Written in response to the Death prompt. This piece was also inspired by a true story of a family friend, dramatized and injected with a bit of Gatsby-esque feelings that I had on the experience.

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I came to the new country with hope for a new life. But now, suspended an inch above the water, time stops, and I realize the new life has ended.

The first months were difficult for me. I came with my husband to a land of a garish culture and alien noise. The English that I had learned in school back at home sounded nothing like the street talk here. When I opened my lips to speak, corners of mouths turned upwards mockingly and bade me shut my lips back closed. When I came to my job in the small shop, the pale faces glared at me, and companionship was scarce. But here was the land where wallets swelled larger than the Mother Ocean and spirits rose higher than the Father Sun. If I tried hard enough, I knew, the new country would find a way for me to achieve greatness. Continue reading →