Moringa Leaf (A Novel)

Tom turned around. “Oh, hi, Grace! Is this beautiful rookie grocery cart driver a friend of yours, by any chance?”

Grace nodded.

“Aren’t you going to introduce her to me?”

“We’re blocking everybody. Let’s move over first, shall we?” suggested Grace. She helped Ani push the cart toward the exit door. “There, now, that’s better. Ani, this is Tom. Tom, this is Ani. She just arrived from Indonesia.”

“Hi, Tom,” Ani said politely, remembering that adding his name was the appropriate way to greet someone in North America. She also remembered to hold out her hand and smile, even though her smile actually expressed nervousness. She watched his hand extend toward hers and felt its warm squeeze. Just before she let go of it, she noticed a nickel-size dark mark under the nail of his right thumb. “Please excuse my…my bad driving,” she stammered. “Did I hurt your finger?”

“Oh no. That’s just a birthmark,” he replied. “Your shopping cart banged up my knees. But all is forgiven. And welcome to Maryland, Ani! Will you be coming to the International Friendship Hour at the University Community Church?”

Ani looked at Grace with a puzzled look.

“I haven’t told Ani about it yet, but I will,” said Grace. “But we must get going now. Will you excuse us, Tom?”

Tom turned to Ani, bowed slightly, and with a friendly gleam in his eyes said, “Good luck in America! I look forward to seeing you again.”

Ani smiled, this time for real. Life in America had begun to be interesting.

Certainly not just another Asian girl, Tom mused as he rushed past the cashiers to the deli on the other side of the supermarket. Coy, cute, sweet, and intelligent. She’d make me look good. And she’s new in this country, which means she’d have to lean on me and look up to me. That would make me feel competent. She needs me, and I need someone to need me.

But then the old self-doubt showed its ugly head. Would he ever be rich enough to impress her?