ng Ha?i Qua^n Vie^.t Nam thi` cu~ng la` lu'c nha^n va^.t Hu`ng trong truye^.n va` Hu+ng o+? ngoa`i ddo+`i ba('t dda^`u nha^.p la.i tha`nh mo^.t . Hu`ng, ngo^i thu+' ba so^' i't tro+? tha`nh ngo^i thu+' nha^'t tu+` ddo' cho dde^'n trang cuo^'i cu?a cuo^'n sa'ch . Nhu+~ng chu+o+ng ke^' tie^'p ke^? la.i cuo^.c so^'ng tre^n so^ng ra.ch, bie^?n kho+i cu?a mo^.t si~ quan ha?i qua^n, nhu+~ng khoa?ng tho+`i gian la`m ti`nh ba'o, ro^`i khoa?ng tho+`i gian ta'c chie^'n cu?a ngu+o+`i si~ quan tre? tuo^?i . Na(m 1975, ta'c gia? ro+`i Vie^.t Nam sang so^'ng ta.i Hoa Ky` va` la.i mo^.t giai ddoa.n ra kho+i kha'c ba('t dda^`u sau nhu+~ng na(m tie^?u ho.c le^n trung ho.c, ro^`i dda.i ho.c, ro^`i o+? tru+o+`ng ha?i qua^n, nhu+~ng na(m no^?i tro^i be^`nh bo^`ng so^ng bie^?n tre^n ca'c chie^'n ha.m .

     B. B. Tru'c: Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng dda~ vie^'t ve^` nhu+~ng chuye^'n ha?i tri`nh cu?a o^ng, nhu+~ng chuye^'n ra kho+i lie^n tie^'p kho^ng ngu+`ng a^'y tha`nh nhu+~ng tro^i da.t cu?a mu+o+`i ma^'y na(m, nhu+~ng tro^i da.t ma` Mai Tha?o cho la` "de^~ da`ng dda^?y va`o tha^'t la.c, que^ nha` dda~ nghi`n tru`ng, ba`n vie^'t cu?a Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng, giu+~a tho^? ngo+i xa la., va^~n dda(.t ddu+o+.c va`o ddu'ng hu+o+'ng, ddu'ng ta^`m vo+'i gio^'ng no`i va` dda^'t nu+o+'c o+? xa . Kho^ng bao gio+` to^i xa, cha(?ng bao gio+` to^i que^n, cha(?ng bao gio+` to^i kha'c . The^' gio+'i co' nghi`n bie^?n tro+`i nhu+ng to^i chi? co' va` chi? so^'ng vo+'i mo^.t tro+`i, mo^.t bie^?n . Toa`n bo^. va(n chu+o+ng Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng dda~ no'i cho Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng nhu+ va^.y . No'i mo^.t Vie^.t Nam toa`n pha^`n, trong ta^m trong ho^`n . No'i mo^.t dda^'t nu+o+'c va^~n ho+i tho+? va^~n ma'u ho^`ng, trong lo`ng trong da. . Du`ng mo^.t hi`nh a?nh dda.i du+o+ng, tre^n ddo' co' ddo+`i so^'ng, qua' khu+' va` tri' nho+' Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng tra?i ro^.ng, thi` la` mo^.t ha?i tri`nh da^~u co' dde^m to^'i va` gio^ng ba~o, da^~u co' phu+o+ng hu+o+'ng mi.t mu`ng va` so+n cu`ng thu?y ta^.n, ha?i tri`nh a^'y va^~n tu+` mo^.t be^'n dda^.u tro+? ve^` be^'n dda^.u ."

     Cuo^'n sa'ch cu?a o^ng la` mo^.t trong nhu+~ng cuo^'n sa'ch dda'ng ddo.c cu?a na(m 1989 .

     P. Lan: Quy' thi'nh gia? vu+`a theo do~i ba`i gio+'i thie^.u cuo^'n Mo^.t DDo+`i DDe^? Ho.c cu?a Nguye^~n Ta^'n Hu+ng . Mu.c Va(n Ho.c Vie^.t Nam Ha?i Ngoa.i do Ba?o La^m phu. tra'ch se~ tro+? la.i ha^`u truye^.n vo+'i quy' vi. va`o tua^`n to+'i cu~ng va`o gio+` na`y .

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Ta'c Pha^?m Tru+o+'c Trang Chi'nh Ta'c Pha^?m Ke^' Tie^'p

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