045｜A Little Life Alone – Across America (San Francisco-2)

【Little Days Living Alone – Across America】45/100

First stop, back to San Francisco.
UA844 United Airlines pierced through the sea of clouds, narrowed the first rays of morning light, and landed at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). After exiting the customs, dragging the large luggage compartment, I set foot on American soil again, and my mood was very complicated. Six years ago, when a study tour group came here by plane, everything was curious and confused. This time, for the reason of escape, I hurried to the United States alone, saying that I was visiting friends and relatives, but in fact I wanted to find a solution to the shackles of my soul.

It was early and I spent a little more time wandering around Northern California's largest international airport before heading towards the BART station for the city of Fremont.

At 10 am, I arrived at the familiar Fremont Station. Esther, a beautiful old friend, and two cute little boys were already waiting outside the station. As a souvenir, get in the car, Esther first let me take a nostalgic trip to the city of Fremont.

I stayed in front of Mr. Palos's house for a while, but no one answered the door. I had to leave a note in the mailbox and leave first. Six years ago, I still remember the wonderful time of living at Mr. Palos's house for a month. After losing contact two years ago, there is no news of their family. I look forward to seeing you again on this trip and repaying the kindness that I took care of in those years.

After walking around for a few streets, we had lunch at the Teochew restaurant in the community mall. Although it was an oriental cuisine, it had a strong Western flavor against the American atmosphere. In the afternoon, the sun was warm on the children's faces, and their eyes were narrowed into a line. It was time to go back to take a nap, so I followed Esther back to her rented house here, and adjusted the time difference myself.

Esther didn't see me as an outsider, and when she got back to the apartment and changed into home clothes, she began to put the children to sleep. This room is very small, basically just an L-shaped small suite. At the entrance, the small sofa area serves as the living room and dining area. The mini-kitchen, which can only be used by one person at most, is next to the bathroom. After turning a corner is the bed. Esther and the children are lying on the bed. me on the sofa.

The children were still young, five and three-and-a-half years old, the age that cats and dogs would hate. The slender Esther had to deal with these two little boys alone, obviously suffering. The original plan was to stay in Esther's den in Fremont for a few days, and she didn't mind me staying with me at all, as long as it could stand the children's frolics. But because a girlfriend flew over from the east coast to see her temporarily, I had to find another place to avoid unnecessary rumors. Fortunately, I have already filed a record. My good friend Fangfang's eldest sister lives nearby, but I have never seen her, so I have to try my luck.

During the phone call, Fangfang's eldest sister confirmed that I was her sister's friend for many years, and happily agreed to vacate the small room next to the garage for me to stay. There's only one camp bed, but it's already saved me several days of hotel accommodation. Solve the accommodation problem, and in the next few days, I can have a good time with Esther and deal with the relationship between the past and present.

After the kids were asleep, Esther made two cups of coffee and sat down beside me.
We haven't seen each other for a few years in Taipei, but they met in the San Francisco Bay Area, and they all came to the United States to heal their emotional wounds. What a pair of fallen people!

We must be tired, we just quietly follow the flow of time and savor the unspeakable bitter taste of life.

#traverseamerica
#sorry
#Past and Present

(reading background music)
Li Shouquan's "Zhang San's Song"
https://youtu.be/yniJbapn8r4