This is my submission for the Wine and Old Lace event. I'd like to thank Nora Fares and Bebop3 for giving me reads, and special thanks to my Sweet Inspiration blackrandl1958 for her advice and editing.
I was working in the US Embassy in Saigon towards the end of the war. I wish I could say that I was doing something glamorous, or exciting, like a CIA operative or a military attaché, but I was just another pencil pusher.
I had actually put in for this assignment, wanting to do my part to "save the world from the Red Menace," but it didn't take too long for disillusionment to set in. The South Vietnamese didn't really like us and had no interest in American-style democracy. We were just another tool in their civil war with the North.
I resigned myself to just doing my job, serving out my term then never seeing this God-forsaken country again.
Then she came into my life.
Tran Van Hoa was a new employee at the Embassy, working at our reception desk. She spoke perfect English, with just a slight accent that I found charming.
We were cautioned about romantic liaisons with the locals, though it wasn't forbidden, but honestly, it wouldn't have mattered to me if it was forbidden, I had to get to know this exotic beauty better.
I found her incredibly attractive. She had long, shiny black hair that she usually kept in a bun, but she occasionally wore it down and when she would absent-mindedly push it behind her ear, she would reveal the cutest elfin ears. I wish I could say that her face would have rivaled Helen of Troy's, but that would be a gross exaggeration. There was just something about it that drew me in. Her look was both exotic and girl-next-door; if the girl-next-door was Vietnamese. She always greeted me with a warm smile. While I must admit that she did that to everyone, I flattered myself that it was just a little brighter for me.
She always called me Daniel, which may not be notable as that is my name, Daniel Cohen, but most people call me Dan, which I prefer, or Danny, which I hate, but somehow it just felt so right when she called me Daniel.
I fantasized about Tran constantly, sometimes the fantasies were romantic, sometimes, I have to admit, they were quite erotic.
I finally realized that fantasizing was getting me nowhere, and I had to shit or get off the pot, so the next morning I strode into the embassy exuding more confidence than I felt and walked straight up to her desk.
"Good morning, Daniel," she said. "What can I do for you?"
I was like a schoolboy asking a girl to the school dance, shifting nervously from one foot to the other.
"I . . . I was wondering if you'd like to join me for lunch, sometime."
"'Sometime?'" she asked with a smile. "Could you be more specific; I have a very busy social calendar."
I could tell she was playing with me, I could only hope that it was meant to be friendly. Well, "faint heart never won fair lady," so I went for it.
"Could you make it today, around noon?" I asked.
She continued to tease me with a mock thoughtful look, tapping a finger on her chin.
"I do believe that works," she said. "See you here at noon?"
"Yeah, yeah, noon," I said, almost embarrassed at how naive I made myself look, then hurrying off, hearing her soft giggles behind me.
I'd like to say that our date was filled with meaningful glances and sparks flying, but it was just your typical first date, getting to know each other.
I began by nearly putting my foot in my mouth.
"Please don't take this the wrong way, Tran," I said, "but your English is excellent."
"Oh, I'm not insulted," she said, smiling. "I take it as a compliment. My parents knew that there would be no future for me in Nha Trang and made sure I received the best education possible, first at a local convent school, then as conditions worsened they sent me to the city to live with relatives here.
"What about you, Daniel? What brings you to our country?"
I had to think for a moment.
"Nothing very dramatic. I graduated from college with a degree in Political Science. Unfortunately, the job market for Poli-Sci majors without advanced degrees was pretty sparse, and going back to school wasn't really in the cards.
"I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do with my life, when I went to a job fair and happened to find myself at a State Department booth.
"The recruiter made it sound very glamorous, a chance to see the world on the government's dime, and I applied on the spot. I was hired and found myself filing papers in a basement. I saw the posting for the job here and went for it. I saw it as a chance to get out of the country and aid in the fight for "freedom and democracy."
"I was soon disabused of that notion, and I was counting the days until I could return home . . . but now I find myself not quite so anxious," I said with a shy smile that I was pleased to see returned.
"So, tell me about Nha Trang. You said there was no future there. Why not?"
"Nha Trang is a poor fishing village. Most young people leave for the city as soon as they're able, leaving behind mostly the very young and very old. At the convent school I showed a knack for language, and soon was fluent in both French and English.
"When I left for the city I was very frightened. I had never even visited Saigon, and had a difficult time finding my relatives' home. My aunt made it clear that I would have to pay my own way, but I had no skills suitable for the city.
"My cousin said he had some "friends" who might be able to use me, but my aunt rapped him across the knuckles, and warned me not to listen to him.
"At the time I didn't know what they were talking about, but I soon learned, and it made my skin crawl. I stayed as far away from my cousin as I could after that.
"I looked for work everywhere, and was losing hope until I saw a help wanted sign in a French restaurant. When they found that I could speak French and English as well as Vietnamese they hired me on the spot.
"I had never waited on tables before, but I learned quickly, and while it was physically demanding, it wasn't difficult.
"Not to seem immodest, but I know how I look . . ."
I smiled at that and she playfully slapped my hand.
"I learned that a big smile and a friendly manner earned me large tips, and I was soon able to afford my own apartment. I think my aunt and uncle were happy to see me go, my cousin not so much, but I was VERY happy to get away from him.
"While I enjoyed the work and meeting people, I knew I didn't want to be a waitress forever. One day it was slow, and I was chatting with one of my regular customers. He told me about a job opening at the embassy. I applied and got the job."
"Well, I'm certainly happy that you're here," I said grinning.
We made idle chit-chat while we ate lunch, and all too soon it was time to return to work. Not wanting to advertise our relationship (was I getting ahead of myself?), we parted outside the Embassy with a gentle hug and a dinner date for Friday night.
Somehow, my work didn't seem so drab as I waited for Friday to come.
Tran said that I should dress casually, so I wore a pair of nice slacks with an open-collared shirt and a sports jacket. I still have that jacket, though it looks silly with the wide lapels that were the style back then.
I went to the address she gave me in the French Quarter of the city and rang the bell.
I was blown away by the vision I front of me. Tran was wearing what by today's standards would be a fairly modest LBD, but for mid-70's South Vietnam was pretty hot. It was sleeveless, grazed her knees and had just a hint of cleavage. Her hair was out of its usual bun and flowed around her face down to her shoulders.
She obviously got the reaction she was looking for, as she just smiled, hooked her arm through mine and got us moving down the street.
I finally found my voice.
"God, Tran, I always thought that you were pretty, but you're gorgeous!"
She blushed.
"I should hope so; I worked hard enough at it!"
It was my turn to blush, and I started to stammer that she didn't really have to, although that sort of contradicted my greeting. She took pity on me and smiled as she touched two fingers to my lips.
"It's okay, Daniel, I understand."
