Reuben wiped his eyes. “While working on the ship with Uncle Casey, I’ve missed my mother terribly. But I thought about it and figured that my father would scold and beat her every day if she were still alive. It’s my fault for being so useless. If only I had been capable of leaving home with my mother then, maybe she wouldn’t have died.”

Gloria was unsure how to respond to Reuben’s remark. Life was filled with discontentment and too many helpless situations. She stretched out her hand to pat him on the shoulder. “Don’t blame yourself. Many your age still depend on their mothers while you're out here making a living on your own. You can go home and get yourself a wife when you have enough money. Your life will surely get better then.”

Reuben chuckled. “You’re right. I’ll keep it up. But you have to stay strong too, Ms. Gloria. You will get better.”

Gloria pumped her fist in the air. “We shall keep it up together. I’ll put all my efforts into holding on to life.”

“Also, I can see th