The Rent Collector

Nisay and Ki sleep on the bus ride home, and Sang is excited to see Maly looking happy and healthy with an older woman. Although Sang wants to get Maly’s attention, she hesitates, wondering if “the memories she holds of Stung Meanchey” are perhaps “ones she hopes to forget” (204).

Sang then thinks that her encounter with Maly, who is unaware of Sang’s presence, must be like their relationship with the ancestors: “They watch us closely, full of love and concern, sometimes whispering encouragement through a crack, but mostly just satisfied to know that we are happy” (204).

Upon arriving back at the dump, Sang discovers that someone has stolen all their possessions. They go to stay with her mother, and the next morning, the sound of Nisay laughing wakes Sang. She realizes that even though they have nothing, “if Nisay is truly better,” they “have everything” (207). Furthermore, her mother tells her that the other residents of the dump are gathering things to replace the missing items. Sang notes that “friendship is soothing the sting of injury” (208).

Lucky Fat comes to Sang with a notebook from Sopeap. The book contains a note saying that Sopeap had to leave but has left behind a set of lessons for Sang.