“We are the lost, we are the lonely
So far from our beloved land
We are the children of the Mekong
Who will not see the mighty river again
O Kampuchea
The blood of our people
Has stained you
The bones of our people
Lie in unmarked graves
But the love of the ancient Khmers
Will live in our hearts. We will not forget you
Even from this new place
On the far side
Of the earth."
This is Sundara's poem which she writes for school. Of course she talking about how difficult it is to be a refugee, and how dearly she remembers her homeland. Her teacher is impressed by the sentiment of the poem and decides to share it with the class, without Sundara's permission. Ultimately it's embarrassing to the girl, but she starts hanging out with Jonathan as a result.
“These poor Americans with their light skins, How easily they colored with every emotion. No wonder they never seemed to remain properly composed”
Sundara struggles in all the normal ways to adapt to American culture. She's curious about her classmates, but she also feels a type of pity for them. They all seem so confused and lonely and frustrated. In her culture, they have rituals which help people to make sense of normal life changes, but she looks on remorsefully to see her peers struggle without a sense of purpose.
“'But then, his feelings are not our concern. Their ways are not our ways. Even with a good family, he is not good for you. You must not think of him anymore. You must forget him.’ The words Soka demanded caught in Sundara’s throat."
Soka is trying her best to protect Sundara here. She tells her to leave the white boys at school alone because they won't treat her well as an immigrant. Although her concern is well founded, Soka doesn't consider how difficult attraction is to master at Sundara's age. She ends up frustrating the girl and consequently driving her closer to Jonathan.
“For the next few days, she wore Jonathan’s love like a warm cloak around her. The way he’d just come right out and say it! I love you, Sundara. Leaving the hospital in a daze, she had realized she couldn’t remember anyone ever saying those words to her before- not even her parents. She liked this American way of being so honest."
Sundara loves Jonathan because he makes her feel special. She's experiencing a normal attraction for her age, but like most kids she reads extra meaning into her feelings. When Jonathan confesses his love for her, she feels accepted for the first time ever.
